3 comments about Gunsmithing - Rifles.

1. This book is well written and contains excellent information ... with the caveat that if you are a grizzled veteran in gunsmithing, it's not for you. Having said that, fairly experienced "do-it-yourselfers" might still pick up some info they don't already know. Simply look over the Table of Contents and decide. I would say that the chapter on how to examine used guns alone makes it worth the price. Of course, this book gives a lot more such as scope mounting and trigger adjustments. So if you like to do things yourself, but need a little guidence in unchartered territory, this book is for you. One last comment. This book does not delve into any hardcore work requiring machining, such as truing an action or the like.



2. This book is perhaps a good introductory text for those who do not have or do not wish to invest in gunsmithing equipment. Topics covered are largely mundane and include: scope mounting, bedding, boresighting, etc. Much of this information could be had from the instructions that come with the materials listed. There are a few genuine jewels of information that probably make it worth its' modest price. It is a superb book for the neophyte, or someone who simply wishes to be an informed consumer of Gunsmithing services.



3. "Gunsmithing: Rifles offers an abundance of quality, useful information in the form of specific instruction for home shop projects. I'm not suggesting the book's contents are simplistic, but rather the range of information spans from detail to conceptual, which provides a good foundation of knowledge before projects are attempted.

   There are virtually no chapters that would not be of value to the average firearms enthusiast, so I didn't feel I purchased the book only for the contents of one or two good chapters. There is a section on refreshing hunting rifles. The coverage includes correcting poor accuracy, refinishing wood and metal parts, drilling and taping scope mounts and metallic sights. But the information continues on into action/bolt lapping, rechambering, changing a bolt handle, installing a new safety....

   I would have purchased the book just for the coverage of trigger work. Finally, a current, inexpensive book that provides detailed coverage of trigger replacement and tuning, by rifle manufacturer, including do's and don'ts for each model. I followed the book to clean up the trigger on a Winchester M70 that's been waiting to get dropped off at the gunsmith for the past 8 months, and had excellent results.

   Great book

5 comments about Colored Gemstones, 2nd Edition: The Antoinette Matlins Buying Guide: How to Select, Buy, Care for & Enjoy Sapphires, Emeralds, Rubies and Other Colored Gemstones.

1. I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE VERY EDUCATIONAL, SINCE I AM STARTING TO PURCHASE JEWELRY ITEMS FROM JTV.COM WHICH OFFERS AN ARRAY OF THINGS THAT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF, AND THIS BOOK IS A GREAT TOOL TO SMARTER GEM SHOPPING. I RECOMMEND PEOPLE READ THIS BEFORE MAKING A BIG JEWELRY PURCHASE.



2. There is a lot of good information in this book. However, it is not for someone new to the trade. Not many pictures to use while reading. makes it hard to follow certain parts of the text.



3. "Colored Gemstones" is a beginners' guide to gemstones that aims to help consumers understand what types of gems are available, what to look for in determining value, and how to go about doing that. This book does not oversimplify the subject as some guides for beginners do. Author and gemologist Antoinette Matlins gives readers some preliminary guidance on how to familiarize yourself with a gemstone using a loupe and how to determine if it is well-cut. Then it is on to Part 2, which constitutes the bulk of the book and is a fount of essential and fascinating information.
   
   First, the "4 C's" of color, clarity, cut, and carat, with particular emphasis on color and cut and how they relate to one another. Sample laboratory reports on gems are provided, so we see what a lab report can tell the consumer. The chapter on synthetic gems and enhancement treatments is particularly informative. The author describes common treatments and provides a very useful chart of treatments by gemstone. The chart lists treatments for 34 gem groups and indicates which treatments are typically used, seldom used, whether they are stable, and whether the treated gemstones require any special care, including which should avoid ultrasonic cleaners. Information on color enhancement spans several chapters.
   
