Product Description
The Dalton area in northwest Georgia dominates carpet production in the United States, manufacturing some 70 percent of the domestic product and priding itself as the carpet capital of the world. Carpet Capital is a story of revolutionary changes that transformed both and industry and a region.Its balanced and candid account details the rise of a homegrown, entrepreneur-driven industry at a time when state and local governments around the South sought to attract capital and technology from outside the region. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A nice overview of the carpet industry
from chennile to the modern day corporate titans of tufting.Especially good if you are from the South and have felt the impact of the carpet industries.With a detailed look at many of the industries leadingpersonalities, this book is a must for those who are involved in carpetmanufacturing and interested in its history. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (32)

Understatedly brilliant.
This is the sort of science fiction that's perfect to hand to someone who says they never read science fiction -- sure, it's set in the future, and there are space ships, and we visit a couple of different planets in a vast interstellar empire, but that's ultimately just a slightly-more-exotic-than-usual setting for a story about some very human people whose lives touch because they each in some way illuminate the central mystery.

Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective, and within the 10-15 pages devoted to that character Eschbach is able to give the reader a strong sense of who that character is and what his/her life is like -- and most of those lives are hard, and filled with tragedies large and small. Whether it is Eschbach's doing or the translator's, the prose is imbued with a sense of distance that makes those tragedies bearable -- and were it not for that sense of distance I would have had to put the book down several times to cry. But the book isn't about those tragedies; each one is presented not for pathos but because it gives the reader (and soon, some of the characters) clues about the purpose behind the hair carpets.

As we delve deeper into the mystery the plotting becomes more complex and the scope widens -- we begin to sense the vast sweeps of history and the passions behind them. The book does lose a little of its focus in a couple chapters -- three of the perspectives ended up almost totally extraneous to the final resolution. But the resolution itself is horrifying, and all the more potent because of the dryness of the narration. This is a book that lingers long past the final page, and one which feels far richer than 300 pages has a right to be. I am immensely glad that it was translated into English.

lame ending
A story set in a distant empire of the future, where inhabitants of thousands of planets dedicate their lives to weaving carpets for a distant Emperor. The carpets are made of girls' hair, and they are of astonishing beauty and rancid smell (apparently, the preserving agent stinks).
The story starts fairly slowly, and about 30 pages into it I was ready to chuck it, the conceit of the carpets notwithstanding. The idea struck me as a gimmick - interesting, for sure, but not supported by compelling story-telling, or characters I cared about. Then I started to like it; every chapter added a new strand to the story (yeah, yeah, I know) and the story seemed wider. I think it was the revelation that these hair making planets had been removed from the maps of the Empire that added the interest for me. Then, as the story went, I started to get bothered by the way characters were added and removed, as if they were mere ingredients to the soup. Others have said the characters are underdeveloped and that is very true. What makes this worse is that the ending of the story is such a massively lame gimmick. The story builds up your expectations to something profound, and then dashes them to smithereens. I wish I'd listened to my instincts and stopped reading at page 39; a wiki summary would have sufficed for the rest. I see the author as a promising youngster who needs to learn his craft better.

A thoughtful read on the nature of belief
"The Carpet Makers" is perhaps the best science fiction novel I have ever read.Not necessarily for scientific accuracy, but for bravado.Mr. Eschbach shows tremendous courage in asking his readers to consider the nature of belief in general (but emphasizes belief in God).While I am a futuristic technology "whore", I also believe that technology simply performs a function; this function by itself is meaningless.What's important is the history, the politics, and drives that went into making a technology.

The story, by and large, focuses on the craft of carpet making.The people who participate in this tradition believe that their craft (which exhausts most of an individual's life) is for God, or their God-King.They simply take it for granted that since the creation of a carpet is for God there need be no better reason for the making of the carpet other than to please God--an homage.Eschbach does an unprecedented job of throwing this notion in the reader's face.In the end, the reader is compelled to question his beliefs and to come to conclusions not based on faith, but on rational thought.

One thing that bothered me (this might be a translation issue) is it seems that the terms galaxy and star system might have been confused.IE, using galaxy when star system was meant.I could be mistaken though.

Hair Carpets - the Sum of a Single Life - and the whole of an Emperor's Rage
Occasionally, a book comes around with a distinct creativity that is so fresh, the book lingers with you long after the last page has been read. The Carpet Makers, by German science fiction author Andreas Eschbach, is one such book.

On an outer planet of the great human galactic Empire, the most prestigious of professions is that of the Hair Carpet Maker. "Knot after knot, day in, day out, for an entire lifetime, always the same hand movements, always looping the same knots in the fine hair,..." so describes the life of a carpet maker as he weaves the finest of carpets in the whole of the empire from the hair of his wives (so chosen for the quality of their locks) and daughters. One hair carpet is the labor of a lifetime as the weaver and his family lives on the earnings of his quality of his father's carpet; the weaver strives to leave the finest carpet possible so as to earn a substantial sale price for his son's carpet making endeavor.

