Kakaku：4200 saved$42.00
Grand Central Publishing
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Gave up..) 『This is my first exposure to any Lindsey writing and I just could not get myself into this novel and eventually just had to put the book down and move on. This novel is very wordy and (overly) researched and it takes a long time before you get into any of the action. As someone with very little experience/knowledge in the art business, I could not quite grasp the significance of the art in the novel nor could I really put myself into Harry's (the protagonist) situation.
From what I've read, The Color of Night is a story of art dealer Harry Shroud and the scandal around the death of his wife, his new love Mara, and his art business.
If you are in the art business or enjoy stories about art, perhaps you will enjoy this novel and it's depth. As for me, I could not get myself into this work.』
(Befriending the shadows that move into one's life) 『This is an enjoyable and fast-paced read. As with all David Lindsey books, tension and suspense are carefully crafted and page turning becomes inevitable. The book begins explosively and continues in much the same way until the end. Early on in the narrative a series of multi-layered plots begin to emerge. We are brought deeper, and deeper, into the world of espionage, international crime, passion, betrayal, fear, and revenge. The plot is rich. It is carefully developed in the central section of the book and resolved in a dramatic, if somewhat predictable, manner in the last few pages.
Lindsey has carefully researched his work and provides very rich detail of location: the story flickers like a kaleidoscope from one sparkling European location to another. He really has a great skill for conveying place and mood. Another well research area is that of the international art world, especially the market for drawings. The writing here is direct, convincing, and informed.
The writing is also elegant and Lindsey always manages to surprise or enthrall with a particularly finely turned metaphor or phrase. In a curious and unexpected way this is a sensitive and appealingly literary work, Unlike many of his others, violence is more often reported and distanced rather than confronted directly: in that sense "The Color of Night" is a softer, less contentious read.
Personally, I found the central character, Harry Strand very irritating. We are told that he is a thoughtful and considerate - perhaps, one suspects, too thoughtful and considerate for his kind of professional work - yet as the story unfolds he displays incredible lack of concern for the fate of those closest to him. Stand remains for me a very gray, exasperating, fractured, and hazy central character. One wonders to what extent he actually has befriended the shadows in his life. However, in the world that Lindsey writes about most participants are gray and fractured: perhaps that's his point?
I enjoyed this book, even although I confess to the occasional burst of skimming pages. Not, I would have to say Lindesy's best but certainly a very good read that I hope you also enjoy. 』
(All Fall Down) 『This is one of those novels I have mixed feelings about. I was drawn to this book because it involves the selling&purchasing of fine art. My rule of thumb is this: If it involves art or artists, I want to read it. On the other hand, if it involves organized crime, the drug world, espionage, etc, then I don't want to read it. This novel has both - plenty of both.
Harry Strand is a former intelligence agent, now an art dealer in Houston, Texas. For reasons that make very little sense, Harry and a handful of other agents decided to rip off millions of dollars from a major player, Wolfram Schrade, before their agency is downsized at the end of the Cold War. The novel begins four years later when these former agents find themselves in a kill-or-be-killed situation because their deception has been uncovered. Once several people have been murdered by this most untouchable of bad guys, Harry seems to run around like a Keystone Kop in his attempt to assassinate Schrade. And you know what happens next - the Kops all run into one another and fall down in a big heap.
You may have noticed that I haven't mentioned any women yet. That's because the women in Harry's life don't live very long - his colleague Arrisa, his assistant Meret, his beloved wife Romy. Even though Harry is still in love with Romy, he immediately falls for the exotic Mara Song when she shows up on his doorsteps with sketches to sell. And even though Harry is aware that Wolfram has killed his beloved Romy, he still takes Mara with him all over Europe as they attempt to outwit the invincible Wolfram.
