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In an Author's Note at the end of High Plains Tango, Robert Jaems Waller says: "Though this book stands by itself, it is a continuation of two of my other books: The Bridges of Madison County and, especially, A Thousand Country Roads ... A Thousand Country Roads details Carlisle McMillan's search for his father, Robert Kincaid, who played a central role in The Bridges of Madison County."
Waller just can't, try as he might, get back to Madison County. Even though there are those who love to trash Bridges as sentimental twaddle, there are legions more who celebrate it as a romantic tour de force. Whichever side you favor, let it be said that the book delivers exactly what it promises. Not quite true of this book. What promises to be a romance of Waller-like proportions turns into an environmental crusade which turns down the heat, and then switches back to romance and do-goodery.
Carlisle McMillan, Stanford graduate (which comes in handy later on) and wanderer, floats into the town of Salamander, South Dakota, one afternoon and decides to stay. It is far enough away from anything that smacks of "city" to be appealing. He buys property with a derelict house on it and rebuilds it in honor of his mentor, Cody Marx. Cody taught him everything he knows about fine carpentry, and about doing it right, even when it doesn't show. Cody's Way is a metaphor for house building and character building, and Carlisle has learned his lessons well.
There are two women in this tale: Gally Devereaux, married to a big jerk who has the good grace to die, and Susanna Benteen, the auburn-haired beauty who dances naked in the firelight. Does anybody but Waller know women like this? Things are perking along just fine until the long arm of Progress reaches all the way to Salamander, deciding to build a highway, and spoils everything.
There is a lyrical last chapter reminiscent of some of the best-remembered of Waller's prose, and a toast offered by Carlisle's mother, Wynn: "To ancient evenings and distant music." Sound familiar? --Valerie Ryan
Book Description
With over 10 million copies sold, bestselling author Robert James Waller returns with the haunting, evocative story of a small town, a beautiful and mysterious woman, and the man forever changed by both.
The wild places are where no one is looking anymore. Out there on the high plains, among the Sioux reservations and the silent buttes, among the small towns dying and the people with them, you can hear the wind. And on the back of the wind is the sound of an old accordion—tangos—mingling with the lonely thump of a single drum in the nighttime and a far-off warrior’s cry. On the back of the wind is the smell of worn saddle leather and sawdust, of sandalwood, and smoke from ancient ceremonial fires. To this, to a town called Salamander, comes Carlisle McMillan, a traveler and master carpenter seeking a place of quiet amid the grinding roar of progress. Near Wolf Butte, a strange and apparently haunted monolith, he finds his quiet, or so he believes, and begins rebuilding a decrepit house as a tribute to the gruff old man who taught him a carpenter’s skills, rebuilding his life at the same time.
He finds two very different, independent women: Gally Deveraux, who works at a diner in Salamander and longs for something more than she is, and Susanna Benteen, beautiful and enigmatic, who was drawn to Salamander for mysterious reasons of her own, a woman the town has labeled a witch. The women and his carpenter’s trade and an old Indian known as Flute Player bring Carlisle a sense of contentment for a while. But his quiet is shattered as bulldozer treads begin to turn and the Yerkes County War commences. Run or stand your ground, that is Carlisle’s dilemma, Gally on one side, Susanna on the other.
Robert James Waller’s fully imagined characters become people we know and care for deeply.
High Plains Tango is the hauntingly lyrical story of a small town in the middle of nowhere, a town that forever changed—and was forever changed by—one man.
Download Description
Robert James Waller lives quietly with his wife, Linda, and their dogs and cats on a small farm in the Texas Hill Country, where he pursues his long-standing interests in writing, photography, music, economics, and mathematics. In the Texas evenings, he wades remote Hill Country streams, fly-fishing for bass and trout.
From the Hardcover edition.
Customer Reviews:
One of the best from Robert James Waller .......2007-09-13
Very good transaction. Excellent novel and the seller was excellent to
deal with.
A little too flowery at times, but overall Good.......2006-01-31
Waller is one of the most descriptive writers out there - and he does it magnificently - but sometimes, I wish he'd just cut it out and tell me what he wants me to know!
The overwhelming intricate details of the middle-story about the corrupt developers and politicians was absolutely unnecessary and bogged down what could have been an excellent book!
***SPOILER*** And, Carlisle - here's a little clue. Next time you put a year's worth of your life and heart and soul and blood and guts into a project and someone wants to run a bulldozer over it - MOVE IT!!! As well built as that house was - moving it would have been such a simple task!
