Ever wonder why the scale of most armor kits is 1/35th? What was the *first* plastic model from Tamiya? How and why did he get into the plastic model business in the first place?

Scale modelers of all persuasions are familiar with the Tamiya name, and this book is an invaluable insight into the origins of the company whose influence on the industry has been phenomenal. It's an inspiring story, really "rags to riches" through hard work, perseverance, and no small amount of fanaticism (although we modelers think of it as "love of your hobby"). My only complaint is the amount of space dedicated to the 4-wheel drive racers at the end of the book, but since that has been a BIG money-maker for them I shouldn't take it too personally. Highly recommended for anyone interested in modelling or the Japanese way of doing business.

Mr. Tamiya's modest attitude makes for a very enjoyable read. The story of how he built a wonderful company from a very small beginning, through some very tough periods, is amazing. Anyone who's ever opened the box of a Tamiya kit knows the unmatched quality of what he's produced. My only criticism of this book is that I wish it was far longer. There's so much more he could have said about the stories behind the F1 kits (my personal interest). But then, the same could be said for any of the other subject areas covered by Tamiya kits, and other readers would have their own favorite categories. All in all, a really good book. I enjoyed it.

This provides a very interesting insight to one of the gaints of the plastic hobby kit scene. Its context may be about toys but it provides insight on how the company and the person behind it grew over the years, so its more for those seeking "inspiration in business".
Being a fan of plastic model kits myself, it put a face to the brand and company which I have become very familiar with over the years.

If you're ready for a reprieve from contemporary biographical sleaze, read this fine biography of Noah Webster, a good and moral man who held his family and country in balanced respect. You have lots to learn from this book if all you know about Webster is the dictionary. What surprised me was a life that spanned the years from colonial times to the mid-19th century. This was a man who never held high elective office but was an influential friend of those who did -- Washington, Franklin, John Adams and Madison. He spent months traveling up and down the East coast, espousing his beliefs in the ideals of Federalism. He advocated tirelessly for an American language and literature independent of the British tradition. To protect himself against piracy of his highly popular reader for schoolchildren, he campaigned successfully for copywright legislation. For this reader, whose last course in American History is a blurred memory, the "times" part of this story was as fascinating as the "life." I was reminded of the chaos of the country in the interim between the Revolution and Constitutional Convention, of Shay's Rebellion, of the acrimonious regionalism that nearly tore apart the young country, of the XYZ affair, and the threat to a fragile democracy of the War of 1812. I was made to recall the inadequacies of early American education and the perils of public health before urban sanitation systems. In this carefully-researched portrait, Unger presents Webster sympathetically as an American Renaissance man, curious and informed in fields from law to medicine to philosophy to lexicography. One of Yale University's early graduates, he spent his life educating himself. Because Webster was such an assiduous diarist and letter-writer, the book also provides a rich portrait of his family and private life -- his devotion to his wife and children, his frustration with a ne'er-do-well son, his financial concerns, and his delight in hearth and home. The culmination of the story is the dictionary, the product of a lifelong belief in the necessity of a uniform American language to unify the disparate voices of a young nation. Webster the scholar devoted years of careful research to this project, both at home and in Europe. His efforts secured his mention in history books. Harlow Unger's book fleshes out the man and his times with substance and grace.

This is an outstanding biography of a person who, because he never held high political office, is less well known than he deserves to be. In reading about Webster's life, one also learns much about the political controversies of the early United States--how many know, for example, that George Washington had bitter political enemies while President, or that the War of 1812 was so unpopular in New England that it prompted many there (including Webster) to discuss seceding from the Union? This biography deserves to be widely read.

In his preface, the author notes that Noah Webster is so famous for his dictionary that it's overshadowed his many other achievements. Too true! I was amazed to learn of Mr. Webster's achievements in politics and education reform, particularly the influential role he played in shaping the U.S. Constitution. This book is a Must Read for anyone who wants a deeper and more accurate view into early American history.

I read this book and liked it alot. It is about a boy who is going to go across the Atlantic ocean and start over in america. This takes place a long time ago. I like this book because it tells some things I didn't know about the Mayflower. Stuff we didn't learn in school. It even tells what happens to the people after the first thanksgiving. Usually , we don't hear stuff like that. I would recomennd this book to anyone.

