Book Description
From the invention of gunpowder more than 1,000 years ago in China to the latest Metal Storm firing system with electronic ignition, The Great Book of Guns presents a historical approach to the development of firearms and their place in world events. In chapters on Pistols and Revolvers, Rifles and Shotguns, Submachine Guns, and Heavy Machine Guns, individual weapons are featured in chronological order. Each entry is superbly illustrated with color photography and has detailed specifications and individual descriptions of the gun and its historical context. With an extensive index, up-to-date glossary of technical terms, and historical timeline of firearms, it's easy to chart the history and development of firearms with this superb treatment of more than 1,000 internationally produced weapons.
Customer Reviews:
The Great Book of Guns: An Illustrated History of Military, Sporting, and Antique Firearms.......2007-01-18
This book was a gift for Christmas for my grandson. He said he likes it very much. He called me in Arizona to thank me for it, I figure it is what he wanted. I guess it's fine. As long as he's happy, that's all I care.
Wonderful photos, but not much else.......2006-03-03
The photos are great! There was little information to really tell about each gun pictured.
Great Book of Guns, Indeed!.......2006-01-13
This book looks sweet on our coffee table. The pictures are beautiful- especially the ones of antique rifles. My knowledge of firearms has greatly increased just by reading it in my spare time. There is fascinating history about guns that I had never heard of previously. I like the way the book is organized by firearm type and country of origin. I'm truly glad I purchased this book.
Interesting Historical Review but lacking modern details.......2004-11-23
I have been learning a lot about modern handguns, and I wanted a book that would give me some history of guns, how their operation has evolved, and an overview of the types of handguns in existance. This book is definitely interesting and fun to flip through, and has some great photos. I liked the photos of the older flint-lock pistols, pepperbox revolvers, and guns of the old-west. Some of the oddities were especially interesting, including the Japanese sword-gun (not a bayonet, but a full-size sword with a handle that was a gun). Also, I liked the WWII Liberator, made by GM to be cheap, easy to build, and to dropped in mass on Germany for partisans to get. However, I felt the book was lacking in a few key areas. I understand that the author can't possibly include every gun ever. But why are there so many examples of home-made guns throughout the years, and no entry for the Glock? The Glock was a revolutionary gun, with an interesting history of unknown Gaston Glock with no gunmaking experience making a gun for the Austrian army that bucked much conventional thinking regarding guns. Who would think a plastic frame would make a reliable gun? Now, every gun store you go into is packed with Glocks, and it is the favorite sidearm of many LEOs including police and FBI. Most CCW books I read recommend the Glock. Half the new guns I see today are essentially Glock copies (Springfield XD, Steyr, S&W SW, etc). The only mention of the Glock in this book is in a side-panel about SWAT teams, where it mentions that SWAT teams use Glocks among other weapons.
This book was an interesting read, but I wonder what criteria the author picked for each gun he included. I would have also liked more diagrams, showing how each gun works and the progression of various styles of gun. I give the book 4 stars since it was fun to flip through, and makes a good coffee table book, but for serious study of firearm history, you might need to go elsewhere.
Book Description
Still the best, broadest, and most complete introduction to the colorful, lustrously glazed, exuberantly decorated 19th-century ceramic art called majolica, this classic book, first published in 1989, is now fully updated. A brand-new chapter includes the latest information and 27 added color photographs of recently discovered pieces; 18 fresh color illustrations replace older black and whites; and an updated bibliography and list of museums with majolica collections make this book invaluable for the ever-growing number of majolica enthusiasts. The result, as Cape Cod Antiques & Arts said of the original edition, is "a serious reference for serious connoisseurs . . . It's wonderful."
Customer Reviews:
Great resource for collectors and modern majolica-artists........1999-10-15
First saw this magnificent volume at a collector's home, and had to acquire a copy for my library as inspiration for my own artistic endeavors with majolica.
One of the definitive books on Victorian Majolica.......1999-09-01
People all over the world treat this as the "Bible" of Victorian Majolica. It is the best.
