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Reviews (3)
May 07, 2009
AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC
This book is easy to write a rave review about. Although it has been many decades since it was originally written, the information is just as valuable today.
Frances Toor knew her subject. Period. Her personal interest in every aspect of Mexican art, music, crafts and even humor make this large book worth reading SEVERAL times, from cover to cover. Her style of covering a huge subject is immensely easy and enjoyable to read.
If you are interested in ANY form of Mexican folk art, this book covers it. Point of origin; quality; history and more. Collectors of vintage Mexican folk art will be delighted with the references and information on clayware, textiles, wood carvings and more that will add perspective and value to their collected pieces - as well as provide inspiration on what to collect next!
I have lived in Mexico in different phases of my life - first as a 17-year old working and living in Mexico City in 1971 - and more recently, half the year for the past 13 years, I’ve lived in a small pueblo on the southern Pacific coast that allows me to travel to many other areas and see many things. Mexico has become a dichotomy of the ultra modern present and the pre-Columbian/Spanish colonial past. Frances Toor’s book covers an era when most people still walked or rode bicycles to work and shop, when distances were covered in trains and 2nd-class buses... but the overall information in her book is pertinent to the small-town life of TODAY’s Mexico, too.
The scope of this book is almost too large to cover in a review. I don’t know how many times I’ve encountered something in Mexico and thought “Didn’t Frances Toor’s book mention this?” and wish I had it handy to broaden my knowledge of the thing before me (an old wood carving, a lovely piece of old clayware, an embroidered blouse or woven blanket in the home of someone’s grandmother). I now have an extra copy of this book, so that it can accompany me in Mexico. I think that owning two copies speaks to my opinion that this book is wonderful.
Jun 13, 2016
TERRIFIC BUY
My husband wanted to replace his much-used digital voltmeter, but couldn't find one in any stores that he liked. Then he found this digital model. It is a well built tool and functions well when put through its paces. The cables are a nice length for all of his voltmeter uses. It appears to be accurate. He likes the fact that the battery door is screwed on, rather than just a tab & slot, or some other configuration that easily falls apart. The voltmeter, itself, has a sturdy rubberized orange case, which makes it easier and safer to handle, provides protection in case it falls, and makes it easy to locate among other tool items.
May 07, 2009
UNIQUE BOOK on ALEBRIJES
This book (Oaxacan Woodcarving - The Magic in the Trees) is the only book I know of that is devoted entirely to this particular Mexcian genre of folk art.
The text does an excellent job of describing the art of creating these fantastic creatures, and at the same time delves with detail into the personal lives of the carvers and their families. The book's chapters indicate the basic categories of alebrijes carvings: Fiestas, Nature, Death and Superstition, but the reader also gains a good understanding of the imaginative inspirations gathered from the carvers' environments and life styles, as well as an education on modern Zapotec pueblo life.
The collector will value this book for its identification of the carvers' names with their art work. Styles and quality are discussed in detail through conversations with the carvers and the author's personal knowledge of their work. The photography is excellent and worthy of the subject, providing examples of each carver, as well as photos of the carvers themselves.
If you are not an alebrije collector, but a fan of Mexican folk art in general (and the stories behind it), this book is also for you. A good read with great pictures - always makes buying a book worthwhile.