Papers Books

A few months ago I began reading Doug Giles' columns on TownHall.com, and when A Time to Clash was released, I grabbed a copy right away.

Giles has a great sense of humor and doesn't hold back when bashing liberals who trample on traditional values. This book has wonderfully insightful commentary on major issues ranging from illegal immigration to the rise of people-pleasing pastors.

I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained as well as challenged to stand up against secular progressives who want to remove traditional values from America.

Doug Giles is a firebrand. His unique blend of preaching and pot shots towards left-wing loonies and their insane ideology is a breath of fresh air in a country saturated in political correctness. Doug's new book wastes absolutely no time in getting to the bottom of some of the most contentious issues facing Americans today, and does so with a wit, zeal and candor that is sorely lacking from most of today's pundits. From Rosie O'Donnell to illegal immigration and everything else in between, Giles' tome is one of style and substance that no self-respecting citizen should miss.

Being a college student, I hear endless amounts of twisted theories and bogus junk in the classroom. Doug Giles' "A Time to Clash" gives me a different, in-your-face, and accurate perspective on issues in today's society. Only idiots refuse to read this book.

A Time To Clash is one of the best political books I have read. Most of the political books I have read in the past, have been so boring you just don't want to read them anymore. Not so, with Giles' book. It is an interesing, facted based book with a lot of laughs thrown in.

This is definitely a MUST read book!

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3KDLZHLLEALRQ "Doug Giles' A Time to Clash is a substantive and funny tour de force for traditional values."
- Ann Coulter


Miami, Florida. The culture war is heating up and Doug Giles, pastor of ClashChurch of Miami, Florida has jumped in, gloves off and tongue wagging at the cultural coarsening people and policies he believes are screwing up the church, family and state.

Doug Giles, pastor, author, artist, talk show host and popular columnist on the nation's largest conservative news portal, TownHall.com is, obviously, not your typical mild mannered minister when it comes to the speaking out on issues impacting our nation's traditional values.

Yes, when a lot of ministers would sit down, shut up and blend in on controversial issues and idiots because of political correctness, the love of temporary praise (not to mention, the money being a nice boy brings) you will not find Doug taking that ignoble course of action.

With comedy, substance and an unapologetic Christian worldview Giles weighs in on everything from:

* Islam
* Radical homosexuals
* Illegal immigrants
* Sexless wives
* Goofy husbands
* Your daughter's boyfriends
* Gun free zones
* Global warming whackos
* Stupid chicks
* Atheists & atheism
* John Edwards, Barack Obama and The Hillary Machine
* Rosie O'Donnell
* How to be a college conservative hell razer
* Why conservatives need to take comedy seriously
* How some pastors are worse than aggressive atheists.
* How hunting and hunters trump PETA's paltry input for animals and conservation


Giles' wit, wisdom and verbal whip has earned him praise from rock stars, NYT best selling authors, esteemed theologians, D.C. big wigs and hundreds of thousands of working hard, playing hard average Joe's who love this country and that for which it stands.

An incredible love story told from the perspective of the man. The book offers many opportuities for laughter and some for heartfelt tears. If you can look past some raw language, you will feel this story in your soul.

This novel is more than just a sad lovestory. The observations of the main character are very hilarious throughout the book. The unconditional love for his girl is heartbreaking. A great novel by one of the best dutch authors.

jan wolkers wrote this lovestory in his own frank manner. it shows the reader the dutch way of life in the 70's and although it s slightly erotic its a very sensitive and heartbreaking story. similaar to " lovestory" but more direct and hillarious at some times.

This is one of the best love-stories I have ever read. The love the narrator feels for his girl is so obvious on every page, and the complete despair and pointlessness in his life when she leavs him, and the fact that he can't find a replacement no matter how hard he tries, are heart-breaking. He writes about things in a simple, honest way, but still very beautifully. It's dark as well as funny.

