No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful Resource for non-wool fibers
  • Informative & inspiring
  • Interesting Ideas
  • Not enough patterns for bamboo yarn.
  • Excellent reference for non-sheepy knitting
No Sheep for You: Knit Happy with Cotton, Silk, Linen, Hemp, Bamboo & Other Delights
Amy R. Singer
Manufacturer: Interweave Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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KnittingKnitting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1596680121

Book Description

Yarns made from plant fibers, modern synthetics, and silk take the spotlight in this collection of 21 classic knitting patterns for socks, scarves, hats, bags, vests, sweaters, and even a luxurious bathrobe. Some knitters are discouraged by the thought of baggy hemp sweaters and droopy cotton socks when they consider vegetable fibers, but this authoritative, fun, and light-hearted guide promises that, while wool has no equal when it comes to elasticity and warmth, the right tricks and techniques produce non-wool fashions that fit well, wear well, and hang beautifully. Knitters are taught to knit swatches to study the behavior of a yarn, to choose an appropriate pattern, and to master techniques for reinforcing stitches and inserting knit-ins of springier yarn to keep cotton, silk, and other fibers from sagging. Key information about durability, weight, pilling, and special handling is provided for acrylic, bamboo, cotton, hemp, Ingeo, linen, lycra, nylon, polyester, rayon, silk, soy, Tencel, and viscose yarns, and a chapter of helpful tips advises on needles to use (and avoid), how to start new balls and weave in ends, how to work intarsia and Fair Isle patterns, smart ways to control the cost of materials, and the right methods for washing, drying, and blocking the finished pieces.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Wonderful Resource for non-wool fibers.......2007-09-23

I love this book. I didn't think I would, but in the first chapter there is a detailed explanation of many fibers and how they are transformed into knittable goodness.

Amy Singer also talks about possible allergies - that sometimes it is the chemicals that are used to treat fibers that cause allergies. I learned a lot. I love Merino - don't get me wrong - but I am more likely to itch from it, and from any kind of wool. Before this book, I felt like I was a knitter-persona-non-grata. Not that I want to be -- just that I am of the 'wool and some acrylics can be itchy' camp.

The patterns are fun and different, and introduce a whole new way of thinking about knitting! Hooray!!

5 out of 5 stars Informative & inspiring.......2007-07-30

I picked up this book thinking, I don't need another knitting book -- but this is not just another book of patterns. I am not allergic, but I don't always love wearing wool (esp. in warmer weather). Her patterns are unique and interesting, and she has inspired me to just pick up things that might be interesting just to swatch. Ms. Singer has filled a gap in my knitting library.

4 out of 5 stars Interesting Ideas.......2007-07-08

I purchased this book mainly out of curiosity & to explore using other fibers than your normal wools, cottons, blends & synthetics. I haven't had a chance to actually read the book (we're a very busy family), but I found the patterns & the idea of using different natural & plant fibers to be very enticing. I consider myself to be an intermediate knitter, but because of time allowance, I prefer to stick to the simpler patterns that won't take as long to finish. I have become very good at adapting patterns to suit my own preferences. The yarns suggested in the book can be very pricey. I would suggest searching the fair trade market from such places as the Rain Forest Rescue Site, where recycled silk yarns & banana fiber yarns are available at a very reasonable price. Since I'm personally not in the position to spend a fortune on the expensive yarns, I prefer to substitute yarns with similar qualities or textures & I also try to stay as close to the gauge of yarn & needle size as possible. I'm no expert, but I always suggest to people - don't be afraid to experiment, have fun & if it doesn't turn out the way you wanted it to? Just learn from it! Start small, get a feel for it & go from there! Beautiful pictures & patterns! The book is worth adding to your personal library!