Average customer rating:
- The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating
- The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction
- Darkness into Light
- awesome pictures, horrible writing
- "The most precious object in the western world"
|
The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction to the Manuscript in Trinity College Dublin
Bernard Meehan
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
 Medieval
| Schools, Periods & Styles
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Calligraphy
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Illustration
| Commercial
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Decorative Arts
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Religious
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Painting
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Calligraphy
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Illuminations
| Other Media
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Books
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Book of Kells
| Bible & Other Sacred Texts
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Library & Information Science
| Social Sciences
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
The Book of Kells: Selected Plates in Full Color
-
Color Your Own Book of Kells (Coloring Books)
-
The Lindisfarne Gospels (Illuminated Gift)
-
Celtic Design Coloring Book (Dover Coloring Book)
-
The Book of Kells
ASIN: 0500277907 |
Customer Reviews:
The Book of Kells: informing and illuminating.......2007-09-30
The Book of Kells is one of the most beautiful manuscripts in existence. This booklet enables those of us who are unlikely to ever see the real manuscript to feast our eyes on many of the illustrations as well as to learn a little of its history and preparation. Most of the illustrations are in colour and their vibrancy is still apparent across 12 centuries.
I consider that this booklet is worth acquiring for the illustrations alone. It also contains a lot of useful information for those interested in the physical preparation of such manuscripts as well as the underlying historical significance of this particular manuscript.
Highly recommended.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The Book of Kells: An Illustrated Introduction.......2007-01-13
The book was just what I was expecting. Shipping was quick.
Darkness into Light.......2005-08-25
I was glad I had this book along with me when I went to see the real Book of Kells at the Trinity College Library in Dublin. The lines of tourists waiting to view this famous eighth century manuscript were about a quarter of a mile long, and the museum proctors were really hustling us through the area where a small sampling of pages were actually on view.
(If you take the tour, be sure to check out the main chamber of the Old Library with its first editions of Newton and Darwin, plus the harp that is (alas, falsely) attributed to Brian Boru, high king of Ireland).
The first facsimile of the Book of Kells was published in 1974, and although this book only advertises itself as 'an illustrated introduction to the manuscript...' it contains good color plates of many of the most famous pages, e.g. the symbols of the four evangelists and the beginning of the 'Breves causae' of Matthew, among others.
Author, Bernard Meehan, the current Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College states that "the sacred text itself was copied in the Book of Kells with a remarkable degree of inaccuracy." It consists of the Latin text of the Gospels, illuminated in the very ornate Hiberno-Saxon style ('Hiberno' refers to the Irish, or Hibernians).
Legend has it that the Book of Kells was produced by St. Colum Cille on the island of Iona off western Scotland. Although it was probably begun in the Irish monastery on Iona, it was taken to the monastery of Kells in County Meath, after a series of Viking raids. The monastery on Iona was pillaged in 795, and again in 802. According to the author, "In 806, sixty-eight of the community were killed in another raid. The following year, the survivors migrated to Ireland and began to erect conventual buildings at Kells..." where the illumination of the manuscript was probably completed.
If you are interested in the historical background of the Book of Kells, the author devotes a whole Appendix to it.
Alas, according to this book's second Appendix, "Losses, Additions and Marginalia," the Book of Kells has not remained intact down through the centuries. "At present there are 340 folios, but around thirty folios, including some major decorated pages have been lost." The monks also used blank spaces in the manuscript to record details of property transactions in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries.
Meehan's book is definitely worth viewing and reading. It also contains a wealth of the smaller decorative illustrations that do not always relate to the sacred text, e.g. hares, dogs, horses, and at least one moth. The color and minute details of these decorations are a source of endless fascination, and the scholarly text, although a trifle dry, is also very interesting.
awesome pictures, horrible writing.......2005-05-16
I like how the author gives various images of the book of kells, but gets really confusing and goes all over the place while writing about it. I think a lot could be learned from this book, but the author crams so many examples into the work that it starts to get annoying. Ever line seems to have parenthesis around something and folio this or that. For that alone i give the book two stars, multiple examples are good, just not when you plague every line with one. It hardly gives the reader a chance to understand the first few.
"The most precious object in the western world".......2002-12-01
Resting at Trinity College Dublin is one of the truly singular products of early European art. This is 'The Book of Kells,' an ornately illuminated rendition of the four gospels, rendered sometime in the Ninth Century. It has been both an influence and an inspiration since the time of its making, illustrating both the story it tells, and the subtle mind of symbolists who wove the story and the art together.
