Posted by R. John Howe on May 20, 1999 at 22:31:08:
In Reply to: I Can't Make My Choices Fit the Categories posted by Marla Mallett on May 17, 1999 at 09:14:22:
Hi Jerry et al -
I'm having the trouble Marla mentions with "best" specialty books for folks starting out. I think the tension for me is between "best" and relative "beginner." The "best" book is often perhaps more advanced. The 1979 Petsopoulos, "Kilims" volume comes to mind. It's clearly better than either his later smaller volume or the Hull and Luczyc-Wyhowska book or even Davies effort, but it's not the one I'd suggest for a relatively new collector (although I can't agree with Mr. Downie's selection, since, although the color is good and some of the pieces seem OK, it seems to be a book for someone interested in "decorating" rather than one for someone beginning to "collect.")
But that debate aside, I'm having trouble thinking about "best" "beginner" books that aren't surveys.
Regards,
R. John Howe