3 out of 5 stars Not enough patterns for bamboo yarn........2007-05-23

I purchased this book because I had recently purchased some silk and bamboo yarn. I found the technical information at the beginning very interesting. Amy Singer goes through the structure of each type of yarn in great detail including care of each yarn. What I did find disappointing was that of all the knitting patterns (and there are many in silk, hemp, linen etc) there was no garment made from bamboo (apart from small scarf). This was the only area I thought was lacking.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for non-sheepy knitting.......2007-05-13

For those who can't/don't knit with wool or other animal-based yarns, or simply those who prefer cooler fare for summer knitting, No Sheep for You is an invaluable reference. Amy Singer gives a lot more than patterns (though the patterns are lovely). Her notes on the various types of fibers, their properties and how the construction of the yarn alters them, makes substituting these yarns in your own patterns much more doable. One star loss for a) not enough charting in the patterns (which echoes Knitty, Singer's on-line magazine), and b) rather hideously expensive yarns given in the patterns. I priced out the yarn as given in one of the sweater patterns at over $600, which is a good deal more than I'll be spending on yarn for one pattern in the foreseeable future. The information on yarn substitution is good enough to give me hope of finding more affordable alternatives, though, even if I have to spin them myself.
One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and Apple Pies
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Quick bites of inspiration.
  • Thank God for this book
  • Great history....but incomplete storytelling
  • Outstanding book!
  • One Tough Mother
One Tough Mother: Success in Life, Business and Apple Pies
Gert Boyle , and Kerry Tymchuk
Manufacturer: Westwinds Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1558689087

Book Description

When a heart attack claimed Bert Boyle's husband in 1970, the forty-six-year-old housewife and mother of three found herself at the helm of Columbia Sportswear, a small and financially struggling outerwear manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. With no business experience whatsoever, Boyle was faced with the challenge running Columbia, which had been founded in 1937 by her father-a Jewish immigrant who fled Hitler's Germany to come to America. Though many expected Boyle to fail, she and her son Tim persevered, and kept the business afloat through very challenging times. In 1970, Columbia Sportswear boasted forty employees and $800,000 in annual sales. Under the leadership of Gert and Tim Boyle, the company now has more than two thousand employees, annual sales approaching one billion dollars, and is the leading seller of skiwear in the United States. And thanks to a creative advertising campaign that billed her as "one tough mother," Gert Boyle has become an icon in her industry, and she is the first woman ever inducted into the International Sporting Goods Hall of Fame. In ONE TOUGH MOTHER, Boyle presents and honest, open, and often irreverent account of her truly remarkable journey from a childhood in Nazi Germany to fame and fortune in America. Boyle offers insights into succeeding in business and in life, and shares many of the advertisements and strategies that have made her so recognizable. Her story is one that will inspire anyone who dreams of turning a small business into a bigger business, as well as individuals who find themselves facing circumstances beyond their control.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Quick bites of inspiration........2006-05-30

If you're looking for a hard hitting business manual, or even a thorough history of Columbia Sportswear, look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a very quick read full of no-nonesense advice, straight talk and a few laughs, then this is for you.

Gert Boyle, from what I read here, is rather straight forward. She won't get all gushy about management approaches, philosophies and the like. Truth is, her manual would read something like this: work hard, use your head and when you aren't smart enough to figure something out, at least be smart enough to find someone else who can. And that's what I found refreshing about this quick entertaining read.

5 out of 5 stars Thank God for this book.......2005-12-02

I was lucky enough to have this book with me on a recent accounting seminar. Thank God for that. It is a very quick read, and does not offer many details about the specific challenges the business faced.

But it is still very inspirational, funny and informative. It is a great book to give as a gift to someone that is feeling a little down or needs more motivation.

I love stories like this because they prove that persistence and sucess go hand in hand.

2 out of 5 stars Great history....but incomplete storytelling.......2005-08-30

The Columbia Sportswear story is one of the most compelling business building stories of our time. However, this books is a totally incomplete treatise. It is well written and somewhat captivating, but way too summarized if you expect to learn anything useful. It is a waste of time to read, although you'll only have to waste 20 minutes to read the entire book.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding book!.......2005-08-23

What a wonderful treat to read about Gert Boyle's unique life. It's not only about success in business, but it's about triumph, history, the Pacific Northwest, advertising and motherhood. It's a great way to learn how to live a meaningful life!

The best part about this book is that all of Gert's royalties will be donated to CASA and the Special Olympics. It's an all around feel great experience.