An ode to the mythical Western small town of yesteryear..........2005-11-04
Carlisle McMillan has one goal: to find a place where industry won't find him, to settle in a land of wide open spaces where progress is much slower, if it exists at all. After years of fighting industrialization in California, he hits the road with no particular destination in mind. He's not running away from anything, not running to anything: He's merely driving, searching for a place to settle, a place yet untouched by large corporations and economic development. He finds such a town in Salamander, South Dakota, and this is where HIGH PLAINS TANGO, the poetically-titled new novel from Robert James Waller, begins.
Carlisle settles into town immediately; although locals whisper about his long "hippie" hair and question his financially independent means, he is generally accepted by his neighbors. He buys a piece of property on the outskirts of town that contains an abandoned shed and a nice grove of trees, and makes it his goal to turn the shed into a tribute to his mentor, Cody Marx, who taught him everything there is to know about the art of carpentry. Within a matter of months, the shed has become a cottage--a cozy home for Carlisle and the stray tomcat he's adopted and named Dumptruck. With two appealing women--Gally Deveraux, a down-and-out waitress at the town's only diner, and Susanna Benteen, the beautiful and mysterious "witch woman" who dances naked on the High Plains--to keep him busy, Carlisle settles into a simpler way of life. He spends evenings sitting on his porch with Dumptruck, watching the endangered T-hawk family that lives in the grove of trees on his land.
But it isn't long before Carlisle's archenemy, Progress, finds him and sinks in its teeth. There's talk in Salamander of a highway that's set to be built, one that would stretch clear from New Orleans to Calgary, one that would cut right through Carlisle's quiet patch of land. The majority of Salamander's citizens are all for the development, convinced the highway would bring new business to their dying town. But Carlisle is determined to stop the developers and preserve his simple way of life, even if it means he'll once again become an outsider to the people of Salamander...
Waller's new novel is both a romantic and an environmental text, a book that focuses both on one man's struggle to save his land from the greedy grip of corporate development, and on the woman who makes him realize that what he has is something worth fighting for. It's a beautifully written novel, heavy on atmosphere and rich with luscious prose.
However, the novel lacks focus. The plot is uneven, meandering from romantic simplicity to grassroots environmentalism. The environmental message seems to be merely thrown into the text without resolution, and the introduction of a violent character toward the end of the book is more confusing than anything. Waller's dialogue is unrealistic in many places, and his first-person narrator, a reporter of sorts, is never revealed, which is annoying. In the tradition of Kent Haruf and Mark Spragg comes another modern Western laden with cliches, a sentimental ode to the dying American small town. In more able hands, like Haruf's or Spragg's, such a novel wouldn't bother me so much--I might even enjoy it; but Waller's ability to pull it off is impeded by an uneven plot and stilted dialogue.
Nevertheless, HIGH PLAINS TANGO held my attention. The ending was particularly lovely, and I enjoyed Waller's interaction with Native American culture, legends, and mysticism. While Waller is probably not an author I will ever read again (for instance, I won't be rushing out to buy THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY), I could appreciate his command of lyrical and atmospheric prose in HIGH PLAINS TANGO.
An Excellent novel, from someone who's actually read the book..........2005-09-17
High Plains Tango is a story that will fascinate you from the beginning, turn you on and anger you in the middle, confuse you in a few small areas, and leave you satisfied at the end. I have never before read Robert James Waller, therefore I am not trying to compare it to "Bridges of Madison County". Perhaps this is the key to enjoying this novel (it also helps to read the book before you judge it...).
To understand the meaning of the title you have to read the whole thing, but I absolutely love how the story ties all of the characters lives together so neatly. I finished this book in 3 days, I read as my 5 month old daughter napped, and I had a hard time putting it down. Sometimes the detail and the dialogue (especially involving the elderly gentleman) got a little monotonous, but in general it's a real page turner.
If you are looking for a novel of purely romance and no other substance this is not the book for you. However if you are wanting to read something that brings out all of your emotions, truly brings to life all of the characters and leaves you wanting more then by all means read this book!
Just Another Western Type Romance........2005-09-05
This is another of Waller's post-divorce from Francesca to find romance and the ever elusive love she took with her. Here, we have Carlisle searching for his father, Robert Kincaid. I thought he had died long ago. He comes to a quiet little town to rebuild his life while rebuilding an old decrepit house. Near the Sioux reservation, he listens to an accordion playing tangos, with a single drumbeat. Usually the Indians use only one drum unless they are in a ceremonial competiton.