   A chapter on fraud and misrepresentation lists which gemstone treatments are acceptable practice and which are dishonest, with descriptions of the treatments, and a list of deceptive names often used to mislead customers. So we will know what our options are, the author lists gems by color, provides a list of gems not routinely enhanced for those who prefer natural stones, and a table of how much treated vs a natural stones differ in price. There is a detailed price guide for 21 groups of (faceted) gems, indicating what you may expect to pay for good to extra fine quality stones, wearability, and availability. Opal and synthetic price guides are separate. One chapter is dedicated to descriptions of about 40 gems, with data on hardness, chemical composition, wearability, and brilliance for each. Ms. Matlins concludes with specific advice on what to ask and look for when buying stones, what facts to make sure appear on your receipt, and tips for cleaning and caring for gems.
   
   Having read Renee Newman's Gemstone Buying Guide, I find that Ms. Matlins' "Colored Gemstones" is more complete. This is primarily because the coverage of enhancements, synthetics, and price are more extensive in this book. Its discussions of how cut affects color are also better. That said, the "Gemstone Buying Guide" treats star and cat's eye stones more thoroughly and has a slight advantage in coverage of opal and jade. It provides more vital statistics, including refractive index, cleavage, and specific gravity. "Colored Gemstones" biggest shortcoming is the scarcity of photographs. There is a 16-page insert of color photos, but most of the gems discussed are not pictured. The "Gemstone Buying Guide" has far more photos, but if you have to choose one book, I think you'll be happier with "Colored Gemstones" unless your interest is in cat's eye or star gems.



4. If you buy Jewellery and gem buying guide from the same author, you find it is a lot of repetition. However, to me this book is giving more information than the other one as the discussion of more focus on gemstone.



5. Quite enlightening. Particularly liked the guide for prices of gemstones as well as the uses of stones. Had I purchased this book before, I would have made more informed choices when buying gemstones. Would recommend to anyone buying any type of gemstone.

5 comments about How to Make Money in Coins Right Now, 2nd Edition.

1. This book was laid out in a way that you could follow and understand. Very informative.



2. This was a good book except there were no real ideas except to break out your coins from the already sealed and graded plastic cartridges and resend them back to have them graded again hoping they will upgrade their already graded grade. Hopefully, in breaking the protective case, you don't scratch them getting them out. To me, that was expensive and taking a chance on their judgement. There were no real hints that I could use other than what I was already doing.



3. While well-written, this book comprises of one theme throughout: cracking older PCGS graded coins and re-submitting them in the hope of a higher rating and a higher value. The book is very well detailed in this respect, but many of the older holders have long ago been cracked and re-submitted. Very little in other advice as far as making a profit.



4. When you buy these kinds of books, you tend to expect some secret techniques of making money. Many books even manage to create the impression of telling you something previously undisclosed, until you try it and realise that it does not work.
   
   This book is written by the professional in this field. Making money in coins is a business, and not such an exciting one, after all. There are a few ways of making a profit honestly (or almost honestly) in numismatics. And there is no guarantee of being succesful. Very sobering message, and this book gets it across well.
   
   I learned a lot from this book and would recommend it to anyone interested in this business.



5. I bought this book with the idea of picking up some investment coins, salting them away for a few years, and cashing out. While that may indeed work, it's not the essential theme of this book. After reading and thinking through some of the strategies, I became fascinated with the grading arbitrage game that is covered in great detail. Despite Travers' warnings about doing this online (and ebay specifically) I was able to parlay $600 into $1200 in about two months using ebay coin auctions. There is some risk involved and you absolutely must do your homework, but pretty much everything you need is discussed in this book. You can make your own price guide by using the resources on ebay; you will also need the self-discipline to not over-bid!

5 comments about Barbie Doll Fashion: Vol. 2, 1968-1974 (Barbie Doll Fashion).

1. What would vintage Barbie lovers and collectors do without this and the other 2 books by Sarah Sink Eames? Without a doubt her books are the best on the market for identifying all the wonderful vintage outfits for Barbie and her family. Beautifully presented, detailed and comprehensive information. Each outfit is presented by name, stock number and years made, as well as detailed descriptions of the fabrics used and the accessories accompanying the outfits. Original outifts that came with the dolls are also shown and described. A trip down memory lane and the next best thing to owning all the wonderful outfits.



