Reviews (1)

Where to Wear New York 2006
Extremely helpful for all fashionistas. Makes a great gift for clients as well. Very well researched and a fun read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Reference - Guides (General)    2. Special Interest - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - General    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - General    7. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    8. Consumer guides & advice    9. New York    10. Retail sector   

Editorial Review

Is consumerism a spiritual dead end? Isn't it true that mere things can never make us happy? Why, Read more

Reviews (7)

Finally: an intellectual page-turner
Had to read this one as an undergrad... & I still read it regularly for fun! How many books can you say this of?
Just Dreadful
As an academic who loves to shop, I was hoping this would provide a more balanced account of the rise and impact of mass consumerism.He is certainly right that academics and other relatively privileged strata have something of a knee-jerk animus to mass pleasure.But the book is a complete failure.It amounts to little more than a defense brief for mass consumerism--and like a good defense lawyer, he ignores evidence that doesn't fit his case, distorts the arguments of his foes, and offers a rosy, unreal view of his client....Skip.

Pragmatic view point on consumerism and advertising
An interesting read about the invasive consumerism of the 20th century. His basic take is we buy what we want, it isn't foisted on us by advertsing. All that you see on TV is an ad, including the "news", the sitcom set, ie house, clothes, pots, pans, lamps and has been since the beginning of TV. And that "Democracy" is the freedom to buy what you want when you want it.Read more

Subjects:  1. Business / Economics / Finance    2. Consumer Behavior - General    3. Economics - Macroeconomics    4. Economics - Theory    5. Popular Culture - General    6. Social Science    7. Sociology    8. Advertising industry    9. Consumer issues    10. Cultural studies    11. Social Science / Popular Culture    12. USA   

Reviews (1)

A MUST read for anyone waiting for NHS Treatment!!!
If you, or anyone in your family is stuck waiting on the NHS for surgery then I can highly recommend this book to you. It covers absolutely everything you need to know about getting medical treatment abroad fast and without breaking the bank. It is also one of those rare medical books that you can actually read cover to cover - this isn't just a reference book. If you are like me then you probably know several people who have managed to contract MRSA whilst in an NHS Hospital for something quite routine. I'd sooner avoid that at all costs. Any alternative to super long NHS Queues and high cost private healthcare also has to be a winner. If you can get better treatment, throw in a holiday and a tan and STILL come back with change then you can't go wrong!
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Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. General    3. Health Care Delivery    4. Healthy Living    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. BRITISH_FOREIGN COUNTRIES    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. Health systems & services    11. MEDICAL CARE_GREAT BRITAIN    12. Popular medicine    13. Reference works    14. SICK    15. Social Science / Anthropology / Cultural   

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Catalogs    3. Consumer Guides    4. Motorboats    5. Prices    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. United States    9. Used boats    10. Consumer guides & advice    11. Motor / power boating & cruising    12. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (4)

Sound advice, about lots of types of purchases
This book discusses how to save in a wide range of purchases -- from bakery items to cars to airline tickets to ceiling fans. Some of the advice is basic (Revlon cosmetics are less expensive at K-Mart) to some things onereally might not know (the time to buy audio equipment is between Januaryand April). Worthy and Worthwhile
I have enjoyed this author's health books, and he remains right on track with Never Pay Retail, offering good, anyone-can-use tips written in a sprite and entertaining style. Some tips are great; others are commonsense, but you CAN save money -- and enjoy reading how to do it.

a wise investment
pearls of wisdom, along with some tried-and-true tips that come as no surprise, make this book a wise investment. some good writing to boot! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business/Economics    2. Commerce    3. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    4. Consumer education    5. General    6. Reference    7. Shopping    8. United States   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    2. Consumer Guides    3. Reference    4. Reference / Consumer Guides   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Firearms & Weapons    3. General    4. Home Improvement / Construction   

Reviews (18)

Good Guidance
This book guides you through the maze of brands and "buy"-s and "do not buy"-s for diabetics, or anyone who has to watch their carbs. The only draw back is, that many brands the book recommends, for example breads are not available in the supermarkets I shop.

