Best Antiques & Collectibles
Masterfully weaving together pop science and history, Stoned breaks history into three categories—Want, Take, and Have—and explains what the diamond on your finger has to do with the GI Bill, why green-tinted jewelry has been exalted by so many cultures, why the glass beads that bought Manhattan for the Dutch were initially considered a fair trade, and how the French Revolution started over a coveted necklace. “Raden’s commentary on the often ugly side of human desire through the ages is consistently captivating, and her witty delivery makes the material shine.” (Publishers Weekly). What makes a stone a jewel? In this brilliant account of how eight jewels shaped the course of history, jeweler and scientist Aja Raden tells an original and often startling story about our unshakeable addiction to beauty and the darker side of human desire. With sharp wit and a light touch, Raden weaves together history, science, and economics to explore our enduring love affair with beautiful things, and shows us that just like their glittering surfaces, jewels have a singular power to reflect our desires back to us and show us who we really are.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I picked up Aja Raden's Stoned expecting a history of jewelry and was pleasantly surprised to find an in-depth social history of how human perceptions of value, desire and innovation have shaped the modern world. She starts with the beads that bought Manhattan (and in doing so makes a compelling case that it might not have been quite the con we think of it today) and ends with the wristwatch and its role in making modern warfare, aviation, navigation and personal private time possible."
"Personally, I rarely read non fiction books for the simple fact that they aren’t usually very captivating."
"I am still reading the book."
"Many of the stories Ms. Arden tells were familiar to me but to read them from from her perspective and with her research gave the stories new meaning and proved to be a delightful read."
"Not as informative as I had hoped."
"In depth research on several popular stones."
"The author's intensive historical review of the connection of famous and fabulous jewels of the world and how they helped to shape world events."
"Boring,not what I hoped for."
Colonial and early American coins · Federal coins · Commemoratives Proof and Mint sets · Die varieties and errors · Civil War tokens · Territorial gold · State and territorial quarters · National Park quarters · Presidential dollars · Puerto Rican, Philippine, and Hawaiian coins · Error coins · Bullion. --Jeff Garrett, President, American Numismatic Association. When coin collectors, friends, and family ask for the single best guide book on American coins, my answer is simple: The Official Red Book . Expanded sections and new features in the second edition include: an overview price-guide of foreign coins that circulated as cash in the British American colonies; coverage of the U.S. Mint's 19801984 American Arts gold medallions; an 18-page illustrated history and price guide of So-Called Dollars; insight from Q. David Bowers on determining coin prices and values; advice on collecting and investing in modern gold and silver bullion coins; a state-by-state listings of American Numismatic Association clubs; more than 2,400 updated or new coin photos; a look at the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA and coin collecting; interviews with U.S. Mint coin designers; and more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very informative Book, I haven't looked through my coin books and loose ones in several years."
"Just what my husband expected!"
"All you need for the latest coin values."
"If you have an interest in your coin's value, this book is a MUST."
"I couldn't ask for a better reference book!"
"Perfect for the collector in my family."
"Very thorough and just what I needed."
"Need this as good reference book."
In the process she realized the less she had, the more she could value the things that truly matter in life: friendship, family, self-care, and coziness. More With Less is based on a rational approach to minimalism but Miss Moore takes the idea further. In More With Less the downsizing process parallel runs with ideas on how to make your living space homely. Get ready to sweep away the clutter, organize your belongings, and warm up your precious relationships.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book is a collection, in a very organized way, naturally, all the best advice you need to know to declutter your home from room to room, and make it cozy at the same time."
"I recommend this book to any one who is struggling to love their home because of clutter and lack of organization."
"I wasn't sure if it would be worth the money to buy it when I can get this information all over the Internet but I'm so glad I bought it."
"A welcome break from the rest of the minimalist decluttering books that are all about living with one shoe and one chair in an empty room."
"Next is my desk and then my business supply and tools hall and then the hall closet and steps to the garage (which I keep half of one step regularly covered."
"Minimalism is, at best, uncomfortable."
"The book tells how to bring coziness and warmth into you home and life."
"A much needed reprieve from whatever is left of the moderate cleaning up books that are tied in with living with one shoe and one seat in a void room."
Best Antique & Collectible Advertising
The Kissing Hand, used by millions of parents and children starting school or facing separation, is now brought to life in an ebook. She takes her son's hand, spreads his tiny fingers into a fan and kisses his palm--smack dab in the middle: "Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart." Whenever he gets lonely, she advises, he is to press his hand to his cheek and "that very kiss will jump to your face and fill you with toasty warm thoughts." Sprinkled with hearts and flowers, Harper and Leak's paintings of the raccoons and their woodland habitat are pleasant if sentimental.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"We put one on at the beginning of the preschool and school year and whenever we are having a hard time separating for the day."
"My girls and i love this story!"
"This is such a wonderful story for children dealing with separation anxiety, or even just a nice message to help children feel secure when going to school for the first time, or even daycare."
"was told to bring my favorite childhood book to my friends baby shower, growing up I love this one so purchased it for her (:"
"My favorite children's book."
"This book has given my toddler help transition from being home to going to day care."
"This was a favorite of my daughter, and she recently went away to college and wanted this to take with her."
"Beautiful book for children!"
Best Antique & Collectible Americana
Beautifully designed and illustrated with color photographs throughout, The Smithsonian's History of America in 101 Objects is a rich and fascinating journey through America's collective memory, and a beautiful object in its own right. This humanistic approach to storytelling makes for immersive, addictive reading.” Kirkus Reviews : “Smithsonian Undersecretary Kurin’s tales are abundant, so much so that it seems almost a shame to stop at a mere 101 items....A well-conceived and well-illustrated pleasure to read, combining narrative history and keepsake volume.”. He is the author of several books, including Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem , and his scholarship and museological work have been recognized by the International Council of Museums, UNESCO, and Harvard's Peabody Museum.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"You can gaze at each object in detail, consider the respective narrative, and what comes through is a value base--i.e., what is held dearly-- which is distinctly American."