5 out of 5 stars One Tough Mother.......2005-08-08

By the time you finish the book, you feel as if you are having a one on one meeting with Gert. It's a fast read -- and even has great illustrations from past advertising campaigns. It feels good to read a book with a happy ending -- and shows that hard work, listening to others, and caring is what it takes to succeed. I too have a business and have gone through hard times. Gert's words made me think I can still pull myself up, dust myself off and get where I want to go. I have purchased 4 additional copies and have already sent them off to business friends of mine.

It's not a Harvard Business School type of book. Some may find it too short and sweet. I found it delicious -- (and I don't mean just the recipe).
In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The Height of Glamour
  • The gorgeous terror of excess, or "How I was blinded with ornament"
  • Absolutely gorgeous book
  • As History & Biography: Bravo! As Design Inspiration: Blah!
  • MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT
In the Pink: Dorothy Draper--America's Most Fabulous Decorator
Carleton Varney
Manufacturer: Pointed Leaf Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Textile & CostumeTextile & Costume | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0972766189

Book Description

From the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia and Quitandinha in Brazil to her important fabrics for F. Schumacher & Co. and her automobile and airplane interiors of the 1950s, Draper continues to influence designers today.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The Height of Glamour.......2007-07-12

When High STYLE was "in-style" Dorothy Draper was the queen of design... Every page reflects her understanding of space, light and perfection!!! This isa great read for the design professional as well as the casual reader. Her life story and her work are inseperable - she loved beautiful things and had an un-erring eye for the dramatic. "In the Pink: Dorothy Draper --America's Most Fabulous Decorator" is a visual treat as much as it is a fun read! As an iterior designer I see her design principles are as easily applied today as it was in the age of glamour. I would give it a 5!!! all across the board.

5 out of 5 stars The gorgeous terror of excess, or "How I was blinded with ornament".......2007-06-01

While Kelly Wearstler was still in the womb, Dorothy Draper was jetsetting the style world in a solid gold Deusenburg that was fueled exclusively on Chanel no. 5. Her contribution to the interiors and custom fabricated furnitures and fixtures has forever seared a scar into the homes of hollywood and beyond. Liberace himself would be sent into a seizure over Dorothy's hallucinagenic oppulence and fearless approach to her indulgent, decorative torture chambers. Get this book and blow your mind.

5 out of 5 stars Absolutely gorgeous book.......2007-04-06

It took a while for me to finally decide to drop that kind of coin on a book, but its absolutely gorgeous and worth the price. Very cool to page through and see her imprint on decorating and design through the 30's up to now. You page through a Domino magazine and see a cool black and white modern print on a white french chair and think 'wow' and then you page through the book and see that she was doing it in the 40's. Just makes me wish I had my own chandelier fabricator and my own master plasterer as those seem to be her tricks of the trade. Beautifully put together and one of the few decorating books I actually wanted to READ every word and not just page through for the pretty pics.

3 out of 5 stars As History & Biography: Bravo! As Design Inspiration: Blah!.......2007-04-02

I bought this book for my wife, who is an artist and color consultant, because I thought she'd enjoy seeing an iconic designer known for her bold use of color and thematic environments -- especially done on a grand scale. And, yes, you will find page after page after page of grand ballrooms, hotel lobbies, mansion-size dining rooms, and so on here.

80% of them, unfortunately, are photographed in black & white. So much for the bold use of color.

There are two great color photos -- pages 161 and 207 -- that show off Draper's lush, vibrant style. But the rest of the book is either slightly out of focus color photos, color illustrations and old ads, or black & white photos. It's just sad in how it under-represents Dorothy Draper.

"But be fair," you say. "Dorothy Draper's peak took place before the advent of color photography." That's fine. But this book is a perfect example of the rare publishing project that truly is BEGGING for Photoshop colorization. On page 53, for example, the text refers to a House & Garden magazine article which declared one of Draper's most visible design projects, Hampshire House, to be "a gold mine of decorating ideas, particularly in color." And yet all four photos on that spread are in black & white, as are the spreads before and after it. A very good Photoshop artist -- and several do perfect, true-to-life work -- could give those old black & white shots the vivid, vibrant colors that would represent Dorothy Draper properly and accurately without changing Draper's style one iota.