NOT WHAT I EXPECTED
This book was totally not what I expected.Maybe I was wanting to much, but this was definately a let down.Out of all the Sugar buster products I have bought, this is one I would not waste my time or money buying.Others like it and thats fine, each is entitled to his or her opinion.To me it was not worth my money.

Handy guide for shopping
Since it's pocket size it's convenient- nothing more, nothing less- it's not promising extra miracles or secrets.The reader from Leverett, MA is a bit naive to comment on the authors pushing Sugar Busters products - this is America, folks, people are going to try and make an extra buck - it doesn't mean you have to buy the specific products suggested.You should read the book to understand why you should pick certain foods.That should always serve as your general guideline when a food is in question - this guide just serves as a quick handy reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Consumer Health    3. Diet / Health / Fitness    4. Diets - Better Health    5. Food    6. General    7. Grocery shopping    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Sugar content    11. Sugar-free diet    12. United States    13. Weight Loss    14. Health & Fitness / Diets   

Reviews (1)

About the Book
Why They Buy: American Consumers inside and Out Read more

Subjects:  1. Brand choice    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Behavior    5. Consumers    6. Consumers' preferences    7. Marketing - Research    8. United States    9. Consumer issues    10. Higher & further education    11. USA   

Reviews (32)

always right on
The oppenheims never fail to recommend kid tested toys, books and videos that have been perfect gifts for my friends' kids. I read a bad review from a grouch who thought name calling was helpful.It was probably written by a toy person who did not get a good review.
An excellent resource
The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio continues to be the standard against which other toy reviewers are judged:Every product is kid & parent tested and reviewed by the Oppenheims for value, safety, and age appropriateness, and I've found that the products that they recommend are excellent.Unlike magazines and other reviewing sites that take advertisements or fees, the Oppenheims do not. They call it like they see it and are independent.
From a kid and her mom
This book recommends dumb, unpopular toys. My mom says that parents who have to buy this book in order to find good stuff are just lazy. Honestly, reviewing this 2006 copy, I don't want anything in it and I still like toys (unlike most of my friends) I'm 9 and my brothers are 7, 4 and 3 and the educational toys they list in here for them and dorky and not fun. A couple things they have but nothing that really stands out. All of their favorites are not even in this book.I think that if you want to know what kids really want, you should ask them, not read a book. All kids like different things and honestly, when my aunts send me toys, I am supposed to be nice and send thank you notes back but if I knew they were reading a book to find out what I am supposed to like, I would have just said, "ask me." ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio-visual materials    2. Bibliography    3. Catalogs    4. Child Development    5. Children's literature    6. Consumer Buying Guides    7. Consumer Guides    8. Parenting - General    9. Reference    10. Toys   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (2)

comprehensive and objective
Slater thoroughly examines multiple and diverse theories addressing the whys, whens, and hows of consumption. He captures many of the paradoxes of "consumption" and "culture" without passing judgment onconsumption. This book will give you an historical view of the roleconsumption has played in western societies, as well as an examination ofsome of consumption's current functions (identity formation, statussignification, etc.). An excellent overview text for courses addressingconsumption, but also a readable and thought-provoking discourse onconsumption.

The indispensible and accessible introduction to this field.
Very readable, provocative; a superb course textbook. Makes the subjectcome alive. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Business & Economics    3. Consumer Behavior - General    4. Consumption (Economics)    5. Culture    6. Economics - Macroeconomics    7. History    8. Sociology    9. Sociology - General    10. Anthropology    11. Business & Economics / Consumer Behavior    12. CONSUMER BEHAVIOR    13. Consumer issues    14. Cultural studies   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Buying Guides    2. Consumer Guides    3. Manners And Customs    4. Reference    5. Weddings    6. Reference / Weddings   

Subjects:  1. Consumer Guides    2. Reference    3. Reference / Consumer Guides   

Reviews (3)

This book will save you money!
In a sense I'm also writing this review for several friends of mine who have bought the book and found it extremely helpful as a prepration for shopping for a car. The information, tactics and strategies proved to be right on for both me and my friends. We all saved money with this book. As to a previous reviewer who said the "fax" ploy doesn't work. Well it sure did for me.I suspect he's a car salesman.