I am the author of JEREMY GRABOWSKI'S CRAZY SUMMER IN STORMVILLE! Giles' Journey kept my interest to the end. I felt as if I was right there in the story with Giles as he traveled the long journey to his new home and life in North America. The book was easy to read and would be a good way for a young reader to see the world through the eyes of a 13-year-old boy in the 1600's. Find out what happens on Giles' Journey! Great book Nancy!

I have Sybex and this one. I like this one because it has a lot of exercises. After I pass the examination, I can have confidence to handle the job which is given by my boss.

This book is an outstanding resource for both the 8i and 9i exams.

Like all of the Schaum guides for subjects in Mechanical Engineering, this outline provides a good overview of fluid mechanics, but it doesn't go into a great deal of depth. It's easy to find the equations if you want to use the book as a reference manual or a study guide, and the problems can serve as a good supplement to an undergraduate class in Fluids.

It consists tremedous powerful examples and explicit many problem solving technics which are very helpful to many post-ssecondary students in this field. It exposed the student in every levels and make students to experience through the exploration of the question. The students love it as trouble shooting tool.

If there is an interest in all manner of Winchester products, "Standard Catalog of Winchester" is an okay black and white price catalog of all sorts of items sold under the Winchester name. Even if you are not a Winchester collector, the contents are interesting to thumb through.

The firearms section is approximately 120 pages, which are virtually the same Winchester pages that appear in other Krause Publications such as "The Standard Catalog of Firearms" and "Fladerman's...", only expanded though the use of larger versions of the same pictures and illustrations. I only mention this duplication of content because, if you already have any of these other Krause publications, this book does not offer expanded or new information relating to firearms.

An excelent book for any Winchester fan! I found stuff I had no idea Winchester had manufactured. Highly Recomended.

This brand new, year 2000, 752 page softbound reference work contains everything you'll need and want to know about Winchester products. There are more than 90 very arge, sharp, full color photos and more than 2,500 great black and white photos. 2,500 major products are included and current values for more than 10,000 items. This is more than a picture-price guide. It's loaded with useful information for the Winchester enthusiast. Topics range from Winchester History, Firearms, Engraving, Cartridge Boxes, Shotshells to Reloading Tools and Supplies, Junior Rifle Corps, Pocket Knives, Fishing Equipment, Sports Items, Farm and Garden Tools, Axes, Carpentry Tools, Mechanic Tools, Kitchen and Household Appliances, Padlocks, Flashlights, and more and more. Wow !! There are even sections on Calendars, Posters, and Advertising and Trench Art. A Winchester enthusiast's dream come true. Items are easily located. I don't know what else could have been included in this book. Get it and enjoy, enjoy . . .

Giles Milton has written another popular piece of history for the fans of Nathaniel's Nutmeg (the events of that book even make an important cameo appearance in this book, Samurai William). William Adams is the title character, as per the subtitle of the Englishman who opened Japan, and he is a fascinating subject for a work of non-fiction. Giles Milton, though, is also lucky to have a supporting cast of Dutch and Englishmen to add further adventure and villiany to the main story. The major caveat of the book is that it is told entirely from the perspective of the Europeans. This works to a certain extent in this book as the author is presenting how one culture (European) views another. This will dissappoint those who wanted to learn more about Japan and the Japanese themselves during this period. It is an exciting tale well told even if it does not match Giles Milton's finest piece of work, the highly recommended Big Chief Elizabeth. Samurai William is a good read and a must for those who enjoyed Nathaniel's Nutmeg.

Giles Milton seems to be making a good career out of gutsy little histories related to Britain's Tudor and Stuart trading history, and he does them very well. This latest offering is the well known but little examined history of British trading in Japan. I say well known - but really only in its most skeleton of detail - until now. William Adams, who was wrecked on the shores of Japan in the very eary seventeenth century has been written about at least in passing in a number of other histories before - and turned into a historical fiction for James Clavells' novel. However a full blown history, in a historical context has been a long time coming.

Milton's great talent is for his blending of period documents within the text of the book, to bring the past directly to us in all its archaic, but usually very clear details. Its fascinating reading and provides a light, humourous tone to the book which at times could get very bogged down in minutiae.