Thank God the Cold War is over because with Harry Strand on our side, it was only a matter of time before the entire intelligence organization was undermined. 』
(Lindsay Scores ANOTHER Winner) 『I do not understand the reviews that praise plots, character development, writing style and intelligence then reward a 3 or 4. Lindsay has to be one of the best kept secrets in modern American literature. His stories are without exception deft, deep and dramatic and the characters are so utterly REAL - with hidden sorrows, unforgiven deeds and hosts of other problems. Yet they all strive for love and completeness.
As usual the research complements the story. I knew next to nothing about the business side of collecting drawings - or the drawing world in general for that matter. But the way he weaves this world with his "other" plot is superb. His heroes (he is a man's writer) are uniformly suave, masculine, Thomas Crownes with angst. Our apparently relaxed and successful collector is of course not what he appears but instead is a former spy.
In a Ten Little Indians reference, all members of his team are being murdered one by one. He meets a beautiful woman who may or may not be all she seems and in the end there is an act of revenge that literally stuns. Mara and Strand are the perfect couple in Lindsay's universe. Teir sophistication, panache and verbal foreplay are the stuff of great movies and great novels. A great read!』
(Sometimes Revenge is Just, Sometimes it's Just Revenge) 『Harry Strand has long since retired from American intelligence. He meets lovely Mara Song, thinks it's love, then one day he plays one of her videos and sees his wife's last moments on the screen. Her car is forced off the road and all he can do is watch.
It's not long before he realizes that the two sides, who he ripped off vast funds from, are out to get him. Because during the forgotten cold war, when he was supposed to be channeling American monies to anti-communist criminals he was actually founding his own charitable foundation and trust fund. Harry has made some nasty enemies. But does he want them off his back, or does he want to make them pay?
It must have been hard for the writers of secret agent fiction to deal with the end of the cold war. No longer were readers swallowing hook, line and sinker a whole genre of fiction. Spy book writers had to come up with new ideas, new twists and David Lindsey does a superb job of just that in COLOR OF NIGHT, a book I borrowed from my boyfriend that kept me awake long after my bedtime.
Reviewed by Sara Hackett, who just adore's her husband Jack Priest's books Ragged Man, Gecko&Night Witch.』 『Former intelligence officer Harry Strand learns that a secret agent can never retire--and never surrender. A widower, he has started his life over and fallen in love with Mara Song, a beautiful Asian art collector. But Harry's peaceful world is shattered when he discovers a shocking videotape of his wife's death in Mara's tape collection.』
Kakaku：279 saved$2.79
Company
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (A Favorite History of Science Book) 『I understand everyone has his or her own definition of great writing and a great book. I thought this book was quite well-written and I enjoyed that it was not limited to merely a biography of William Perkin or the chronological format. As far as explaining my definition of a well-written book, I would say that this qualifies mostly because it captures interest quickly and maintains it. It is a non-fiction page-turner! Additionally, the author does not make grammatical errors or use language or style which is difficult to understand. In my opinion, that is a well-written book.
