Very disappointing - unclear and too condensed

I really can't believe this book is number 1 for the wine category - I bought it because of the great reviews on here, but it sits on the shelf collecting dust.

This book isn't really a book to read - more a dictionary. It is very poorly designed and has way too many abbreviations. It is also a little misguiding with its cover note of 'Hugh selects over 200 personal favourites' - this basically means he underlines 200 wines mentioned throughout the book. It really tells you nothing about the actual wine itself.

Very unclear as a book as it is simply condensing all it can into the smallest possible space. The Juice by Matt Skinner or a full expanded wine encyclopedia are much better options.

Uncleaned lots identified.

I have about 30 low value base metal Roman coins, mostly bought in uncleaned lots from ebay and other websites, and I'm thrilled to say that they are now all atributed with the reference numbers from this book, and I also have some idea of value. I had no idea who many of the Emperors were at first, and as yet I haven't found one that this book doesn't cover.

The line drawings are especially useful, as you can clearly read the letters and compare them to the coin you are trying to attribute.

The lowest price Roman Coin Book that I know of, and worth every penny.

THE"BIBLE" ON MARKINGS FOR POTTERY & PORCELAIN

No matter what item of pottery or porcelain you are trying to research, this should be the first thing you reach for. Long considered to be the"bible" for dealers and collectors. My own copy has long since lost its shiny new look and is now a battered, well used and reliable source of information. Along with British Studio Potters Marks by Yates, Owen & Fournier, you really should not need anything else to find out all you need on backstamps and markings. Obviously other reference books come into their own on antiques and should also be purchased but for a first point of reference, these two books should be your first purchases and both will save you making very costly mistakes no matter how experienced you are.

Transparent goodies

I think this may well become the standard reference guide for glass collectors. Beautifully designed, accessible and I thought very comprehensive in its coverage. Starting with blown and cased glass then pressed and moulded, iridescent, enamelled, painted, stained, engraved and finally cut glass. Each of these sections is broken down into national styles, for instance, the Scandinavian section of blown and cased glass covers Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Holmegaard, Riihimaki and Karhula-Iittala. All the glass shown has a caption that includes a dimension and price guide. The back of the book includes a glossary, dealer and museum addresses and that all-important index.

A particularly interesting chapter is the last one, contemporary and studio glass. Eighty-two artists are featured with one or two examples of their work. This is beautiful fine art glass and with some items it is hard to believe that they are made out of such a brittle substance. Predictably, there is not much in this section costing less than a thousand dollars.

I think it is worth commenting on the presentation. All the pages are very cleanly designed with typographic clarity for the main text, captions, key dates and designer information. The photos (over a 1,100) are presented as cutouts and almost jump off the page, all this glass looks just stunning.

Essential Book for Collectors or Dealers

No matter what item of pottery or porcelain you are trying to research, this should be one of two books you reach for first. My own copy has long since lost its shiny new look and is now a battered, well used and reliable source of information. Along with Encyclopaedia of British Pottery and Porcelain Marks by Geoffrey A. Godden, you really should not need anything else to find out all you need on backstamps and markings. Obviously other reference books come into their own on antiques and should also be purchased but for a first point of reference, these two books should be your first purchases and both will save you making very costly mistakes no matter how experienced you are.

Just right!

This latest update is a joy to use. Much easier to read and printed on better quality paper it has become a daily source of reference and information.

More unusual, I now find that I sit and read it for pleasure.

If you are selling books for business or buying for pleasure, this is an essential guide to have close at hand.

I understand that the amount of research causes the price to creep up - hence the four stars - but it's really worth every penny.

a rewarding read

This is a really good book for somebody interested into gaining a first impression of the art market today. It is divided into different sections in which art dealers, art collectors, museum curators and art critics talk about their view on the art market, on how to collect, what makes a great collection, how to buy art etc. Very informative with lots of illustrations from contemporary artists. Probably not for the seasoned art buyer, but interesting for everybody else!

Meet your fellow sufferers

If you think your vinyl addition is bad then read this book and know you are not alone! There is some comfort in that and as Milano talks to many vinyl junkies (some famous like Peter Buck of REM, and others not) you will easily recognize yourself having at least one, if not quite a few of the same compulsions. I have to confess, when I read about guys living with 10,000 LP's etc, the thought did cross my mind" There but for the grace..." etc, but I only have to look at my room crowded out by LP's to know I've easily got it just as bad (and I only have maybe 600! and growing). This book is a fun easy read, and it stays off the frivilous 'lists' and so on and keeps to its base covering all the types of collectors and types of collections you probably knew existed but never would have guessed the depths and passions of ...