"Kurin has written a very interesting series of articles about these 101 objects and how they relate to the history of America."
"I bought this book as a gift, but from my sneak peak I think this will be an interesting as well as an entertaining book to read."
"What is not to love about anything Smithsonian?"
"I've had this book for about a week now and I've read just read about 2 objects."
"The book is filled with an immense amount of information which is presented in a fascinating, readable way."
"I am moving to the USA soon and thought it would be interesting to get to know some of the history of my next home country and this book is a really great source for that."
"An excellent book: One of the best put out by The Smithsonian."
Best Antique & Collectible Art
In recent years, several of America’s leading art museums have voluntarily given up their finest pieces of classical art to the governments of Italy and Greece. In an authoritative account, two reporters who led a Los Angeles Times investigation, reveal the details of the Getty Museum's illicit purchases, from smugglers and fences, of looted Greek and Roman antiquities. In 2005, the Italians indicted former Getty curator Marion True for trafficking in looted antiquities, and by 2007, after protracted negotiations, the Getty agreed to return 40 of 46 artifacts demanded by the Italian government; Italy in turn agreed to loan the Getty comparable objects. One of the major pieces lost by the Getty was an Aphrodite statue purchased by True to put the Getty on the map. But still eluding the Italians is the Getty Bronze, a statue of an athlete hauled out of international waters in 1964 by Italian fishermen; it was the prized acquisition of the Getty's first antiquities curator, Jiri Frel, who brought thousands more looted antiquities into the museum through a tax-fraud scheme. The authors offer an excellent recap of the museum's misdeeds, brimming with tasty details of the scandal that motivated several of America's leading art museums to voluntarily return to Italy and Greece some 100 classical antiquities worth more than half a billion dollars.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Fascinating blow by blow of the misadventures at the Getty Museum, its poor management & how one curator ultimately took a dive for the affair."
"In the "old days" if someone dug up ancient artifacts, they could take keep it, but Italy, Greece, and other ancient birthplaces of culture eventually came to the conclusion that foreigners were stealing their heritage."
"The authors describe the once accepted view that it was better for antiques to be kept in atmosphere controlled galleries/museums rather than be allowed to deteriorate in the places where they were foud, or kept in the country where they were discovered."
"As far as the Getty and the Italian prosecutions, much has been written, but this book has a fascinating insight into the corporate board mentality that gives a sense of entitlement to wealthy individuals and institutions."
"This book is well-written and well researched."
"I work as a docent at the Getty Villa and I hear only the sanitized version of events and never the sordid and all too human details."
"People conflicts, greed, moral dilemmas, sex and corporate governance all come into play."
Best Antique & Collectible Autographs
CHAPTER 3: Autograph Collecting Supplies. CHAPTER 4: Finding Your Niche. CHAPTER 5: Finding Celebrity Addresses. CHAPTER 6: Through The Mail (TTM) Collecting. CHAPTER 7: Real or Fake? CHAPTER 8: In-Person (IP) Collecting. CHAPTER 9: Comic-Cons and Private Signings. CHAPTER 10: Buying Autographs. CHAPTER 11: Storage & Display. CHAPTER 12: Social Sharing. CHAPTER 13: Selling Your Collection. CHAPTER 14: The Future of Autograph Collecting. Appendix A: NFL Football Addresses. Appendix B: Major League Baseball Addresses. Appendix C: AAA Baseball Addresses. Appendix D: Movie and TV Studio Addresses. Appendix E: International TTM Postage Guide. He is active on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and other social networking sites where he shares his love and knowledge of the hobby with thousands of fans and followers.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Troy gives great practical experience - everything from how to mail the item, how to find addresses to mail to (websites, free or paid address listings) as well as how to spot autopoen (fakes)... before this book, I didn't even know what autopen was!"
"The book is pitched at the beginner, going into all sorts of important details on how to begin a collection, how to mail people so you'll get a good response, and how to display a collection. If I were to have one nitpick, it would be that I wish the book addressed the question of collecting the signatures of authors in books, as that tends to be the bulk of my collection."
"Whether one is a seasoned collector, or a beginner like myself, Autograph Collecting Secrets is well written and detailed enough to get one started, yet it is also open enough that one can customize what and how one collects to one's own tastes."
"Even if your interest is something outside of that, you'll learn important things like how to store your collection, how to display your treasured pieces without damaging them, and why quality matters over quantity. For collecting through the mail (TTM), you'll discover sources for addresses, as well as guidance on letter-writing, the best kinds of things to send, and ways to tell if your response is a preprint, autopen, or human-signed. I'd never heard of a "hot pack" yet when I checked a popular auction site, there were hundreds listed."
"I really learned a lot about collecting autographs from this book."