Jan Wolkers' novel about an artist's unconditional love for a girl could be called a very humourous tale, if it wasn't very sad also. The story, which takes place in the seventies, is narrated in a somewhat erotic and profane style. However, every page radiates the love that the artist carries for his wife. There is even place for a witchy mother-in-law in this story. Truly an exellent read.

This book is easy to follow with simple, clearly stated directions for building polyhedron models ranging from simple to complex. The instructions nicely couple easy-to-read diagrams with large, colorful images of the finished products that help me to visualize my end products as I fold.

I am currently working my way through all of the models in this book, and I am really enjoying the gradual way that Tomoko Fuse introduces new models. She groups obvious types together in the book's sections, and methodically explains (by text, diagram and picture) each unit from simple to complex variation. Instructions include the type/name of the structure, level of difficulty, size of the paper needed, number of each type of paper unit required, a three-dimensional diagram of the polyhedral structure (for more complex structures) and assembly diagrams that show how the pieces fit together. All of the instructional images are in color so it is easy to differentiate between front and back of each paper unit, and to tell the difference between units in the assembly diagrams.

This book presents reusable paper unit types that are creatively put to use in the models in a number of different ways. For instance, I like the way I can create colorful joints that add to the overall presentation of each piece. I especially like the "Various Methods of Assembling Double-Sided Hexagonal Rings" section where Fuse explains how to take the traditional polyhedral structures she has taught and extend their shapes creatively in order make new designs. In general, there are enough variations of each type in all sections that I do not feel like I am working through the drudgery of the same projects over and over as I have with some other books.

Overall, this is an excellent addition to the library of anyone interested in exploring polyhedron models with origami.

What can be said about a book from the so-called "queen of modular origami"? It's awesome. It's original. It has various models on how to build all the regular polyhedra and most of the semi-regular (Archimedean solids). Plenty of diagrams, of all difficult levels. If it weren't enough, this compilation is BEAUTIFUL, with excellent pictures of most of the models, perfectly build in nice paper and with an aesthetically well-chosen combination of colors. It's the best book on the modular origami subject I've ever seen. Tomoko rlz!

If you're into making geometric solids then this book is a necessary compendium. You must own this!

I especially enjoyed the linked cubes-- the structures are quite solid and well put-together.

Really, I believe this is one of Tomoko Fuse best books I've ever seen. Great pictures fully and well explained, English is not my native language but it results pretty easy to understand it.

The book's design is so cool, I just can't wait to do any of the projects inside... I encourage every one who like Origami to buy it.

Even, each project it's labeled with a difficulty level category starting at one star to three stars. But all the proyects are so well explained that if you have a little folding experience you will find easy to build them.

This is a beautifully presented book with wonderful models and photos. But a lot of the units are repeats if you already own Fuse's all time best book Unit Origami - Multidimensional Transforms. About a third of the book is materials from her Unit Origami book. Additionally there are a few beautiful dodecahedra and several other units. Overall it is a must-have if you are a modular origami lover.

This is a terrific book! There is a huge selection of art, and all of it is very high quality. I love the colors and there are wonderful ideas in the beginning of the book. This is a perfect companion to their first book The Decoupage Gallery.

If you like decoupage, get this book! I have already made two projects inspired by the pages. I am thinking about getting another copy of the book because I forgot to make color copies of the prints I used before I glued them down and I want to use them again.

Originally I bought this book for scrapbooking ý great images. Then I realized why not personal greeting cards for birthdays and holidays?! And when a friend wanted a theme for a party, I used the images from the book for invitations, placemats, centerpieces, coasters etc. And Iýve only just begun.

Im into card making and decoupage and this book is a treasure.nothing like it in the books or craft stores.pages are very well made.pictures are wonderful along with the colors.many uses for all imagies..B.W.

Exactly what I needed for craft work. Very fine quality and a good buy.

Exploring the darker side of having superpowers has been done before, but perhaps not in this particular way -- through the eyes of the 17-year-old daughter of the worlds only invisible woman.

Natalie knows she's a disappointment. She knows that people, including her own father, hoped she'd be special like her mother. But she turned out to be "normal" -- and that's all anyone needs to know about her. Natalie is shy and socially awkward; two more reasons that it's pointless for anyone to get near her. So, no one does.

