This is the standard reference book for anyone buying, selling, or collecting first editions. You won't find $20 or $30 books in here, this is definitely a guide for the high end of the market, with a good section on identifying first editions.

Year after year, the Ahearns have turned out the most comprehensive guide to values. I have been a serious collector for years and always look forward to the newest edition. If you collect paperbacks, book-club editions, or buy for content rather than edition, then you probably won't enjoy this book. However, if you are into book collecting or want to be, then purchase the Bible of book collecting. In the genre "books about books," the Ahearns are tops!

{This} is a valuable book for collectors of first editions. It is the most comprehensive single-volume guide to current market values. The authors own and operate a bookstore in Rockville, Maryland, specializing in rare books and first-editions.

After reading BOOK FINDS by Ian C. Ellis, 271 pages with 229 pages of text, the reviews on this Ahearn book of 536 pages written by respected people in the field made it sound good as a follow up for a beginner. Then I received the book and started to read it. It was like going to a restaurant buying an expensive meal and receiving a hugh plate of lettice with very little meat. First list was of prize winning books over the years starting with the Booker. You can get a more up to date list on the internet from Amazon. Second there was a Glossary of 14 pages. Then there was a First Book list and yes it showed selected authors first books together with price appreciation. These lists made the point that there was price appreciation. One sentence could and did make that point. These prices will not be up to date. Again the internet used book services are better. Then there were the appendixes, again lists. When you get all done and subtracted these fillers there are just 62 pages of text left. If you love to collect lists in expensive books to fill your shelves purchase this book. Otherwise the Ellis book covers the same material and more for much less.

The first 100 pages or so are filled with wonderful information on the basics of book collecting. However, after that, all you have left is a price list of first books of collectable authors (which is only going to be useful for a short time as rare book prices are constantly in flux).

The Ahearns know their stuff, but the publisher should put out a separate volume (cheaper) with just the beginner's information for those of us who don't want the price list.

Despite its title, this work is a brief but helpful introduction for the novice collector, with many useful tips on such matters as the importance of a book's condition. Its chief value lies in the various lists included: a catalog of authors' first books--heavily weighted to modern works--and their estimated value; a guide to identifying first editions; a glossary of booksellers' terms; and addresses of booksellers and auction houses.