Best Antique & Collectible Books
Here is the complete text (the Kindle edition was expanded & revised in February 2012) of the most popular book about online bookselling of all time: The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site. ~ Why Online Bookselling? Title Z. NovelRank. Adjusting prices. Clearing deadwood. ~ Focus on Service. Feedback. Prompt shipping. Working with the USPS. International shipping. Request negative feedback removal. Problem customers. Feedback on other venues. Delivery mistakes. Designing your SKU system. Shipping. Tracking customers. ~ Appendix 4 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Use FBA ‘Basic Fulfillment’. Competing with FBA. Drawbacks of Fulfillment by Amazon. Lost or damaged FBA items. Fulfillment by Amazon facts. Long-term storage fees for FBA. Best practices. Here is the complete text (the Kindle edition was expanded & revised in February 2012) of the most popular book about online bookselling of all time: The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web SiteLearn how to start your business part-time, then work as little or as much as you want. ~ Appendix 2 New Book Wholesalers. CONTENTS: ~ Why Online Bookselling?~ Where to Find Books Library salesEstate salesThrift shopsUsed bookstoresRemainder distributorsPostal Service auctionsTreasury Department auctionsBook fairsBargain tablesClassified adsLocal auctionsLower priority sources ~ What Books to Buy Learn to find unusual booksThe trouble with fiction.Textbooks.Textbooks to avoid.Nonfiction to avoid.Other books to avoidRomance novelsBooks by comedians.PaperbacksKnow what buyers wantHow much to pay. ~ Grading and Pricing Books ConditionAssigning condition.New:Like New:Very Good:Good:Acceptable:As new:Fine:Very good:Good:Fair:Poor:Ex-library:Book club:Binding copyPricing booksAmazon Sales Rank.Title ZNovelRankAdjusting pricesClearing deadwood.Keep working. ~ Appendix 2 New Book Wholesalers. ~ Appendix 3 Shipping Supply Vendors~ Appendix 4 Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Use FBA 'Basic Fulfillment'Competing with FBADrawbacks of Fulfillment by AmazonLost or damaged FBA itemsFulfillment by Amazon factsLong-term storage fees for FBABest practicesSmart FBA shippingAmazon EasySellUse Amazon as a drop-shipperImports and exportsExport items ~ Appendix 5 More Resources~ Glossary~ Index.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Excellent book!"
"I hate to say this, but you simply can't shake people from buying just about everything (and yes, book) off of Amazon."
"Come back in a few months and see what I think then."
"He's also quite good on the mechanics of running an online business, though I focused mainly on his general suggestions about tracking inventory, pricing and customer service. He goes a bit overboard when suggesting websites and software worth looking at to manage some of these tasks. It doesn't matter whether you are someone who already owns a store and wants to get your inventory online or someone starting from scratch, there is valuable advice here."
"We used to need a map to go around unknown places, thanks to this book, new sellers can count on a kind of GPS to go around AMAZON'S busyness."
"His approach is to use lots of examples, screen shots, and useful URL's, templates and suggestions on all elements of the business - from start through inventory acquisition, customer service and completing the feedback loop."
"Hard to understand and the processes described were not clear."
Best Antique & Collectible Bottles
Light-Up Fairy Jar. Barbecue Rub. Hot Fudge Topping. Snowglobe Scenes. Vanilla Citrus Sugar Hand Scrub. Citronella Oil Lamp. Bird Feeder. And more! Complete with tips for decorating jars, suggestions for gift tags, and inspiring full-color photographs, Gifts in Jars is here to make your holiday gift list a whole lot more fun. Natalie Wise is a Dartmouth-educated poet, author, and style expert known as Professional Sunshine.” She is all about pink lipstick, big sunglasses, her trademark #caffeinecrazy when she drinks coffee, and creating happy things for happy people.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Not only are there endless ideas for gifts in jars literally, but actual usable information that goes beyond just filling jars!"
"Good book."
"This book is so fun and creative!"
"Loved the recipes I used these as gifts and everyone loved them!"
"Excellent gift for anyone into crafting!"
"Thought I would get ideas to make gifts in a jar,"
"So many wonderful ideas here beyond the usual chocolate chip cookie mix!"
"A beautiful and fun book full of great ideas!"
Best Antique & Collectible Buttons
Intermittent fasting offers various health benefits that even go beyond weight loss. ●The basics of intermittent fasting, ●Benefits of following this diet, ●Different variations of intermittent fasting, ●Tips for following the diet, ●Various supplements you can use, ●What to eat and not to eat while fasting, ●Steps for getting started with this diet, and much more! By making use of the information provided in this book and by incorporating the straightforward dieting protocols, you can achieve your health and weight loss goals within no time.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Lifestyle, eating habits, focus; we've read about them all before but Green brings the adjustment and realiziation of really how to tone your food habits in such a calm and reasonable way."
"I have been a fan of intermittent fasting as a lifestyle and it has been SUCH a motivation reading this book and following their Instagram account. If you've been lacking the motivation to keep fasting a habit like I have, READ THIS BOOK AND FOLLOW THEIR INSTAGRAM(included in book)."
"I'm over halfway through this book and I love it."
"This is a fantastic guide for a beginner like me."
"Book is well structured, information is well given, and easy to read."
"It covers the different varieties of IF and I love the freedom from counting calories or managing portions when eating. To still enjoy large meals with friends and family and eat the foods I love while managing my weight and health sounds good to me."
"I had no idea about the health benefits of fasting, all of which are clearly defined in this book from heart health to weight loss, increased production of growth hormone, and lower metabolism to name a few."
"He outlines many ways that it can be done and which ways will be most applicable for which goals (lifestyle, weight loss or muscle gain, schedules etc)."
Best Antique & Collectible Care & Restoration
Wayne Goddard's $50 Knife Shop is a find companion volume to Goddard's book The Wonder of Knifemaking and provides all the details you need to start making knives on a budget.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"While you might not be able to pull off a knife shop for $50, the book does give plenty of ideas on how to build your own equipment at a fraction of the cost of new, factory-built equipment."
"Owned this book before, but it got lost in the moving shuffle."
"Very Nice Product."
"Great book for starters and for some more experienced blade smiths as well."
"excellent instructive book."
"If i like knives and want to make them , this is a must have."
"Great book for someone (Like me!)."
Best Antique & Collectible Clocks & Watches
Whether you’re a watch enthusiast, watch salesperson, aspiring watchmaker, or just looking to get into the watch industry, this book is for you. [The book] offers a perspective that is almost impossible to find when most modern horological literature focuses on history and brand identity rather than substantial facts... Anthony balances his knowledge base with a humor and candor that is rare in the conservative Swiss watch industry." (Talk about having a childhood...) I apprenticed under a master watchmaker at the time and boy did I hate it. If you expected to read a story about a young kid who loved horology and devoted his whole life to it, look elsewhere. I went to school for physical therapy and paid for my own tuition every step of the way by working as a watchmaker on the side. I contribute my unbiased views (I hope) to the fact that I actually hated watchmaking at one point in my life.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The "No BS Watch Tips" book is a compilation of uncommon common sense on how to interact with and what to expect from the trade with respect to your watches."
