1 comments about Jaguar: The Complete Works.

1. You'd think that an introduction to the world of Jaguar had been done enough already. And, indeed, it seems that each passing addition to the collection adds less and less new material on the subject. Nevertheless, this volume has done a wonderful job as a concise collection of basic facts. The tables, in particular, are an excellent resource. As is typical, this book is written with a decidedly British slant but also provides ample information for the American enthusiast

1 comments about Corvette Stories from the Backbone of America.

1. A nice collection of stories from Corvette owners about their cars.
   Some are a little lame, but most are interesting reads.
   Makes a nice token birthday gift of Christmas stocking stuffer.

No comments about Transatlantic Flight: A Picture History, 1873-1939.

No comments about The Art Trucks of Japan.

No comments about 100 Years of Harley-Davidson Advertising.

No comments about The John Deere Legacy (John Deere).

2 comments about Collectors Guide to Diecast Toys and Scale Models: Identification & Values (Collector's Guide to).

1. I must say that I really regret buying this book. After waiting anxiously to receive it I was, upon opening it, almost immediately disappointed. It turned out to be an alphabetical listing of companies which produced die-cast models, with a brief (1 paragraph in some cases) description of company history. While it does list each model produced by the various companies and offer a valuation, it fails to describe the models in any detail. Therefore, a prospective collector has virtually no useful information to go on. It doesn't even tell you the various colours the models have been released in, or any details which might differenciate one model from another.

   As for photos. This is another area where this book falls down. Very few graphics; once again - a real let down.

   All in all, a very poor showing. Save your money and buy a different book!




2. This book is not a complete listing of any single make of diecast car (although it does come close for a few makes) but rather a list of all diecast manufacturers that have ever existed with a representative sampling of prices and photos.

2 comments about Classic Muscle Car Advertising: The Art of Selling Horsepower.

1. I have Mitch Frumkin's first two books, and I must admit this one is better, picture wise. His first two contained just b&w photos and not much text. This book is wall to wall color, which really brings the ads to life; some ads are even reproduced in their original size. Very cool - A+ on that account. However, this book contains much more text, which should have been a nice compliment to the ads, but unfortunately, there are a number of errors. Yes, I realize that one person cannot possibly know every little detail, and we are constantly finding out new facts about muscle cars, but if you have the ads in front of you, and hopefully the magazines they came out of, you should know the correct years of the cars and the dates the ads ran. In other words, model year 1971 cars were not advertised in late 1969.
   
   Also, I feel a number of historic ads were left out in this publication that should have been included. For example, there were several ads that were pulled by the manufacturers almost immediately after they ran, because they were considered too contraversial. None of these are here. Maybe Mitch wanted to offer the public some fresh material. The problem here is, his first two books are out of print. Quality used copies are going for good money and are becoming hard to find.
   
   Aside from those two nick-picky points, overall, it is a cool book. Would make a great gift. Buy a really nice used copy, you won't be disappointed.



2. I was impressed by Muscle Car Mania and Son of Muscle Car Mania but Mitch came up trumps this time as we benefit from colour print - the best way to see the psycadelic Plymouth ads of the 60's. If you like muscle cars buy this book.

2 comments about American Carriages, Sleighs, Sulkies, and Carts: 168 Illustrations from Victorian Sources.

1. Today no family establishes itself without getting a van. But over a hundred years ago, the family had carriage or waggonet.
   
   A well illustrated little book. Most informative on the pre-motor technology of horse drawn transport. I found it a joy to go through.
   
   A must for anyone interested in this period.



2. This book is a nice reference for anyone with an interest in common types of American Victorian Coaches.
   
   I found it very informative with a clear line drawing of each coach included description of the item, some history, information on the maker, and some historical data to indicate what the use was. The clear black and white drawings are supplemented by plans and by photographs where available, which helps to give a feel of the scale of the vehicles.
   
   I was very pleased to find that not only was information on colors included but they were careful to indicate how many horses pulled the vehicle, and show pictures of the shafts as well as the vehicle.
   
   Generally if you're looking for a simple pictoral reference to show you what these vehicles looked like, and/or gain some feeling of the color and history, you'll be very pleased.

2 comments about American Clipper Ships, 1833-1858: Malay-Young Mechanic (American Clipper Ships, 1833-1858).

1. a definitive work. The two vol. could easily replace the other fifteen books on the subject of clippers that I have on my shelves.



2. This excellent reference guide originally published by the Marine Research Society in Salem, Mass. in 1926-27, actually consists of two Volumes:

   Vol 1: Adelaide-Lotus: ISBN: 0486251152

   Vol 2: Malay-Young Mechanic: ISBN: 0486251160

   Volume 1 covers all American Clipper Ships built from 1833-1858 whose names begin with the letters A through L, and Volume 2 covers from M through Y. I don't know why they are offered separately, as Volume 1 also contains the introduction and Volume 2 the Index, so it makes no sense to purchase these separately. Also the pagination is consecutive. The brief introduction explains the criteria used to define a Clipper Ship, which is a ship "...of peculiar construction, designed for great speed rather than for capacity." (p.v) The authors Octavius T. Howe and Frederick C. Matthews consider the "Ann McKim" launched at Baltimore in 1833 to be the first Clipper, and the era of the Clipper to be over by 1858 with the launching of "The Star of Peace" at Newburyport. The books are basically listings of all 352 known Clipper Ships arranged alphabetically. Some entries are brief; others however are quite lengthy and include excerpts of contemporary descriptions in the Press and in Correspondence. It seems that the Sailing Records of Ships were of great interest to the authors, so the records of the fastest voyages on several routes can be found in these books. The Index includes not only the names of Ships, but also of Captains, Owners and Builders. Also included are reproductions of about 100 paintings and some drawings. These have not fared so well in the reprint edition, and their quality is sometimes not so good, but many are still helpful. This almost 800 page long book can be used as a reference book, or as a book just to page around. Original editions are quite hard to come by and expensive, so this reprint edition is very reasonably priced and a welcome addition to any Bookshelf of Maritime History.

   Review by Walter O. Koenig