As far as content is concerned, there is so much that can be gleaned from reading this quite fun as well as informative book. I especially liked the parts on Germany and WWII. As a graduate student, I would almost certainly assign this to a History of Science class. It would be great for a topics class focusing on discoveries/inventions or chemistry. I read this purely for pleasure and as such would recommend it to any general reader interested in the history of science, invention or world history.』
(Jumpy and lacking in chemical "substance") 『I found this book often interesting and often confusing. People entered and exited frequently, and the insertion of some modern information about color broke the continuity of the author's message. I wished for more descriptions of the chemistry involved, what the various chemical reactions did, and how other chemists adapted Perkin's synthetic route to create new dyes. But the most descriptive information comes from Perkin's patent application, which sounds so general as to provide little useful information. So, this book gets three stars because it provided an easy summer read, but it lacked in scientific substance.』
(Not as good as the title promised.) 『It could have been a great book. I'm always looking for good books about chemistry and chemists so I had high hopes for this one. The story of William Perkin discovering mauve as an 18-year-old student and then starting the synthetic dye industry in Britain is inspirational for chemistry students everywhere. However, the author races through the biography of Perkin in the first half of the book, barely hinting at his family or other aspects of the young man's life and personality. The second half of the book is all jumbled together: Perkin, fashion, natural dyes, World War II, malaria, etc. The author attempts to show that many different fields were affected by the synthesis of mauve from coal tar, but he really doesn't make a clear case for any of them, and the reader is left with a pile of disjointed factoids and unrelated characters. I was disappointed. It is still worth reading, for someone interested in the chemistry of color, but don't expect to be wowed.』
(Okay. But I really didn't get it.) 『I really wanted to like this book. And, yes, it has a fascinating tale to tell. But there was something lacking in the writing that me entirely unable to 'get' what the writer was trying to say. It IS an interesting story about the origins of dyes, about the effect of dyes on other industries, the industrial surge of technology of the age, and so on. But I couldn't ever quite figure out what made the chemical composition about this particular mauve so unique and important, and what about it was pushing the world into the future. I'm not usually this lost when I read, so, officially, I'm blaming the author! Sorry Simon.』
(origins of heterocyclic chemistry) 『This is a fantastic accounting of a too little glorified period in the development of organic chemistry. The story will be inspiring to anyone who has an interest in chemistry and/or business. The latter because the story demonstrates the importance of recognizing and capitalizing on an unexpected invention (vs. more target-oriented discovery).
Unlike, most other popular science-related books that this is likely to be lumped with, it is enjoyably written, well researched and full of fascinating facts.』
『In 1856 eighteen-year-old English chemist William Perkin accidentally discovered a way to mass-produce color. In a "witty, erudite, and entertaining" (Esquire) style, Simon Garfield explains how the experimental mishap that produced an odd shade of purple revolutionized fashion, as well as industrial applications of chemistry research. Occasionally honored in certain colleges and chemistry clubs, Perkin until now has been a forgotten man. 8 pages of color illustrations.』 『In 1856, while trying to synthesize artificial quinine, 18-year-old chemistry student William Perkin instead produced a murky residue. Fifty years later, he described the event: he "was about to throw a certain residue away when I thought it might be interesting. The solution of it resulted in a strangely beautiful color." Perkin had stumbled across the world's first aniline dye, a color that became known as mauve.
"So what?" you might say. "A teenager invented a new color." As Simon Garfield admirably points out inMauve, the color reallydidchange the world. Before Perkin's discovery all the dyes and paints were colored by roots, leaves, insects, or, in the case of purple, mollusks. As a result, colors were inconsistent and unpredictably strong, often fading or washing out. Perkin found a dye that would always produce a uniform shade--and he pointed the way to other synthetic colors, thus revolutionizing the world of both dyemaking and fashion. Mauve became all the rage. Queen Victoria wore it to her daughter's wedding in 1858, and the highly influential Empress Eugénie decided the color matched her eyes. Soon, the streets of London erupted in what one wag called the "mauve measles."
