5 comments about Ancient and Medieval Modelling (Modelling Masterclass).

1. This book uses the author's own production metal figures as the basis for the modelling projects. Thus, the models are generally of 80mm scale, not the more common 54mm scale. The techniques used are not universally applicable, being limited to modelling mail armor, basic drapery and general modification of the commercially available figures. There are only simple references to heraldry, with painting techniques being supplemented by the author's own commercial range of waterslide transfers. The diorama techniques are also superficial, again being more suitable as a backdrop to showcase the finished models. The finished models appear static and are not particularly appealing.



2. I became hooked on miniature figure modelling and painting when I received a 54mm St. Petersberg Roman miniature about six months ago as a gift. Since then, I have discovered a wonderful, relaxing new hobby: figure painting.
   
   As a life-long medieval history enthusiast, I found Armstrong's book to be a great addition to my modest but growing miniature modelling library. While it is true that Armstrong's subject matter is fairly limited to the 13th and 14th centuries in England and Scotland, that is the "sweet spot" of my subject interest. Plus, the principles he relays are transferable - such as a mini-introduction to painting, sculpting and diorama building.
   
   If anything else, you will learn some very cool techniques on creating realistic 13th c. castle walls, textured stones and all!
   
   Well worth the price and the time.



3. Excellent book. Well documented and well written. A must own for anyone who wants to expand beyond trolls and Nazis.



4. Armstrong is an accomplished modeler and figure manufacturer. The book has a focus on British Medieval figures with much discussion on heraldry for that area. Other parts of the medieval world are given scant attention.

   He demonstrates many techniques for building both metal figures and scenes to place them in. His techniques for building castle sections for figure displays was very interesting. He does not discuss painting techniques much except for burnishing and polishing armor.
   
   All in all a good reference for those wishing to model British medieval subjects.




5. Armstrong is an accomplished modeler and figure manufacturer. The book has a focus on British Medieval figures with much discussion on heraldry for that area. Other parts of the medieval world are given scant attention.

   He demonstrates many techniques for building both metal figures and scenes to place them in. His techniques for building castle sections for figure displays was very interesting. He does not discuss painting techniques much except for burnishing and polishing armor.
   
   All in all a good reference for those wishing to model British medieval subjects.

4 comments about Price Guide to Holt-Howard Collectibles: And Related Ceramicwares of the '50s & '60s.

1. I ordered the book and generally liked it, but was disappointed it does NOT include all the Christmas items HH made and that this is a small section of the book.. :0



2. if you are looking for information on Holt Howard collectibles, this is the book for you. I has lots of color pictures and descriptions with specifics.



3. This is one of the best books on Figural Kitchenware of the 50's and 60's that I have seen so far. Not only great pictures, but the best information about Holt Howard Collectibles as well as nock offs. I have used my copy more than any other reference book I own on Kitchenware. Walter Dworkin can't put out another soon enough. Can't wait!



4. Highly recommend this book not only for the detailed description but also for the great color photos. Most price guides have alot of descriptions but not many photos, not this one! I enjoyed reading the description and seeing a photo. A must have for any collector

3 comments about Miller's: Silver & Sheffield Plate Marks: Pocket Fact File (Miller's Pocket Fact File).

1. This book is great for identifying English and British hallmarks. Has a little bit on other European hallmarks which is very useful. It's a small size, so you can easily put it in your purse when going antiqueing (sp?). I'd definently recommend this to anyone seriously interested in silver.



2. This little book delivers the goods ~ well-organized marks for the English silver sleuth. Also has a credible selection of silver styles thrown in as a little bonus.



3. This book is a must have for anyone who collects antique English silver. Not as comprehensive as a lot of others I have seen which is actually a plus since it fits comfortably in your pocket when you go antiquing. I keep my copy next to my computer so I have it handy while surfing the silver listings on eBay. Well worth the price.

1 comments about Art of the Natural World.