One of the key problems the student of illustrated art suffers in any attempt to study 'The Book of Kells' is the simple matter of access. I believe that the replica edition of the book cost nearly $20,000 when it was published, and most other resources limit themselves to only the most famous of the pages. Only a few detailed studies exist, and this one, written by Bernard Meehan (Keeper of Manuscripts at Trinity College), is one of the best, both in terms of quality and quantity of reproduction as well as a literate and thorough discussion.
Meehan covers the book's history, influences and parallels, the decorative scheme, and many of the decorative themes used by the illuminators. He also spends time on the more technical aspects of ink and paper. He does this in a pleasant, straightforward yet academically thorough style that is often a fount of information. Where he does not go himself, he provides indications of other possibilities for research and thought. Meehan's agenda is simply to present one of the wonders of human creativity for all to see and enjoy, and he succeeds admirably.
Book Description
This new paperback expands on the techniques covered in Shaping Wood — a title in the enormously successful Complete Illustrated Guides series. It covers joinery relating to 18th century furniture styles, as well as the demanding techniques required to complete ornate period pieces. Turning and carving, as well as building accurately, are all included in a highly visual format. Anyone who loves period details and longs to create them will want this book. 300 color photos and drawings are featured.
Customer Reviews:
Very good!.......2006-05-16
I am surprised at the low book review. This is one of the best teaching books I have read. Lonnie Bird is an artist at conveying woodworking concepts. This is not a step by step how to guide to a completed project. Every detail that is covered is very well covered. I have both of the Lonnie Bird books and believe they complement each other. I highly reccomend this book and this author! If you want a good step by step book on Period Furniture try: Glen Huey's "Building Period Furniture" Both of these books are excellent. See my review under this book on Amazon.I have bought many books that are barely worth taking home. These two books are worth more than they cost! The printing and pictures in This book are superior as are all others I have read by Taunton press.
Details Add Value.......2004-07-10
This is a valuable aid in making details. Another reviewer states that 80% of the book is in another book by Bird. This might be a bit of an over statement - no matter if just 20% is new material the book is worth it. I own both of the books he addresses - I noticed the duplication right away. The real question is "will this book make you a better period furniture maker?" I am 57 years old - own every tool required to make period furiture - hold a Masters certification from Marc Adams School of Woodworking - have taken course work with some of the top people in the field - I am now working on a Philidelphia Low Boy and am wooking with Allan Breed (instructor) - and this book is helpful and even insightful. I know at least four of the eighteen of us in class have purchased this book.
Don't buy if you own Complete Guide to Shaping Wood.......2004-02-28
If you already own Lonnie Bird's Complete Illustrated Guide to Shaping Wood you will be extremely disappointed with this book. It seemed that 80% was duplicate material. The book descriptions says that this book expands on the techniques covered in Shaping Wood. To me, it looked like nothing more than a page for page copy.
Average customer rating:
- Love this book
- A must for collectors
- One of the few souces for a pocillovist.
|
Egg Cups: An Illustrated History and Price Guide
Brenda C. Blake
Manufacturer: Antique Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Sculpture
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Glass & Glassware
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Kitchenware
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Reference
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Pottery & Ceramics
| Crafts & Hobbies
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Industrial, Manufacturing & Operational Systems
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
Similar Items:
-
Egg Cup Supplement and Price Guide 2000
ASIN: 1570800138 |
Book Description
Published in 1996, this is the most comprehensive book ever on the subject. This volume lists and prices 2,438 egg cups (prices are given in both U.S. and British currency). Hundreds of items are shown in beautiful color, dozens more in black and white. Twenty-nine specialties are covered from Art Deco to Wooden Ware, with egg cups made from all kinds of materials. This book is international in scope, listing items from 34 countries.
The text is well written, lively, loaded with fascinating anecdotes and background information, and contains tips on what items are "hot." 1995 price estimates are included in the book. A must for collectors!