Very much worth reading for any lover of food

If you are like me - you like food -, then you will enjoy this book a lot. It might be of practical value to your daily life now and then, but I think that this is not its strong point. It is an excellent volume to browse at random, or to look up a fact about a particular foodstuff that you always wanted to know. It is very pleasant book to read in any respect. The lay-out is beautiful, something that has become rare these days. The authors (it's not just Alan Davidson alone) write in a very accessible way, so that I can recommend this work to non-native speakers of English (like myself) as well.

Wonderful book! I would certainly recommend it

I found this book wonderful - Granted some of the things have been covered elsewhere but found the instructions here brilliant. From the book I have drafted my own lining, and used the techniques for padding the sleeve arch, made bound buttonholes by this method and made the Armani pants with great results. I really enjoyed the Sewing Secrets which are great for tips and traps. I have been sewing my whole life and this book has helped to hone my craft!

Essential Facts, Accurate Prices, Fascinating Details

I have been a comic book collector for over 50 years. During that time I've looked at every price guide ever published. While I get an occasional insight from other sources, I consistently find that the Overstreet annual guides are by far the best source. I also find that collectors of all ages and sophistications rely on this guide so it tells me what the market will be for comics I might want to buy or sell.

Some people feel like they don't need to buy these every year. I disagree!

Even the advertisements are valuable . . . I've found many helpful, low-cost suppliers through these pages over the years.

I especially enjoyed the updated versions of articles about much older comics in this edition. Don't miss them.

Fascinating But Not For Beginners

I think this book is brilliant, yet I am not 100% sure why it is in the Very Short Introduction series. It isn't really an introduction to contemporary art. If you don't know much about art, and you don't know much about contemporary artists, you aren't going to be very much the wiser after reading this book, at least at a basic level. It deals only sketchily with the work of artists, using them to illustrate points rather than to tell you much about them or the artists themselves. It doesn't really set out to tell you what art is either, in any easily identifiable way.
Having said that, it gets five stars in my book because it illustrates a fascinating view of art that I have never really been aware of before. Stallabras talks about contemporary art in relation to world politics, commerce, consumerism and the worlds of big business and finance. He talks about how art has changed and been shaped by the demands that these external pressure points have put upon it, and what that means for the way we 'read' art and art works. He talks about how it affects our understanding of where art fits in the current world order and what that means for artists.
It is an incredibly interesting book, from which I have learned a great deal. It really made me think and made me look at things like how exhibitions are staged and what museums are for in a radically different light. It is well worth the money and the time to read it, but you do have to have some prior knowledge of art beforehand to get the best out of it.

standard catolog of world paper money

A complete waste of money. Lots of the countries have not been updated for years. Errors have not been corrected. Print quality is very poor, my copy is very light. It needs a massive shake up, or it's reputation will decline even further.

good content, but spoiled by a terrible printing job

Review of"The Encyclopedia of Country Living; An Old Fashioned Recipe Book" by Carla Emery.

I just can't believe this book. Well written, lots of good useful information, and a TERRIBLE printing job. As someone who works in the printing/publishing business, I find this unacceptable. The problem begins with the paper - dull, low-contrast newsprint that makes reading painful. The cheap paper is so fragile that my book was warped when I received it, and it's hard to turn the pages without tearing them. The binding is equally poor quality. If this were a mass-market paperback that you read once and then throw away, it might be forgiveable. But this is a reference book that most readers will want to keep for years - I find it difficult to believe that this book can least even a few weeks under normal use.

It's such a pity to see Ms Emery's fine work ruined by a bad printer. I would have given this book a five-out-of-five star rating if the printing had been at least mediocre, but now I can only give it three stars. I urge the author to visit a good bookstore or library and browse the selection of reference books and see what a GOOD printing job looks like. And after that, I suggest she finds a new printer.

You Cant Beat Photographs

The best kind of costume books contain illustrations ,portraits, and best of all photographs. This book has the latter in abundance. From the early victorian crinolines to the slimmer fashions of the edwardian age. Its a must for students of fashion and costume makers.

Exciting new translation!!!

Forget the dull versions of Plato! This new translation brings to life this world classic in an entertaining and highly understandable way. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy reading these dialogues. To the translator: Kudos! (However he would translate that into ancient Greek!)

A wonderful collection of stained glass designs

This book is a must to all proffesional or amateur glass makers, many of the designs included are workable, most produce beautiful pieces. Both stylish and practical.