Typically English. - book reviews

This self-published book by an obvious antique lover has three excellent chapters on English porcelains, furniture and collectibles.

These three chapters have their contents arranged alphabetically after each chapter introduction. For example, the chapter on porcelain begins with several pages about the history of porcelain and then follows with Bow Porcelain, Bristol China, etc.

The chapter on furnishings has history followed by a descriptive glossary: barley twist, bamboo furniture, barometers, etc.

Beard did not try to do as in-depth a look at furniture as she did at porcelain, but it might be enough to get you through an antique shop.

The chapter on collectibles has a brief introduction, then goes right into what you should look for - from biscuit barrels to walking sticks.

The first part of the book contains an overview of English history which the reader can skip. Better-written histories can be found, and Beard could have left out this part where obviously she relied on standard references and then did not rewrite with any grace.

The last part of the book is divided into eight geographical areas, from the southwest to northern England. Again, Beard adds nothing new to the usual historical or sightseeing commentary. Her contribution is in listing antique shops and markets in each location. Again of value is that the towns are listed alphabetically.

Enigmatically, Beard abandoned her useful alphabetizing in her final short section, "Tips to Being Typically English."

This book suffers from lack of editing - a downfall of many self-published books. Beard makes errors in logic, overstatement, phrasing and word meaning, to name a few. Wordiness is exemplified by the preponderance of the phrases "it is" and "there are."

For antique lovers this book would have interest; for others, the standard guides and histories would be better.

MARY K. TAYLOR, Hewitt, TX

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COPYRIGHT 1996 Martin Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group