The witch Susanna dances naked in the firelight. He was writing about this kind of fallen woman before wife and daughter departed Texas to go back to Iowa. He found his Linda, like Greg Macdonald found a young live-in replacement for his wife who returned from the rural area of Tennessee to go back to Boston. Mid-life crisis is a bore.
The Indian Flute Player, like son Jeff, charms the desert animals around the ceremonial fires. Carlisle fights city hall (if there be such in the western small towns) and this one is forever changed by one man. There is a triangle with a waitress in addition to the woman he calls a witch, which makes it decidely uneven. Carlisle, after all, is college educated, but like all men like to indulge in the lower-class women on occasion.
The Yerkes County War commences, as is my GSA war! Who will be the winner, the government or the citizen? He is so poetic and lyrical in the way he phrases things. I know it is lonely out there in Texas wading branches and fly-fishing but ...."to ancietn evenings and distant music" ... to the ballads of Madison County. He never should have left there.
Book Description
USA Today bestselling author Julia London begins her acclaimed Lockhart series in this stunning novel of a love that knows no bounds.
On leave from his Highland regiment, Captain Liam Lockhart comes to London on an urgent mission: to repossess the stolen family heirloom that could save his ancestral estate. He never dreamed it would involve surrendering his heart, but the beautiful and scandalous socialite Ellen Farnsworth sets his Highland blood aflame with a will as strong and reckless as his own. Though bound to Liam by a soul-searing passion, duty impels Ellen to commit a terrible betrayal.
Now, driven by passion, pride, and vengeance, this fearsome Highlander will reclaim not only his family's ancient treasure, but the one daring woman he was meant to love for all time.
Download Description
"On leave from his Highland regiment, Captain Liam Lockhart comes to London on an urgent mission: to repossess the stolen family heirloom that could save his ancestral estate. He never dreamed it would involve surrendering his heart. But the beautiful and scandalous socialite Ellen Farnsworth sets his Highland blood aflame with a will as strong and reckless as his own. Though bound to Liam by a soul-searing passion, duty impels Ellen to commit a terrible betrayal. Now, driven by passion, pride, and vengeance that know no bounds, this fearsome Highlander will reclaim not only his family's ancient treasure, but the one daring woman he was meant to love for all time."
Customer Reviews:
Highlander Saddled with a Terrible Lassie.......2007-08-02
This book was my first book by London and I wanted to like it so much that I persevered and completed it in spite of my very strong desire to pitch it into the fire after reading pages 238-245.
The story starts out v-e-r-y slowly but is mildly interesting thanks mostly to the sweet hero, Liam. After Liam and Ellie establish their relationship, Ellie commits a heinous crime and behaves like a vile witch for the next 100 pages despite the hard knocks she's suffered in her life. You'd think she could have come up with a better solution to her problem such as, I don't know, TRUSTING LIAM! Her flimsy excuse for doing what she does did not at any point convince me or cause me to feel empathy or even sympathy.
I appreciate that the author tries to create "real" characters, warts and all, and I think she succeeds with Liam but willful stupidity is not a flaw I'll forgive in a heroine. I was actually hoping that Ellie wouldn't get her happily ever after.
Buyer beware.
It was disappointing.......2007-03-31
At first I thought I was really going to enjoy this book simply because I love Scottish historicals. I understand that life in past centuries was brutal at times but that does not excuse the violence toward each other by two people who are supposed to be "in love." The plot made no sense at all once the family heirloom had been found and obtained. I can easily understand a man really getting into being tied down for sex but I DO NOT accept nor will I "understand" a man violently tying up the woman he loves and essentially sexually torturing and raping her without even asking her why she was in his family home in the first place.
This really soured me on this story and I don't think I want to read the others. Ms. London build the foundation of your stories a bit better and I may try to read them again. Pah!
I won't be continuing with the series.......2007-03-19
This was just alright for me. Nothing really special. I liked the story, but I think what ruined it was that halfway through, Ellie made a really idiotic mistake (which I won't go into detail about here, so as not to ruin the book). What she did seemed like a really dumb move, but then at that point, both she and Liam were being stupid, (in neither admitting their love for one another which would have just solved all their problems) and in a book like this, they've got to be stupid to keep the book and/or series going. I mean, had they solved their problems by confessing their love for each other halfway through the book, there would really be no book, and no way to continue the series. As it was, I just came away with a vaguely irritated feeling towards Ellie and the entire storyline.
