What a wonderful book. If you are not familiar with the work of Stanley Sargent, I heartily recommend this book. For once Cthulhu Mythos aficionados can revel in a new, individual voice. Indeed, it is the distinct "voice" of each of the selections in this book that remains so impressive. That and the fact that Sargent (like Robert Bloch before him) is one of the few Mythos writers that successfully mixes horror and humor.

Probably one of the most satisfying aspects about the "Taint" is that the reader gets to sample Sargent in various aspects of his craft - from straight, Mythos horror, to subtle humor, to irreverent poetry and well-researched analysis. (The central novella, Nyarlatophis, set in ancient Egypt, is also superbly researched and delivered.) His range is as varied as is his manner of delivery - from a creepy "Live Bait," a sequel to H.P. Lovecraft's famous (and disturbing) "Shadow Over Innsmouth," to a thought provoking "Black Brat of Dunwich"-- a different interpretation of Lovecraft's "The Dunwich Horror." The two should be read side by side for the remarkable insights and conclusions Sargent manages to draw from Lovecraft's original story. To be honest, I found all the stories in this volume interesting and surpirsingly successful - despite their different construction and delivery. In the last story: "Double Screecher" Sargent manages to perfectly capture the claustrophobic paranoia of an insecure man in a movie theater. But don't be misled, you will think the story is going one way but then Sargent will pull the rug out from under you and go in an entirely different direction. Fabulous!

Another aspect of Sargent's savvy work that I found most appealing was his fluid style - and the individual timbre of each story which had a distinct feeling and "voice" all their own. Part of this is due to his gift of knowing how to give the reader just enough detail to prompt their mind into its own tangents of description. In other words, instead of describing something in complete detail, he gives the reader just enough key words or phrases which then propels their mind into creating its own mental scenarios. A rare gift. I found this especially impressive in such stories as "Live Bait."

If all that were not enough, the book has illustrations by D. L. Hutchinson, Allen Koszowski, Daniel Alan Ross, Peter Worthy, Jeffrey Thomas and Stanley Sargent himself! The book is also given a superb introduction by Richard A. Lupoff, which immediately establishes the quality of entertainment that will be found between the book's covers, and each story is prefaced by comments from none other than Robert M. Price - the respected and veteran Lovecraft scholar.

Do yourself a favor and get this book. Sargent is a vivid, colorful writer. It is most unfortunate that his first volume of stories, Ancient Exhumations, is now out of print.

This extensive book covers almost every tool made by Stanley. The author had assistance from the Stanley Works in Conn and many major tool collectors. Tools are very accurately described so that amature collectors can determine the model , manufacture date and current value of most Stanley tools. A very detailed review of the major categories of planes and patents is presented in the back of the book along with a complete index by tool model number.If you collect Stanley tools, this book HAS to be in your workshop.

The sine-qui-non of tool collecting references. If you can't find it in Walters book chances are you won't find it anywhere. Okay you have a #3 plane but what type of #3 plane? The differences can be subtle but important (like a fine wine). Any serious tool collector or curious tool user will enjoy this book.

This is the 4th revised edition of the popular railroad collectibles volume. It features 200 pages with thousands of listings and hundreds of black and white photos. 1999 values are shown. There's plenty of informative text and item descriptions are very comprehensive. Topics range from art, baggage, books, badges, keys, to passes, playing cards, stereo view cards and wax sealers, wood tokens and time tables. Railroad enthusiasts will find this volume of real value.

I am in the process of selling the collection for a man who has been a long-time railroadiana collector and this book has been invaluable to me. I would recommend it to all.

For a book that claims to be a price guide, it is a rather dissapointing publication. The book consists entirely of reprinted Stanley catalogs from 1909 and 1926. The "price guide" to current values merely consists of a loose page inserted into the book. The loose, 2002-2003 current price guide page that I received was not even cut square! The prices quoted are questionable at best (a stanley #212 in "good" condition for $700!??. I'll take half a dozen, thanks.), with no genuine attempt to clarify price variation as a function of tool type or condition. In the introdcuction the editor so rightly points out that "We do not claim to be experts in the tool collecting field (and the) seperate price guide is only the opinion of the editor."

Tool collectors will enjoy this interesting and useful book of nearly 300 pages which is a reprint of the complete original 1909 and 1926 Stanley Tools Catalogs. The softbound, handy-sized book contains more than 1,200 black and white pictures and details of the tools. It is complete with the original indexes, making tool location easy. A special insert contains year 2001 pricing. Everyone interested in these historical tools will enjoy using this great reference work. Take it with you when you antique for old tools. Add it to your reference library.