"The watch industry is complex on many levels and this book breaks it down for you in a way that any reader, watch enthusiast or not, can read and enjoy."
"The book is written in short and educational sections which makes bouncing around to what you like very easy."
"My ignorance of this topic caused me to destroy my first digital watch while swimming in a pool."
"This book will do nothing but make you better at caring, understanding, and monitoring your own watch collection."
"Interesting book with a lot of valuable information."
"This book is almost entirely on matchmaking with a few non-watching making tips; e.g Do you need a winder?"
"The book is an easy read with some good information and tips although some of the information seemed rather simple and obvious.Overall,I recommend it."
Best Antique & Collectible Coins & Medals
Colonial and early American coins · Federal coins · Commemoratives Proof and Mint sets · Die varieties and errors · Civil War tokens · Territorial gold · State and territorial quarters · National Park quarters · Presidential dollars · Puerto Rican, Philippine, and Hawaiian coins · Error coins · Bullion. --Jeff Garrett, President, American Numismatic Association. When coin collectors, friends, and family ask for the single best guide book on American coins, my answer is simple: The Official Red Book . Expanded sections and new features in the second edition include: an overview price-guide of foreign coins that circulated as cash in the British American colonies; coverage of the U.S. Mint's 19801984 American Arts gold medallions; an 18-page illustrated history and price guide of So-Called Dollars; insight from Q. David Bowers on determining coin prices and values; advice on collecting and investing in modern gold and silver bullion coins; a state-by-state listings of American Numismatic Association clubs; more than 2,400 updated or new coin photos; a look at the Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of the USA and coin collecting; interviews with U.S. Mint coin designers; and more.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Very informative Book, I haven't looked through my coin books and loose ones in several years."
"All ways purchase these books, helps keep up with much needed info for my coin collection !!"
"My first Redbook."
"If you have an interest in your coin's value, this book is a MUST."
"I couldn't ask for a better reference book!"
"Perfect for the collector in my family."
"Very thorough and just what I needed."
"Not enough detail for me to see in the book or detailed in what to look for on the coin."
Best Antique & Collectible Dolls
The message was clutched in the fist of a destitute former doll collector found dead at the bottom of a cliff with a valuable French doll’s parasol in her pocket. "A trio of smart, independent women...the peek into this world is fascinating" ~ Romantic Times.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoyed reading this book, and the author kept me guessing through to the very end as to who did the murder, but I must admit I found the sheer number of characters involved a little difficult to keep straight in my head."
"This is the first book in the Gretchen Birch mysteries by Deb Baker, and sees Gretchen return to Phoenix after her Aunt Nina calls her and advises that her mom is missing."
"Dolled Up for Murder offers an engrossing puzzle, a clever and balanced use of the world of doll collection to create the plot, parallel action juxtaposed between Gretchen Birch and her mother - all set in the extreme heat and monsoons of Arizona."
"She once had a extensive and highly valuable collection, but, due to her inability to stop buying more and more expensive pieces, she got in trouble with the bank and lost her home, her collection and ultimately became an alcoholic vagrant living on the streets with other people down on their luck. In spite of the story being quite suspenseful and there being several possible suspects, it lost a lot of ground with me because of the numerous spelling and grammar mistakes throughout."
Best Antique & Collectible Firearms & Weapons
144 new pages for a grand total of 528 pages of pure Smith & Wesson 14 new revolver models added since last edition Dozens of new variations of the M&P pistol New S&W rifles and shotguns, including many new M&P 15 rifles Hundreds of detailed, full-color photos Smith & Wesson gun values and collector information. Jim Supica is Director of NRA Museums.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I bought this as a first time reference book for dating Smith and Wesson revolvers. It helps estimate date of manufacture but not a pin point like a Letter from Smith."
"It was a little thin on information on a particular model I was curious about (a 4505) and looked to have taken the info on that gun right out of the blue book."
"Christmas 2013 I received another gift card, purchased this one, the third edition."
"This book is a must for people who love and or collect Smith & Wesson firearms, even has guns that the blue book of gun values doesn't have with great information and details!"
"Prices, history, collectibility, production numbers, etc..."
"These two authors did a fantastic job at putting this history together from 1852 forward.."
"THE INFORMATION IN THIS BOOK IS BEYOND ANYTHING YOU HAVE EVER READ ON SMITH & WESSON."
"My primary interest in purchaseing theis book was to verify the dates of manufacture, and or shipping dates of my firearms."
Best Antique & Collectible Furniture
Rounding out this comprehensive guide is care and maintenance information, including how to properly clean leather, polish hardware, fix a broken leg, and replace felt pads, as well as recipes to make your own wax, shellac, varnish, stain, and more. Pourny’s practical advice on all things antique is coupled with historical notes.” —Time “A comprehensive but accessible guide to restoration that lays out everything you need to know about making over wooden furniture.” —Martha Stewart Living. “Authority wafts from [Pourny’s] handsome how-to book like the sweet smell of lemon oil.” — New York Times “A practical, visual guide for anyone who wants to restore a cherished heirloom or simply correct a water stain.” —San Francisco Chronicle. This guide will find a wide audience among those who simply want to learn about and appreciate good furniture, as well as those who are more hands-on.” — Publishers Weekly , starred review. Descended from a long line of artisans, he was reared in his father’s atelier in the South of France and apprenticed at his uncle Pierre Madel’s legendary antiques shop on rue Jacob in Paris.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This book answers many questions about furniture, but not as complete as I need."