Another problem for me also was that I felt absolutely no connection to "Grif" at all and so, given my feeling for this first book, and my complete ambivalence about "Grif," I just can't bring myself to want to buy his story. I just don't care. I really wish there had been more scenes with him where I could have worked up some emotion for him so that I could care enough about him to want to read his story, thus continuing on with the series, but there was nothing to draw me to him.
I do have a bit more of a curiosity about Mared and her story. Though, again, not enough to continue on, and I really feel that if the first book were stronger, if I was able to get to know the other siblings more and get a bit more emotionally invested in them, I might have wanted to go ahead and take a chance with Mared's story. As it is, this will be the first and only book of this series that I will be reading.
Light, Good Read.......2006-12-11
I really did enjoy this book, althought I too was disappointed with Ellie's actions mid way through the book. As a mother, I understood her situation but still felt she should have been honest with him and asked for his help. Anyway, I really liked Liam's character. I really laughed at his going to the park to do hunt, clean his clothes and pick flowers. I also loved his repeated mention of being afraid of trolls. He was a truly enjoyable character and he really made the book. Can't wait to read about Grif!
highlander unbound .......2006-08-23
story is a little slow but the love parts are very interesting
Customer Reviews:
Good book.......2007-03-13
It is a good book but you dont want to buy this book without reding the others that preceded it first or you will be lost.
Dubious.......2005-08-17
In fairness, I am only about a third through the book. I have however,read a few other books on the same subject.
I think Peter Moon weakens his credibility, by constantly inserting his own unverifiable speculations, and presenting as conclusive evidences what are only possibilities. His life seems full of synchronous coincindences, but he gives them weight which may not be justified by the events.
I suspect that there is a factual basis for the reported activities at Montauk, but Moon's style is enough to make one an unbeliever!
How much can you handle?.......2002-04-07
This book is pretty frucking far out...and I've read a lot of cutting edge stuff. Whose reality are we talkin' about here? The reader must decide for himself.
New article on the Montauk Project.......2001-10-31
Reporter Chris Ketchum brings it all home with an excellent,
objective, and honest report on the Montauk Project for national men's magazine, Gear.
See it now on-line at
http://www.geocities.com/montaukprojectexposed/
Don't miss this one!
Fascinating reading........1998-12-28
I have now read two of the Montauk books. This was the first. I had an interest in the validity of time travel. This book seemed to make connections to so many sources I had already researched and tied them together. I used to think time travel was a hoax, but no longer. We may never know the entire truth to what the government was/is doing, but there sure are a lot of connections that make sense. Thank heavens for the explorers, the risk takers. The Montauk books are an amazing resource. To nonbelievers, I would suggest opening your minds to the possibilities. It was long ago suggested that an ancient civilization built the pyramids. The Montauk books take that a step further. And I found the explanation totally plausible. Prior to reading this book, I too was a nonbeliever in aliens. But I do believe in the power of an ancient civilization with advanced technology and knowledge of tapping into the magnetic power of the earth's grid to create wonders such as Stonehenge and the Pyramids. Remember when everyone thought the world was flat?
Book Description
Why did some early Christians consider Mary Magdalene to be an apostle while others did not? Some Christian texts, underlining her role as one of the very first witnesses to the resurrection, portray Mary Magdalene as the "apostle to the apostles," while other sources exclude or replace her in their resurrection accounts. This book examines how the conferral, or withholding, of apostolic status operated as a tool of persuasion in the politics of early Christian literature. Drawing on both canonical and noncanonical literature in her comprehensive study, the author reveals some intriguing correlations between the prominence of Peter in a text and a corresponding diminishment of women's leadership and apostolicity. This historical study of early Christian tensions has serious implications for current denominational discourse because authority, apostolic status, and the ordination of women continue to be highly disputed topics within many Christian circles today.
Customer Reviews:
study of mary magdalene.......2007-06-24
wonderfully written and organized! i would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in early Christian history and writings
Great book on the disagreements of the early church.......2006-09-01
Brock argues that the Bible and other early Christian texts reveal an apparent struggle between two different communities in the early church, one centered around Peter and the other around Mary Magdalene. The Petrine group eventually won out, eventually becoming the male-dominated hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church. This victory was strong enough so that Magdalene references were minimized in much of the Bible, though found among many non-canonical texts, including obviously the Gospel of Mary Magdalene.