Essentially this is a clash of cultures - that of the insulated Japanese who did not wish to have contact withe the outside world, the British who essentially did not choose to understand the Japanese culture or the types of goods which they valued, and the Jesuits who had insinuated their way into the Japanese court and were very anti-British.

William Adams provided a junction for all three parties, but it was a narrow line he was forced to take and his negotiations and diplomacy against the competing interests was often taken in bad part or very often ignored.

But Adams is only part of the story, Giles Milton is very good at building up a picture of the time and creating a living history in which British trading with Japan is explored in all its details and all its main characters.

I don't think this is his best book so far - Big Chief Elizabeth (which examines the history of America's first colony) has my vote for best - however this book is a great demonstration of how these small histories are best written. If you like this then try Big Chief Elizabeth and Nathaniel's Nutmeg (about the South East Asian Spice trade in Nutmeg) all set in the same approximate period.

This book is a true story about William Adams, an Englishman that was Tokugawa closest western right-hand.

Early chapters talks about the history of the arrival of the first Europeans in Japan, and their journey. The incredible journey of William Adams was also discussed in detail. Although there are some fact that I couldn't believe, for example: they met a certain tribe in South America that are 7 feet tall.

The book also talks about how the Europeans traders live in Asia (Japan, China, Java) at those times. The diseases they have survived through, the nutrition, the drunkeness and the parties that they had, the deals with local native ruler, competition among the Europeans traders (English, Spanish, Dutch, Portugese).

Religious affairs was also discussed, the spread of Christianity in Japan, why Tokugawa declared an edict against Christianity after a "close-eye" period.

The most interesting part is the detail on Osaka Castle battle. It's the battle between Tokugawa's army and Hideyori's followers. I have read a short summary of this battle in history book, but this detail was much more interesting.

Final words: this book was both entertaining and informative.
There are some stuff that I can't believe, but I think that's just because I haven't research much into it.

Molly Giles is an excellent SHORT story writer , and after reading her previous story collections ( Rough Translations and Creek Walk), I really looked forward to this first novel. WRONG. Iron Shoes is a s-t-r-e-c-h-e-d out short story and should be, at most,a short novel within a short story collection. The pace is slow, like a snails ,or even slower at times. I question the need for the inclusion of some characters ,who just take up space on the page , and are not needed for the thin storyline.

Kay Sorenson,age 40,has problems...most that have been around for a long long time such as her prissy second husband,not interested father,and lack of self-worth ( OH MY ,we could see this coming)as manifested in a tiny job,tiny house, and tiny life driven by unresolved guilt, unwarrented fear and the need for,in my opinion , a kick-start to the rear. Ida, her Drama Queen mother, is the reason I kept reading this book. I wanted to know about what outrageous , self-centered (but with true DQ style ) thing she would say or do next.Ida was the only character with ( some irony here)some LIFE in her! Kay needs to GROW UP, and I felt cheated that it took 239 pages for her to take a few toddler's steps toward this goal.

Get Molly Giles short story collections--- even in hardback , but I would advise waiting for the paperback of Iron Shoes, if you are still determined to read it!

Molly Giles's new work of fiction, "Iron Shoes" has everything that a complex and engrossing novel needs. You have a worthy main character in Kay and you certainly feel a strong connection with her life. You can't wait to see what happens next and you certainly want the very best for her in what clearly is a difficult situation. She has so much going on, and such a difficult set of circumstances facing her, that you wonder if she'll survive. The reader is treated to a wonderful tale with brilliant writing from an author that I haven't really been familiar with. I certainly think she's a talent and look forward to more of her work. Good read!

When I first started reading this book, I thought, oh, my, these people are all a mess! Some of the ridicule and constantly demeaning situations Kay, the main character, tollerates, are just over the top. However, she tugs at your heart because she is obviously a big, messy, loving woman whose big heartedness is taken for granted by all around her. She drinks too much, smokes too much, and does too much, but who wouldn't with a family like this? When she finally begins to take ahold of her life, kicks the awful husband out and stops drinking, you know that she is on the road to discovery. Nothing momentous, but something profound. The author says that this is a comedy about alcoholism and dying, but it is not. There are sharply funny moments, but this is not a funny book.

This is the first palmistry book I have purchased. It provided a good overview of the many facets of palm reading. I feel like I understand the various things that palm readers observe. However, I did not walk away with an understanding of how to interpret what is observed. A book with sample photos instead of basic sketch drawings might be more helpful.