But all is not right in the empire, and word slowly starts to arrive as rumor that the immortal Emperor for whose palace the carpets are meant to adorn has been overthrown and brutally slain by rebel forces. Alas, rumor is not enough to end a way of life and the planet continues to fulfill its purpose: to produce fine hair carpets for the emperor. Even a captured observer from the new government can't persuade the locals of the truth; and after a generation, the arrival of ships from the new republic looking for the lost observer finally sheds light on the fate of the Emperor.

This is a larger story than just one backwater planet of a sweeping empire; it is the entire story of the empire told through by way of the very existence of the Carpet Makers and the long, secret history of an Emperor's savage revenge on a rival.

This is one of those books that focuses on a small fraction of a greater whole to tell the whole story. The reality of Galactic Empire slowly unravels across two generations of Carpet Makers. I surely hope that more of Eschbach's work is translated into English for my reading pleasure.

>>>>>>><<<<<<<

A Guide to my Rating System:

1 star = The wood pulp would have been better utilized as toilet paper.
2 stars = Don't bother, clean your bathroom instead.
3 stars = Wasn't a waste of time, but it was time wasted.
4 stars = Good book, but not life altering.
5 stars = This book changed my world in at least some small way.

highly recommended
This book is a stunning achievement for the author, and the translation from German to English was also beautifully done.The story slowly unfolds and expands so that the life's work of one man is eventually seen in context to an entire intergalactic empire.A thought provoking plotline.I have read many science fiction books over the years.This was undoubtedly one of the best. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Carpet of Silver: The Wreck of the Zuytdorp
While reading Road to Mount Buggery,(Mark Whittaker and Amy Willesee) my attention was drawn to the possible contact and mix between Dutch survivors of the Zuytdorp and the Aboriginals of Western Australia. Travelling to Australia as often as I can, I had to known more about this topic. The book has not disapointed me at all, and gave me all the information that is probably available. Good references for further reading.
Very interesting for those who want to read about marine archeology in Western Australian waters in general, history and shipwrecks of(Dutch)VOC, and the area where Australian and Dutch history meet. It has been a starting point for me to read more about the VOC and their shipwrecks in the world (best known are Batavia and Zuydwijk)

A very different and informativework.
If you are interested in history, treasure hunting, diving, or true life adventure stories,you will enjoy this book! Meticulously researched and intertainingly presented. ... Read more

Product Description
Originally published in 1994, a survey of 19th and 20th century Moroccan rugs and textiles featuring a collection of mainly rural carpets and covers, tent-weaving, bags, trapping and garments in 115 colour photos. Examines the tradition of Moroccan textiles which has emerged from a number of different weaving cultures. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

More than I had hoped for
I am making a trip to Morocco in a few months and would like to look at rugs - this book is an excellent reference.I am reading about the history of the rug-making tribes and learning about their different methods and styles.The book is beautiful with stunning photographs and complete information.It is really a great source for me.

Buy this Book!
If you are interested in Moroccan carpets you should definitely have this book. This is by far the best book on the subject and the best book by Russell Pickering and his daughter Brooke Pickering. The pictures are fantastic. I have seen the rugs in this book in person and the pictures in the book are dead on accurate. The interspersing of pictures, text, and white space is masterful. Hali was involved in this book and it has the Hali look and the Alan Marcuson's masterful touch is very evident. Danny Shaffer is the editor and he does a great job. The book is easy to read and understand.

THE BEAUTY OF MOROCCAN CARPET
The illustrations and narrative of the MOROCCAN CARPETS by Russell and Brooke Pickering brings out the true allure of the Berber hand-loomed carpet showing the mood and feeling it lends to any setting. The exquisite designs and colors combine to create soft pastel formality or vibrant tribal decor. Working without the aide of a pattern, the artisan produces centuries-old motifs unique to each region reflecting the imagination and genius of the master weavers. This book gives us rare insight into the beauty of the Moroccan art of weaving. ... Read more

Product Description
Murky and Lurky try to capture Rainbow Bright and Twink with a magnetic flying carpet. ... Read more

Product Description
Why does my dog lick his balls?

Admit it; you’ve always wanted to know. Well, finally there’s a professional out there who’s not too embarrassed to answer–bone-fide veterinarian, critical-care specialist, and dog lover Dr. Justine A. Lee. It’s a Dog’s Life . . . but It’s Your Carpet takes you behind the scenes to look at the training and off-the-record opinions of a certified vet, and answers all the questions you’ve always wanted to ask about your dog, including:

Is a dog's nose a good indicator of his health?
Can a Chihuahua and a Great Dane mate?
Why do dogs eat their own poop?
What's the smartest breed?
Can I get my dog's ears pierced?
Why does my dog roll around in rotting feces?
If I mix food coloring with Fluffy's kibble, will it make her poop easier to find in the yard?