This book saved me [a lot]
First of all, this book was written by someone who sold cars for a living and you get the "inside" scoop.So inside, that when I went to buy my first new car ever, as the saleman's banter was taken chapter and verse from the pages.I used every resource suggested and every response suggested by the author and, as a result, paid [substantially] less than the lowest price I was offered by groups like AutoFinders.Not a bad return for [such a small investment!]

Don't use this book. It only helps the dealers not you.
If you'll use the advice in this book, like faxing the dealers in your area for a bid on a car. You will get the worst treatment from them that you can imagine. They will be waiting to get even with you. And they will. Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile Buying Guides    2. Automobiles    3. Automotive    4. Automotive - Buyer's Guides    5. Consumer education    6. Purchasing    7. Reference    8. Transportation    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. Motor cars: general interest    11. Transportation / Automotive / Buyer's Guides   

Reviews (2)

Read this book before remodeling your home!
I'm so glad I got a chance to read this informative book before starting the renovation of our home!
An excellent guide to handling contractors
Avoid falling prey to unscrupulous contractors with a guide authored by a 30-year contracting veteran and the author of many other titles on the topic. Tips & Traps For Hiring A Contractor: Expert Advice On Hiring A Contractor Without Getting Taken covers all the basics, from the initial screening of home-improvement professionals to eliminating the bad ones before signing anything, negotiating effectively, understanding contracts and agreements, and even understanding design, planning and maintenance options. An excellent guide to handling contractors, no matter what the job.
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Subjects:  1. Contractors    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Dwellings    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Reference    8. Remodeling    9. Remodeling & Renovation - General    10. Selection and appointment    11. Building construction & materials    12. Consumer guides & advice    13. DIY    14. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (6)

Antique Guns: The Collector's Guide
Very interesting, but not exactly what I was looking for. Still a very informative book.

An important collector's reference
Any who buy, sell or trade in antique firearms needs to know identification, firearm specs, and how to value one: Shooter's Bible Presents Antique Guns: A Collector's Guide provides everything needed to do all of this. Color photos introduce the topic, but the heart of the title isn't color: it's black and white photos paired with caliber, barrel, weight and model specifications. Year of introduction or making and current valuation creates an important collector's reference.
An important collector's reference
Any who buy, sell or trade in antique firearms needs to know identification, firearm specs, and how to value one: Shooter's Bible Presents Antique Guns: A Collector's Guide provides everything needed to do all of this. Color photos introduce the topic, but the heart of the title isn't color: it's black and white photos paired with caliber, barrel, weight and model specifications. Year of introduction or making and current valuation creates an important collector's reference.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Catalogs    5. Collectors and collecting    6. Consumer Guides    7. Firearms    8. Firearms & Weapons    9. Reference - Price Guides   

Reviews (43)

Funny curmudgeon prose marred by questionable judgment.
Let's give the devil his due - Christgau's acerbic style of writing makes for some fun reading and his heart is in the right place - soul, rock and punk over adult easy listening?I'm with him.
Actually, 4.5...
This collection is just as entertaining as the other two, and because the albums are more recent it has more to offer younger readers.The only irritant this time around is his decision to dismiss "terrible" albums with a "bomb" symbol and no explanation.Why include them at all?Aside from that, this is great -- Christgau has opened my ears to a lot of good music over the years.Love or hate his style, the guy can write.

Christgau:Albums of the `90s
Robert Christgau, one of the leading rock critics in the US reviews and rates albums released in the nineties. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1991-2000    2. Discography    3. Discography & Buyer's Guides    4. Genres & Styles - Pop Vocal    5. Music    6. Music/Songbooks    7. Reference    8. Reviews    9. Rock music    10. Sound recordings    11. Consumer guides & advice    12. Contemporary popular music    13. c 1990 to c 2000   

Reviews (26)

What an eye-opener!
Given I hold on to my cars for an average of 8 years, and I am not by nature comfortable with the entire bartering process, I really dread buying a new car...doing the purchase takes all the joy out of it for me.
It helped some.
I had no idea how to buy a used car and this book helped with a tidbit here and there.It didn't help all that much, but I got a few ideas.