"This book has everything I need to refinish furniture...supplies, instructions, pictures."
"Rarely do I find a book I feel like I have to own; I read "The Life-Changing Method of Tidying up" and I follow it...I don't own things I don't love and have gotten rid of most of my books."
"Very well written book by a man that knows furniture!"
"top notch book for us beginners."
"bought this as a gift for someone just in case!"
Best Antique & Collectible Glass & Glassware
This comprehensive guide delivers double the photos as previous editions, as the most specific identification process of any guide on the market today.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"The book has a great introduction, a color time line, a really good shape guide and thumbnail identification guide to help narrow the areas of research."
"She's started collecting them and was thrilled to receive the book."
"Does have some pages that aren't exact, such as the American Pattern at the beginning of the book - it shows a bowl, under the picture of the bowl it has "bowl $75" printed, but does not show the measurements and is not listed along with the multiple other pieces."
"I decided to begin collecting depression glass for my summer home in the Midwest."
"Item arrived on time and was as advertised."
"The book is in great shape and is a good start for collectors."
"Are utilized one click and thought I was purchasing a book and not a Kindle version."
Best Antique & Collectible Jewelry
Masterfully weaving together pop science and history, Stoned breaks history into three categories—Want, Take, and Have—and explains what the diamond on your finger has to do with the GI Bill, why green-tinted jewelry has been exalted by so many cultures, why the glass beads that bought Manhattan for the Dutch were initially considered a fair trade, and how the French Revolution started over a coveted necklace. “Raden’s commentary on the often ugly side of human desire through the ages is consistently captivating, and her witty delivery makes the material shine.” (Publishers Weekly). What makes a stone a jewel? In this brilliant account of how eight jewels shaped the course of history, jeweler and scientist Aja Raden tells an original and often startling story about our unshakeable addiction to beauty and the darker side of human desire. With sharp wit and a light touch, Raden weaves together history, science, and economics to explore our enduring love affair with beautiful things, and shows us that just like their glittering surfaces, jewels have a singular power to reflect our desires back to us and show us who we really are.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I picked up Aja Raden's Stoned expecting a history of jewelry and was pleasantly surprised to find an in-depth social history of how human perceptions of value, desire and innovation have shaped the modern world. She starts with the beads that bought Manhattan (and in doing so makes a compelling case that it might not have been quite the con we think of it today) and ends with the wristwatch and its role in making modern warfare, aviation, navigation and personal private time possible."
"Personally, I rarely read non fiction books for the simple fact that they aren’t usually very captivating."
"I am still reading the book."
"Many of the stories Ms. Arden tells were familiar to me but to read them from from her perspective and with her research gave the stories new meaning and proved to be a delightful read."
"For a non-history person I found myself instantly pulled into history, following the tortuous paths of some of the world's most elegant stones."
"This book has a lot more general world history than I expected."
"This book started off snarky but interesting and ended up being educational and funny and I enjoyed it a lot."
"Not as informative as I had hoped."
Best Antique & Collectible Kitchenware
Using various techniques such as braising, stewing, roasting, baking, stovetop, and frying, Le French Oven will teach how to create appetizers, soups, main courses, desserts, and more. It includes information about the major French made cocotte brands, and how to use them to create fabulous recipes such as Warm Mushroom Custards with Garlic Toast, French Carrot Rice Soup, Basque-Style Paella, Two-Hands Praying Rack of Lamb Roast, Lemony Braised Chicken with Green Olives, and Beef Pot-au-Feu. "Le French Oven is an original approach to a flavorful French-inspired cuisine that can easily be made in any American kitchen. Le French Oven will become an essential part of your home, and if it doesn’t fall apart from loving use, you’ll gladly pass it down to your children." Using various techniques such as braising, stewing, roasting, baking, stovetop, and frying, Le French Oven will teach how to create appetizers, soups, main courses, desserts, and more." "Le French Oven is an original approach to a flavorful French-inspired cuisine that can easily be made in any American kitchen. Le French Oven will become an essential part of your home, and if it doesn’t fall apart from loving use, you’ll gladly pass it down to your children." She is a long time food columnist and restaurant critic for New Hampshire Magazine and her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, French Entree, Connecticut Home Living, Hartford Magazine, Tastes of New England, CelebrationNH, ParisLuxe.com, Bonjour Paris, and other regional, national, and international publications.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I've made 3 recipes from this cook book and they have all been amazing."
"Really enjoying the recipes in this book."
"My daughter loved it for Christmas."
"I love this cookbook."
"Made several recipes from this fantastic cookbook and they were delicious!"
"I received a French oven as a gift and this book perfect to get me started with some great recipes."
"Le French Oven is a Fantastic cookbook!"
Best Collectible Magazines & Newspapers
Through a series of comic book case studies – including The Justice League of America, The Fantastic Four, The X-Men, and The New Mutants –alongside late 20th century fan writing, cultural criticism, and political documents, Fawaz reveals how the American superhero modeled new forms of social belonging that counterculture youth would embrace in the 1960s and after. Now comes the sharp, smart, theoretically savvy exploration of the bombastic content of superhero comics, which Ramzi Fawaz’s exuberant tour de force reveals that we trivialize to the detriment of our understanding of sexuality and race in postwar America, and of the ways we use fantasy to make and re-make the meanings of both. Among hypertrophic giants and mutations that grant world-conquering powers, Fawaz finds world-making that embraces universal difference as the basis for affiliative politics and puts the cosmic back into cosmopolitan—and queerness galore. "Fawaz takes readers into the wondrous world of American comic books, where we encounter an array of outcasts: the mutant, the cyborg, the alien, and the superhuman. This band of visionaries, Fawaz persuasively shows, pushed back against the constraints of postwar liberal citizenship, conjured new, emancipatory forms of social belonging, and called into question the meaning of the human being. A model of interdisciplinary scholarship, The New Mutants is a must-read, not only for comic book fans, but for anyone interested in understanding how popular culture fueled the gender, sexual, and race revolutions of the late twentieth century. "Ramzi Fawaz's marvelous new book, The New Mutants , digs deep into the long history of superheroes and unearths a radical political tradition that has mostly gone unnoticed until now.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"This is a fabulous book."