2. Another great book by Sarah Sink Eames!-Great outfits and pictures-easy to see values-Fun to see how Barbie and friends followed current fashion trends for the late 60's and early 70's-very helpful to any vintage collector!!



3. Great book. Found outfits and the year they came out. Do Recommend if you are into Barbie clothes...



4. If you are a collector, you should have this book on your shelf. Comprehensive, complete, with photos galore. A+++++



5. In Hong Kong, it is not popular to collect vintage Barbie dolls so that it is not easy to explore specific related knowledge. This book really helps a lot. It is a bible for every Barbie collectors!

2 comments about The Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly Part II - Revolvers (Gun Digest Book of Firearms Assembly/Disassembly).

1. This book is fantastic. It already saved me hundreds of dollars and much time. For example: The sideplate on my python came loose while shooting, the pawl got dislocated, and everything locked up. This was a sad day. Fortunately, this book had arrived in the afternoon. I was able to use it to completely strip all parts from the python, fix it, completely clean the action and reassemble, despite the common wisdom that the python's "swiss watch" action makes it impossible for mortals to touch and not destroy.
   
   I've bought a lot of books I liked on amazon, this is the first that was so helpful I felt like I had to write a review.
   
   There were a couple of things I'd like to see improved: (1) clearer pictures, (2) the book skipped one step that you had to interpolate by staring at pictures (in which details were hard to see), and (3) the author's bio is disconcertingly egomaniacal.
   
   
   A more detailed, excellent book I'd also highly recommend: THE COLT DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVERS: A SHOP MANUAL, VOL. I.
   by Kuhnhausen, Jerry.



2. this book supplyed us with all the information we needed. the works of the police positive colt pistol

2 comments about Sticker City: Paper Graffiti Art (Street Graphics / Street Art).

1. Graffiti has its poster board roots on city walls, typically - but this worldwide survey documents a new trend: paper works glued to city surfaces. The author is a graffiti artist who traveled around the world surveying street art: some eighty artists' works are profiled in over 7,000 examples of this new 'paper art graffiti, providing both a historical survey and insights into the special demands of the new 'adhesive art' medium. Any art library holding will find this an excellent and unique acquisition.



2. An interesting and well-designed catalog of an emergent art form. I still consider most "Street Art" to be just a notch above blight and usually an eyesore, but this book revealed an imaginative world of design and artistic improvisation. Too bad Banksy's too much the recluse to be profiled here, but his absence is made up for by the wide survey of international "stars." Now I've caught myself paying more attention to the visual "noise" around me, looking for sly creative expressions. Too bad most of the graffiti, scratchiti, and tagging I see is still craptacular, and nowhere near as the intriguing as what's shown off in this book.

5 comments about Beaded Jewelry with Found Objects: Incorporate Anything from Buttons to Shells.

1. I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the projects on beading around freeform crystals and seaglass. The beaded eyeglass and small bottles were also great. There are a few other quirky beaded items, but the rest of the book is useless. I should say I am an advanced beader, so the many projects on beading around a simple bezel don't interest me. So, if you're a mid to advanced beader, there isn't that much new.



2. I was very pleased to find this book! Basic instructions for right angle weave that are easy to follow, Ladder Stitch, Even Number Flat Peyote, Vertical Netting (or Lattice Weave,) Back Stitching and Couching.
   Good Chapter for Straps, Necklaces and Fringe WITH PICTURE INSTRUCTIONS. Lots of ideas for odd ball beads and not beads that you can use in your beadwork.
   
   It has a Wonderful Chapter (4) on Beading cabochons with some fresh Unique ideas for beaded straps and the stones. One is done with a Amethyst crystal wedge. Very clear instructions. She has some pictures of beaded brooches made with doughnuts and disks embellished with with beads that start in the center and work their way to the edges that I find inspiring. SHe even beaded a Magnifying Glass Necklace!



