5 comments about A Shark Never Sleeps.

1. Now, I'd never heard of Rosenhaus until this summer because of the T.O. situation. I picked up this book expecting it to be a typical self-absorbed, egotistical piece of junk. However, I had no idea about the depth of Drew. He came to terms with his sexuality early in his life and he didn't let small minds stop him from becoming successful -- including his own. Did you know he auditioned for Cirque de Soleil? His talent was throwing enormous styrofoam triangles into the air and then catching them behind his back. He didn't make the cut, but he vowed that he would drink a gallon of Dr Pepper everyday from that day forward. That may sound incongrous, but I think it shows the level of commitment he's willing to make. So, Mr. Rosenhaus please take a bow, this is a book that may seem overpriced at 10 cents, but feels really right to me.



2. The name of this book should be re-titled 'A Shark Never Sleeps: Wheeling and Dealing with the NFL's Most CLASSLESS Agent.' This guy is so disgusting I won't bother to give my litany of negative aspects of this book. The only interesting part of this book is that it exposes the ugly side of professional sports.



3. October 6, 2002

   Hoping for a peek into the arena of sports agency, I
   picked this up one lazy afternoon. Wow! I suppose if
   you're the right sort of person with the right sense of
   humor, you could have a lot of fun wallowing inside this
   fellow Drew Rosenhaus's own fascinated vision of himself
   and his life--replete with numerous descriptions of how
   crafty and tough he is, as well as an insert bikini photo
   of his model girlfriend (with whom he's formed a deep,
   lasting pair-bond, I'm sure).

   However, it's more likely you might be left gaping at a
   printed ego that approaches the sociopathic, pondering
   about what publisher and editor were possibly thinking,
   and wondering how many Drew Rosenhauses are out
   there, tolerated, even rewarded, in this, the tackiest,
   but best dressed, of all possible worlds.

   Tolerated and rewarded not just in professional sports,
   which would be bad enough, but in civil law, corporate
   finance, government . . .




4. This was a great book...i dont care what anyone says..yeah Drew's a show off but hey hes the BEST in the buisness and he tells u how he got there in this Book. And for that idiot that said he put a modeling Pic of his girl in the picture part of the book didnt even read it!...the pic isnt there....GO DREW GO!!!!!!!



5. I could not belive how someone could be this self involved... I am a negotiator and was hoping for good negotiating advice but got something much different. I am sure that half of this book was untrue, however I have to give credit were credit is due, he did make it to the top. I just hope that after the realease of this book he is able to stay there, "now that would be impressive"...

4 comments about Collecting Baseball Memorabilia: A Handbook.

1. This book is great for anybody that has an interest in collecting baseball memorablia. Mr. Zachofsky has unique suggestions for collecting autographs and how to display them.



2. I received this book as a gift and was very impressed with the suggestions and the history it gave. I have since begun creating my own Baseball Memorabilia Room and I have even gotten a few Hall of Famer autographs. I find this book extremely helpful for any collectors, experienced or new to the hobby. I think this book is fantastic and it is the "BIBLE" of any collecting manual. With the upcoming baseball season, it really makes a great read especially if you're interested in starting a memorabilia room. The forward to the book is written by one of my all time favorites, Duke Snider -- very impressive! Also, I love the pictures that are included! I highly recommend this book!



3. After 5 years of struggling collecting baseball memorabilia, I've finally found the magna carta for this fascinating hobby. Attempting to collect the key signatures for this hobby is the ultimate goal. Collecting Baseball Memorabilia A Handbook makes it easy, enjoyable and is a great investment. Lastly, since I've purchased this book, I've added 5 Hall of Famers to my collection without the stress because of the knowldedge found in this book.



4. Since collecting baseball cards many years ago I have always been an admirer of Baseball memorabilia collections. I never started on because it always seemed too difficult. This book makes it easy. From the aficionado to the novice,from the young to the old,this book encompasses all aspects for starting,adding to, or preserving a baseball collection. Amazing insight into the collecting world it gives great advice and tips that are so valuable to a new or even seasoned collector. This book is the "Ball Four" for collectors as it gives an insiders view from someone did it. It has interesting comments and synopsis of Hall of Famers and baseball park and team information. Concise and easy to read with great photos and a foreword by the "Duke of Flatbush",my hero. A must read for anyone into collecting or who enjoys baseball memories.

3 comments about Sayonara Home Run!: The Art of the Japanese Baseball Card.