Customer Reviews:
Love this book.......1998-10-29
Just found this book after buying 2 other bad privately published egg cup books that only listed author's own collection (mostly chickens) with descriptions and prices. No help. This book is very professional and actually explains the different categories of egg cups and for the first time in my 15 yrs. of collecting, I now have a good knowledge of the different types of egg cups. My humble thanks to the author
A must for collectors.......1998-10-24
This is a great book. Someone has finally separated out all the different types of egg cups that exist. A mind-boggling effort by author Blake. So helpful.... gives the reader a basic knowledge of all types of china, silver, glass, etc. ... and egg cups were made from all kinds ofmaterials. Fun reading, in layman's language, a truly wonderful book for anyone who collects any types of smalls.
One of the few souces for a pocillovist........1998-06-04
As a beginner pocillovist, or egg cup collector, I found this book very helpful. Its color and black and white photos were numerous and well done. I even learned that I was a pocillovist -- I never dreamed that there was a word for the hobby of collecting egg cups -- pocillovy! I only wish that the book had a detailed index. Several times I found a name imprinted on a cup and I wished I could look in an index. Instead, I had to page through sections on Specialities, then Major Producers, then Other Countries. Nevertheless, this book is a must for egg cup collectors.
Book Description
Covering collectible glassware made after the Depression era, this is the only book available that deals exclusively with the mass-produced and handmade glassware from this period. Each pattern is alphabetically listed, all known pieces in each pattern are described and priced, and gorgeous colour photos showcase both common and very rare pieces.
Customer Reviews:
Great Pictures.......2003-03-27
The book has no index and the table of contents is only pattern names and not manufacturers. Although this book has great pictures, unless you specifically know what you are looking for; it is difficult to find things in it.
Great resource.......2002-03-02
Very pleased with this book. Many large, clear color photographs. Great variety of china and glassware included.
Gene Florence/glassware 40's 50's & 60's.......2001-09-24
The information in the book is interesting but not specific enough. Pages of pictures but do not name the pieces and sometimes it is difficult to know which piece is which. Also, can't really see the patterns very well; maybe so he can sell the book that just has patterns.
Another Winner.......2001-08-18
Gene Florence is the premier expert on vintage glassware. He does the collectibles industry a great service by having clear pictures of glassware that's often very difficult to photograph. Each edition differs enough in content to warrant a second look. He tries to add a few new patterns every time. For those he repeats, he adds different pieces and new finds. The nest part is that he has a lot of knowledge about the glassware companies and reproductions that he shares with the readers.
Book Description
The bayonet has long been of interest to military collectors,
and its history ? going back to the 17th century ? is just as
fascinating. This spectacular photographic exploration of the
weapon begins with the inception of the bayonet in Bayonne,
France, and follows its evolution through the technical
advances of the next few centuries. Over 500 large scale,
full-color photos provide overall and detail views of 300
different bayonets from around the globe.
The book covers all types of bayonets, including Plug, Sword,
Socket, Knife, Yataghan, and many more. In addition to the
photographs, each bayonet is detailed with pricing
information, physical description, manufacturing data, service
history, and an examination of the effectiveness of the model.
The book also contains a reference section with information
on additional bayonet publications, collections and websites for
collectors and enthusiasts.
Customer Reviews:
Bayonets, An Illustrated History.......2006-11-11
Photography in this book is excellent and sometimes the visuals are better than the text in aiding identification. The author points out some nuances in transitions that I had not encountered before. I felt it was worth the price and very handy as a quick reference.
Excelent!.......2006-09-03
Like a few other military books Bayonets: An Illustrated History by great author Martin J. Brayley gives us an accurate descritpion and amazing, extensive photographic material to illustrate each and every example.
For collectors and simpatizers alike this is a book worth having in any military collection.
An in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present.......2005-08-08
Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.
An in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present.......2005-08-08
Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.
An in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present.......2005-08-08
Written by a military photographer of 24 years' experience, Bayonets: An Illustrated History offers an in-depth examination of the role of the bayonet in military conflicts worldwide from 1650 to present. More than 500 photographs enhance Bayonets: An Illustrated History. 300 different types of bayonets are closely scrutinized; almost every photograph features a capsule of notes specific to its topic. The text, while intended more for serious military historian than the lay reader, is highly accessible as it traces the design evolutions and purposes of bayonets as history passed. A welcome contribution to military and weapon history shelves.