Since her parents split years ago and her mother, Jadyn, is busy living her lifestyle of the rich and famous. Natalie is left to her own devices. That might sound exciting, but when you've had a bodyguard watching your every move since you were six, and you're never quite sure when your mother might appear out of thin air, options are limited.

Things turn a bit more interesting, though, when Natalie discovers she just might have a few invisibility tricks up her sleeve after all.

Geared toward 13-17 year old girls and based on graphic novels, the writing in this book is tight and action-packed. The whole time I read the book, it was as though I was viewing it on-screen. Even Natalie's internal thoughts buzzed with excitement as she wove her way through a tangled web of fear and uncertainty.

My favorite character is her bodyguard, Peter. I like the way he gives her a glimpse of a normal life and normal interests, while still encouraging her to face her own reality and make choices about it. He's the one stable influence in her world, so he becomes doubly important when that world turns upside down.

This is a quick, exciting read, and it will entertain anyone with interests in action, reality-based fantasy, mystery, comic books, or just plain good reading. Plus, it just screams, "Sequel!"

Reviewed by: Julie M. Prince

I have always wondered what it would be like to be a superhero, or even just have an amazing power for one day. In Sarah Neufeld's unique illustrated novel, Visibility, I got to live out a superhero fantasy.

Neufeld's main character, Natalie, hooks you from the beginning. Between her mysterious mother and her bodyguard, Natalie's life, on the surface, seems anything but normal. But as we get to know Natalie, we learn how she constantly feels disappointing and awkward, a feeling common to teenagers. Her awkward social skills and inability to make friends make her even more human. Her normalcy is relatable to anyone who ever felt invisible--until Natalie discovers that she can actually become invisible.

Between Neufeld's story and D. Meister's illustrations, I was completely sucked into the story, wondering where Natalie's superpower would take her next. I loved the fact that Natalie is invisible in the illustrations, only catching her shadow or her feet. In that way, Natalie is just as invisible to the readers as she is to everyone else.

It can be hard these days to find a new superhero, but Neufeld has done it. Natalie is not only inspirational to teenagers, but she's a refreshing superhero, relatable to anyone who ever felt invisible.

From the moment I read the first page of Visibility, I was hooked. With relatable characters and a fast-paced plot, Visibility is sure to please both young adult and adult readers.

Natalie Irving is a normal teenage girl--well, as normal as you can be when your mother has the ability to turn invisible. As if the trials of being the child of a celebrity weren't enough, Natalie discovers something life changing on her seventeenth birthday that she must hide from not just her mother, but from her bodyguard and confidant Peter. Her discovery leads her onto a dangerous path full of lies and treachery.

It's a page-turner, yes, but I also loved it because despite taking place in a world with superpowers it is written very realistically. Neufeld's writing is sharp, and echoes Stephanie Meyer's ability to blend realism with the fantastic. Natalie is a believable seventeen-year-old, and her observations of the world around her are keen; there was never a moment when I doubted her as a protagonist. She has just enough teenage angst to be believable, but not enough to be annoying. All of the characters are richly developed. I absolutely loved Peter, who is more than a bodyguard, he is also a cartoonist with a mysterious past. The illustrations by D. Meister add to the cinematic pacing of the book, and give the story more depth. If you're looking for a fast-paced teenage superhero book, Visibility is it!

Being a big fan of Sarah's work, I picked up a copy of VISIBILITY, and could not put it down. It completely intrigued me. At first I wasn't sure - it's written in the present tense, and at first I thought, "Oh that's going to be so annoying." But as I began to read -devour- this book, I loved it. The present tense aspect made me feel as though everything was happening for the first time, and there was a sense of urgency to everything that did happen.

I highly recommend this book. It is a great read, and very worthy of space on your bookshelf.