The book makes this argument in three ways. First, Brock asserts (and demonstrates) the position of Mary Magdalene as an apostle. Because of the Da Vinci Code, Magdalene is trendy right now. As an academic, Brock doesn't go down any of the loony-fringe paths that some people do. Instead, she gives us good solid scholarship. If you were intrigued by the references to Mary Magdalene in the Da Vinci Code, this would be a good place to look for more serious material, devoid of conspiracy theories.
Second, Brock analyzes the apparent rivalry between Mary Magdalen and Peter. As you might expect, she tends to see the rivalry everywhere, and this doubtless gives an exaggerated picture of the true state of affairs. Still, it is clear from this book that such a rivalry existed between the communities attached to each apostle's tradition.
Third, Brock provides a careful history of a part of the early church, inferred from what little information we have. If you view the early church as relatively unified in the face of repression, you probably won't like seeing the many divisions among the various communities. Brock presents them clearly and sympathetically.
This book began life as a doctoral dissertation. It's academic, heavily footnoted (and sourced), and it could be difficult reading for lay people unfamiliar with textual criticism. That said, and as someone who has read a lot of dissertations, this is very well-written and easier to read than most scholarship. It is accessible to the non-specialist educated reader but will require some effort.
The book does not seem to have any axe to grind with contemporary churches, though Brock apparently could grind some axes if she wanted to. (Brock is Lutheran, and moved from the conservative Missouri Synod to the ELCA in order to be ordained.) One could read the implications of her argument for Catholicism and Protestantism more explicitly than she does, and develop a critique of the Roman Catholic church's teachings on women, Peter and the papacy, and apostolic succession. Brock refrains from doing this.
The central claim is obviously too simple, since there were other groups in the Christian community at the time - - most obviously Paul and his followers, as Brock recognizes. That said, this is a great book. Its central claim may provoke many readers, but it provides enough information in the book for a reader to use as part of a criticism.
A thoughtful treatment of a complicated subject.......2004-02-13
Magdalene.org review: Ann Graham Brock has masterfully and succinctly stated a problem that has been bothering me for a very long time. In several early Christian texts that feature Mary Magdalene, she faces opposition by Peter, leaving the reader with the impression that there was some rivalry between the two. The apparent conflict was vague and unsettling, and not being a Biblical scholar, I didn't know what to do with it.
In "Mary Magdalene, The First Apostle," Brock cleanly lays out an explanation for not only how and why Mary Magdalene and Peter are treated differently in rival texts, but also an argument for why, although Magdalene meets every requirement
for apostleship, she has been denied her rightful title.
Early Christianity was a hotbed of competing ideas from which different schools of thought emerged. Inevitably, these groups were drawn to the apostle, both as they were written about in the Gospels and how they were perceived in popular tradition, who best represented their beliefs. As these groups produced texts, and in very early cases, edited the canonical Gospels, they tended to slant their writings toward one of two polar extremes: Peter as the foundation for an androcentric authority structure, or Mary Magdalene as an example of a more egalitarian religion in which both women and men were capable of leadership. As a result, in texts that feature both Mary Magdalene and Peter, the role of one or the other is diminished, either subtly or directly. In some cases, texts featuring a strong Mary Magdalene were changed so she was completely replaced by Peter or Mary, Jesus' mother. Where Magdalene is replaced by Jesus' mother, Mary of Nazareth often plays the foil to Magdalene, deferring to Peter in all matters
because he is male.
In addition to analyzing several texts for their position on Peter and Magdalene, Brock spends a great deal of time on the subject of apostleship, how the term and the concept evolved, and what the requirements were to be considered an apostle.
She points out that although Paul is considered an apostle, by some definitions he doesn't even meet the criteria while Magdalene, by every definition, always meets the criteria. She discusses how Magdalene's identity as an apostle was threatening to the emerging Petrine orthodoxy, and why it was beneficial to knock her down to nothing more than a penitent sinner.
This book is geared toward an academic audience and is heavily footnoted; as a Magdalene researcher, I found her footnotes and references to be just as vaulable as the text. Although this book will be challenging for some readers, it is definitely worth the purchase if you are interested in Mary Magdalene or the politics of early Christianity. Highly recommended.