Written by one of two hundred veterinary board-certified emergency critical-care specialists in the world, It’s a Dog’s Life . . . but It’s Your Carpet offers factual and funny answers to some of the most common, offbeat questions about our beloved companions. Whether you’re looking for advice on pet rearing, solutions to your dog's most frustrating habits, explanations of his weirdest quirks, or simply a good laugh, this book is sure to inform–and entertain–dog lovers of every breed. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (30)

Love it, love it!
I got this book for my sister in law for Christmas.She laughed so hard she almost peed her pants!She couldn't put the book down and had all of us laughing out loud.Then she took it to work to read to her coworkers.It was a hit.I'm very glad I bought it.

Um... do you have a dog?
If you do, you should definitely read this book. It's funny and insightful, full of real life stories from a veterinarian and a lifelong dog person Justine Lee. There are many other books out there that take a very informative approach to dog ownership. This one is also very informative, but it is so much more.
Why does my dog lick his b***s? Why does he shake his leg when I scratch his belly? If you ever wondered about these things, this book is for you. And unlike with the more scientific books, this one is hillarious.

Fun writing style, but some info too briefly discussed
I would have given this five stars, but some of the information was trivial rather than helpful and some of the answers to the more important questions were quite brief and I thought could have gone into a bit more detail to truly be helpful to dog owners.

The one that really bothered me was the question about the invisible fencing."Can I use invisible fencing for my human pets (i.e. the kids)?"She obviously answers saying that you can't use invisible fencing for children and then she goes into more detail about what invisible fences are and how they work.She indicates that there is still the "rare" dog who can break through an invisible fence and goes on to say that you should get a reputable, veterinarian-recommended brand if you do decide to get one.

From the research I've done on invisible fences, it sounds as if it's more than just the "rare" dog that will ignore the pain of the invisible fence shock to chase after a squirrel, a cat, or a female dog in heat.Also, some dogs have VERY high pain tolerances, so the shock isn't going to affect them as much as it will other dogs.Maybe I'm just thinking of terriers here, but since I have terriers, I know that invisible fencing would not keep them in if they see something they want badly enough.

Also, I have seen other information where some dogs have been so scared and traumatized by being shocked by the invisible fencing that they have associated the shock with going outdoors and these dogs will refuse to even leave the house for fear of further shocks.

Ms. Lee also neglects to mention that your dog is not safe from other dogs or animals attacking it or possible unplanned matings if you have a female dog.Invisible fences also will not protect your dog from humans coming onto your property and either stealing your dog, or a child coming to play with your dog and getting bitten.

Considering how paranoid Ms. Lee seemed to be about people stealing her pit bull, I was really surprised she hardly mentioned any of the negatives with invisible fences.

The part of this book I did really like and found helpful is "'When Dogs Attack' . . . how do I escape?"She does have nearly two pages of information on this topic and explains how best to survive the attack (try not to scream or whimper--sets off prey instinct, decide which part or parts of your body you'd rather lose, NEVER run--another prey instinct trigger . . .).

I also found "What's the easiest way to break up a dogfight?" very helpful and thorough.I have six small dogs (Miniature Pinschers and Rat Terriers) and they get into scuffles on occasion.She mentions the only thing I have found to work--dumping a huge amount of water on both dogs.She also indicates that in the ghettos of Philadelphia, grabbing the attacker's back two legs swiftly and flipping them up in the air.That gives you a few seconds to separate yourself and your dog from the attacker.She mentions carrying doggy mace (which I didn't even know they made) and also throwing your dog up on top of something elevated if you are near such a surface.She mentions tossing your Chihuahua into a garbage can since that would be safer than holding him or her over your face and at least your doggy wouldn't get mauled.If you have an aggressive dog however, good luck because I doubt these tips would work.

She does also give some tips on how to handle other people if you're out walking your dog-aggressive pooch on leash and someone else's off-leash dog approaches yours.This information was very helpful because my daughter has an animal aggressive Rat Terrier whom she always keeps on a short leash next to her, but other people let their dogs off leash and roam.At least she felt better knowing that if someone else's dog comes up to her and get attacked by her dog that it would likely be their fault and not hers since she was obeying the state leash laws and the other person wasn't.

Overall, some information was interesting, some was helpful, some was just a little gross (lipstick?), but although I didn't agree with everything, I was entertained and did learn a few things.I would recommend this as a fun read to any dog owner/dog lover.

Can't put it down!!!!!!!!!!!!
Since purchasing this book...I have not been able to read it...Why...because my wife can't put it down!!!It really does explain all of those little things that a dog does!It is funny and entertaining.It covers things you have always wanted to ask...and things that you never even thought of asking.Can't wait for the next one to come out!!!