As I say in my title, as a history (of the advent of superstar designers) and a biography (of Draper), this is a very good book that should not be overlooked. But how can you do a history of bold interior design, or a biography of a top interior designer, without SHOWING the vivacious use of color which was central to both? That's like doing a bio of Abe Lincoln without including the Gettysburg Address.

So is this worth seeing? Definitely. Worth buying used? Probably. Worth buying new? Only if you're rich.

3 out of 5 stars MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT.......2007-03-19

I HAD BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK FOR SUCH A LONG TIME AND NOW I AM SO DISAPPOINTED.....WHILE THE COVER IS STUNNING AND IT PULLS YOU IN TO LOOK AT THE REST OF THE BOOK THE PHOTOGRAPHS INSIDE ARE NOT GOOD AT ALL...I AM SURPRISED WITH TODAY'S TECHNOLOGY THE PHOTOS WERE NOT BETTER....IT ALSO SHOWED ME THAT THE DORTHY DRAPER STYLE WAS NOT AS CLASSICAL AND LONG LASTING, EXCEPT FOR THE GREENBRIAR HOTEL WHICH IS STILL BEAUTIFUL...MOST OF THE INTERIORS THAT SHE EXECUTED AND WERE SHOWN WERE LIKE AN AMATEUR DID THEM..SORRY D.D. AND MR. VARNEY.....SOMEONE OK'D A BOOK THAT NEEDED TO BE RE-THOUGHT AND RE-EXECUTED BEFORE IT WAS PUBLISHED......MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT..........
Textiles (9th Edition)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Great text
  • Excellent insight for Seamstress
  • Connecting Textiles and Science
Textiles (9th Edition)
Sara J. Kadolph , and Anna L. Langford
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0130254436

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great text.......2007-07-03

This was an easy textbook to follow when I took my textiles class. It is very informative and interesting.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent insight for Seamstress.......2004-07-09

I had been searching through all of the sewing books I could find to learn more about the nature of fabric and fibers...and everything I could possibly want to know was here, and more. Absolutely fascinating. It is a textbook, but was written clearly enough that anyone with an interest in the area can easily understand it. I've been teaching classes to costumers and members of the local American Sewing Guild, who are equally impressed with the knowledge we got from this book.

5 out of 5 stars Connecting Textiles and Science.......2001-05-21

I use this book as the text for teaching a basic textiles course for sophmores. This text provides a sound foundation for students understanding the textiles and the science foundations that are the base for predicting textile performance. Every line is packed with information; there is no fluff in this book. If you want to understand WHY textiles and textile products perform in specific ways, this is the book to buy.
Machine-Stitched Cathedral Windows: Updating an Old Favorite
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Highly recommended for machine stitch needlecrafters.
Machine-Stitched Cathedral Windows: Updating an Old Favorite
Shelley Swanland
Manufacturer: That Patchwork Place
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1564772853

Book Description

Now you can create Cathedral Windows completely by machine! If you're short on time or a novice at handwork, you've probably passed this classic quilt pattern by. This exciting, all-new approach to Cathedral Windows uses a simple grid system to make the design faster to complete and more versatile than ever before. Discover how to:

• Create 12 beautiful Cathedral Window quilts with step-by-step instructions, clear illustrations, and full-size templates

• Use a special foundation-grid system to make unique, innovative designs not possible with traditional hand-sewing methods

• Vary your fabric choices on three different levels--the window frames, window panes, and background--for intricate-looking results

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Highly recommended for machine stitch needlecrafters........2000-03-04

Shelley Swanland's Machine-Stitched Cathedral Windows provides 12 beautiful quilts, with step-by-step instructions and templates for producing the cathedral window forms. Color photos provide eye-catching examples.
The Lost Art of Towel Origami
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • The Lost Art of Towel Origami
  • Good book, hard to do
  • There are better towel origami books out there
  • Lot's of good Examples!
  • The Lost Art of Towel Origami
The Lost Art of Towel Origami
Alison Jenkins , and Ivy Press
Manufacturer: Andrews McMeel Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0740755633

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars The Lost Art of Towel Origami.......2007-07-06

I was very interested in learning Towel Origami. The size of the pieces and the number of towels needed to create them made the task almost impossible.