Mary Magdalene Revisited...this time seriously.......2003-12-31
This book, originally a doctoral dissertation, provides readers with what appears to be a very careful comparative analysis of the gospels and early Christian texts on the pivotal question of the apostolic status of Mary Magdalene. I hedge with the phrase "what appears to be" simply because my ability to judge a book with references to scholarship that includes Harnack, countless foreign languages, Greek and Egyptian sources is limited. But don't let the scholarship deter you; this is a very readable book.
Dr. Graham Brock documents how Mary Magdalene's presence as a resurrection witness, her position as a role model and her status as apostle have been diminished, depreciated, marginalized or otherwise ignored in early Christian texts, and especially the Gospel of Luke. A central assumption, and one that to me seems reasonable, is that the differing portrayals of Mary Magdalene are not unintentional, but in "all probability intentional and deliberate." What emerges in these pages is a picture that reinforces the work of Elaine Pagels and others; it is a picture of an early church, much more divided than ordinary believers have been taught to expect. A more complicated picture, but one that is, for that very reason, far more believable.
The significance of the debate about Mary Magdalene stems from the vast importance attached to apostolic succession in the church, both historically and in our own time. This careful and readable analysis of the apostolic status of Mary Magdalene -- to some early Christians, "the apostle to the apostles" -- is a welcome addition to the growing volumes on her importance. It is a serious work. Dr. Ann Graham Brock merits a wide and serious readership.
I Disagree Much, But Good Effort, Ann.......2003-10-22
Ann is a life-long Lutheran steered toward feminist concerns as early as her application to a Lutheran (Missouri Synod) seminary. Frustrated at their refusal to admit or ordain her (they would rather ordain her 'newly-Lutheran husband'!), she and hubby subsequently tranferred to an egalitarian ELCA synod (p.16n.47). She re-examines the early Christian church in search of means to recitify her 20th-21st century problems. Although Ann is careful not to "make the sociological leap that pits a Petrine group against a Mary Magdalene group" (p.173), her assumption that 1st-2nd century writers had so much sophistication (and leisure, when persecution was often imminent) in conspiring against women's rights is questionable. Eg., Isn't it too fancy to conceive Luke-Acts mentioning women more than any other NT book, yet using this very 'strength' to mask an underlying subversion of female leadership (esp. MM)? Yet, Ann has done well in surfacing a common oblivion to MM's significance. Can women preach and teach? I think Ann presents important data worth serious consideration. But First Apostle? I'm much less certain about that. Tradition may have been nasty to you, but it deserves much more respect. On the whole, a nice, more academic supplement to the TV documentary.
Book Description
One book for writing 1000 favorite recipes, 100 favorite cookbook names, your favorite recipe index and 12 pockets for storing newspaper clippings, magazine recipes and recipes, scribbled on napkins. Makes saving recipes easy. Saves time. Organizes pieces of paper you want to keep.
Customer Reviews:
not all I hoped for.......2004-07-28
The book description, (one book for writing 1000 favorite recipes), is not accurate. There is only room to write 285 complete recipes. There is, however, room to write 648 recipe titles and the name of the cookbook in which they appear.
The best of the best, all in one place!.......2002-07-02
I love this book!! There is space for over 1,000 recipes, and pockets on all the dividers to store clippings. I have all my favorite recipes permanently written in, and if there are recipes I would like to try, they go in the pockets. The front of each page is lined all the way down, and the back is lined and divided into two spaces for two recipes. There are six different sections. There is also a space to write in your favorite cookbooks, and in each section there is room to index your recipes so you'll know where you found them in the original book and which page they are on in that particular section. I couldn't recommend this cookbook more!!
Customer Reviews:
My opinion only!!.......2005-04-20
Am well pleased with this book but I would like to see a 2005 updated version. Some prices are a little too high in regards to value but it helps a collector to keep a proper perspective of what to pay and what not to pay for a jar. I also appreciate the "mark" to look for on the jar to help in making sure the jar is a "fake" or the real thing!
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF COOKIE JARS.......2004-10-04
I FOUND THIS COOKIE JAR BOOK TO BE THE BEST BOOK OUT THERE ON JARS. THE VALUES ARE A BIT HIGH BUT THEN AGAIN I AM WAITING FOR THEM TO UPDATE THE BOOK WITH TODAYS VALUES. WHEN THE BOOK WAS WRTTEN COOKIE JARS WERE AT A HIGH DOLLAR VALUE. THE CROSS REFERENCING AND THE PICTURES ARE EXCELLENT AND THE BOOK DESERVES A AAA+++ FROM ME!