Mauve had a much wider impact as well. By finding a commercial use for his discovery--much to the dismay of his teacher, the great August Hofmann, who believed there needed to be a separation between "pure" and "applied" science--Perkin inspired others to follow in his footsteps: "Ten years after Perkin's discovery of mauve, organic chemistry was perceived as being exciting, profitable, and of great practical use." The influx of bright young men all hoping to earn their fortunes through industrial applications of chemistry later brought significant advances in the fields of medicine, perfume, photography, and even explosives. Through it all, Garfield tells his story in clever, witty prose, turning this odd little tale into a very entertaining read.--Sunny Delaney』
Kakaku：3695 saved$36.95
Voyageur Press
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Regional Railroads of the Midwest by Steve Glischinski) 『"Regional Railroads of the Midwest" is a very intriguing title. The volume covers twelve, as the title says, regional railroads in the Midwest. Alphabetically they are: Chicago, Central&Pacific; Dakota, Minnesota&Eastern; Escanaba&Lake Superior; Indiana Rail Road; Iowa, Chicago&Eastern; Iowa Interstate; Kyle Railroad; Red River Valley&Western; Twin Cities&Western; Wisconsin Central; and Wisconsin&Southern. Each railroad is covered in about a dozen pages with current and historical photos, a color map, and text outlining the road's history and operations. This book is very welcomed in that it puts in hardcover print a number of railroads that had not previously been covered other than by a Trains or Railfan&Railroad article. Kudos for that. On the downside, there are also railroads represented that are already overexposed in the railfan press, namely the Indiana Rail Road and Wisconsin Central. In their absence it would be nice to see more under-represented railroads presented. This is one of the better produced titles from MBI in recent years. The number of historical photos presented is low and the subjects seem relevant; the use of steam excursion photos was also, thankfully, kept to a minimum. What photos are presented are reproduced very well, better than many other books from the same publisher. Overall, this is a very good release for the modern Midwest railfan.』
(Well researched, with photography to match) 『This book provides a concise history of selected "regional" railroads from Indiana through North Dakota ("regional" railroads are too big to be called "short lines", but vary greatly in size). The author provides the start-up story of each railroad in adequate detail that includes a brief history of the lines acquired, their purchase cost and existing traffic. He then provides a brief narrative of how that railroad increased its traffic base, made additional line acquisitions (or abandoned others), and discusses its motive power (locomotives). Nice maps are provided (with one exception) and the reader has a great reference volume that combines good photography with informative text. Given the great maps, it was surprising to find no map for the Red River Valley&Western, a road with a somewhat confusing line acquisition history that was hard to follow without a map. Sometimes the history of line acquisitions appeared sketchy, and little information is given on actual train movements - no doubt due to space constraints (the debatable inclusion of the rather large, and now gone, Wisconsin Central no doubt squeezed the space available). And although each road's locomotives were discussed, summary rosters would have increased this book's utility. But, this is a great book and a great value!』
(A mine of information) 『Having criticised a recent volume in the series, it's only fair that I should compliment Glischinski and the publisher on this offering. It contains a mass of fascinating information that will probably be new even to many Americans, let alone those of us who live thousands of miles away. As well as the details of the individual railroads, it encapsulates an important trend in the development of the industry. Production values are as good as we have come to expect, though it would have been useful if the individual company maps had been accompanied by a broader map putting the systems into a geographical context.』
(An enthusiastically recommended core addition) 『The railroad was key to the development of the American Midwest as a means of East and West Coast communications and transport, as well as the settlement midwestern communities and the exploitation of the agriculture, mineral, and timber industries of the midwestern states. The latest addition to the outstanding 'MBI Railroad Color History' series, "Regional Railroads Of The Midwest" by railroading enthusiast Steve Glischinski is a superbly organized, illustrated, and presented historical overview of the twelve principle railroad systems , companies, and trains that are especially associated with the midwest including: Chicago Central&Pacific; Dakota, Minnesota&Eastern; Escanaba&Lake Superior; Indiana Rail Road; Kyle Railroad; Iowa, Chicago&Eastern; Iowa Interstate Railroad; Red River Valley&Western; Toledo, Peoria&Western; Twin Cities&Western; Wisconsin Central; and Wisconsin&Southern. Combining a knowledgeable text based on his own archives and studies, with Glischinski has very nicely integrated photographs in his accounts of each railroad's history, motive power, and operation. Enhanced with the inclusion of system maps, a bibliography, and an index, "Regional Railroads Of The Midwest" is an enthusiastically recommended core addition to personal, community, and academic library Railroading History reference collections.』 『
They may not be the biggest or the best known, but regional carriers are the heart of the American rail system—and of the Midwest, whose people and places, industry and goods, they connect in one vast network. These regional railroads of the heartland, with their special operations and oftentimes unique equipment, are celebrated here in all their local color, historic power, and splendid detail.
