Lenci The History and the Dolls

Title:  Lenci The History and the Dolls 

Author:  Nancy Lazenby 

Genre: nonfiction, reference
Summary:  Years of primary research by Lenci (an Italian doll company) expert Nancy Lazenby have resulted in the most comprehensive book ever created, tracing the company's eighty-two-year history and production of fine felt dolls. Based on founder Elena Scavini's unpublished memoirs, interviews with her grand-daughter and with Bibija Garella, one of the last owners of the company, as well as with key people involved in the final decades of Lenci s history, this stunning volume also features more than four hundred color photos of dolls and other items made by the company. The full reference section presents detailed photos of specific features by which Lenci dolls can be identified, a visual history of the various tags used from 1919 through 2001 and a close look at a variety of felt dolls often misidentified as Lenci's. This beautiful book is an invaluable reference for beginning and advanced collectors alike.

Rating: Good.  Easy to read.  Have to have an reason to research the subject.
Why I Like It:  Obtained information about Lenci dolls I found in my closet.

Nancy's Lenci dolls - Aldo & Alice

 
Reviewer:  Nancy

Even This I Get To Experience

Title:  Even This I Get To Experience
Author:  Norman Lear
Genre: autobiography
Summary:  Norman Lear is the renowned creator of such iconic TV programs as All in the Family, Maude, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hardman.  He remade our television culture from the ground up.  He was a writer, director and/or  producer in many TV shows and movies.  He had a very difficult childhood and was an airman in WWII.

Rating: very good
Why I Like It:  Interesting behind the scenes look at a big change in our popular culture.  I remember when All in the Family first broadcast and all the controversy.

Reviewer: Kathy