1. Most books which present collections of art objects treat the subject as that: an object. Emphasis is put on value or history. This book treats stones as a source of inspiration. Rosenblum takes individual objects and explains what he sees in them and how they effected his life as well as his artwork. He infuses the art of collecting stones with the original intent of the Chinese scholars who began the practice. The value he places on the stones are not so much monetary but how they speak to him on an individual basis. This book complements "Worlds Within Worlds", the first book about Rosenblums collection. That book explained technical and historical data, this one humanizes the collection. An excellent book, a great addition to the genre of viewing stones, suiseki, scholar stones, etc.

No comments about Hardstones: The Gilbert Collection.

5 comments about Roseville In All Its Splendor.

1. Isn't that great? The Author (see below) will make improvments and release a "better" version, thanks to Amazon customers who have already wasted their money on this one. What a great life, eh? And, she gives her own book (which she vows to improve) a 5 Star rating--brutal! I guess the "improved" book will be worth 10 Stars to her!



2. As author of the book, I thank everyone for their kind response. I am sorry that some of the pictures are not real clear but you must remember that these company plates were salesman sample pages some from the late 1900's. The newest pictures are from 1954. Since the book has been selling for six years now and has sold over 20,000 copy someone must be satisfied with the book. Watch for our new Roseville book coming out by the end of the year. It will be a collectors size book with all the pictures and prices plus place for all your information.



3. Somewhat better organized than the other Roseville books, however, the quality of the photos are horrible. Looks like they scanned low resolution images from a catalogs. A lot of incomplete model numbers in the pictures. If you buy this book you need to buy another Roseville book as a companion so that you can validate the information. I doubt the author is actually a collector.



4. This is much better organized than the other Roseville books, and very comprehensive. However, the quality of the photos is much worse since most are pictures of catalog photos. And many have incomplete model numbers in the pictures. Too bad!



5. The Bomms' have amassed the finest single historical description of Roseville's output ever compiled, period. Several other people have produced excellent books but none as complete as Bomm's. They managed to access and photograph a nearly complete collection of Rosevile's catalogue pages which, if not pretty, definitively reveal the item number (get a magnifying glass) of each displayed piece.

   I don't vouch for prices quoted, but the information is irreplaceable.

1 comments about Pottery by American Indian Women: The Legacy of Generations.

1. Susan Peterson has done a fabulous job highlighting the matriarchs (Nampeyo, Maria Martinez, Lucy Lewis, Margaret Tafoya), matrilineal line (Fanny and Dextra Nampeyo, The Lewis Women, Lu Ann Tafoya, Nancy Youngblood Lugo), and avant-gard (Alice Cling, Nora Naranjo-Morse, Jacquie Stevens) women artists who have maintained and expanded this ancient art form into the 20th-century. This retrospective featuring innovators of Native American pottery is a beautifully-illustrated book and a must for anyone interested in this art form. You will not be disappointed. Buy it while you can in the clothbound edition.

No comments about Carving Miniature Carousel Animals With Dale Power (Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers).

4 comments about Whittling (Home Craftsman Series).

1. I was interested in woodworking, with most of that leaning toward woodcarving and whittling. I bought this book as one of my first reference and starter books. It was one of the most instructional and enjoyable books that got me hooked on this facinating hooby. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to give carving a try. C. Heath, MA.



2. Having had a good introductory course on whittling, I was looking for both some relatively simple project ideas (with pattterns), and some ideas of where to go next. This book fits the bill very well. It provides patterns, pictures and instructions for roughly thirty different creatures, including a dozen or so quite simple, fluid, abstract animal designs and also including a number of caricatures such as those shown on the front cover.
   However, the book is extremely short on concepts such as tool selection and care, and the mechanics and ascetics of working with the wood's grain. Without my previous class, I would have been completely lost. In short, I agree with both of the previous reviewers even though one rated this book one star and the other rated it five stars.



3. One of my favorite woodcarving books. Nice patterns and easy-to-follow instructions. Great techiques for finishing.



4. I ordered this book through the mail without previewing it and I was quite disappointed. The characters that he presents are flat and lifeless and he does not give any worthwhile carving technique. The only saving grace this book might have is that it does have a few interesting patterns. If you like to carve interesting characters, this book is not for you

No comments about Chantal Akerman: Moving Through Time and Space.