1. This could've been featured in our collector's section or even our sports section, but is presented here for its powerful artistic survey of Japanese sports through its lovely baseball card art. SAYONARA HOME RUN! THE ART OF THE JAPANESE BASEBALL CARD features player history, card art, and loved and hated baseball teams alike. It will attract any with an interest in world baseball or in collectible ballgame cards - and many a browser with an interest in neither!
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch



2. This could've been featured in our collector's section or even our sports section, but is presented here for its powerful artistic survey of Japanese sports through its lovely baseball card art. SAYONARA HOME RUN! THE ART OF THE JAPANESE BASEBALL CARD features player history, card art, and loved and hated baseball teams alike. It will attract any with an interest in world baseball or in collectible ballgame cards - and many a browser with an interest in neither!
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch



3. Vinatge Japanese baseball cards are among the most beautiful baseball collectibles in the world. I discovered these treasures over ten years ago during a trip to Japan and became an avid collector. My passion for the cards eventually led to a on-line card business and a career as a baseball writer. John Gall and Gary Engel's new book Sayanara Homerun! depicts hundreds, if not thousands, of theese beautiful cards. The book's presentation is wonderful. Cards are gracefully portrayed as art but the accompanying text will statisfy both baseball card collectors and fans of Japanese baseball.
   
   If you are an American baseball cards collector, come see what you are missing. If you a fan of Japanese baseball, come see great pictures of your favorite stars.
   
   I spend hours paging through this book and expect that you will enjoy it as much as I have.

1 comments about True Mint: Mr Mint's Price & Investment Guide to True Mint Baseball Cards.

1. Al Rosen is one of the most brash and self promoting dealers in the world. He certainly doesn't need to write a book to pay the rent, but fortunately he did. This book, although somewhat dated, is an essential read for anyone considering diving into the collecting of baseball cards. A quick and interesting read that you will find guiding you from beginning to advanced collecting. His insights on the trends of card grading and Tiffany sets are the only areas that where he has seemed to be proved wrong (for the time being, at least). His "Mr. Mint's Maxim's" are rules to live by before making any card purchases. Amongst all the books on baseball cards, this one truly is a "gem"!

No comments about Instant Expert: Collecting Baseball and Other Sports Cards (Instant Expert (Random House)).

3 comments about Beckett Baseball Card Alphabetical Checklist.

1. This is very simple. If you collect baseball cards, you need ths book. It's just that easy!!!



2. This book is an absolute necessity for baseball card collectors who are in search of specific players. The book alphabetically lists every player who has appeared on a baseball card. Not only does it list the major companies (like Topps), it does an excellent job of listing locally issued cards. It includes minor league cards as well. If you are looking for a specific player's cards, this is the best place to find every card produced of that player.
   The only downside to this book is that it is fairly quickly outdated due to the glut of cards on the market. Back in the day, a great player like Hank Aaron might have 1 regular card and maybe 5-10 special or regional cards each year. Now, a player like Albert Pujols might have over 100 total each year.
   That downside cannot be avoided, though. With that in mind, this book cannot do much more.



3. THIS BOOK HELPED ME AND MY COLLECTOR FRIENDS SO MUCH , THAT I HAD TO GIVE IT TO ONE OF THEM WHO DOES NOT LIVE IN THE USA, AND THAT IS WHY I AM NOW BUYING MY SECI=OND COPY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

4 comments about A House of Cards: Baseball Card Collecting and Popular Culture (American Culture (Minneapolis, Minn.), 12.).

1. Bloom's well-researched study of baseball collectors in the 1980s is a wonderful text for studying and teaching about masculinity and popular culture. His book raises important questions about the crisis of masculinity in the latter part of the twentieth century, and the ways that popular culture practices like baseball card collecting both challenged and, ultimately, shored up traditional gender boundaries between men and women. Bloom's work also focuses extensively on the issue of nostalgia, particularly the idealized memory of 1950s American boyhoods. An accessible and engaging tone makes this a fine text to use in popular culture classes or in gender studies classes.



2. Bloom's well-researched study of baseball collectors in the 1980s is a wonderful text for studying and teaching about masculinity and popular culture. His book raises important questions about the crisis of masculinity in the latter part of the twentieth century, and the ways that popular culture practices like baseball card collecting both challenged and, ultimately, shored up traditional gender boundaries between men and women. Bloom's work also focuses extensively on the issue of nostalgia, particularly the idealized memory of 1950s American boyhoods. An accessible and engaging tone makes this a fine text to use in popular culture classes or in gender studies classes.



3. As a baseball card collector for over 20 years, I have read countless articles in countless publications about baseball cards and card collecting. Almost every one of the has focused on either the financial aspects of the hobby or on how great it is to be a collector. John Bloom has written a thought provoking and academic book which examines WHY we collect.

   While I do not agree with some of the authors positions, specifically about race and homoerotocism, I feel that they are well thought out and presented. His description of the MCC, a card collectors club, is very similar to my own experiences in the two clubs to which I have belonged in the past, and offers a unique look at the pettiness and power struggles that often arise in these organizations.

   Many collectors and hobby writers came out very strongly against this book, but I think that many of them looked at Blooms' conclusions as an attack on the hobby of card collecting. They are not.

   While the academic tone of the book can make it difficult to read at times, the insights that it offers and the fact that it at least makes the reader THINK about the nature of collecting are reason enough to read "House of Cards".




4. Collecting baseball cards evokes memories of crisp wax paper; the assault of a preadolescent nose with the aroma of sickly sweet, often stale, powder-sugar coated bubble gum; the thrill of your first Ted Williams card; and of clothes-pinning your sixth Pedro Ramos in your bicycle spokes.

