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Summary: Gorgeous excursion into the world of Tiki
Review: The Book of Tiki is probably the best coffee table book ever put together- if your coffee table is made out of Koa Wood and is stained from Mai Tai mix! Beautiful color photos spill off the pages and insightful, humorous text accompany the eye feast. This is a must have for purveyors of kitsch and the lost art of Tiki. It will inspire you to take up the hobby of "Cultural Archaeology" and to save the Tiki from the brink of extinction!
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Summary: Excellent book on Tiki, though a bit artsy
Review: This book is a must have for anyone interested in Tiki or kitsch art. Describing themselves as "urban archaeologists" seeking remnants of Tiki culture, the authors provide a fun and informative look at this vanishing art form. The book does an acceptable job presenting the evolutionary history of Tiki, from the 1920s to the present. Key events, such as the establishment of Trader Vic's, and the Kon Tiki craze of the late 40s, are looked at in further detail. There is also a good look at the "artifacts" of Tiki art and architecture throughout the United States. The book is packed with color photos of Tiki mugs, matchbooks, buildings, and much more. However, the book does lean a bit too much towards making the book eye candy. The Book of Tiki uses intense colors, and ultra-hip page compositions that make it difficult to read (typically Taschen, but I still found it distracting). Also, a consolidation of information would have made it easier to reference, such as a table differentiating the different "Trader" Tiki businesses. Also, some of the text ("Exotica and the Tiki style were denounced as contrived rituals of the imperialist establishment at the same time that the Vietnam war developed into and ugly mistake, with native huts and palm trees burning on TV."), had me wondering if they were being tounge-in-cheek, or were actually serious. Nevertheless, this book is the current bible for Tiki aficionados, and is well worth having on your bookshelf.
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Summary: Beyond Cool
Review: This book is a total hoot, part serious scholarship, part tongue-in-cheek good natured sarcasm, always funny, and a great collection of the polynesian-hawaiin craze memorabilia. Anthropology with a happy face!
Rating:
Summary: Beyond Cool
Review: This book is a total hoot, part serious scholarship, part tongue-in-cheek good natured sarcasm, always funny, and a great collection of the polynesian-hawaiin craze memorabilia. Anthropology with a happy face!
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Summary: Visually Spectacular
Review: This book is a work of pop art - every page so loaded with photos (and text) in such a pleasing manor that you could rip the pages out and hang them on the wall. Everyone I have shown this book to has run out and purchased their own copy, even people who were never into tiki culture! Get this book and you will be inspired to put together your own private island paradise wherever you are.
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Summary: This is the start of things to come
Review: This book is full of photos of different tiki establishements and tiki memorabilia, not to mention loads of information on those items and the people who created them. As a tiki newbie, I found this book very informative and tons of fun!
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Summary: A Tiki Treasure!
Review: This book is full of photos of different tiki establishements and tiki memorabilia, not to mention loads of information on those items and the people who created them. As a tiki newbie, I found this book very informative and tons of fun!
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Summary: A Fun Book!
Review: This book is particularly relevant to me as my Dad worked at one of the major Polynesian themed restaurants described in the book.
We (kids)went to the restaurant when they had the annual staff Christmas party. I remember the Tiki artifacts, hanging fishnets, spears, rattan furniture, Hawaiian music etc., but even as a kid, wondered how Cantonese cooking became associated with Polynesia. Perhaps poi and roast pig didn't offer enough variety. This book explains a lot and is a fun read.
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Summary: BUY THIS BOOK !
Review: This is a beautiful book. Just fantastic! Buy one for your local library and your local college too. Mere words can not do it justice so get yourself a copy and a copy for all your friends also.
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Summary: Great resource
Review: This is a well written and illustrated book. Many of these special interest sort of books do not have a quality narritive to accompany the illustrations, this is an exception. Well written and interesting, the book tells the story of the birth of tiki cool in great photos and illustrations. Many photos of building no longer standing. The book itself has a padded cover, and would make an excellent gift or personal treasure.
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