The Unofficial Guide To Harry Potter Collectibles Book Review

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The Unofficial Guide To Harry Potter Collectibles Book Review

About the Book: Let the magic live on! Here is a true guide to discovering what's hot and what's not in the world of Harry Potter® collectibles. Over 220 full color photos guide you through the enchanting and bewitching wizarding world of action figures, mini-busts, statuettes, and dolls. The featured action figures cover the first decade of production (2001-2010), manufactured first by Mattel® and later by NECA. Gain useful information on Harry Potter® manufacturers, including Mattel®, NECA, Gentle Giant, Ltd.®, and Tonner® Dolls. The values in the captions let you find out what your Harry Potter® collectibles are worth on the market today. Whether you are a passionate fan, dedicated collector or a mere "muggle" curious about the wizarding world, this book is for you.

Our Take: The newest and final Harry Potter film is set to be released in mid-July.  The collecting craze is at its largest peak yet.  This new pictoral reference guide features Harry Potter products from the first film all the way to present.  Its everything from the Mattel and Neca toys to the higher-end Tonner dolls.  I love that collecting Harry Potter is so finite that you can have a little reference book for it.  I collect Batman in a pretty major way and there's no end to that!  This book is full of great full-color pics and is a nice half-size, so that you can take it with you when you're out and about if you like.  Its a good reference guide and a great buy for a great price. 

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Sears Roebuck & Co. 1897 Catalogue Review

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Sears Roebuck & Co. 1897 Catalogue Review

About the Book: Imagine it's the end of the nineteenth century, and, with one catalog, you can buy everything from beds and tools to clothing and opium. (Yes, opium.) Not to mention ear trumpets, horse buggies, and Bibles. The 1897 Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue is both a wonderfully fascinating collector's item and a valuable piece of American history. For every recognizable item included, there are plenty of others guaranteed to confuse or interest 21st century readers—like Bust Cream or Food and Sweet Spirits of Nitre. What was once standard household fare is today a sometimes strange, often funny look at what life was once like for the average American family. It's amazing to see that a Princely Shirt for Princely Men cost $0.95 or three for $2.75 or that a Complete Violin Outfit (with bow and case) cost only $2.00.

Our Take: We're absolutely in love with these re-prints of the vintage Sears catalogues!  They're huge black and white volumes that are literal re-prints!  It includes the vintage descriptions, prices and drawings of the various products.  It features everything you could want back in the day from tailor-made clothing to pocketwatches and tools.  These catalogues are not only great looks into the past and some of the odd inventions that existed, but also an entire way of life.  These are great for educational purposes, but can also be used as great art references, especially if you're into steampunk.  We highly recommend this one.

How to Buy: Amazon.com

Green Lantern and Philosophy: No Evil Shall Escape this Book Review

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Green Lantern and Philosophy: No Evil Shall Escape this Book Review

About the Book: The first look at the philosophy behind the Green Lantern comics—timed for the release of the Green Lantern movie in June 2011

The most recent Green Lantern series—Blackest Night—propelled GL to be the top-selling comic series for more than a year, the latest twist in seven decades of Green Lantern adventures. This book sheds light on the deep philosophical issues that emerge from the Green Lantern Corps's stories and characters, from what Plato's tale of the Ring of Gyges tells us about the Green Lantern ring and the desire for power to whether willpower is the most important strength to who is the greatest Green Lantern of all time.

• Gives you a new perspective on Green Lantern characters, story lines, and themes
• Shows what philosophical heavy hitters such as Aristotle, Descartes, and Kant can teach us about members of the Green Lantern Corp and their world
• Answers your most pressing Green Lantern questions, including: What motivates Hal Jordan to be a Green Lantern? Does the Blackest Night force us to confront old male/female stereotypes? What is the basis for moral judgment in the Green Lantern Corps? Is Hal Jordan a murderer?

Whether you're a new fan or an elder from Oa, Green Lantern and Philosophy is a must-have companion.

Our Take: Is Hal Jordan a murderer?  What kind of strength is willpower?  Do emotions help or hurt a Green Lantern?  Can a Green Lantern power ring do anything imaginable—and should we worry if it can?  How can insects, mathematical equations, and planets be Green Lanterns?  This latest Green Lantern book poses these great philosophical and ethical questions to the reader.  This book is a treat for any Lantern fan.  It delves into the past story arcs and character relationships of the characters and really gives a history lesson in an inadvertant way, along with insighting some rather involved dialogue about the behavior of the various characters.  This is a great book at a great price and is a really fun way to gear up for the new feature film.

How to Buy: Amazon.com