"I’m very impressed with the way The New Mutants makes its case, and I recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding how comic book culture has always been much more than simply escapism or “kid stuff.”. Fawaz reads key narratives from around the 1950's forward - The Justice League, Fantastic Four, X-Men and other titles - alongside the political and social movements of each era. The conclusions here aren’t aimed at an assumed comic book subculture but really speak to society in general, grappling with the turbulent social and cultural upheavals of the 20th century. The Phoenix Saga is the one for me, but Fawaz opens with The Death of Superman, and Spiderman, Luke Cage, Green Arrow; there’s moments for a whole pantheon of favorites. Not just why they spoke to generations of underdogs, outcasts, and queers, but what these stories have carried forward (and discarded) along the slow, winding march of American progress."
Best Antique & Collectible Military
Having earned the respect of the Allied forces who fought against it during World War II, this work will inform current readers of the full record of Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6, and why the Allied advance into German-held Europe was so painstaking to achieve. ”…a compelling history… Recommended for soldiers (particularly paratroopers), historians, and students of World War II ad airborne operations.” ( Les Grau, PhD, Foreign Military Studies Office ). It is said that it is the victors who write the histories of the wars, so it is especially revealing to discover a book that was written from the viewpoint of those on the losing side. “…wonderfully documented book…Within each chapter are numerous detailed and insightful personal accounts of combat, troop movements and war experiences… provides an excellent account of what it was like fighting in WWII from the German soldier’s perspective. “prose is simple and efficient...cleverly synchronizes the memories and fragments of past events with his own academic narrative of military history… On the surface the work can simply be enjoyed as a resource book of the regiment or as a lively but academic history… I read it as a contemplative book which explores the human cost of war.'.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"It is a real pity that essentially good books are spoiled by such sloppy translation and editing work. That complaint aside, I commend the author on his research and on bringing to light the battles of one of the Third Reich's most effective combat units."
"You find great personal accounts of the one paratrooper who wanted to get married, but who was found to not be of pure "Aryan" bloodline, but had fought faithfully for Germany and FJR6; the encounter of paratroopers of FJR6 with a train with boxcars loaded Jews headed for a concentration camp and the ensuing confrontation with the SS guards; read the encounter of some of FJR6 and some American soldiers at a farmstead at Christmas time in 1944, as well as other great stories."
"In fact I think they were certainly outclassed( general opinion and movie) by soldiers with far greater combat experience and certainly far fewer people and little resources."
"American airborne units are part of the Army, but German Fallschirmjäger (parachute) units were part of the Luftwaffe (Air Force). Fallschirmjäger Regiment 6, which became known as "The Lions of Carentan," was an elite unit that fought in Italy, Russia, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany."
"There are few books dealing with actual German tactical combat operations from the German point of view published in English."
Best Antique & Collectible Non-Sports Cards
Ever since Star Trek first aired on television in 1966, the series has had a strong influence on pop culture. Paula M. Block worked on the Star Trek franchise at Paramount Pictures and CBS for 19 years and, with motion picture publicist Terry J. Erdmann , has written numerous books including Star Trek: The Original Series 365 , Star Trek: The Next Generation 365 , and Star Trek 101 .
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"One good thing is that the book is heavy and appears to be solidly constructed and bound. Publishing problems aside, the book has good information for the novice."
"Great looking hardback that takes a card by card look at the 1976 Topps Star Trek card set."
"This is something you would probably pick up and flip the pages, rather than try to sit and read straight through."
"I now own most of the original cast's autobiographies, read the novelettes, have a Star Trek emblem on my car, and a motion-detecting replica of the original communication panel, which "swissssshes" whenever you walk through the kitchen...geez. Those that are well-read and versed in the shows history won't be surprised with a handful of the stories/anecdotes (how many times have we heard about Shatner stealing Nimoy's bike on set?)."
"The information and book itself are very good...but the format is really cheap!"
"Anyone who has ever bought a pack of bubblegum cards in their childhood will share the excitement of paging through this complete collection of the Topps series 1 Star Trek cards, reproduced in this volume both front and back."
"Gary Gerani, was also the author of Fantastic Television. A book I constantly carried around with me in my high school days. I didn't know about the Kaiser Broadcasting connection between Star Trek and its second life in reruns, or how Mr. Gerani used the titles from other science fiction movies and television for card titles."
"A fun book for the Star Trek fan - it does cover each episode, but not quite as clearly as I had hoped."
Best Antique & Collectible Paper Ephemera
This spectacular collection of more than 125 letters offers a never-before-seen glimpse of the events and people of history—the brightest and best, the most notorious, and the endearingly everyday. "While some might argue that the art of correspondence died with the advent of the internet, it was Letters of Note-a popular website sharing correspondence across history and spheres-that paved the way for the exceptional hardcover of the same name. The book's introduction aptly describes itself as "a museum of letters" that are as addictive as they are enlightening; featuring letters from Ernest Hemingway, Fidel Castro, Nick Cave, Elvis and more than a few world leaders. London-based author Shaun Usher compiled the collection of over 125 letters over the course of four years and the subjects span both private and public theatrics. In Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience (brought to you by the creator of the blog by the same name) you'll read letters spanning across centuries, from influential political leaders, authors, actors, murderers, and more. "This new book beautifully highlights fascinating letters ...The hardcover demands prime space on the coffee table." "Someone should write a love letter to a new book called Letters of Note . It's a splendid collection of all kinds of correspondence through the ages: Elvis Presley fans writing to the president, children making suggestions to famous cartoonists, a scientist's poignant love letter to his late wife."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"There could have been a thousand letters here and I still would not have tired of reading. In the meantime, I will peruse his website, Letters of Note, to see if I can find more wonderful letters from personalities famous and obscure."