Visibility is a fantastic novel. Sarah Neufeld's vividly descriptive writing gives us characters we can know deeply and care about, a plot filled with twists and turns, and blends the supernatural effortlessly with the mundane. Natalie Irving is unusual in that she is the perhaps the most personal and sympathetic character in the story, rare in a main character. In fact, nearly every person we meet is described with such a total understanding of their character, that is seems as if we could meet them on the street. Visibility is a rare example in which the characters don't talk and act like they're in a book, but like real people with unique personalities.

Besides this, our world as portrayed in Visibility feels so realistic and true that one can accept the paranormal aspect of invisibility without a second thought. It is a world without holes or gods from the machine, where choices count and actions have consequences. Visibility has my whole-hearted recommendation.

The most concise depiction of the clash between the European and native African cultures. This book pulls no punches, and seeks to tell this epic tale without prejudice. It may at times infuriate you but will always intertain. Includes: Battle of Isandlawana, Roark's drift, Hlobane, and Napolean III.

I don't believe that you will find a more accurate, concise and truthful book on the history of South Africa. I say truthful because it contradicts current day, politically correct thinking about how and who actually settled and developed South Africa.

Did you ever watch the movie "Zulu" featuring Michael Caine, Stanley Baker and Jack Hawkins(among others) when you were a kid? Did you marvel at the bravery of the Rourke's Drift defenders? I know I did! Well...its nearly all true. Get this book and find out the real story. I love Welsh choirs! But seriously, if you are interested in this particular episode of British imperialism read the book. Its better than Isandlawana!

I have a 1965 copy of this great book and I don't think that there has been a better account of the rise & fall of the Zulu nation. This is one of the best accounts of how the Zulu nation become one of the most feared in Africa under Shaka and how it fell to ruin under Cetshwayo during the war with England in 1879. A great read that has not aged in these 30 odd years. This book has been the standard that all others have been compared to since its publication. It's one of my all time favourite books and I have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who has a love for this period or a passion for history.

This book deals with the rise of the Zulu Nation under Shaka to its fall under Ceteswayo. There are no glossed over facts, and the last reprint in 1996 has a covering prologue from Chief Mangasuto Buthelese. Any military historian with a keen interest in this Nations short life should make this book their top archive source. This book is still availble from some of the UK outlets priced at around £15.99. This history of the Black Spartans is a must. It tells of their true courage against unsormountable odds to defend their homeland against a well equiped and disciplined army, but also shows that they themselves were just as highly disciplined, and sure footed, and were not afraid to pitch Assegia and Cowhide shield agains, field guns, boxer henry .45 martini henrys, gatling guns and the formidable British Red Coats.

When Paper Met Pen' speaks boldly, wasting no time in defining the essence of the authors femininity. Lala is unhesitant to let the reader know the behaviors that she does and does not except from a man. With skillful use of poetry, she is able to find her inner-strength and command total respect from men of all types without being offensive to the male gender. With the exception of the first few poems, the theme of the book cannot be mistaken for anything other than love and relationships. Make no mistake, although it deals with love desires, it's not erotic poetry. If you've ever been in a place where you've searched for true love in man, only to be constantly disappointed, then you and the author may have something in common to talk about.

-Éric L Farrell, poet & author
Seeking Solace: Finding Peace and Comfort in Times of Distress
Verbalizions of Enlightenment: The Secret to the Pain
Host of WordStage Poetry Lounge & TOUR (DC, VA, and Virginia Festival of the Book 3/27/04 8PM)

In this classic type poetry book, the lyrics that flow from the page to your mind, then sink down to your soul is everything but classic. Lala has outdone herself in the beautifully written and arranged masterpiece "when paper met pen" There is no explanation for what you feel upon completion of this book. There is something for everyone and with it's diversity it contains, something for every part of you.

Poetry covers a variety of thinking passions known to us. Ms. A. Jones will have you examine every plane of human life. Most importantly her style is versatile, there is no monotony. I greatly recommend it. Your pages will turn and your mind will keep reflecting upon new thought patterns. Keeping up with this Jones is worth the effort.