Could be better, but still one of the best.......2003-05-10
Pros: comprehensive, excellent cross-referenced organization (easy to find jar when you don't know maker), notes what mark should say on jar
Cons: values are too high, photography is good on some but on average it's not great -- too much contrast so difficult to see detail (looks like flash photography rather than lighted) and color is biased towards yellow, would be nice to have a measurements on all pieces
Best Cross Reference.......2003-04-18
Best Cross reference book out there..... We have been collectors for years and have all the books there are concerning Cookie Jars. And every edtion... Supnicks book is chalk full of pictures.... And the cross reference is wonderful....... I noticed when reading the other reviews some people don't have my same thoughts... I can't help but wonder if these are other authors who wish they had taken the time to do the cross ref. .. As far as the prices being higher in there book,,, I do notice that,, but I also notice that in other cookie jar books that are SO CALLED Revised prices,,,,,, Are not well researched.. Just putting out the same book and raising the prices of a few jars...
Supnicks Book is the beat one out there............... More photos then any other..
I felt I needed to write this as I notice some reviews were WRONG,, stating items not identified correctly... Well, anyone who is a Cookie Jar collector KNOWS some jars have questions as to who made them,, and everyone has their own thoughts.. Again leading me to believe there might be a few jealous authors out there.. GET THIS BOOK.. It will be your Bible...........
Wonderful World of Cookie Jars.......1999-12-19
Excellent Reference Book with one of the largest picture listings that I have found. It has helped me MANY times in my search for information on cookie jars that I have purchased. Every collector of Cookie Jars ABSOLUTELY must have one of these books! You will not regret it!
Book Description
Both practical and inspirational, this book provides you with a thorough grounding in the basics of stenciling and planning your design and also offers a multitude of design ideas for every room in the house. With over 20 step-by-step projects, complete with ready-to-use, pull-out templates, this is the ideal guide for home stenciling.
Customer Reviews:
Beautiful book, but definitely not complete.......2002-03-04
This is a beautiful book on stenciling and many stencils are provided. But don't be misled by the title: it is not complete. Just about all the stencils in this book are of flowers and leaves (ok, an olive, one chicken and one duck stencils are also included). If you are looking for fun things to decorate a kid's room (other than flowers and leaves), this is not the book for you.
Also, if you are like me and want to see the effect of a particular stencil on a room or looking for inspirations to use the stencils creatively, there are very few pictures of a finished room in this book. You may see a section of a doorway, or a table top, but that's about it.
Novice home decorator.......2001-12-30
I received this book as a Christmas gift. I showed it to two other family members/new homeowners who now want their own copies. I like the fact that the book comes with stencils that are really different--they appeal to my unusual/creative bent. The instructions are easy to follow. Illustrations and suggestions are helpful as well. I would recommend this book to anyone, even people who wouldn't normally stencil (like me!).
A beautiful book!.......2001-12-05
We've been living in our house for a little over 5 years, and its time to repaint. I've even been wanting to pull up the carpet, paint the floor and do some stenciling along the edge as a border. But I've been searching for something different, and yet not overdone.
This book was just what I was looking for. There's a gorgeous variety of stencil patterns, with the stencils included! That in itself saves a small fortune. The authors illustrate in the book how to mix and match, to acheive different effects.
Having stenciled before, this book is definitely for someone with more experience than a novice, as it shows how to varigate your colors, which comes from practice. If you are a novice, I'd recommend practicing on paper with the paint techniques before applying to your walls, floors, etc.
Book Description
Decorative ideas to transform the home, with a fabulous range of original, popular and easy-to-achieve stencil effects.
Product Description
Oversize Hardcover - Projects for Decorative, Decoupage, Tiling, Painting, Framing, Bead Work, Stenciling, Batik, Fabric Painting. Step-by-Step photos.
Customer Reviews:
My favourite for weekend projects or more.......2001-04-24
This really is one of my favourite books for helping me do new projects. It's just great, as it covers all kind of effects that are good not only for walls but anything you can think of. It helps you plan, prepare, execute and then admire your achievement. With easy to follow instructions for stenciling, wood work or what ever you want (you'll find it in here). It teaches you what products are used for what, how to achieve an effect. You will learn fast HOW TO what ever you want to work on. This book is highly recomended for beginers or those who are still not pro's.