Average customer rating:
- Golden Age paperbacks
- Tough guys and fast women, the history of paperbacks
- JUST GREAT!
- Covers the market badly.
- Elegant Garbage
|
The Great American Paperback : An Illustrated Tribute to Legends of the Book
Richard A. Lupoff
Manufacturer: Collectors Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
History & Criticism
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
| Criticism
| General
| Regional
| Themes
| Women in Art
General
| Instructional & How-To
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Graphic Arts
| Graphic Design
| Design & Decorative Arts
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Arts & Photography
| Subjects
| Books
Books
| Antiques & Collectibles
| Home & Garden
| Subjects
| Books
Media Studies
| Mass Media
| Current Events
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Publishing & Books
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
Journalism
| Writing
| Reference
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1888054506 |
Amazon.com
Penzler Pick, October 2001: There may be some irony in the notion that a book devoted to paperbacks (the most inexpensive book format--small, easily transportable and disposable) is a huge, expensive, beautifully produced hardcover volume that is certain to be a gem in any collector's library.
For several centuries books in America customarily were pages bound between hardcovers and, in this century, had dust jackets wrapped around them, initially just to protect the cloth covers, but eventually as an attention-grabbing advertising poster.
In 1938, an experiment was launched. The cloth cover was exchanged for a paper one, and the colorful illustration and information that appeared on the dust jacket (author, title, publisher, a few lines about the book) was printed directly onto those paper covers. Cheaper paper was used, since these artifacts were no longer expected to form part of a permanent library, but were to be as disposable as a newspaper or magazine. And they were cheap: a 25-cent price made books affordable for a huge portion of the population. They became immeasurably successful almost overnight.
Today many of those books are highly sought-after collectors' items. In spite of the huge numbers printed, they are scarce now simply because almost no one ever thought to save them in colorful, pristine condition. The Great American Paperback illustrates in glorious full color more than 600 of the most interesting and collectable paperbacks, each with an informative caption that provides as much fascinating anecdotal information as the text, which is a masterly and scholarly history of the American paperback, tracing its roots to the early 19th century and concluding with a look at the future.
There are samples of the paperback originals of Ed McBain, Richard Stark, Jim Thompson, Harlan Ellison, and James M. Cain, as well as illustrations of such rarities as The Maltese Falcon, which was issued as a paperback with a dust jacket, and Ellery Queen's Halfway House, which was offered in two formats by the publisher, one bound the usual way, the other bound at the top edge.
If this massive work hadn't been produced in Hong Kong, it would have cost twice as much and is, believe it or not, a bargain, even at a price as hefty as the book itself. --Otto Penzler
Book Description
Few realized in 1938 that a revolution was about to take place. A little book appeared in drugstores and on newsstands that would fit into the jacket pocket of an ordinary person. There was no real binding, no dust jacket, just a colorful, laminated cover. It was an experiment, and the pocket book was born. Copies jumped off the shelves. The publisher was encouraged to bring out more, and by summer of 1939 people were reading them everywhere. Regarded by many as disposable distractions, a few people put them aside and started collections that we realize today are a precious archive of American culture. From the glittering images of square-jawed cowboys to the gritty slum-dwellers of social realism, The Great American Paperback is a bountiful museum of over 600 brilliant covers, each of them a miniature gem, evocative of the fashions and attitudes of its era. This book is destined to become a classic among librarians and graphic designers alike.
Customer Reviews:
Golden Age paperbacks.......2005-03-07
Yes,"PAPERBACKS,U.S.A.,A Graphic History,1939-1959"(Blue Dolphin Enterprises,Inc.San Diego,CA,1981)by Piet Schreuders(not Schruders),remains the best book on american paperbacks from the 'Golden Age'(published between 1939 and the early 1960's) .But,as a modest collector myself of these precious 'little books',I'm a fan of this work,penned by Richard A. Lupoff who is a comics connoisseur, a good short story writer,an interesting science fiction novelist and an outstanding non-fiction writer(author,for instance, of "EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS:MASTER OF ADVENTURE" an excellent biography of the creator of Tarzan).