'When Paper Meets Pen' gives a realistic look at life in all aspects. From straight reality to the hopes and dreams we wish for, Ms. Jones talks about it all. If you had the privilege of seeing the author read at local clubs and restaurants in the Washington, DC/ Metropolitan area, you'll recognize the same captivating energy in the book. For those who haven't had the opportunity, it is an experience like no other. Some poems are fun and entertaining. Others will leave you thinking for days.

This books is totaly awesome - definitely a must have for every library collection!! Even if you aren't a poetry lover, When Paper Met Pen will transcend your imagination!! I give it 5 stars!!

I have returned to this everyman edition of this book many times over the years...nearly every passage is underlined in a different color pen. I don't have much to add to what the other reviewers have said, except that if you are interested in reading Schopenhauer, I would *definitely* get this edition of the book. It is very readable, and the introduction by David Berman is *wonderful*...it concisely puts Schopenhauer's ideas in context, and it also provides an enlightening introduction that will inspire you to read on, augmenting the accessibility of this already very accessible version.

Enjoy!

Truth be told, I came to Schopenhauer's work reluctantly, having been put off by Nietzsche, who - despite an early infatuation with Schopenhauer - later turned against his "mentor" (of sorts) claiming his work lacked any ethical applicability.

Yet, as an avid reader of Buddhist and Western philosophical texts, I found myself repeatedly drawn towards Schopenhauer through various resources. So after putting my prejudices aside, I went to the text itself, and I have to say, I consumed this volume with great enthusiasm: I find Schopenhauer to be one of the clearest, most articulate philosophers in the Western tradition (not unlike a Zen master). His work is, in a word, genius.

OK, sure, the "Buddha of Frankfurt" (his nickname) was no saint, but then again, who is? If you ask me, Schopenhauer's thinking is not to be "followed" as such, but rather, "understood," as I find his quiet reserve inspirational and his attempts at personal fulfillment through ART to be wise and sagely advice.

Personally, I found that The World as Will and Idea reminded me of Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene. We are, it seems, reproduction machines. (I also think the fledgling terms Id and Ego might be brought into play as well.)

Finally, I must concur with Schopenhauer's university philosophy professor, G.E. Schulze, who told the young thinker to stick with ONLY Plato and Kant. But to that small list I would now add one more name: Arthur Schopenhauer, as he brilliantly merges the thought of Plato and Kant to form a truly original philosophy - and he does so in a much clearer way than, say, Hegel or any other German Idealist might have. That said, I think it is helpful to have read some Plato and Kant before dipping into this text, as I found - and perhaps this is a petty gripe, I dunno - that the introduction by Dave Berman was, unlike Schopenhauer's fine prose itself, dull, unhelpful and, ultimately, uninspiring.

I highly recommend this text for both beginners and experts in the field -it is THAT good...and it just might change your whole perspective, if not your way of life. Amazing!

This is a really excellent and readable version of Schopenhauer's seminal work. Any abridgements are very judiciously made, so that none of the essential ideas are left out. The introduction is excellent, and the translation very coherent and easy to follow. It is one of the most engrossing of philosphical primary texts, much easier to understand than Kant, and the presentation and translation are excellent. Anyone with an interest in philosophy, especially in the period of 19th Century philosophy from Kant to Nietzche, will find it indispensable.

Often Schopenhauer does not receive the same respect as other German philosophers such as Kant, Hegel and the now incredibly popular Nietzsche.

Admittedly he is neither as difficult as Kant, nor as easy to read as Nietzsche. His style is not as charming as Nietzsche's and not as complex as Kant's.
He remains however one of the most influential philosopher's of modern times, who influenced people as widely as Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Thomas Mann and Sigmund Freud.
Most notably, Nietzsche has taken much of his ideas from Schopenhauer, partially the 'will to power' can be retraced back to him, though it has to be said that Nietzsche drew different conclusions from similar thoughts.
His philosophy was grounded firmly in Plato's ideas, however he wrote very much in support of the new world Kant had opened up for philosophy with his idealism, which he however critiques in "The World as Will and Representation", too.