4 out of 5 stars Good book, hard to do.......2007-06-08

The book is well written but I think you must need special towels to make the figures work.

2 out of 5 stars There are better towel origami books out there.......2007-05-18

I bought this book after getting into towel origami on a Carnival Cruise. This was disappointing. There were some okay ideas but all in all I would spend the $$ buying the Carnival Cruise towel origami book instead of this one. I bought this thinking that there would be ideas for a towel wedding cake. Thier version isn't near as pretty as the ones that I found searching online. Skip this one and buy the cruise one on EBAY.

5 out of 5 stars Lot's of good Examples!.......2007-05-16

This was a great purchase. The guides and examples were easy to follow and very colorful. The book was a hit!

2 out of 5 stars The Lost Art of Towel Origami.......2007-05-12

I thought the instructions were vague. They don't give you towel size and/or detailed instructions. It seems like they skip a few steps. I could only do two out of the whole book and was disappointed in my purchase.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • let my people go surfing
  • An Opus on Business, Management, and Environmental Action
  • You've got to read this one
  • Investigate the claims in this book
  • Great story, quick read.
Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman
Yvon Chouinard
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0143037838

Amazon.com

Like the carefully engineered dies which created his company's first products--steel pitons and carabiners which climbing enthusiasts would recognize as primitive forerunners of today's sleeker gear--Yvon Chouinard is if nothing else an original. How many other shy French-Canadian boys become surf-and-climbing bums, then blacksmiths forging their own play tools, and eventually founders of world-renowned sports equipment and apparel companies like Patagonia? How many other heads of multi-million dollar enterprises open their memoirs by stating bluntly, "The Lee Iacoccas, Donald Trumps, and Jack Welches of the business world are heroes to no one except other businessmen with similar values. I wanted to be a fur trapper when I grew up." The proverbial mold from which Chouinard was cast got broken.

In Let My People Go Surfing: The Education of a Reluctant Businessman, readers get a fascinating look inside the history and philosophy of both Patagonia and its irascible, opinionated founder. From its beginning, the book shares a sense of Chouinard's strong-willed personality and his love of the outdoors. He recounts a mostly happy childhood spent in a still-unspoiled southern California, climbing, diving, fishing, and surfing. The narrative soon moves into Chouinard's early entrepreneurial efforts, which were less focused on market-share domination than on earning a basic living to finance his own sporting habits. As his company's first catalog noted, delivery could be slow in the summer months, when Chouinard typically left the "office"--a dilapidated shack converted into an ironworks--for climbing adventures across the American West.

Eventually, though, the story settles into a pattern familiar to business audiences: Patagonia grows rapidly, takes on more employees and product lines to sustain hungry demand from customers, but overreaches with over-ambitious expansion plans and suffers a hiccup in its adolescence. This make-or-break juncture of a business's development often contains the most interesting material, and here Chouinard and his beloved company are no exception. He describes a series of wrenching decisions through which he and Patagonia management team navigated in 1991, as sales growth stalled while capital and operational expenses sprinted ahead. From this crisis emerged Patagonia's first-ever layoffs, affecting a hefty 20% of the workforce, and a serious re-examination of the business's core principles and methods.

The historical part of Chouinard's book largely ends at this point, and gives way to an exposition of philosophies which emerged at Patagonia during its dark moments in the early 1990s. The rest of the book serves as a kind of primer to business, the Patagonia way: one chapter each on product design philosophy, production philosophy, distribution philosophy, image philosophy, financial philosophy, human resource philosophy, and so on. Fans of Patagonia can revel in the company's working details, as can those who support or want to build businesses with self-consciously cultivated soulfulness. Readers who enjoyed Gary Erickson's story about Clif Bar, for example, should definitely find this a welcome addition to their bookshelves. --Peter Han

Book Description

In his long-awaited memoir, Yvon Chouinard—legendary climber, businessman, environmentalist, and founder of Patagonia, Inc.—shares the persistence and courage that have gone into being head of one of the most respected and environmentally responsible companies on earth. From his youth as the son of a French Canadian blacksmith to the thrilling, ambitious climbing expeditions that inspired his innovative designs for the sport's equipment, Let My People Go Surfing is the story of a man who brought doing good and having grand adventures into the heart of his business life—a book that will deeply affect entrepreneurs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars let my people go surfing.......2007-09-01

this book is an inspirational page turner until it gets to the philosophy section which is good and interesting, but the first half is really, really good. i would highly recommend it for all 20-40 year olds that are thinking about changing up their careers to something more fulfilling.