Can't buy just one!
I loved the book so much I also bought a copy for my mother-in-law (the hardest person to shop for) and for my veterinarian for Christmas.The book is informative, entertaining and answers questions that I had always wondered about but didn't want to ask.I can't wait for Dr. Lee's next book. ... Read more

Product Description
Richard Parsonstreats the reader to not only a veritable feast of carpets and rugs, but also to a fascinating journey through the history of a diverse, colourful, multi-racial country. He shares his respect and admiration for Afghanistan's stoical people, who somehow, despite political upheavals, forced resettlement, a harsh climate and often primitive nomadic living conditions, manage to produce exquisite works of art which reflect great pride in their many-faceted heritage. Afghan rugs are instantly appealing due to their traditional colours and bold designs, from sumptuous piled purdahs to flat woven prayer rugs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Afghan Carpets
I used this book extensively during my one year tour in Afghanistan and it saved me quite a bit of money.Dealers were impressed that I could talk about weaving techniques, colors and dyes, and identify a rug by the region and province of origin.That allowed me to negotiate more effectively.If you're in the market for Afghan rugs, I'd recommend reading this before you buy.It could save you some dollars also. ... Read more

Product Description
Molds are everywhere:we inhale their microscopic spores from birth to death.But when an investigation in Ohio revealed that babies suffering from a serious lung illness had been exposed to a toxic black mold in their homes, millions of Americans became nervous about patches of mold in their own basements and bathrooms.Before long, lawsuits were filed by the residents of mold-contaminated homes in every state.By failing to address water damage, building contractors, plumbers, and insurance agents were held liable for exposing families to an unprecedented microbiological hazard.The mold crisis soon developed into a fully-fledged media circus.In Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores, Nicholas Money explores the science behind the headlines and courtroom dramas, and profiles the toxin-producing mold that is a common inhabitant of water-damaged buildings.Nicholas Money tells the most important mycological story since potato blight, with his inimitable style of scientific clarity and dark humor. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Carpet Monters & Killer Spores review
Outstanding! This is the best and most interesting book on fungi. I highly recommend it to anyone with any interest in the subject. One of the best books I have ever read on any subject.

a sequel please
All things black and slimy.I loved your book Dr. Money.Lets add the nasty Chaetomium next time also neurogenic fungus.
How about the politics of the wood industry and Dr.Jeff Morrell who appears to be teaching that "mold and mildew do not cause wood rot".Is this related to the wood industry and building industry not wanting mold reported in inspections and promptly forgetting about soft rots while endangering occupant health?I have this in print from the State of Washington Department of Agriculture- what fun we could have with them.

Funny Fungi
If Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) were reincarnated as a mycologist, he would have written this book. Dr. Money's liberal dose of irreverent humor makes his very detailed, erudite book on toxic mold easy and enjoyable to read.

In the preface, Dr. Money says, "Widespread fears about black-mold toxins are a product of the new millennium and deserve a critical, balanced, scientific inquirty. Though I cannot promise anything that boring, I do hope I can dispel some of the media myths about these microorganisms while identifying the real threat that can be posed by a few of these fungi."

Stachybotrys plays a key role in this book. In Chapter 5, Dr. Money discusses the 1993 outbreak of pulmonary hemmorraging (bleeding lungs) in poor children living in Cleveland. When Dr. Money began his book, he first thought that stachybotrys might be an innocent victim of media hype. However, he discovered that stachybotrys chrtarum can produce highly toxic spores. Along with the Cleveland outbreak, he discusses an outbreak of stachybotryotoxicosis in the Soviet Union in the 1940's, and illnesses linked to Stachybotrys among horticulture workers in Europe. Dr. Money also talks about the science used to evaluate the links between Stachybotrys and illnesses, and some of the political issues at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that caused the CDC to soft-pedal Stachybotrys.

This book has a thorough, although daunting, discussion of how allergic reactions are triggered in individuals. The body's allergic reaction is, as Dr. Money points out in Chapter 3 -- Carpet Monsters, an intricate mechanism. Until I read this book, I didn't realize that four types of cells primarily respond to allergens - dendritic cells, T lymphocytes (T cells). B lymphocytes (B cells) and mast cells. Dr. Money talks about each cell type's responses to allergens, and the creation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

"Your Verdict, Please" (Chapter 6) is an overview of mold litigation. It has a very thorough discussion of what happened to Melinda Ballard's home, the resulting litigation, and a breakdown of what the jury awarded Ms. Ballard - and why. Dr. Money also discusses the reduction of the $32 million award to $4 million. This chapter also has a good discussion of how the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Daubert affected the Ballard case.

Dr. Money also discusses mycological warfare -- and he is not using the term as an analogy to what happens in a house with mold. He is discussing the development of mycotoxins as a weapon in armed conflicts.

A Great Book!
Nicholas Money is an amazing writer who manages to entertain and instruct at all times. I found myself learning and laughing from cover to cover. "Carpet Monsters and Killer Spores" is a book for everyone. Not only does it provide a wonderful introduction to the study of fungi; it explores the way our lives and destinies are inextricably linked to those of the fungi. Homeowners, attorneys, and people in the insurance industry will find much to enjoy (and fear!) in this book, as will biology enthusiasts, naturalists, and readers of all persuasions.

As Money explores the "black molds" that have received so much attention in our news media, he also explores the cultural event surrounding their reception. The book is fascinating not only as a biological work, but also as a sociological study. Thorough research and diligent attention to detail provide Money with a unique, scientifically grounded perspective, and his quirky humor will have you laughing out-loud all the way through.