"THE GREAT AMERICAN PAPERBACK" as all the other titles published by Collectors Press is a "coffee&table book",with the advantages and disadvantages of its kind.I'm really not interested to list its disavantages.For me,Lupoff wrote an useful book,one of the best works about paperbacks,second only to Schreuders' "PAPERBACKS U.S.A." The selection of titles reproduced is almost perfect.The history of the american paperback is written with clarity,the chapters(covering the publishing houses) include all genera of paperbacks,the images(covers)are selected with generosity and the captions are opportune.
Lupoff clearly knows the important paperback cover artists(almost all of them are represented).So,we have a large gallery of amazingly attractive cover paintings reproduced.Created by unique artists like LEO MANSO,STANLEY MELTZOFF,JAMES AVATI,ROBERT SCHULZ,STANLEY ZUCKERBERG,ROBERT JONAS,JAMES BAMA,ANN CANTOR,H.LAWRENCE HOFFMAN,EARLE K. BERGEY,RUDOLPH BELARSKI,GERALD GREGG,ROBERT STANLEY,RICHARD POWERS,NORMAN SAUNDERS,FRANK FRAZETTA,BARYE PHILLIPS,ED EMSH,ROBERT MAGUIRE and GEORGE SALTER.
I highly recommend this very good book.
Tough guys and fast women, the history of paperbacks.......2003-11-12
The task presented to Mr. Lupoff in making this book was formidable. He had to create a book that would appeal to paperback collectors, students of popular culture and the general public. I don't think he succeeded particularly well.
Collectors will already know the vast majority of what is in this book and might disagree quite heartily with the grades of collectibility assigned to some of the books (only ...?). The obscuring of many covers by parts of other covers will also frustrate folks. Nothing really vital is normally blocked but when looking at a piece of art, one would normally care to see it in its entirety. The text of the book, while well written and factually correct, failed to engage me entirely. It was almost completely familiar territory and rarely went into any depth. Students of popular culture and collectors of art books will find some of these same flaws. For this reviewer the best part was the miscellany found with the descriptions of the covers/books. Neat tidbits of info and enthusiastic appreciation of the art made known Mr. Lupoff's appreciation for the books.
The general public will either love or be indifferent to the book. The design is eye catching but the page coloring (an attempt to capture the sensationalism of paperback covers?) is often distracting and at times prohibitive to the enjoyment of the covers. The reading should be interesting to the uninitiated as Lupoff clearly enjoyed what he was writing about and the enthusiasm comes through.
A little more information about the major paperback authors would have been nice along with a detailed index of cover artists. Any book that tries to seriously tackle the history of paperbacks in the United States and lacks an index listing for Orrie Hitt is doomed to mediocrity.
JUST GREAT!.......2002-02-08
I received "The Great American Paperback" as a Christmas gift and hardly a week goes by that I don't dip into it. It's an overwhelmingly great book about a fascinating era of American publishing. Lupoff covers artists and writers well-known and unknown. There's a surprise on every page and visual treasure upon treasure. The text is equally interesting as Lupoff tells the stories behind the publishers, but it's clearly the book covers themselves that take center stage here. The layout (which sometimes presents covers slightly overlapping other covers) might have been improved, but overall the images are bright, sharp and big. Very few thumbnail views here. I for one hope we'll one day get to see a "Great American Paperback Volume 2" because as good as this one is, there's enough stuff out there to easily fill a second volume. Buy this book without reservation. If you have any love of Americana in general and pulp/paperbacks in particular, you'll fall in love with this book.
Covers the market badly........2002-01-16
Richard Lupoff's colorful book is rather stunning at first glance but the more I look at it the more I see serious flaws.
The presentation is too overwhelming. Several colors are used for the background of the pages and these mostly overpower the covers. These strong colors mean that some pages have white text which becomes tiring to read, especially tiny capital letter caption type.
The overlapping of nearly all the covers was really annoying, in some cases one cover obscures just too much of another cover. A similar book, 'Jackets Required' by Steven Heller and Seymour Chwast has 270 covers (thankfully printed on white paper) none of which overlap and it is lovely to look at.