"Letters of Note by Shaun Usher. NOVEMBER 7, 2017 ~ LEAVE A COMMENT ~ EDIT. Letters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider AudienceLetters of Note: An Eclectic Collection of Correspondence Deserving of a Wider Audience by Shaun Usher. My rating: 5 of 5 stars. It was from “A Way with Words” a public radio show about the English language, including the origins of words, the usages, and good books that I came to know this lovely book. Of all the letters in the book, the following three letters resonate in my mind: (1) E. B. White’s letter to his gentleman acquaintance regarding the importance of having hope for humanity; (2) Anaïs Nin’s rebuking letter to a faceless collector of her co-authored “Erotica” for his demand of more prevalent racy contents; and (3) a nameless German’s woman’s letter to her husband asking him to take her back home from a dreadful mental hospital she was in."
"True to its title, this master piece contained missives that communicated a myriad of emotions, raised pertinent questions and advised the ones in need. The typography lends a rich grandeur which these letters of note truly deserve and needless to say, it evoke the emotions that come with holding a hard cover. Upon reading this work, one cannot help but think even though we as humanity have progressed in leaps and bounds in terms of technology and life style, have lost out a lot in the art of truly communicating and asking questions that makes us think long, hard, deep and all other attributes alike."
"This is a wonderful book that I will re-read many times."
Best Performing Arts Antiques & Collectibles
Vinyl Junkies are the people who will travel over 3,000 miles to hear a rare b-side by a German band that has only recorded two songs since 1962, vinyl junkies are the people who own every copy of every record produced by the favorite artist from every pressing and printing in existance, vinyl junkies are the people who may just love that black plastic more than anything else in their lives. Most of Milano's subjects believe the thrill is in the chase: seeking personal Holy Grails is often more rewarding than playing them, and comfort is knowing a certain record is finally in one's collection. The book works best when Milano lets his subjects do the obsessing, and if what being a collector means remains as elusive as Their Satanic Majesties Request with the original 3-D cover, at least we learn that, as former Cramps drummer Miriam Linna says, "You play someone a great record and they don't react to it, you know it's time to get them out of your house."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"If you are a recent or longtime record collector that would like to read some stories and thoughts of various collectors (some famous musicians, others not) about the procurement of records, then it is a quite enjoyable little book."
"Interesting view on record collecting."
"Enjoyed the quirky world of the vinyl obsessed."
"if you are a collector, this books is an addictive read."
"Bought it as a gift to my friend who is a Vinyl junky himself."
"Don't be surprised if many of the characters in the book hit close to home."
"Excellent book for your favorite record collector."
Best Political Antiques & Collectibles
Keto diet foresees balanced degree of high fat low carb products. This low carb cookbook includes not just more than amazing and delicious 30 recipes but also detailed explanations and advice how to follow the diet.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"According to the ketogenic diet that book is brilliant."
"I started to be interested in ketogenic food because of my friend, who forse me to go to the gym."
"My favourite cookbook with ketogenic recipes!"
"Autor provides usefull information about principles of ketogenic diet."
Best Popular Culture Antiques & Collectibles
The Typewriter Revolution documents the movement and provides practical advice on how to choose a typewriter, how to care for it, and what to do with it—from National Novel Writing Month to letter-writing socials, from type-ins to typewritten blogs, from custom-painted typewriters to typewriter tattoos. "Polt's account will attract those curious about the changes in technology and social patterns, since this book is really a culture critique masquerading as a history." "Polt's book is lovely and large-format with pictures interspersed among the text, which is itself delightfully hybrid: part history, part philosophy, and part user's manual, complete with labeled images of typewriters and how to use and repair them."
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"bought this as a gift for our son who is a writer and we all enjoyed looking thru it."
"Richard out did himself in this masterpiece of experiential knowledge."
"Such is Polt's beautiful writing style, his thorough understanding of his subject matter and his unique grasp on typewriter use around the world in 2015, his book is at once engrossing, enlightening, entertaining and, most vitally, easy reading."
"The best book you can buy for typewriter fans!"
"Great resource full of useful information and tips."
Best Antique & Collectible Porcelain & China
With over 630 striking color photos and illustrations, this Chinese art guide focuses on the rich tapestry of symbolism which makes up the basis of traditional Chinese art. "An ideal keepsake for collectors and art lovers, Chinese Art explores meanings behind the plethora of common motifs and symbols found in all sorts of Chinese art. A perfect reference for collectors, museum-goers, docents, students of Chinese art, and anyone else with a serious interest in the culture and history of China, the book includes both Chinese and Pinyin text, over 630 illustrations (including references to on-line collections), an extensive index in both Chinese and English, a bibliography, and a list of recommended museums and other places to visit with interesting collections of Chinese art.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"And again here this book has been a source of new information to me, I have learned so much in the meanings of Chinese symbols Thank you Patricia Bjaaland Welch."
"Very useful for understanding Chinese art objects, Illustrations are very good."
"Very useful in understanding Chinese symbolism."
"Sections are clearly divided into subject matter, colors, media."
"The book is excellent."
"Excellent book for learning and studying The Chinese Symbols, motifs and colours."
"This book is phenomenal ..I hope to use it to get a full appreciation of Chinese Art in my future visit to Southern China."
Best Antique & Collectible Postcards
Wilkes-Barre, located along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley, is the county seat of Luzerne County. Elena Castrignano is the author of Wilkes-Barre in Arcadia Publishing’s Postcard History Series.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Interesting book on an interesting city."
"Bought this as a Christmas stocking stuffer for a family member."
"I bought this as a birthday gift for my 90 year old neighbor."