Book Description
City studios, tiny suburban dwellings, compact houses: today, more people than ever are living small. To maintain these trim, contemporary residences in fine style, you need the newest storage devices and the cleverest space-saving solutions. That's what you'll find right here, in an indispensable guide to managing clutter, generating the illusion of space, and accessing your priorities so you use every inch effectively. The ideas are many and fresh, from cupboard hideaways to new loft areas. Every room is covered, with information on design layout and planning, and a "recipe" for success. Checklists throughout help you keep track of every step.
"The wealth of sharp color photos and practical hints makes this an attractive, useful resource for anyone facing an interior design project."--Booklist
Customer Reviews:
Definately one to keep.......2007-05-09
This book has many wonderful images and lots of inspiration for your home. The only thing you might want to know is that the ideas are best for those who own their own condo or a small house. Renters might be inspired by this book but probably wouldn't be able to implement most of the ideas.
Small Spaces for Modern Living.......2007-03-19
I found the book very inspiring. The pictures in this book were meant as examples to push and inspire your imagine instead of taking a cookie cutter approach. The book also provides principles and strategies on how to implement your own ideas. However, the pictures provide primarily a modern and contemporary perspective for those of you who are die heart country chic or traditional.
Great Book with Good Ideas.......2007-01-29
We recently bought a new condo and found this book helpful in planning how to organize and arrange our new condo. Living in a big city we've always been strapped for space and the time needed to organize. I think Atkins does a good job giving advice on how to purge and ideas on how to maximize space. My only compliant about design guides (either this book or magazines) is that they tend to show spaces that rarely resembles the cookie-cutter condo look that you often buy into.
Small Spaces, major possibilities!.......2007-01-24
This book is fantastic! Unlike a lot of books on the market, it will really help you develop YOUR OWN space to suit YOUR OWN wants, needs, and taste.
The first few sections are devoted to helping you really examine your own living situation: What are your basic needs for your space? What are your not-so-basic needs and wants that will make your space suitable to you? Now, what have you got to work with? How is the space defined? What are your limitations on changing it? And, how would you like it to look? Atkins asks very clear cut questions that will help you evaluate what you and your home are capable of.
The next few sections are on basic design principles that work in any area. Use of color, lighting - both natural and artificial, furniture, and your own home's architectural features (doors, walls, windows) are explored.
Finally, every room in the home is given it's own chapter. Every nook and cranny is scrutinized for maximum use of space. From layout to furniture to walls and floors, there is helpful advice on EVERYTHING. Large, colorful photos and examples abound; and there are even case studies that show a room and explain why and how it works.
There are a few things about this book that I think put it above others in the same category. First, it really does help you evaluate what YOU are capable of in your own space. Second, there are helpful hints in the sidebars on nearly every page, which can be quickly referenced time and time again. And third, it covers areas that are often overlooked by other design books, such as hallways, stairs, and the occasional terrace.
For someone who can only afford a new coat of paint to those about to take on a major renovation, anyone can and will find some useful advice in Small Spaces for Modern Living.
A comprehensive look at designing for small spaces.......2005-01-23
Over the years I've collected quite a few books on designing for small spaces. What I really like about this title is that it combines the best features from the wide array of books available on this subject matter. It doesn't just present you with intriguing ideas and cool photographs; it also provides important design concepts, so you truly understand the design solutions presented. The book starts with assessing and planning your space, then discusses a variety of applicable design styles (rather than just the often-sterile, minimalist/modern look so many books feature!), room-by-room ideas, and options for special circumstances (such as an attic or galleried space). The book is also laid out very well and is a joy to read and reread. My only complaint is that I wish there were photos of every idea mentioned!
Book Description
Touch Graphics examines a wide array of innovative and often experimental graphic design pieces that have incorporated imaginative materials like fur, velvet, plastic, and metal to convey powerful messages and connect with audiences on a deeper level. Tactile designs feed our most neglected sense in a digital world that focuses aggressively on visual and audio stimulation and the authors celebrate and showcase the remarkable power they have to engender wonder, excitement, and a sense of ownership in today's consumers. An invaluable idea book and resource, this stimulating collection will inspire designers to open their minds-and their art-to include new forms and shapes, and insightful text will tell the reader the technical hurtles (if any) that were apart of the design process.
Average customer rating:
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Guns N' Roses: The Pictures
George Chin
Manufacturer: Omnibus Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0711941823 |
Customer Reviews:
Great photos.......2007-06-05
If you want to take a trip down memory lane this is the book. Great concert photos of G'nR. Wow!
the best.......2000-07-07
if you want to see what it is like to live in the fast lane then this book is for you!
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