5 out of 5 stars An Opus on Business, Management, and Environmental Action.......2007-08-16

Yvon writes clearly and succinctly about his triumphs and mistakes. He's fanatical about product quality but insists on his MBA style of management (management by absence). He shows how doing the right thing is frequently profitable and Patagonia has been a field leader ever since Chouinard decided early on that his petons were destroying the rocks that he climbed on. Making a daring move away from his top selling product to a new product, the hexentric nuts; that would not wreck the rock, proved to be a genius move. Since then, Patagonia has lead the field with material science in using PCR soda bottles in their fleece jackets, making the switch to Organic Cotton, and building the Reno, Nevada Service Center out of all sorts of recycled materials and green technologies

Yvon also discusses how childcare and healthy cafeteria food contribute to a more productive work environment. He rewards employees for purchasing hybrid or alternative fuel vehicles.

Patagonia publishes catalogs that are artful for their photography while at the same time they are calls to action on various environmental issues. There is no push to higher priced products or mega sale enticement. Patagonia has become the best in the outdoor industry by challenging the status quo and daring to be different. It's Yvon's disdain for the mentality of behaving like a sheep and blindly following the current trends whether in business or life that make him extraordinary. It is my hope that he will produce more books of this quality in the future. I finished the book in three days- I couldn't put it down.Patagonia: Notes from the Field

5 out of 5 stars You've got to read this one.......2007-07-02

Whether you're looking for a case study on: a successful business with happy employees, how to create a business from your passion, or what businesses need to do to help the environment.

From management tips, to HR lessons learned, Yvon brings in all his Patagonia experience (good and bad).

As one of the first environmentally-conscious companies in the world, Yvon has a lot to say about the world and what needs to happen:

"The Zen master would say if you want to change government, you have to aim at changing corporations, and if you want to change corporations, you first have to change the consumers." -Yvon Chouinard

This is a book you can't ignore. Especially since Yvon pioneered the `green business' movement back in the 80's.

1 out of 5 stars Investigate the claims in this book.......2007-06-28

If someone was to investigate the claims made in this book, there would be conflict. Patagonia is a corporation, like any other. Their main purpose is profit. Do they offer loads of color variations on their underwear for the environment, or because Yvon is a "reluctant businessman"? I doubt it.

They do contribute money to the environment. This is true. But where do you think this money comes from? Their employees are paid at the bottom of the scale, and their prices are at a premium. So shouldn't their employees be getting credit for these contributions instead of Yvon?

At best, this book is a manifesto of what a company could do, not what any company is currently. From what I've heard, The Management section in this book is nonsense. If anyone was to investigate the claims made in this book in detail, and make the authors prove what they claim, Patagonia would be caught with their $125 pants down, revealing their $35 underwear.

4 out of 5 stars Great story, quick read........2007-06-26

I enjoyed this book and appreciated that it was a quick read. Lots of great photos are included which makes the stories much more personal.
Inspirational for sure!!
Hallmarks of the Southwest (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Hallmarks
  • Hallmarks of the Southwest
  • I've waited a long time for this book!
  • Excellent reference - but a work in progress
  • Hallmarks of the Southwest
Hallmarks of the Southwest (Schiffer Book for Collectors)
Barton Wright
Manufacturer: Schiffer Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

GeneralGeneral | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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  1. American Indian Jewelry I: 1200 Artist Biographies (American Indian Art Series) American Indian Jewelry I: 1200 Artist Biographies (American Indian Art Series)
  2. Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones) Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide (Rocks, Minerals and Gemstones)
  3. A Guide to Indian Jewelry of the Southwest A Guide to Indian Jewelry of the Southwest
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ASIN: 0764309897