Schopenhauer is often referred to as the ultimate pessimist, both being atheist and thinking that since will which can never be utterly fulfilled, will lead to endless suffering, being frustrated as soon as it gains actual target by just creating a new hurdle/ something to gain. As such, he thinks that the will/ desire will inevitable always lead to suffering.
Schopenhauer sees in what he describes 'the denial of the will to live' in asceticism the answer. The only escape Schopenhauer sees is within art, more precisely within music, which has lead in the 20th century to people like Adorno and Horkheimer, and the Frankfurt school to adapt many of his thoughts.

In my opinion Schopenhauer's World as Will and Representation is an 'attainable' book, even for people who have given up on Kant, Hegel or Heidegger. Not being a philosophy student myself, I first had to get a certain knowledge of Kant in order to fully understand it. I cannot critique the translation, simply because I have only read the book in German.
Schopenhauer's style is not only digestible, but being written in prose, it's even partially humorous, mostly witty and almost completely free of complex philosophical jargon.
I count this book amongst the best I have ever read, and can only recommend it to anyone. I don't even find it very pessimistic, rather romantically- realistic.

For someone with no formal instruction in philosophy this is a very good book to begin with. Schopenhauer avoids the use of pretensious "philosophical" jargon and writes in a predominantly literary fashion.

The main value in this book is its ideas. Its basic premis is simple, yet the range of topics that Schopenhauer delivers treatises on is quite astounding - art, gambling, contract theory, sexual love and ascetic renunciation, to mention but a few. Only a man of his genius could have found a thread to link these diverse topics together. One does, however, sense at times that he distorts his philospophical beliefs in order to express his revulsion about his least favourite types of human activity.

I found the discussions on art the most insightful and rewarding. The book is a good dissection of the blind striving and willing of our world and has the potential to alter the way you view the nature of things.

Having been his pupil since age 12, beginning of the 70s and until he stopped teaching mid 80s, Selvarajan Yesudian is the living example of his writings: a source of love, grace, spirit and health.

What better way could there be to present a how-to /self improvement book than to actually "walk the walk" and "talk the talk" for oneself? That is exactly what Selvarajan Yesudian has done in his excellent book on Hatha Yoga titled simply "Yoga and Health". With the help of Elisabeth Haich, he presents his story of failing health in childhood, his subsequent discovery of Hatha Yoga and his journey back to wholeness. A complete course on Hatha Yoga from beginner to advanced, the book contains over 70 photographs with detailed descriptions of postures and breathing techniques. If you have only one book on the subject this should be it! Unfortunately this fine book is out of print and difficult to find. I myself have found, and worn out, two paper-bound copies from Perennial Library and have been utilizing the simple wisdom and practical instruction presented in this book, on a daily basis, for the last twenty years. If anyone knows where I might obtain a hard-bound copy of this fine book I would be eternally grateful.

It is a very instructive, concise, easy to understand and apply to real life book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who strives to live a simple and healthy life.

i first bought this book in the late 1960's. it is the premier book on teaching yourself Hatha Yoga. A truly remarkable work. No one need go anywhere else to learn a daily practice. Nothing better than this lttle gem. straight forward, no guruitis....

I totally agree with the other previous reviewer that this is the best yoga book ever written in existence. A joy to read and all the sentiments in it come from the heart and are conveyed in a genuinely caring manner to the reader. An amazing book.

CS:

I received this book and believe it is as expected. Price is at FMV (Fair Market Value). I have not yet proof read it but what I have seen it makes a great reference for those who collect currency. However, it would have been helpful to include the Friedberg number in the Appendix along with the description. Yes, this number can be variable but you have included prices that are also variable and approximate. It may have been better to give a ratio(range)year column price divided by the face value of the currency.

This book was exactly what I expected. Good photos and stories behind 100 of the most famous notes in history. Great as a reference or as a coffe table book.

This is an incredible book to have in your library if your a collector of U.S. Paper Currency or not. Stunning pictures of each of the notes this book goes into great detail in discussing. I have this book and the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins book sitting out in my livingroom for all to see and everyone who has stopped by can not help but pick up these books. Then the oh's and ah's start pouring out !!! Absolute incredible book to have in anyone's private library without a doubt.