As far as I can see there is no meaningful sequence to the covers, they are not shown by genre, year of publication, artist or publisher.
The index is weak. This is a book collectors will use and I would expect an index to the 600 covers shown, possibly even an artist index, too. I wonder if the lack of a proper index is because at least a third of the pages have no number! The longest run I found was seven pages (58-64) but mostly it is runs of three or four pages through the book. Should buyers really have to put up with this?
Another reviewer has noted how disappointing this book was, I agree, not because of what Lupoff has to say but because of the poor editorial production. The author probably had nothing to do with this. I still prefer 'Paperbacks USA' by Piet Schruders, a fascinating graphic history of the paperback, Lupoff says it 'is a landmark of paperback scholarship...'.
***FOR AN INSIDE LOOK click 'customer images' under the cover.
Elegant Garbage.......2002-01-06
One big, big book and as beautiful an edition as possible, here are covers from countless paperbacks: an illustrator's dream reference book and for collectors of old paperbacks, a goldmine of great junk. OK, so there ARE features by noted writers: I loved the detective covers and the trash!
These were the days of GREAT design, and you don't have to be a snooty art director to love this stuff.
Very, very cool!!!
Book Description
This is a re-issue of Sloane's classic folksy history of barn folklore, architecture, and history, which has been out of print for twenty years. "Eric Sloane's An Age of Barns" is filled with fabulous black-and-white illustrations from this great American artist. Covering all types of American and Canadian barns and everything associated with them-implements and tools, hex signs, silos, out buildings, hinges, barn raising, and more-"Eric Sloane's An Age of Barns" is a spectacular album tribute to this important facet of our architecture and agriculture. This book is sure to once again become a collector's item.
Customer Reviews:
A loving eye for detail.......2007-04-25
Sloane's books capture the romanticism of the past better than any picture books, and that is certainly true for his An Age of Barns. The beautiful line drawings range from evocative perspectives to working sections, giving you a good idea of how these barns worked. There are Shaker round barns, traditional gambrel barns, Amish barn raisings and a wide variety of outbuildings associated with the early American farmstead. He lovingly focuses on hinge details, stairs and ventilation openings. Sloane's eye never missed a detail, and for anyone who loves old barns this is the book to get.
Nice book, but not Sloane's best.......2007-01-11
This has some interesting history of early barns, especially those of New England. Drawings are well done, as usual. If you are interested in barns west of the Mississippi look elsewhere.
I have a barn.......2006-09-26
and I understand that barn so much better now that I have read this book. Sloane gives a brief overview of the history of barns, regional types of barns, and even the tools to raise a barn. A lovely book.
Eric Sloane-The Master Illustrator of Rural America.......2005-10-08
When Eric Sloane wrote this book in the 1950's, the United States had already made the transition from being an agricultural nation into an industrial society. Fortunately, there were still plenty of examples of America's rural past scattered along the backroads and other forgotten areas of the nation's countryside. Sloane spent many years, seeking out these historic relics so that he could study and sketch them. The result is whole series of books that chronicle America's historic material culture. This book focuses on barns.
What makes an Eric Sloane book so unforgetable are the black and white sketches. If you are a visual learner who believes a good drawing is worth a thousand words, Eric Sloane is the author for you. By no means is this an academic study of the different barn styles that existed in the United States. Instead this book is a collection of beautiful drawings that can help the reader understand how barns were built and what they were used for. This is a magical book. If you like it, you will have many hours of pleasure seeking out and reading Eric Sloane's other books. Highly recommended. A great value.
Book Description
Stereo view collectors will be delighted to see this book on the shelves!
The second edition of the most authoritative book on Stereo Views—the only one to offer a detailed price guide—features nearly all new photographs, updated and expanded price listings, as well as new sections on foreign views, Internet dealings, and more!
This book includes an expanded, detailed history of stereo views, photographers and publishers as well as information on collecting, evaluating, and organizing a collection. Also features a special chapter on Tru-Vues, View-Masters, Novelviews, and other modern 3-D visual collectibles, including the newly discovered True-Views of England—not mentioned in any other book.
John Waldsmith is a full-time dealer in antique graphics. He is co-founder and vice president of the National Stereoscopic Association and has written extensively on antique graphics for a variety of periodicals.