Importantly, Money does not provide any easy answers to the pressing questions raised by black molds. Instead, responsibly, he shows us what science knows and what it does not know, giving us a sound, factual basis for interpretation of the many wild claims we see in the media. The only negative factor involved with this book is the fact that readers everywhere have had to spend many hours (and dollars) cleaning their bathrooms like maniacs and replacing moldy shower curtains after reading it!

This explains it all
A well written book .Vary interesting and easy to understand .Great picture of Hunter The Mold Dog . ... Read more

Product Description
This is the complete carpet installation training handbook.It covers all of the beginner through advanced terms and technologies.This handbook walks you through all of the installation procedures step by step. The handbook includes: measuring for carpet, stretch-in carpet procedures, hand sewing, glue down carpet, steps, non-stretchable carpets, carpeting around posts and over ledges, among other valuable information. The Carpet Installation Training Handbook is illustrated with action photographs of real installers working on real jobs, unlike other dull technical instruction books that leave you in a daze.It's written in plain English and packed with information.It is one of the best books on the subject. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Never seen carpet installed but want to do it yourself anyway?Get this book.
This book is thorough enough to teach you, on it's own, how to install stretch-in carpet in your home.I used it to learn what I needed to know to install stretch-in carpet in a basement bedroom with a concrete floor and on my bullnose staircase.Its the only comprehensive carpet installation reference I could find, but luckily, it was all I needed.

As others have noted, it is riddled with misspelling and covers lots of information a DIY carpet installer doesn't need-- like how to dress and how to handle customers.None of that bothered me since it did a fine job teaching me what I wanted to learn.

Great book on carpet installation
I work for a property management firm. We just started doing out carpet in house.I searched for installation training as was unable to find any.I even went to many different flooring tool suppliers and I was still unable to come up with any references on the subject.This book is an invaluable training aid for new installers.A follow up video would be great.

Good data - Horribleediting
This is a good book on how to lay carpet.The carpet on my stairs was wearing out and I wanted to replace it myself from extra carpet I had from the original installation.Eric Larson's book gave me the information to do the job.

I read the rest of the book and, although I did not use the data, the information seemed complete and the instructions were generally clear.It's clear that Eric wrote the book for apprentice carpet installers and I applaud his textbook-like approach with the questions and answers after each chapter.Based on the information contained and the approach used to teach it, I would give the book four to four and a half stars.

My complaint is about the editing, which is attributed to Dr. William G. Burns of San Antonio.The English used in the book is atrocious.Sentences and clauses run together without any punctuation, sort of the way someone would speak in informal speech.Many of the sentences are just fragments, either without a verb or without a subject.Possessive forms do not use an apostrophe (Jacks hammer instead of Jack's hammer).It's clear that this book was written on a word processor and the spell check was used without any human judgment.There are many places in the book where the wrong word is used, but not misspelled.That is, "their" is used where it should be "there"."To" is used when it should be "too"."And" is used when it should be "an" ("three eights of and inch"). The book is riddled with errors of this nature.My favorite is where Eric writes that "...the installer should asses the job..." instead of "assess".

I realize that Eric is a carpet installer and not an English major, and I do not fault him for the poor English usage.I do fault him for not realizing his weakness and finding a better editor, even if that editor would drive him crazy with rewrites and markups.There's simply no excuse for putting out a book, especially one that is to be used as a textbook, with such poor English usage.

However, if you can get past the mangling of the language, the book does have some good information on carpet installation. ... Read more

Product Description
Demystifying a confusing and intimidating subject, Oriental Rugs Today is the first book devoted exclusively to new pieces. It discusses issues of dye and finish, looks country by country at examples from every major contemporary source, and profiles the artisans who revived the use of handspun wool and natural dyes. Written for both aficionado and novice, this edition includes 20 percent more material and new information on Nepalese and Iranian rugs, making this must-have guide to the subject. 100 color photos are included. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Outstanding.Great for beginers.
I got the urge to inform myself on the scope of Oriental rugs, and this book is in depth but also general enough for an intelligent beginner.A comprehensive look at oriental rugs that transmits a good feel for the 20th century history of the topic.Luckily, the rug making breaks up nicely into about 8 major countries/geographic regions which lends itself to a 200 page text with ample photos.Well written and with enthusiasm!

Beautiful book
This is one of the best books I've found on Oriental Rugs.The text is very well written and specific to each type of rug shown, and the photography is excellent.Photographs are of representative rugs for each type ("tribe"), and the rugs shown are very colorful with intricate patterns that are sure to stir the heart of every lover of orientals.

An informative and engaging introduction to modern rugs
Unlike the gentleman below, I had little knowledge of oriental rugs prior to reading this book.I found it to be a perfect place to start my education.The text was informative, particularly in regards to the "renaissance" in traditional rugmaking techniques over the past 20 years.He does a wonderful job of covering the pros and cons of natural vs. chrome dyes, and handspun vs. millspun wool - again without being overly opinionated or judgmental despite his personal leanings.