It is the rare numismatic book that is educational AND entertaining. This book is one of those rare books.
I wrote a review of this book for the Bank Note Reporter, the newpaper for collectors of paper money. I have included an only slightly altered version of that review below.

My best purchase at the Chicago Paper Money Exposition was a copy of the new book 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by two of my favorite numismatists--Q. David Bowers and David M. Sundman. Chet Krause and Cliff Mishler wrote a foreword for the book making that four of my favorites all in one book. No, that is not right. Tom Denly was something called valuations editor for the book so that makes five of my favorite--and greatest--numismatists all in one volume.
In short, the book is beautiful to behold and a joy to read. That sums it up quite nicely, but I do have a lot more to say about it. I feel that I am particularly qualified to do this because I had started a book with exactly the same premise. I still have my notebook with my work. That means that they stole my idea! Of course that is easy to say after they have completed their work and I only have a notebook. It is also untrue. The original idea was Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth's popular 100 Greatest American Coins. Imitation is indeed the sincerest form of flattery. I must also say that Bowers and Sundman did a far better job than I would have done (not that I did not have a few enhancements).
The basic premise of the book is to select and discuss the 100 greatest American notes. The authors have done this admirably. The basic methodology was to survey a wide group of dealers asking them to list what they considered to be the top notes. While the methodology was good and the results were great, my first complaint is that I would have liked to have learned more about the methodology. The authors tabulated the results then provided the discussion. As the creators of this project, they have a greater insight than anyone on the subject. I would at a minimum have liked to read more of their thoughts on the results, but these are small complaints.
If you have not seen the book you can cast a silent vote right now for your top note or top ten. Now that you have done that, you will probably not be surprised that the clear favorite of the survey was the "Grand watermelon" ($1000 Series 1890 Silver Certificate). The authors expected it to be number one and I had it number one in the notes for my book. You have to figure that a note with a nickname like that would come in first or to look at it the other way that a note worthy of being first would have a nick name. Indeed, nine of the top ten have nicknames.
Two pages are devoted to discussing the grand watermelon and each of the top ten notes. Thereafter it is one page per note. This is the meat of the book. Indeed, the book could just as easily have been something like 100 Great Paper Money Stories.
The two Davids excelled in the preparation of the text to describe the notes. They supplemented the illustrations of the notes and their discussions with additional illustrations (some of these of coins (gasp)). Most ot these are excellent and some are great in both content and quality. They are a highlight of the book. This seems to be an appropriate place to mention the superb quality of book production. It is color throughout and truly excellent. My one complaint is that the book is in a large format 10 x 12 inches. Many people will consider this a feature. Authors (including me) like these large formats, but they are harder to read. They look great on the coffee table, but are difficult to handle curled up in a chair or in an airline torture seat.
I did not know that the watermelon description of this note could be traced back to an 1891 newspaper story. Perhaps I had read this before, but if I had, I had forgotten it. The entire quotation from the paper is included. From the footnotes at the back of the book I learned this interesting tidbit. The quotation is "From an 1891 clipping, no day date, in a scrapbook compiled in 1891 and 1892 (now owned by Q. David Bowers)." I found many of the notes worth reading.
Each entry includes a box with "historic Market Values" and "Commentary on Value." This is the work of the valuations editor. This book is not a catalog of values (I like that), but the inclusion of this information is interesting in its own right and is nice balances with the text and graphics. When I was working on my project, I had not thought of anything like this.
Number two in the survey is the $500 national bank note. It is a good and obvious choice. It was also number two on my list.
The third note in the survey is Massachusetts Bay Colony 5-shilling notes of December 10, 1690. It is the first government-issue American paper money (according to Eric Newman). Among other interesting (amazing) things that I learned in this entry is that in the 17th century the annual calendar ran from March 25 to March 24. I also learned that the unique example of this note resides in the Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts. That is certainly an appropriate city. I wonder if the note is on public display.
