Considering how little information about knitting with cotton is available, this out-of-print book has specific advice I haven't been able to find elsewhere. The price is worth the page-and-a-half introduction explaining the technical differences you need to know when knitting with cotton rather than wool or other more elastic fibers. The difference between mercerized and non-mercerized cotton is given, as well as explanation of spinning the individual plies. The introduction explains which type of stitches do not work well in cotton and suggests other stitches that are enhanced by working in cotton; i.e. textural stitches without too much twisting will work up crisper and more defined in cotton than in softer, hairier wool yarn. It explains that in order to achieve the best effect, cotton requires an even, regular stitch, usually on smaller needles using firm tension, with a "complete ban" on bad habits such as putting the work down halfway through a row or pushing the needles through the knitting. Also, certain design details must be taken into account when knitting with cotton, incorporating the facts that cotton garments are heavier and the lack of elasticity can cause bagginess in waistbands and ribbing. Keeping all these details in mind, however, cotton yarn can be substituted for other types of yarn, always keeping in mind the cardinal rule of gauge - in following a pattern, the gauge stipulated must be achieved or the garment will not fit. Although most of the women's patterns (with an exception or two) did not interest me, there were some classic designs for both men and women and a couple of children's sweaters. The 27 patterns are presented on models, in line drawings of pattern pieces and with line-by-line directions. Color charting is given when required. The technique section addresses the special requirements for cotton knitting using fairisle, stranding, weaving and intarsia methods, all more difficult and unforgiving of mistakes in cotton than in wool. I appreciated this book because I am allergic to wool and live in a climate that does not require wool clothing very often. Given the number of beautiful colors of cotton yarns available (and I have noticed better quality cotton yarns, with sturdier plies), it is very nice to glean some information about how to knit successfully in cotton.

This publication is primarily a sequence of events in the history of the models rather than an evaluation of the models as they evolve through time. Advice to the prospective buyer is difficult to inteterpret.

This book is important to finish up that Dr. Who novelization collection, but lacks as literature.
The televised show used wit and humor with a nice dose of slapstick. Some of this does not translate as well to the written word but most could have (as evidenced by other authors in the same genre).
The writing is wordy and sometimes difficult to follow if you are reading this like most Dr. Who novels. (They usually are simplistic in vocabulary.) Cotton's use of the "journal format" of telling the story (ie Bram Stoker's Dracula) does not seem to work well for a Dr. Who novelization. While a good try, it does not seem appropriate for this story.
I would reccomend instead, for the sci-fi consumer, the film version of this story (availible on VHS and PAL) which I found far more enjoyable.

This historical story, set in the rule of Nero not long before the burning of Rome, had the distinction of being an experiment in a comedy in Doctor Who. This how included some props (and even cast members!) from "Carry on Cleo".

The trick for Donald Cotton, who wrote the original script and also the novelisation, is that the televised story relies on both witty commentary and slapstick. Slapstick doesn't translate to the written word, so Mr Cotton plays up some of the witty wordplay and adds a new level of comedy by producing this as an epistolary novel rather than a straight novelisation.

Extracts from the journal of Ian Chesterton, the diary of the Doctor, Nero's scrapbook and other sources combine together to lay out the televised story, but in an interesting format.

It is a good strategy, which helps this book stand out amongst the many simple and straightforward novelisation of Doctor Who serials.

This is not about t-shirt graphics - it's about non-mainstream artists who have happened to put their designs on tees. I get the strong impression that many of the graphics featured have never been printed on a t-shirt. Because the book features mainly abstract designs, it is very hard to relate with on a personal level.

This book does not feature any corporate owned lines, which tend to better exploit the imprinted clothing medium. Because of this you won't see any creative printing techniques or processes.

Many of the labels presented are popular in their originating country only and not worldwide. They should have organized graphics by geographic origin to clarify this, but instead act as if the lines are known worldwide when they are not. Very few, if any, Americans will have heard of these clothing lines, even the ones that are stateside.

The authors of this book obviously know nothing about creating artwork for t-shirts. They know nothing about the trends in the industry nor any of the popular brands of clothing. They don't know that American, Japan, Australia, and the European countries all have different tastes in fashion.

Creating a great t-shirt graphic requires the artist to understand the screen printing process, materials and techniques. The artworks featured were not created by graphic artists familiar with screen printing. They did not exploit the medium by creating complex color separations, half tone patterns, special inks, or other creative processes. Most art featured only has a few solid colors with no blends or details. Most designers appear to have taken the cheap route by not using a lot of colors (since each new color adds to the cost of the shirt).

They also feature far too many designs from each label/artist. They should have offered a bigger sampling from more designers and even corporate lines. Seeing twenty designs from one artist makes me think they were just lazy about finding more samples.

If you want to see professional t-shirt graphics, look at some screen printing trade magazines like Impressions. Try to look at the techniques being used and not the topic of the artwork. If you want to see some good graphic design, buy a different book. This book will not inspire anyone.

I am a graphic designer and was looking for inspiration for some apparel designs. But a lot of the stuff in this book is the trendy pop-art rip-offs or deconstructive designs that look like they were drawn on the shirt with a marker. I think I may have been happier just buying a big book of logos. If you get to design shirts with ALOT of creative freedom, then maybe this is the book for you.