Highly respected rail writer and photographer Steve Glischinksi draws on his own knowledge and archive, as well as on the photography of several colleagues, to offer an authoritative, lavishly illustrated account of the histories, motive power, and operations of twelve of the Midwest’s most vital current carriers, including a system map of every road covered. Featured railroads include the Chicago Central&Pacific; Dakota, Minnesota&Eastern; Escanaba&Lake Superior; Iowa Interstate Railroad; Iowa, Chicago&Eastern; Indiana Rail Road; Kyle Railroad; Red River Valley&Western; Twin Cities&Western; Toledo, Peoria&Western; Wisconsin Central; and Wisconsin&Southern.
Kakaku：5900 saved$59.00
Columba Publishing Co., Inc.
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Awful Color Names Reference) 『This book is truly for the unimaginative. First, a "color" book without one spec of color. The book is simply page after page of names like "aged white" or "active white" or "alpine lace".... The suggestion that this is a "must" for poets and writers is a very sad commentary on the publisher's opinion of current poets/writers. I think not. There is nothing inspirational about this book, despite it's subtitle "A Reference. A Guide. An Inspiration." Buy yourself a large box of crayons and a thesaurus. It will be a much better investment.』 『The Color Name Resource is the ultimate "book of lists" for color professionals and color enthusiasts. Need a color name for your new product? Need descriptive colors for your poetry or advertisement? This CD-ROM compendium contains tens of thousands of imaginative color names inspired by nature, culture, humor, history, geology, mythology, travel, science and a host of other sources. Explore all 256 pages by color, by topic, or alphabetically.』 fetish『 Light, Color&Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
『 Animals and Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
『 Plants&Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
『 Weather&Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
『 Structures, Materials and Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
『 Machines, Transportation&Art Activities (Arty Facts) 』
Barbara Taylor
Kakaku：895 saved$8.95
Crabtree Publishing Company
Usually ships in 24 hours 『Information about various topics related to the science of light and color forms the foundation for a variety of craft projects.』
Kakaku：395 saved$3.95
Sterling/Pinwheel
Usually ships in 24 hours IPhone 3G used's review (Magical learning for toddlers!) 『Ignore the age description of 9-12 year olds--this book is for toddlers! I snatched up Baby Animals, Jungle Animals and Farm Animals in an airport store as soon as I flipped through one book. These are great for 1-3 year olds. My son still hasn't tired of the pull out animals which appear black and white on the page, but come to life in vivid colors once you pull out the tab. The animal set teaches toddlers to recognize different animals and learn about colors at the same time. A great gift for baby showers, although the babies probably won't really learn to interact with them until they are at least 1 years old.』
(Magical Color Changes) 『I got this book for my grandson when he was around 9 months old. He was absolutely fascinated with the way the colors would change when you pulled on the tab and the picture came out of the book. He pulled on it really hard so many times and did finally destroy it. He is now 18 months old and I bought him another one because he loved it so much. He now knows how to push and pull the pages out without destroying it. It is still his favorite book.』
(Great for little ones to develop their finger skills!) 『We got this book as a present and my daughter absolutely loves it. I started reading it to her around 6 months and showed her how to pulled out the tabs. By 10 months she could do it herself and was so excited to see the animals change colors. To this day, she still takes the book from the shelf and climbs on my lap to read it. It's great for little ones developing their pinching skills too!』
(Fun pull out tabs!) 『My kids have both enjoyed these series of books by Louisa Sladen. We own 4 of them. It puts a twist on the flap books that tear easily. I recommend them for 9 months to 3 years of age.』 『
A mini book with major creature-feature fun! A menagerie of friendly jungle animals turns bright and multihued in a child-pleasing interactive board book. All the beasts and birds are making their way through the lush landscape towards the water hole. What color could each one be—the lion, tiger, elephant, parrot, and flamingo? A pull of the tab reveals the brilliant truth: shades of lovely yellow, beautiful black-and-orange stripes, gentle gray, radiant red and green, and perfect pink. Every page is pure magic.
大満足！北国のホタテ・いくら・ボタンエビがぎっしり！