The balance of the top ten are very interesting indeed. Instead of being great rarities they are dominated by relatively common notes and certainly are affordable in circulated grades to most collectors. The one exception is number eight, the "Spread Eagle Note" (Series of 1862 and 1863 $100 Legal Tender note).
The others are respectively in positions four though ten (except eight): Lazy Deuce ($2 National Bank Note), $5 Educational note (Series of 1896 Silver Certificate), and Bison Note" (Series of 1891 $10 Legal Tender note), $1 "Educational Note (Series of 1896 Silver Certificate," $20 "Technicolor note" (Series of 1905 Gold Certificate, and the "Indian Chief" (Series of 1899 $5 Silver Certificate).
The other ninety notes include a wide array of interesting and historical notes. The entry on every single one is worth studying, but to me the most interesting (especially for discussion here) are those that might not be obvious choices.
United States fractional notes get two entries on the list. Interestingly, number 14, the fractional currency shield, is not a note at all, but a virtual collection of notes. Having said, that I think that it is a good choice.
Four Confederate notes make the list with several of them having nicknames (the Indian Princess and Montgomery notes (two denominations making the list)).
That vast, amorphous, and ill defined area known as obsolete notes are also included. Numbers 23 and 24 are Santa Clause notes and polar bear notes even though they are more categories than actual notes. Again, I think that they were good choices.
I was pleased and even a little surprised to see both World War II issues (Hawaii and North Africa) make the top 100. They won their places because of their extraordinary historical reasons for issue.
These various categories of notes included in the book are the apparent reason for the awkward book title. I offer this criticism with respect because I struggled with this problem in my unversion of this book. If you say United States notes you probably should not include Confederate notes. Colonial and Continental notes would not really fit. "Obsolete" notes would be in doubt too. Even American notes (as chosen) presents some problems. Does American include Canada? Mexico? I do not like the term currency notes, but I understand the problem. Bank notes does not fit because most of the notes selected were not issued by banks under any definition. Many people (unfortunately) would simply say currency but that is a very bad choice because currency is coins and paper money. In most constructions paper money does not work (100 Greatest American Paper Money). Even notes has some problems. Certainly, national bank notes are notes. but are silver and gold certificates notes? In the final analysis, having said that I do not like what we was used, but I do not have a better title.
I love the book, but I disagree with some of the choices. That is one of the wonderful aspects of books of lists. They are certain to generate discussion if not controversy. I was surprised that no error or star notes made the list. I can understand that they can be excluded as being sort of varieties of other issues, but, still, I think that a token from either or both of these categories could have been included.
You will probably not be surprised that I think that a military payment certificate should have been on the list. Having said that, I should be prepared to tell you which one. I gave that considerable thought in my work. I considered the unknown replacements and the unique replacements. Of course there is the Series 541 $5 with its attractive design and world record price history. I thought about the unique specimen booklets for Series 541 and 591. I really liked them because they have nicknames ("Comptroller Booklets"). Finally, I decided that the best choice would be the unique specimen and progressive proof set of Series 661. It does not have a widely recognized nickname, but it is still a good choice. I had a brief exchange with Tom Denly on this very subject after drafting this review. He said that he thought that if an MPC were to be included, it should be something like a Series 692 $10 or $20 because they would be very recognizable and would also be collectible. I like his thinking!
There are other good features good features of the book that I have not mentioned. The formatter is all quite good. You can imagine my surprise at finding my name mentioned. Earning that honor as an old timer (my term) is a double edged honor. The selected bibliography and recap of the top 100 in an appendix are also useful.
I expect that this will be a very successful book, just as the Garrett-Guth version on coins was. Can it generate more spinoffs like the 100 Greatest World Notes, or even the 100 Greatest National Bank Notes? I doubt it, but I would love to have both of those in my own library.
If it is not obvious, I highly recommend 100 Greatest American Currency Notes by Q. David Bowers and David Sundman. It was published by Whitman Publishing and should be available wherever numismatic books are sold and even in many book stores at around $30.