Book Description

American Southwest Indian artists working in metal, clay, wood, textiles, and paint have proudly left their individual hallmarks on their work-and until now there has not been a comprehensive source for identifying the marks. Barton Wright, the pre-eminent historian, curator, and proponent of these native crafts-people, has filled that void by collecting and organizing these hallmarks into a useful book. Compiled over many years of work with the craftspeople, and with the cooperation of one of their main organizing bodies, the Indian Arts and Crafts Association, Mr. Wright has with this book both made a useful tool for identification and left an important record of the work of these talented people. The information is alphabetically arranged with important personal data, tribal affiliation, working dates, materials used, and facsimiles of their marks.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Hallmarks.......2007-05-26

We have had previous editions of this book by Barton Wirght for years. This up-dated edition is just more current, but overall it is a very helpful bood to us.

3 out of 5 stars Hallmarks of the Southwest.......2007-03-20

Although the exchange process was easy, both copies of the book that Amazon sent had pages either missing or hugely out of order. I wished there was a way for Amazon to check the copies, under such circumstances, before sending them out.

4 out of 5 stars I've waited a long time for this book!.......2006-12-27

This is the eagerly-awaited second edition of Hallmarks of the Southwest; as a longtime collector of Native American jewelry, I'm happy to finally have a copy of this book.

Naturally, not every craftsman can be represented in such a comprehensive work, and complicating this is that not every piece is stamped with identifying marks. (Some of my favorite jewelry isn't stamped at all, even with "Sterling.") Many of the references are a carry-over from the first edition; since silversmithing is often a family tradition, certian respected craftsmen working today may not be represented but their families are.

It's a valuable overview, and leaves the reader [me, at least] wanting more.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent reference - but a work in progress.......2006-01-11

I have been using this book since this edition was published. It is an excellent compilation of summary information about makers of Native American jewelry and other collectible wares. I expect that this has - to this point - only about one-third or one-half of the people listed who make jewelry. I annotate mine with added marks for unlisted jewelry makers, together with summary information on them. When I can, I ask the artisan to autograph the book, preferably near the added information.

4 out of 5 stars Hallmarks of the Southwest.......2001-06-30

This book is an excellent reference to anyone who collects or sells Native American Jewelry. It shows the mark of the well know artists in Native American silver jewelry. The Navajo , Hopi , Zuni Indians are all included in this book. Very detailed, I highly recommend it.
Plastic Part Design for Injection Molding : An Introduction (Spe Books.)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Non-Engineer Review
  • Excellent book.
  • Practical, Hands-on Manual for the Plastics Professional
  • Practical, Hands-on Manual for the Plastics Professional
  • Plastic product design was never made so clear and pellucid
Plastic Part Design for Injection Molding : An Introduction (Spe Books.)
Robert A. Malloy
Manufacturer: Hanser Gardner Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Industrial & TechnicalIndustrial & Technical | Chemistry | Science | Subjects | Books
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  5. The First Snap-fit Handbook: Creating And Managing Attachments for Plastic Parts The First Snap-fit Handbook: Creating And Managing Attachments for Plastic Parts

ASIN: 1569901295

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Non-Engineer Review.......2005-01-20

As a non- engineer, but fully engaged in the Injection Molding business as a recruiter of Plastic Part Design Engineers, this book delivers technical information but easy to read and comprehend. Not just a book on theory, but practical applications. I recommend for non-engineers and engineers.

5 out of 5 stars Excellent book........2003-02-28

This book is excellent. It is technical but easy to understand, has illustrations, comprehensive, and very informative. Highly recommended.

5 out of 5 stars Practical, Hands-on Manual for the Plastics Professional.......2002-09-17

This book reveals the basic background required by personnel in the plastics field in designing parts for injection molding. It has many examples and illustrations of real-life applications instead of endless derivations of equations. It is a very useful, well structured, easy to follow guide for assisting in your design and knowledge of polymer related products.