Entertaining book, effective technique
This book explains how to avoid paying more than you have to for a new car by getting new car dealers to compete with each other on price. The premise is that unlike used cars, each of which is unique in its own way, new cars are a commodity, that is, they are all the same (given a color and options). It does not matter who you buy that new car from, so why not buy from the dealer that offers the best price.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile Buying Guides    2. Automobile leasing and renting    3. Automobiles    4. Automotive    5. Automotive - Buyer's Guides    6. Consumer Guides    7. Negotiation    8. Purchasing    9. Reference    10. Reference / Consumer Guides   

Reviews (6)

Very Powerful Presentation on 401K
I have gained much from this small yet fact filled book and feel much more secure about the future.

A concise guide to your 401K
This short book covered more than I thought it would, a must read if you are considering a 401k plan or are ready to retire.

Great help with financial planning whetheryou are 22 or 62
Ms. Rowland does a great job answering just about every question imaginable when it comes to dealing with your 401K plan. There is advice for getting started,switching jobs, planning beneficiaries, actually retiring, taking loans out against your 401k...everything.The book is written in a series of 2 page articles she lists as "steps" so if you want to skip around you can.While a little of the material is dated as a result of the recent tax changes, it is mostly in regards to amounts an individual is able to contribute.I felt I was fairly knowledgeable on this topic before I started reading but I found it pretty interesting and worth the time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 401(k) plans    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Consumer Finance    6. Investments & Securities - General    7. Law and legislation    8. Pension trusts    9. Personal Finance    10. Personal Finance - 401k    11. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    12. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    13. Retirement Plans    14. Retirement income    15. United States    16. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    17. Business & Economics/Investments & Securities - General    18. Business & Economics/Personal Finance - General    19. Consumer guides & advice    20. Pensions    21. USA   

Reviews (19)

A great Dacyczyn
Dacyczyn does not encourage us to follow her methods literally; she only suggests looking at our spending habits and realigning them.Spending less money on areas which we consider low-priority leads to higher savings and monre money to spend on things we consider important to us.

don't waste your money
This is the third book in the Tightwad Gazette trilogy that I have read.Thank goodness I found it at the library and did not pay for it! I enjoyed the first two books.I got some good ideas from Amy and grinned at the ideas that were too extreme for my family.I respected her choices in life and it helped me to think about the purchases I made and the effect I had on our environment.However, in the T.G. III, I found her to be overbearing, selfish, and a little crazy.She preaches about parents living frugally to enable 1 to stay home with children, however she admits to spending very little time with hers unless they are interested in helping her with her "save money" projects.What about your children's own interests?How about spending a little of all the time you have with them?Her quest for saving has not only shown her ability to spare her pennies, but her time and heart as well.She brags about Not: 1. volunteering 2. reading to her children 3. spending time with family 4. socialize etc.This sounds very lonely to me.I'm afraid that Amy's quest for money has allowed her to become as greedy as the people she condemns as "spendthrifts".At Amy's house, it's all about Amy and what Amy wants.

great resource for the new to thrift crowd
I got this book as I was leaving work to become a stay at home mom. I can't say that I will use every idea she recommends but it does have some good ideas in it. For example, it may be cheaper not to coupon solely but to combine it with keeping a price book and only using coupons for items you would buy normally. As far as the editorials on child rearing and the environment go, I simply paged thru that though I don't disagree with her sentiments. I do wish the layout would be more organized but that is solved by simply reading the book and using the index. Not a bad read altogether and quite informative. If you already frugal, this may not tell you anything you don't know. For those of us novices, this is a great start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accounting    2. Budgets, Personal    3. Consumer Behavior - Consumer Guides    4. General    5. Home economics    6. Household budgets    7. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    8. Reference    9. Self-Help    10. United States    11. Modern fiction    12. Self-Help / General