The writing was engaging, fair, and accompanied by high-quality photographs (n.b. the photos on his website are the highest resolution I've seen anywhere).He gives equal weight to each country's production.Helpful information is also provided regarding approximate prices per sq. ft.

In fact, I liked his book so much that I just purchased two rugs from him - two years after reading the book, and after looking at dozens of sites on the web and a handful of shops in person.

Only book of its kind
I've read both editions of this book and, yes, the first edition only had a few words on Iran but, as the author explained, there was an embargo at the time.The new edition has an entire chapter on new rugs from Iran, with photos of some really gorgeous rugs.

Most of my personal knowledge about rugs was that rugs made today are lifeless, uninteresting pieces cranked out from rug factories in places like India and China, or poorly made, touristy pieces from places like Turkey.Boy was I wrong.It's good to know there are finally interesting, attractive, reasonably-priced, handmade carpets available again.

The possibility that some carpet made in Iran in the last year or so may rival the beauty of my 19th-Century Persian Bidjar is stunning.

Very Basic
As someone who already has an intermediate knowledge of oriental carpets, I was disappointed by this book.It is extremely basic - something akin to a Dick and Jane primer.It provides only a few pages of information on carpets from each region (if you can believe it, Iran [Persia] was lumped together with two other countries, and all three countries were covered by approximately only five pages, including illustrations.It does not provide any information on specific carpets (i.e. Nain, Bokhara, Yahyali, etc.), but did explain the general difference between wool types, dyes, etc.Also, while it did have several photos of carpets, many of them seemed to be photos of novelty carpets, and not of traditional designs.Overall, I believe that this would be good for someone who knows absolutely nothing about oriental carpets and is only looking for general information.In my opinion, there are much better books on the subject for both beginners and experts alike, such as Oriental Rugs, A Buyer's Guide, by Lee Allane. ... Read more

Product Description
"The right-hand point at Jeffreys Bay is one of the surfing world's most exciting finds, and from the age of twelve it had been my life's purpose to surf there." J-Bay, South Africa has the fantasy, the almost mythical waves every surfer dreams of riding once in their lifetime. But Tom wouldn't go until he was ready. He would seek out surf-spots from the virgin reef-breaks of the Outer Orkneys to the temple point-breaks of Indonesia, from the beautiful beaches of France to the wilds of Sri Lanka, on his quest to ride the waves of his dreams. Get on the road, get stoked, and get in the water. ... Read more

Product Description
The top artistic quality of Berber carpets has already been a source of inspiration to artists such as Paul Klee and Le Corbusier. This book reveals a new slant on the origins of Berber carpets and on the sources and meanings of its motifs. Genuine Berber carpets are not the successors of well known Oriental carpets dating from the Islamic era but similarities in knotting techniques and certain motifs point to common roots harking back to the Neolithic period in Asia Minor. Because textiles wear out over time and a sequence of carpets across millennia no longer exists to prove the point, it is here that an author, for the very first time, presents the results of some in-depth, comparative research initiatives. He links the motifs of Berber carpets to rock art symbols and artefacts created by the first human civilizations, demonstrating that Berber carpets employ the same rules when using symbols and shapes and that there is a stunning similarity of correlation even with the characteristics evident during the Upper Palaeolithic period in Europe or the Neolithic Orient with the Mediterranean basin. The Berber carpet can therefore be considered as a definitive, genuine testimony of this archaic world. The book will speak volumes to anyone who is captivated by the origins of art and for whom the deciphering of symbolic language leads to a deeper knowledge and understanding of true meaning. ... Read more

Product Description
Relive 25 years of red carpet glamour in this unprecedented collection of photographs by veteran celebrity photographer Frank Trapper. Trapper has had a front row seat to nearly every major star-studded Hollywood event for the past three decades. He shares this very exclusive point of view for the first time in Red Carpet, an unending runway show of images that capture high fashion and fabulous footwear, style dos and don'ts, glitzy gowns and immaculate grooming, and the public-private lives of the entertainment industry's most celebrated personalities.

Trapper's extensive collection is organized chronolically, with tons of topic features--Shoes! Jewels! Starlets! Heartthrobs!--and covers every type of red carpet event for the past 30 years, from the high-profile Academy Awards to the dressed-down movie premieres that capture celebrities as you've never seen them before. Experience again the famous--and the infamous--red carpet fashions, three decades of screen sirens--from Elizabeth Taylor to Scarlett Johanson--and the romances you've followed faithfully along the way. Even includes up-to-the-minute photographs from the 2007 Academy Awards.