The part of the book I like the most is the actual "100% cotton" section where well qualified designers took the 100% cotton theme and designed something for a plain white T-shirt, and explained their thoughts behind it. But this was only about 20 pages in the book.

I think this book is average for a design book. I dont have any other T-shirt design books so I can't say how it compares to others. If you can get it , its not a bad deal.

Having seen the edpisode and then compounding the insult by reading this book, I can state that this is the worst Doctor Who I have ever seen. It is set in Tombstone, AZ just prior to the gunfight at the OK corral. While reviews I have read from the UK were positive, even glowing, it is an excruciating experience to the American viewer/reader. Doctor Who's original aim was to educate its young viewers, but in this story it takes individuals from the most documented gunfight in US history and completely changes them. From the Doctor being mistaken for Doc Holiday to Wyatt Erp spouting scripture every five seconds to the painfully "western" language...you not only have to dispell your disbelief, you have to bury it. Which is what they should have done with this story. Unless you need this book to fill out your collection, mosey on over...sorry, try Tombstone (1993) instead.

Donald Cotton adapts his own script and, as he normally does, elects to not go down the straightforward route of adapting the story to a book format. Doc Holliday is assigned the role of narrator, as well as playing a significant role in the story.

'The Gunfighters' is a story with a reputation - essentially, it has been called the worst Doctor Who ever made! While the story still exists in its original form, the BBC have not released it on video so I cannot say whether the reputation is earned or not.

The novelisation is one which features a fun romp through the events leading up to the gunfight at the OK Corral. The Doctor has a toothache, and they seek the services of a dentist - and the dentist in Tombstone is Doc Holliday. Through the connivance of Doc, the TARDIS crew (and the Doctor in particular) find themselves in a difficult situation.

This story features a fair degree of comedy, although it is not as forced as was the case in, say. 'The Romans'.

As to the worst story - all I can say is this certainly isn't the worst Doctor Who I have ever read but (count the stars above) certainly not the best either! If you're reading Doctor Who books for science fiction, you might want to avoid this one.

I been picking cotton since I was six years-old, and my daddy picked cotton, and his daddy, and his daddy's daddy before that. One day, me and my brother Tommy--he's a nice kid but sort of onery since he lost his eye--were sitting 'round wondering what the heck the cotton-pickin' prospects were for the next decade. I said, "Hell Tommy, there should be a book for folks like us." So we ordered it up, and you know--I didn't understand a dang word of it. Them world bank folks has got too much booklearning!

If you're looking for the TEXT written by Cotton Mather -- This is NOT it!! It is a commentary on Mather!...
It's difficult to find a copy of Magnalia Christi Americana. This may be helpful for those who want to hear someone else's analysis of history.
For those of us who want to make our own analysis, look elsewhere.

This book starts well and encompasses quite a few standard plot elements that usaully inject pace and excitement in historical romances.
Joshua Kelling proposes to Miss Rebecca Fossington as the result of a mix-up at an inn and the possibility of compromising circumstances being revealed to her ruin. She, in the usual tradition of 'strong-willed' heroines, refuses him. Neither the proposal or a further meeting would have occurred but for their connection through Rebecca's grandfather. In London, at the reading of his will, the pair shockingly discover they are joint owners of his cotton mill. Naturally they are soon spitting at each other. Mysterious accidents follow, culminating in an attempt to burn down the mill and her rescuing him. A promising mystery, attraction between the protagonists ... everything is there - but chemistry and interest. For some reason the tale falls flat. Rebecca is presented as independant, intelligent etc. etc. - but demonstrates none of these attributes. She places herself in foolish situations and then hands over decisions to the suddenly wonderful Joshua without much struggle at all. She becomes dull. There is of course a villain - but he is so flat as to be thinner than cardboard. Very disappointing.

Man what a piece of Crapola. I am 11 and I write better than this Idiot..My school needs toilet paper, please send us all of Stan Cotton's unsold & returned books.

I bought this book because I am interested in the use of alpaca fiber/yarn in knitting. Most knitting books mention alpaca yarn only briefly, giving very vague general information. Alpaca fiber is five times warmer than wool, much lighter and as soft as cashmere. Even baby fine alpaca yarn is astoundingly strong, not delicate, as the author of this book says. It has less elasticity than sheep's wool, but has much more luster and much less "prickle". Once you knit with a fine alpaca yarn, you will be enchanted and totally hooked, as I was. Alpaca yarn is available, although rare and somewhat spendy. The demand for alpaca fiber for all types of uses (spinning, weaving, knitting, clothing design) far exceeds the supply, but the northamerican alpaca industry is growing and working hard to make this fabulous fiber more available. If you are looking for helpful information about knitting with alpaca, this book will not fill the bill.

Additionally, the knitting patterns in this book are supposedly classic Maine designs. If that is so, I feel sorry for the inhabitants of Maine. Even granting that the book was published some time ago and the patterns dated, I have rarely seen such incredibly fussy and ugly sweaters. My "favorite" was one with two huge flowers of some type worked over the, um, bosom area. One sweater and one vest pattern are given for knitting with alpaca yarn. In spite of the fussy designs, the beautiful drape and luster of the knitted alpaca shines through. The field is wide open for a knitwear designer to publish information and patterns worthy of this fabulous fiber.