"A wonderful way to remember or discover views of the turn of the century in Wilkes-Barre."
"My husband, who was born in Wilkes-Barre, absolutely loved this and is still pouring over it."
"Nice book full of old time information."
"One day, a few summers ago while visiting my hometown we drove to all my favorite childhood places. While enjoying homemade ice cream straight from the farm there, my Dad noticed one of these books on display from his hometown Wilkes-Barre PA."
Best Antique & Collectible Posters
Here are 100 ready-to-frame political campaign posters from the annals of American history! The writers and editors in its publishing office collaborate with curators, reference librarians, and subject specialists to produce books and other materials that open its ever-growing collections and activities to the nation and the world.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"At 11x14 it's the perfect size for a poster related book."
"For a American History teacher who wants their student to feel the styles of the various periods with rotating images this would be an excellent investment."
"It is a perfect gift for anyone who loves Presidential politics like my brother, who is bouncing off the walls with excitement years before the next Presidential election & currently is avidly following the talk about 2016 (here's looking at you Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Christie)."
"GREAT BOOK - BOUGHT FOR A HISTORY TEACHER WHO HAS MANY POSTERS HANGING IN HIS CLASSROOM."
"This book makes a great coffee table book."
"This book is an awesome coffee table piece for those interested in politics or design."
"I bought this book as a reference for my graphic design classes and was not disappointed."
Best Antique & Collectible Pottery & Ceramics
A Christmas party for the upper crust of the small Texas town of Maycroft turns tragic when the hostess ends up dead. "Sharpe Edge was a great combination of friendship, romance, and a good mystery to solve." They are the perfect cozy mysteries - light, funny, well written, with a good story line, and interesting characters. "Deena is a bumbling Columbo, meddling, lovable, caring, getting herself into situations with no thoughts of the consequences. Lisa B. Thomas is a former high school Journalism and English teacher who writes fiction and creative non-fiction.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"Thomas also has a strong narrative sense and there are passages in this book that are wonderfully lyrical: The opening paragraph of one chapter describing how people feel at a funeral is but one example of how beautifully she can write. That said, I think what I liked best about this book and the previous one in her Cozy Suburbs Mystery Series - "Sharpe Shooter" - is her portrayal of female characters. Deena is 50-something, comfortably married to a man she loves, and a kind of guardian angel to her older brother Russell, an Army veteran suffering from PTSD."
"The clues were nicely spread out, giving the reader a chance to work on solving the mystery: who, if anyone, pushed the rich invalid in her wheelchair down the steps in the middle of a Christmas party?"
"This is an appealing cozy mystery with likeable characters, good details, and ever-growing suspense."
"Deanna Sharpe, a 50 something former journalism teacher and now newspaper reporter in the small town of Maycroft, Texas, is an unlikely heroine, which makes it easy to identify with her. Deanna's brother Russell has recently started dating the daughter of the victim who thinks it was not an accident but murder."
"Since the daughter is dating Deena's brother, Russell."
Best Antique & Collectible Precious Metals
I wish I had this book when I was just starting the hobby of metal detecting!” - Josh in Florida “I have been metal detecting for over 5 years and this great metal detecting guide book taught me plenty of new tips and tricks.” - Mike in Texas. From choosing the right machine to identifying your valuable treasure, Mark Smith covers these subjects and everything in between in an easy to understand way. Learn how to find more treasure by: understanding common metal detecting terminology, understanding which metal detectors work the best and where, understanding how and why a metal detector works, other equipment you will need, proper etiquette, what you can expect to find, why you should never throw anything away, how to identify your finds, how to identify jewelry, how to tell if it is real gold, how to metal detect with children, which recovery tools work the best, how to recover treasure, how to metal detect private property, how to identify unknown metal detecting finds, metal detecting creeks, rivers and lakes, pinpointing, making weak targets stronger, cleaning your finds, the best places to use your metal detector, selling your finds and more! Find out how you can maximize your treasure with this informative metal detecting book today.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I purchased this as a retirement gift for a co-worker who mentioned metal detecting would be a hobby they would like to pursue post retirement."
"Covers everything you need to get started,or expand on what you already know."
"Book looked awesome by cover pretty basic inside good but not awesome big print good for old guys a book anybody with a little experience could have written will not order any other books by this writer."
"Mark hits it solid in that detecting info he has accumulated."
"Me and my 10 year old grandson loved this book, we bought a second hand metal detector at the local pawn shop for $36 and have been having a blast finding relics, coins, just exploring, I highly recommend this book if you are a beginner."
"I really enjoyed this book."
"Excellent introduction."
"Mark explains to the novice the basics of metal detecting."
Best Antique Radios & Televisions
A presentation of the history, theory and practical operation of old-time, home, auto, amateur, shortwave and CB radio sets which provides the detailed instructions and schematics required to repair or rebuild them. An electrical engineer and experienced electronics bench technician with CET and CCE certifications, Carr is a former winner of ISCET's Technician of the Year award.
Reviews
Find Best Price at Amazon"I enjoyed this book."
"Carr presents a descriptive but very clear analysis of what each component in a vintage radio does, and how they all work together to give us radio."
"What it is .... a great book on all the theory you REALLY NEED to understand to be a good Radio Man (or woman) to restore, repair or trouble shoot vacuum tube radios."
"This book is a great introduction for anyone interested in vacuum tube radios."
"THIS IS A EXCELLENT BOOK FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN THE AMERICAN CREATIVE AND DEVELOPMENT OF RADIO AND ALL THE FUN THINGS WE HAVE TODAY AS A RESULT OF OUR PIONEER CREATIVITY.THIS BOOK IS OF GREAT VALUE ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ATTEMPTING TO RESTORE OLD RADIOS."
"This is an outstanding book and a must-have for vintage radio repair."
"Great read for the antique radio restorer!"
"Overall the book is well done and contains much information."