5 out of 5 stars Practical, Hands-on Manual for the Plastics Professional.......2002-09-17

This book reveals the basic background required by personnel in the plastics field in designing parts for injection molding. It has many examples and illustrations of real-life applications instead of endless derivations of equations. It is a very useful, well structured, easy to follow guide for assisting in your design and knowledge of polymer related products.

5 out of 5 stars Plastic product design was never made so clear and pellucid.......1998-10-07

Dr.Malloy's book reflects the common problems an engineer would face while designing a plastic part. His book takes all the possible design problems that one might not even expect. He deserves 10,0000000**********'s.
Fashion: A History from the 18th to 20th Century: the Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute (Taschen 25th Anniversary)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A great book
  • Best Illustrated Historical Fashion Volumes Available!
  • A nearly perfect tome on Fashion history
  • What a beautiful book!
  • 4 1/2 stars really
Fashion: A History from the 18th to 20th Century: the Collection of the Kyoto Costume Institute (Taschen 25th Anniversary)
Akiko Fukai , Tamami Suoh , Miki Iwagami , Reiko Koga , and Rie Nii
Manufacturer: Taschen
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

HistoryHistory | Subjects | Books | Africa | Americas | Ancient | Arctic & Antarctica | Asia | Australia & Oceania | Books on CD | Books on Cassette | Europe | Gay & Lesbian | Historical Study | Large Print | Middle East | Military | Military Science | Russia | United States | World
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ASIN: 3822827630

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A great book.......2007-06-06

Got this books last christmas, and I was blown away. Have always been interesting in design, fashion and history. This book has it all. Great design on the book (maybe a little hard to handle since it quite big in size), great photos, lots and lots with detail from the garments, and the best, it give you a look in to the past.

5 out of 5 stars Best Illustrated Historical Fashion Volumes Available!.......2007-04-09

This is the most beautifully illustrated book available on the history of fashion. I have looked at many, but none are so thorough and definitive for the 18th to the 20th centuries. The publisher lists the book at $49.99 (unbelievable for what you get!). It has been reprinted several times since I first became aware of it. Each time I have missed my chance to get a copy -- It seems to sell out quite regularly. After almost losing hope, I was finally able to get a copy of this latest edition!
The current edition is a set which consists of two large volumes. The first covers the 18th and 19th centuries, and the second is devoted to the 20th century. These two tomes are in a sturdy outer case. The illustrations are clear and detailed, making it easy to examine the construction used for the garments, and also are displayed so that one can see the overall beauty of the craftsmanship. They are truly works of art! Text is at a minimum; the books consist first and foremost of these beautiful illustrations.

4 out of 5 stars A nearly perfect tome on Fashion history.......2007-03-13

Everything is perfect in these two volumes. Was terribly upest when the first issue (single volume) was discontinued, but this one tops it. Clear photos, specific research and exceptionally well laid out. My students beg to look at it, and THE PRICE! Incredibly inexpensive for a book of this sort.

Makes a great gift- and can substitute for barbells when needed.

5 out of 5 stars What a beautiful book!.......2007-03-02

When visiting the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art I found this book, and let me tell you, what a find! It is quite impressive in size, detail, length, and quality of pictures. The books range from the 18th century to present. The set consists of two magnificent volumes. Whether you love fashion or are simply interested in how people in centuries before us lived and dressed, get this book! By the way- this makes an amazing coffee table book. Not many (female!) friends and relatives can leave my house without taking a look at the set. Would make a great gift as well. Well worth the price.

4 out of 5 stars 4 1/2 stars really.......2007-03-01

I bought what I think is a compiled version of these two books from a local bookstore. It is similar length and has the same title. I have long been searching for a good fashion history book and this one is fabulous. Nearly every page is a large photo of a real antique costume. There is a nice balance of close-up detail photos and full photos, as well as undergarments and accessories. You can really watch the progression of fashion through nearly 300 years. I also like the amount of text that is written; just enough to explain the style progression and the political environment of the time. A picture is worth a thousand words and trying to explain a garment in text is pointless when you can just look at the picture. The only thing I wish was different is that the modern section (from about the 70's on)features primarily avant garde experimental clothing, not the stuff we actually see on red carpets and runways.

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  9. The Art of Metal Clay: Techniques for Creating Jewelry and Decorative Objects
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