3 comments about Spirits Speak: African Masks (Prestel Minis).

1. I was also very, very disappointed at the size and content of this book. Calling this a mini book is very misleading as well. This book is about
   3" x 4" inches The collection of pictures that was put into this sample book is what should be given away FREE with the large size book. Some of the pages are almost blank with only the title of the mask on the page. Then they have the nerve to waste even more space by having a "list of Works Illustrated" pages which totals about 7 pages. I honestly thought it was the larger size book. I will send it back. Next time they need to let people know that it is such a small book and the actual size might help, because when you are viewing other books of much larger sizes sticking a regular size index card size book is misleading. It should be in very large print just how small this book is. Do not waste your money and buy this book.Spirits Speak: African Masks (Prestel Minis)



2. I gave the mini book as a gift for my fiance. He wants to collect masks, so to get him started on his collection I wanted to get him a book about masks. I saw the larger version of the book at a bookstore and it was stunning. The photographs in the large books were just amazing. I decided to get the mini book instead because the large sized was almost $80. The mini book is just larger than a credit card and has just as beautiful pictures, although way smaller, as the large version. It made a nice stocking stuffer.



3. I was disappointed at the size and content. It was a mini book like at the gift counter of a book store. The size didn't do the masks justice.

1 comments about European Majolica: With Values (Schiffer Book for Collectors).

1. It is an excellent book for collectors, specially for those interested in european majolicas fron Germany,Austria and Checoslovaquia. I absolutly recomend it.

2 comments about Sarah Sze.

1. This terrific book provides well-done photographs of much of her work, along with an interesting text. I just wish it had the "split coupe" that is strung from floor to floor at the MOMA in San Francisco, but you can't have everything. The next volume of her work will have it, no doubt. Her sculptures remind me of the bridge in William Gibson's recent science fiction - organically grown structures made of the stuff we use (and often throw away) every day, combined with an imaginative vision, spots of nature, and elements we can't quite identify. It is wonderful work - to me she is the most exciting artist out there right now. I'd like to have a large house (very large!) full of everything she's done, but that's not going to happen, so this book is the only way I know of to have so much of it close by.



2. I have long admired Ms. Sze's work. This book is essential for anyone concerned with contemporary sculture and installation. The pictures are beautifully reproduced. Highly recommended.

5 comments about African Animals in Origami.

1. This is one of my favorite books by John and I would highly recommend it to any intermediate to advanced folder. Like most of his books, it gives you some fairly simple models to start out on (grass, tree) and then move to some more intermediate ones (various African birds, snake, crocodile, etc.) Getting into the more difficult animals you have things like a hippo, gorilla, chimp, aardvark, etc. Next you will tackle models like the elephant, rhino, gazelle, plain giraffe and lion. Finally when you are ready to tackle the hardest models, you have his "multi-colored" animals which make full use of both side of traditional origami paper, the striped zebra and the spotted giraffe. You can see John's developing skill as one of the premier origami authors in this book. The diagrams are all wonderfully done and easy to follow for any experienced folder, and the models themselves are all quite detailed, even some of the easier ones are beautifully representative of the real animal. John clearly puts effort into making a number of these models capable of standing up and often having 3 dimensional aspects such as the lion and hippo in this book which have large bulky heads similar to the live counterpart. If you love animals and love origami, this is definitely not a book to miss!



2. For all you John Montroll fans out there, buy this book. For everyone else, buy this book also! It is one of the best books for animals, with a wide variety of difficulty levels. From simple 'grass' to complex striped zebras, this book has it all. I enjoyed making some of the more unique models, like the bee-eater and rhinoceros. Another nice thing about this book in particular is that the models are much different than what are in many other books. Because the theme is Africa, a lot of the animals in this book I have never seen made in another book. (Some however, have been made elsewhere, and quite honestly, better, such as the elephant and gorilla).
   The Bottom Line:
   If you like Montroll, animals, or semi-complex models, buy this book. If you are a beginner, there may be better choices, likewise, if you are an expert, there isn't a lot to whet your appetite. For everyone else, a great book for your collection.



3. This is a great book for experienced folders. This one along with North American Animals makes a great pair. One thing I find missing in most reviews is the contents is so here it is. There are 24 models in African Animals in Origami and they are Grass, Tree, Sacred Ibis, Crowned Crane, Flamingo, Crocodile, Hippopotamus, Snake, Chameleon, Bee-Eater, Hoopoe, Hornbill, Gorilla, Chimpanzee, African Elephant, Ostrich, Vulture, Aardvark, Rhinoceros, Gazelle, Lion, Zebra, Giraffe, and Spotted Giraffe. Happy Folding.



4. This is my most favoured book in Origami. I have done all the models from the zebra, giraffe, elephant. All models are par excelance. Montroll is my best folder. I think folders who like folding animals should try Racoon from Inside our Origami book by Montroll.



5. This was my first "intermediate" origami book. I really enjoyed the fact that the models are spread out over several different levels of difficulty. You can start out with the simpler animals and gradually advance to the more complex, ending with the hardest model in the book, a striped Zebra. It took me 4-5 hours to complete the zebra, but I am so proud of it! For anyone who has experience folding, this is a great book!

No comments about Otherworld Uprising.

No comments about Carving Dolphins and Whales (A Schiffer Book for Woodcarvers).

1 comments about Mosaic (Stylish & Simple).

1. I have been interested in doing mosaic projects but did not know anything about how to get started. This book is very understandable, it tells exactly what tools are needed for each project. It also has a variety patterns to follow outside of the pictures. I highly recommend this book for the beginner or the experienced. There are a lot of great ideas!

No comments about Elements of Woodcarving.

2 comments about Chip Carving Patterns.

1. Some of what is in this book is also in the first book.Technically this book could stand on its own and that's why the repitition. However, this book is more pattern oriented than the first book. It has two more typefaces that can be photocopied and used for lettering projects and more patterns that are somewhat more advanced than the first book. The biggest help for a beginning chip carver is to acquirle a collection of patterns and typefaces to use for any carving projects. This could be used as a starting point for anyone interested in chip carving, but the rosettes and the lettering patterns in the first book are invaluable as well.



2. Book is great for borders and traditional patterns and gives some basic tips, but does not give details on how to achieve the effects shown.

5 comments about The Complete Metalsmith.

1. Complete Metalsmith, Student Edition
   this book is great for any type of metalsmithing in jewelry. It explains in detail what you need to do. Highly recommended for all beginners in the jewelry world.



2. Complete Metalsmith, Student Edition is an excellent resource. As someone completely new to metalsmithing I was hearing terms that I could not figure out and this book has them all. It is well written and seems very complete. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a reference book meant for the years. The construction is well thought out with a firm but flexible cover and wire binding. It is a convenient size to have on your work table at all times.



3. This is a handy little book to keep by your bench for a quick reference. You'll find basic information of what something is - not always how its used. I'm still learning metalsmithing and this little book complements my jewelry project books. I found it helpful and informative in this regard.



4. This is a wonderful book for a metal working student just starting out. It contains technical information in an easy to follow format, as well as lots of illustrations and clear directions. The coil on the spine makes the book easy to follow while working on a project. The student edition is a great place to start in learning this new craft



5. This is easy to follow with step by step instructions. If you are interested in learning metal smithing, I highly recommend this book. It is a great resource book for future use as well.