   In stark contrast, Bloom's book portrays collectors in the angry, white man role; discusses the collector's insecurities about their rapidly declining social position; their disturbing attitudes toward blacks and women; and their apparent inability to get a date in high school. Why is Bloom saying such disparaging things about the people who collect baseball cards?
   
   Bloom spent some time in the late 1980s attending baseball card shows in Minnesota. His observations at the shows, sports card shops, interviews with hobbyists, and secondary research, form the basis for this adaptation of his doctoral thesis.
   
   Baseball card collecting can evolve from a children's hobby to an adult's business. But the hobby took on an entirely new dynamic during the Reagan years. Many American boys collected cards, and in the economic boom of the 1980s, price's escalated, and collectors found (if mom hadn't gotten there first) treasure troves in long-forgotten, old shoe boxes. Unfortunately, many believed, including Bloom, that the newfound wealth corrupted the hobby.
   
   Bloom's typical adult collector is white, male, and lower-middle class. In turn, Bloom blames these card collectors for failed marriages, deceit, deception, the manipulation of children, the exclusion and derision of women, and distancing the races.
   
   But is the assertion valid that adult collectors are sexist, merely because the majority are male? Similarly, are they racist because a majority are white? Is the fact that Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps rookie card sells at a higher price than Willie Mays' 1952 card, justifiable evidence of racism among the collecting enthusiasts as the author brazenly maintains?
   
   The impact and social ramifications of collecting baseball cards appear to be stretched beyond the realm of plausibility to make an alarming, though questionable, point. Is it possible that collecting bits of cardboard, emblazoned with the images of childhood heroes, really be the cause of this much social discord?
   
   But the author has missed a critical point. Bloom states that the cards, in and of themselves, "are of no real consequence." Most collectors would vehemently disagree. Baseball cards derive their value by resurrecting the reminiscences of the collector's youthful heroes. There is a collective social memory which envelops the collectors and their cards. The fact that trade guides indicate that selected cards may have some extrinsic value is nice, but for the majority of collectors, not paramount. The same native affinity does not permeate collecting spoons, stamps or coins, or even football or basketball cards. The fact that these collectibles are baseball cards matters a great deal.

3 comments about Beckett Football Card Price Guide 2006-2007 (Beckett Football Card Price Guide).

1. My title is not taken in vain. Beckett's is the essential authority on the subject of football sports cards. Released updated every year it provides the latest price information required to maintain either one's collection or inventory. Eric



2. The Beckett Guides are the most popular guides in the world, bar none. And what I've always liked about Beckett is the depth of information contained in his guides. With this one, you get listings of sets from as far back as the late 1800's to 2001. Now please note before I go any further, if you buy this guide and by chance your card or set is not listed, it does not mean your card(s) are worthless, it simply means that what you have may not currently be receiving alot of market activity, or may be a card or cards that aren't currently known to exist. You must realize there are virtually thousands of sets on the market and newer ones coming out every week by various companies, so it is almost impossible to keep up with every one produced. So Beckett concentrates on sets that are both known to exist and have heavy market activity. Oh and one more thing, if you have rubber bands around your cards, please get rid of them. Go to your local card shop or go online and get some card holders. Condition is a key element in a cards worth, and rubber bands can cause severe damage to cards. Now, as for this book, Beckett has sets listed in ABC order and lists the individual cards of the set. So if you are putting together a set, and you see yours listed in this guide, you have the perfect checklist to keep up with what you do and do not have. For each set listed, there's a little bit of information included, and there may be production numbers included in the trivia. Beckett shows you how to collect, how to preserve your cards, how to determine condition, shares football card terminology, and has other interesting facts about football card collecting. Ahh to go to a game and load up on hotdogs. Collecting football cards brings me back to the time when I was in high school and went to the games to pull for my home team (and yes, I ate a lot of hot dogs then too). Collecting football cards make me think about the times when me and my dad would watch a game together, screaming at the players to run run run. So as I'm sure you already know, collecting football cards for most people is more than just an investment. And when I look through this Beckett guide, I see lots of cards that came out when I was younger, and they bring me back to a time(The late 60's, The 70's, and early 80's) when playing football was one of the things I loved to do the most. Beckett guides have remained the most sought after guides since the 80's and are used the world over. Some of the brands of cards you will find in this edition include Fleer, Upper Deck, Topps, Score, Playoff, and Donruss. Again, there are many other brands listed in the guide, but these are some of the most heavily traded ones. This book is a valuable tool for any true football card collector.



3. I needed a new price guide and I wanted a very recent one. I figured I could wait until 2001 but I desided I would get it now(this guide is great quality and has all of my cards listed in itand I have tons of cards!).

No comments about The Official Beckett Price Guide to Football Cards 2009, Edition #28 (Official Price Guide to Football Cards).

No comments about Beckett Football Card Price Guide, 2008 Edition (Beckett Football Card Price Guide).