Stylish enough to belong on the red carpet itself, this book has a velvet-covered and foil-stamped case. At 500 pages and over 1000 full-color photographs, this chunky, jam-packed, flamboyant volume is the ultimate treat for fashion fans and celebrity stargazers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Red Carpet: Fame and Fashion
I bought this book for a friend as a Christmas present and he loved all the different pictures of celebrities. I highly recommend this as a gift for anyone of your friends who stands in the line at the grocery store reading the magazines just to look at the pictures or for anyone who has monthly subscriptions to Vogue or any other fashion magazine, or perhaps anyone who loves to watch Award shows to see all their favorite celebrities walking the RED CARPET!
Michelle, St. Louis, MO

ok...
the book is very well done in photography but the pages began ripping after first looking through it.also the cover was partly damaged.
good pictures.
bad product.

fun book, beautiful pictures
This is a fun book, with beautiful pictures. Just wish it had gone further back to the sixties and seventies.
... Read more

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This is my favorite general rug book
1971 English edition of the German classic. Hubel is a valuable resource. This is a great classic. A comprehensive general guide to Oriental rugs. This is my favorite general rug book and the one I use first when I am trying to attribute a rug.The only thing I am not crazy about with this book is that knot counts are in Square Decimeters. Use a factor of 16 for approximate knots per square inch. 100 Knots per square inch is about 1600 knots per square decimeter. 3200 knots per square decimeter is about 200 knots per square inch. Hubel gives very good structural descriptions on about 300 rugs and carpet. If you own 5 books on rugs and this should be one of them. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (20)

i love her books! this one did not dissapoint!
i have always loved her male romantic interest characters because she makes them so mysterious and cool. i liked oliver in this book even though he was a cat originally. the bond between him and deanna was amusing to read about.the only complaint i have is that her books always leave me wanting more on the story even though i know there would not be a sequel.

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I don't particularly like cats in real life, but I've noticed recently that they are generally a lot more appealing in fiction. A Well-Timed Enchantment by Vivian Vande Velde has a cat that's cool like that.

The story starts when Deanna, a fifteen-year-old spending the summer with her mom in France, drops her Mickey Mouse watch down a well. Turns out the well isn't your average well: it's magic. To make matters worse, Deanna didn't drop her watch into the well, she dropped it into medieval France. Now she has to get the watch back before things get really out of hand. Deanna gets some help in the form of Oliver, the black cat she befriended back in modern France. Except now Oliver is a human.

I first read this book when I was sixteen. I loved it so much I read it twice back to back. A Well-Timed Enchantment is one of those books that never get old. You can read it again and again and the story is still just as good as the first time.

Vande Velde's narrative style here is similar to her other "fairy tale" books (like The Rumpelstiltskin Problem or Heir Apparent) with a blend of traditional story telling and her inimitably modern sensibility. The novel is written with a third person narration that follows Deanna's perspective.

This novel combines a lot of different elements to great effect. One of the best characters (in any of) Vande Velde's work is Oliver. Turns out cats don't see things the same way humans do. I don't know how convincingly anyone can write in the voice of a cat-turned-human but Vande Velde seems to do a good job of it.

The story is quick and fairly simple. There are a lot of things that older readers can enjoy and comment on, but the story is straight-forward enough that younger readers can also keep up. I might even go as far as to say it's a great feminist-oriented book for children (some might call it "anti-princess") because Deanna plays a significant role in fixing things (getting back the watch) even though Oliver does help quite a bit.

My only issue with A Well-Timed Enchantment is the ending. Some readers will tell you they like a good, open-ended finish. It's more realistic, it encourages readers to use their imagination, etc. There is a time and place for open-endedness. This book does not happen to be the best place for it. Vande Velde acknowledges this in her dedication (it's dedicated to a girl even though she hated the ending). Over the years the ending has rankled less because, having given the matter more thought, I've been forced to conclude that there might not be a better way to end things. But it still left me frustrated after my first reading.

Despite the somewhat irritating ending, this book is amazing. The characters are endearing, the story is fun, Oliver is awesome. Vande Velde is as creative and fun here as ever.

Very good for the young reader
A very cute story with a good mix of magic and adventure.
Meant for the younger reader but enjoyable to all.

Memories
It's been a long time since I read this book, so I can't vouch for its quality, but I do remember that I was completely engrossed in it, particularly with the character of Oliver.However, I was apparently rather traumatized by the ending since I still remember it about 15 years later.I was so upset by its ambiguity that I remember writing out an extra five pages to satisfy myself.I think if I read it again, I would have to dig out my scribblings, so that Oliver could get the ending he deserved.

Ennchanting
A Well-Timed Enchantment is a great tale consisting of thrill, love, and magic. When Deanna drops her watch in a magic well she suddenley goes back in time. This was definately not her idea of a good vacation in France! She was sent back in time to medevil France with her friend Oliver, a cat, who gets turned into a handsom boy. Deanna must find her watch before anybody in medevil France does ot her worl as she knows it will be destroyed. Vivian Veene creates a great picture in the readers mind. It is like watching a movie. Next time you feel like a little excitement and fun i strongly suggest you read this fantastic book! The twist at the end shoud surely interest you and set your mind to wondering! It did for me. I deffinately recomend this book to all readers, the girls will especially like it. ... Read more

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Wry humor and a delicious grasp of the friction between generations in Bangalore are the hallmarks of Lavanya Sankaran’s fresh, deeply nuanced debut collection.“A potpourri of beggars and billionaires and determinedly laid-back ways,” Bangalore, India’s own Silicon Valley, is a crucible for prosperity, and at the chaotic crossroads between past and present. Here, American-trained professionals like Tara return to their old-fashioned families with heads full of Quentin Tarantino dialogue; a successful entrepreneur is shaken when his partner suddenly reneges on their plan to return to America; a traditional Indian mother slyly circumvents her Western-educated daughter’s resistance to marriage; a neighborhood gossip is determined to discover what goes on behind the closed curtains of the hip young couple across the street; a chauffeur must reconcile his more orthodox credos with his employer’s miniskirt lifestyle.