I have this book. This is my first palmistry book I bought as well. But about the 7 classifications of hands is extremely limited. Because I've read that Stanislas D'Arpentigny, the one who formulated that 7 hand classification system, only did just that, only the 7 hands, and not ALL the hands. Like for example, the hands of women, were not observed for that system, because the hands of women are a whole other classification system. Otherwise, I found the book ok. I recommend- Palmistry Encyclopedia - by Rhoda , which I think is the best palmistry book out, which i'm gonna buy soon :)

I have a few books on Palmistry, including the classic Cheiro's The Language of the Hands, The Art of hand Reading, and so on and so on. But to be frankly honest with you, none of those books compare to the excellent recourse of information given in this so called "Idiot's guide."

There is an excellent section on interpreting the phalanges, which buy itself is an art all it's own. Plus everything else is discussed in the book. The mounts, the lines, skin texture, hand shape, and it goes on and on.

This book was my first Idiot's Guide, that I have purchased, and the last book on Palmistry. Being that it was such a well written and easy to understand book, I became obsessed with all things Idiot's Guides. But trust me, an idiot's guide this is not. A Wealth of information. Excellent for the beginners as well as the advanced, there is something to learn for every one.

"13 Secrets for Speaking Fluent Japanese" is an interesting, well put-together book that makes a nice supplement when learning Japanese. The use of Manga is appreciated, and the tone of the book is casual conversation. The target skill level is intermediate or so. Absolute beginners will find little value.

The "secrets" are all fairly useful, but they are not quick solutions or shortcuts. Each secret requires effort and study. Some of the solutions are simple, like "Read Manga in Japanese," whereas others are more complicated like the idea of using synonyms when you can not remember the exact word. (Such as: "I feel like a train ran over my head" rather than "I feel hung over.")

All in all, this book makes is a good addition to formal Japanese language learning. Just don't expect to buy it and have everything suddenly "click."

Dont get me wrong, students of japanese are definately going to be the ones able to gain the most out of this book because it is specifically focused on learning the japanese language, and the many examples, quizes, and certain study tips are unique to Japan. But many of Murray's tips are useful for studying any language. Specifically im referring to the two chapters explaining stratagies for coping with not knowing the right word, or just plain not being able to remember it. As he notes, these are problems native speakers have too!!! they just know how to deal with it better.... While his examples are really great for japanese, the concept should be taught more often in other languages... GET OVER BEING AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES... and JUST TALK!!!!

The style of this book is relaxed enough that it can simply be read for entertainments sake because of the games, and stories within. I really like how Murray doesnt take himself too seriously in his writing, which makes the information just that much more accessible, and therefore useable. The advice on katakana words is priceless... i completely agree, thats its a mistake to conciously avoid hundreds to thousands of vocabulary items we already know, because we THINK its not REAL japanese... who made us the language police (unless you're in France, then its understandable). The reality is that if actual real live Japanese people can understand it... thats good enough.

He even made me think twice about a couple of my own study habits... personally, im not a fan of anime, manga, etc... if you like it, thats fine, its just not for me personally...but i will admit that Murray makes a great argument for reading manga as a study aid... actually made better in the chapter about sleezy romance novels.. but the point still applies... that it doesnt matter if we really like it... but that we can learn some useable japanese from the process. Great Book... definately worth a look if you're a student of any language, and a must own for beginning students of japanese.

I've lived in Japan most of my life. Having worked in education, I've read and know about language books, particularly those on practical Japanese language. What's good about this 13 Secrets book is that it teaches you how to express yourself in Japanese with individuality and character. I've read a lot of books which just try to make a boring language robot out of you. This book covers all sorts of areas of language, like jokes (straight and sarcastic) and the language of exaggeration, so you can make your point in conversations. It also teaches all sorts of practical techniques to help you get by even if you don't exactly the right word. If you set your thought patterns right, then you can say pretty much whatever you want to say. This was a revelation.

The other thing that's good about this book are all the illustrations - especially the 'IF' manga. If you need to get a fresh perspective on Japanese and want to have fun talking to Japanese people then this book is great. Give it to people who are bored with Japanese or about to give up their studies and watch their language-acquisition juices start pumping all over again!

A great shot in the linguistic arm!