3. I found this book by accident while searching for beadwork books on Amazon.com and I'm soooooo glad I did! It includes many techniques for incorporating a variety of things into your beadwork and rather than offering only one design solution it gives lots of options. For example, I especially appreciated the inclusion of techniques for incorporating cabochons and larger found objects such as rocks and slabs without using the technique of gluing the object to a backing and couching around it but rather using beadwork exclusively to capture the object. Lots of eye-candy and interesting suggestions. This turned out to be a better all-around book of techniques than I expected it to be and I know I will refer to it often. It does have lots of projects in it if you want to just follow along and more or less copy them, but it also gives different techniques for straps, focals, etc. so you can mix and match them. I wish more beading books were like this one -- it really helps to expand a beader's design options!



4. This book is a keeper. The projects are delightful and instructions are clear. With Carole's pointers in mind, there are so many places to look other than bead shops for findings and inspiration. In addition, the book describes new ways of using old stitches that leave the reader with ideas of her own to pursue. Included are pictures of what other bead artists have done using the instructions from this book as a springboard for their ideas. "Beaded Jewelry with Found Objects" is a treasure for anyone who loves beading, and just looking through it is fun. Warning: looking through this book will leave you twitching to start a new beady project ... okay, okay, it'll leave you twitching to start A LOT of new beady projects.



5. I passed by this book a few times but I needed a bead book fix so I ordered and I'm happy I did. The designs are imaginative and there is a wealth of techniques to try. They are explained well with excellent diagrams. Lots of eye candy to boot.

2 comments about Pictorial Guide to Christmas Ornaments and Collectibles: Identification and Values.

1. If you love vintage Christmas ornaments you will love this book! This is the best book I've seen on the topic. It definitively covers Dresden ornaments, and ornaments made of glass, paper, fabrice, metal, wax, and more. It contains thousands of photographs of mostly pre-war ornaments, a wealth of information and a price guide to help value your collection. Even if you are not an ornament collector, you'll find this book contains collections that will absolutely amaze you. This book will remain in my library forever.



2. If you love vintage Christmas ornaments you will love this book! This is the best book I've seen on the topic. It definitively covers Dresden ornaments, and ornaments made of glass, paper, fabrice, metal, wax, and more. It contains thousands of photographs of mostly pre-war ornaments, a wealth of information and a price guide to help value your collection. Even if you are not an ornament collector, you'll find this book contains collections that will absolutely amaze you. This book will remain in my library forever.

No comments about The Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Coins 2008, 46th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Coins).

2 comments about Sell, Keep, or Toss?: How to Downsize a Home, Settle an Estate, and Appraise Personal Property.

1. This book was very helpful when deciding how to downsize for my parents. The book is organized well and gives tips to consider when the task is overwhelming. The book includes checklists, time frames for disposing items, facts that executers need to know, pricing guidelines, estate sale information, laws, etc.
   This book was easy to follow and made my executer role much easier.



2. This book will help you cut the stress of downsizing your life or settling an estate in half or more with its no-nonsense, clearly defined step-by-step suggestions for organizing, evaluating and dispensing property. Legal, tax and other tips highlighted throughout, as well as useful anecdotes of mistakes made and how to avoid them. Learn how, when and where to sell everything, and explore options for what's left. (Who knew you could sell natural fiber to scrapyards?)
   
   I love that he provides questions to qualify the many professionals you may need to hire to ensure that they're working for you. Also his advice on how to navigate the sea of outstretched hands that suddenly appear is most helpful, especially for those who tend to cave to guilt. Estate sales, auctions, swap meets, consignment shops, garage sales and much more are discussed by an obviously discerning insider.
   
   I never saw Inspector Collector on HGTV, so am not familiar with Rinker beyond this book, but I am from the PA Dutch country near where he's located and do appreciate getting what I pay for. I would recommend Sell, Keep or Toss to anyone who whether by choice or circumstance is facing a transition that requires unloading personal property.