Witty, affectionate, and wonderfully wise, Lavanya Sankaran’s first collection attests to her remarkable literary talent. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (14)

Good book to read
really good book; "Bangalore Stories" is a touching quasi-ethnographic portrait of Bangaloreans today. I came across this book by accident and was very impressed.

What a surprise!
What a surprise!I chose this book hoping to find something that would help me better understand the other half of my IT team that resides in Bangalore.I got much more than I had hoped for.In addition to providing insight into Bangalore life I found a series of stories that had me laughing out loud at one moment and moved to tears in the next.If your intrest is in short stories, not just Bangalore or India, you might enjoy "The Hotel Eden" by Ron Carlson.

Wonderful insightful look at a culture
A friend from India gave me this book to read. She had purchased it on her last trip home. I read it quite quickly and thoroughly enjoyed each story. I really don't know much about the real India, today's India and the book is fascinating. You get wonderful insights into this culture, the juxtaposition of old and new, traditional and modern, and not only that, the writing is beautiful. Highly recommended!

A very enjoyable and nostalgic read
As an Indian who was raised in india and spent time in bangalore and now lives in the US, this book was a walk down memory lane for me.The characters and events portrayed were so real and the issues dealt with are so current...the clash of cultures, the bizarre blend of western lifestyles and indian society, the clash of new money and old values, the depiction of iyer brahmins etc....

I made a recent visit to Bangalore and read this book after my return and I was shocked at how closely these stories mirrored the lives and choices of many of my contemporaries back "home".

some of the writing was a little cliched and verbose but overall I enjoyed it so much that i re-read some of the stories.I honestly felt homesick when I read her stories.

Highly recommended!

A fresh and bold first attempt that does not muster literary verve.
Having read the book, as well as the other 9 reviews posted here, I am compelled to submit a detailed opinion because I feel the others have either misjudged the book, or lack an understanding of what counts towards literary merit.

First the good: I liked the book for its "reminiscence factor" - the nostalgia it evoked in my mind - having spent a good 6+ years of my college and post-graduate life in Bangalore's emerging tech scene. The stories, the setting and its characters are perceptively real and accurate. In particular I liked The Red Carpet, Birdie Num-Num and Two Four Six Eight (in order). And most of all, I liked these stories because Sankaran has picked up very fresh settings for the classic themes she uses in her stories.

Now the critical, and sorry to disappoint you, the not-up-to-the-mark part. On numerous occasions the writer reveals a proclivity to overuse her skill, against the needs of the short story. At times the stories appear rushed; events occur almost on cue - as if the writer makes the character ask just the right question (see Priva's questions towards the latter part of Alphabet Soup); details not material to the singular purpose of the short story are included etc. Where she is unable to reveal character by either action or dialogue, she just tells you (in Apple Pie, One By Two the seemingly unfathomable distance between Swamy's intellectual capabilities as a software developer v/s his peers is quite literally stated as-is, after numerous occasions and attempts to describe it in other ways)!

For example, in Closed Curtains we learn of the prestige of "plantation jobs" during Mr. D'Costa youth. In this, and many such situations, Sankaran goes out of her way to include vivid but irrelevant details into her stories. The vividness with which she may remember the times she writes about do not have a necessary bearing on the developments the themes of her stories demand. (This is a short story, not a novel!) Murthy, the thief who steals the show - in Bombay This - is necessarily left undisturbed so he can be sprung-up in the end. Clichés also abound: the shallow, materialistic character in Apple Pie, One By Two is named Rahul - a decidedly north-Indian name (so is the modern couple in Closed Curtains). The orthodox Iyer in Alphabet Soup must live in Malleswaram. In Bombay This, the use of uncertainty as an effect works against the story: it is self defeating. The weights of the choices present to Ramu - for and against Ashwini - are not equally well developed. Instead Ramu's conflict becomes more and more internalized and in the end the reader and writer are working against one another, trying to outguess the other in what he might choose.

In the end I was left feeling that several parts of some stories read more like movie scene plots, while other stories, for example Alphabet Soup and Apple Pie One By Two, try to tackle topics in a manner more suitable for a novel or novella. Perhaps the weight of the topics is too much for the short story to bear; perhaps the story ought to be much longer. Either way, the result is well below literary merit. Essentially, the stories fail on one central principle: various parts in them fail to contribute towards a singular and unique effect that the story aims for. ... Read more

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