• Features more than 500 photographs for easy identification
• Includes a detailed history of this fascinating collecting genre
• More than 3,000 listings of classic stereo views with updated prices and detailed descriptions
Customer Reviews:
Highly recommended.......2005-11-14
This is a "must-have" book for the serious collector of stereo views and those just now getting interested in this fascinating subject. Waldsmith really knows his stuff. Highly recommended.
-David Burkhart, author of Earthquake Days: The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake & Fire in 3-D.
Superb Book on Stereo Views - and Viewmaster reels.......2005-09-30
This is an excellent history of the 19th and early 20th century phenomeon "stereo views" in which two copies of a photograph were produced on a letter-sized card and viewed through a hand-held viewer to see the picture in 3-D effect. You still see these old photo cards occasionally at flea markets and antique shops and they have been avidly collected for generations although this form of entertainment died out around the 1920's. Mr. Waldsmith gives us detailed listings of many of the stereo view cards, price value, and information on many photographers. A wonderful bonus for the baby boom generation is the inclusion of the history of Viewmasters, the "updated" version of SVs a fond memory for children for over 50 years and still being issued today. Waldsmith includes a complete list of Viewmaster photo reels and packets issued up through the book's publication as well as the less popular rivals of Viewmaster in the past. Highly recommended even if you don't collect either stereo views or viewmaster reels and invaluable if you do.
Stereo Views: An Illustrated History and Price Guide.......2003-04-23
The revised edition is excellent, apart from forming a useful catalogue of stereographs to seek out, it is also a wonderful history of the many subjects photographed in 3-D over the years. I rated it at 4 stars rather than 5 because I consider the reduced content of the index to be a retrograde step. Having said that it is a 'must have' for all stereographers.
Great Reference.......2002-07-14
There are prices listed, as well as tips about how to grade collectibles. While prices are always debatable, it is still a great reference. With more than 300 photos on a total 336 pages it is also a wonderful book to browse.
A true "must have" book for any stereo collector!
A Super Updated Stereo Reference Work.......2002-06-01
This is a brand new, year 2002, 336 page book with over 3,000 detailed listings of stereo view collectibles. It has more than 500 black and white photos with a wealth of useful and interesting text on this popular collectible. Chapters include care, condition, and dates of views, evaluating views, leading photographers and publishers and much information on modern era 3-D visual collectibles, including Tru-Vue, Novelviews, View-Master, GAF and more. The volume is completely indexed for easy location of items. Very comprehensive updated value guide. This updated edition is a must for stereo view enthusiasts. Add it to your library.
Books:
- The Indian in the Cupboard
- The Knitting Experience: Book 1: The Knit Stitch (The Knitting Experience)
- The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Gift Set
- The New Fine Points of Furniture: Early American: The Good, Better, Best, Superior, Masterpiece
- The Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Coins 2007, 45th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Coins)
- The Penland Book of Handmade Books: Master Classes in Bookmaking Techniques
- The Perfect Wedding Details: More Than 100 Ideas for Personalizing Your Wedding
- The Team That Changed Baseball: Roberto Clemente and the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates
- Visual Chronicles: The No-Fear Guide to Creating Art Journals, Creative Manifestos and Altered Books
- What You Wear Can Change Your Life
Books Index
Books Home
Recommended Books
- History: Fiction or Science
- The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques
- Rethinking the Novel/Film Debate
- The Enduring Vision : A History of the American People
- Tangram Puzzles: 500 Tricky Shapes to Confound & Astound/ Includes Deluxe Wood Tangrams
- Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time
- The Orchids of Puerto Rico And the Virgin Islands / Las Orquideas De Puerto Rico Y Las Islas Virgene
- Investment Blunders of the Rich and Famous...and What You Can Learn From Them
- Limited Liability Companies Guide 2001: Tax Planning and Compliance
- Fleeced: A Regan Reilly Mystery
Weapons: An International Encyclopedia From 5000 B.C. to 2000 A.D., Updated Edition
Shooter's Bible - 99th Edition
Weapon: A Visual History of Arms and Armor
Military Small Arms of the 20th Century
Gun Digest 2008 (Gun Digest)
