Rating: 
Summary: Hello world nice to meet you.
Review: "Hello World" is a delightful and innovative way to capture the essence of radio communication as practised by the amateur radio operator. The authors bring a graphically creative approach to a topic that can be hard at times to describe to the uninitiated. The biographical sketch of a ham radio operator over a 70 year period of history is accomplished by a truly remarkable portrayal of the post-card size, colorful "QSL" cards he collected - one for each of the personal two-way radio communications he made with people all over the world. This is a great addition to the 100 year history of written works on amateur radio. The only improvement I can imagine would be to publish a coffee-table version in hardback!
Bob
Rating:
Summary: Delightful!
Review: "Hello World" is a delightful and innovative way to capture the essence of radio communication as practised by the amateur radio operator. The authors bring a graphically creative approach to a topic that can be hard at times to describe to the uninitiated. The biographical sketch of a ham radio operator over a 70 year period of history is accomplished by a truly remarkable portrayal of the post-card size, colorful "QSL" cards he collected - one for each of the personal two-way radio communications he made with people all over the world. This is a great addition to the 100 year history of written works on amateur radio. The only improvement I can imagine would be to publish a coffee-table version in hardback!
Bob
Rating:
Summary: N2GJ gives it 2 thumbs up!
Review: First of all, if you're a radio amateur already:RUN, don't WALK, to your nearest bookseller, and BUY THIS BOOK! (In fact, I got mine from AMAZON!) If you're not, it's OK to walk to your bookseller and BUY THIS BOOK! In truth, I have only begun to read the book -- an effort that will take me "forever" because of the richness of the fabric these guys have woven. It's fun, it's educational, and truly beautiful; in short, it's a work of art! I agree with the reader/reviewer who suggested a "true" coffee table edition in hardback! I'd certainly get in line to buy one.... It's loaded with wonderful touches: the timeline at the bottom of each page that puts the reader in touch with world events while following, chronologically, Jerry's life; the colorful glossary of ham radio jargon/terminology; the wonderful fold-out centerfold map that shows the location of each person whose postcard (QSL) is depicted; and the complete listing of all 369 cards on the back inside cover pages. You can tell a graphic designer played a key role in this project! With a built-in audience of at least 2.5 million radio amateur aficionados world-wide (how 'bout a Japanese translation for the 1 million + hams in JA-land?!) this book ought to be a hit. Hey, I can think of at least 675,000 coffee tables in America where "Hello World" should be displayed and loved. Dan and Paul: thanks for creating this...and for joining us in "the greatest hobby on earth that almost no one knows about!" Best 73, GJ
P.S. We've added Jerry and the authors to our Famous Hams web site. All three of these guys are welcome additions!
Rating:
Summary: N2GJ gives it 2 thumbs up!
Review: First of all, if you're a radio amateur already: RUN, don't WALK, to your nearest bookseller, and BUY THIS BOOK! (In fact, I got mine from AMAZON!) If you're not, it's OK to walk to your bookseller and BUY THIS BOOK! In truth, I have only begun to read the book -- an effort that will take me "forever" because of the richness of the fabric these guys have woven. It's fun, it's educational, and truly beautiful; in short, it's a work of art! I agree with the reader/reviewer who suggested a "true" coffee table edition in hardback! I'd certainly get in line to buy one.... It's loaded with wonderful touches: the timeline at the bottom of each page that puts the reader in touch with world events while following, chronologically, Jerry's life; the colorful glossary of ham radio jargon/terminology; the wonderful fold-out centerfold map that shows the location of each person whose postcard (QSL) is depicted; and the complete listing of all 369 cards on the back inside cover pages. You can tell a graphic designer played a key role in this project! With a built-in audience of at least 2.5 million radio amateur aficionados world-wide (how 'bout a Japanese translation for the 1 million + hams in JA-land?!) this book ought to be a hit. Hey, I can think of at least 675,000 coffee tables in America where "Hello World" should be displayed and loved. Dan and Paul: thanks for creating this...and for joining us in "the greatest hobby on earth that almost no one knows about!" Best 73, GJ
P.S. We've added Jerry and the authors to our Famous Hams web site. All three of these guys are welcome additions!
Rating: 
Summary: The first coffee table book for the ham radio operator
Review: I bought a copy of this book yesterday and read through it last night. It's a beautiful book of high quality and a lot of work obviously went into its graphic design. The book is primarily a visual album of a ham's QSL card collection that one of the authors found in a binder at a swap-meet and bought apparently because it looked interesting, even though at the time he had no idea what a QSL card was. The authors have tracked down information about the hams who were on the other end of the contacts represented by the cards and include these notes along with the card images. As far as other content goes, it's mostly just a few pages of fluff about ham radio, some of it done in the style of a first-grade reading primer ("this is a ham radio" etc.). I think a serious biography of the radio life of just about any long-time ham could be an interesting topic for a book, especially when played out against the background of actual QSL cards involved, but this book fails to provide that level of depth and in the end becomes just a collage of images and typography. Very "art" but very little ham radio of interest either to an experienced ham or the curious layperson. I also see that the authors have seen fit to review their own book and assign themselves five stars, which I don't think is a fair use of the review mechanism. But it's not a very expensive book, and the high production values and the QSL images make it at least an interesting browse. Gavin Scott
AE6AM
Rating:
Summary: The first coffee table book for the ham radio operator
Review: I bought a copy of this book yesterday and read through it last night. It's a beautiful book of high quality and a lot of work obviously went into its graphic design. The book is primarily a visual album of a ham's QSL card collection that one of the authors found in a binder at a swap-meet and bought apparently because it looked interesting, even though at the time he had no idea what a QSL card was. The authors have tracked down information about the hams who were on the other end of the contacts represented by the cards and include these notes along with the card images. As far as other content goes, it's mostly just a few pages of fluff about ham radio, some of it done in the style of a first-grade reading primer ("this is a ham radio" etc.). I think a serious biography of the radio life of just about any long-time ham could be an interesting topic for a book, especially when played out against the background of actual QSL cards involved, but this book fails to provide that level of depth and in the end becomes just a collage of images and typography. Very "art" but very little ham radio of interest either to an experienced ham or the curious layperson. I also see that the authors have seen fit to review their own book and assign themselves five stars, which I don't think is a fair use of the review mechanism. But it's not a very expensive book, and the high production values and the QSL images make it at least an interesting browse. Gavin Scott
AE6AM
Rating: 
Summary: Loved the book
Review: I bought this book because it was about ham radio. I was impressed at how well the storyline was. You actually felt as though you were there watching this story go on. A must read!!!
Rating:
Summary: For Design People, Too, Not Just Hams
Review: I know nothing about ham radio and loved this book. It is beautifully constructed, has amazing graphics and a great story that Gregory has reconstructed about one man's passion. It's a book about communication, and humanity, and art and how small the world really is. Gorgeous.
Rating:
Summary: Demystifies Amateur Radio (Ham Radio) with superb graphics!
Review: I was given this fantastic book by my neighbor and friend here in New Jersey, who is a longtime Ham Radio afficionado (and Police Officer by occupation). Truth be told, I have always wondered about Jim's (my mentioned neighbor/friend) hobby/pastime, especially given his tower and antenna systems, which are large and visible and hard to ignore! I did not know much about the hobby, other than 'people talk around the world much like CB'ers talk locally'. I now realize how utterly wonderful, fascinating and riveting this hobby is! Not to mention critical in times of regional or national emergencies! The authors take you on a FASCINATING journey through the ham radio life of an engineer named Jerry Powell, an actual FCC licensed 'Ham' operator from Kansas who moved to New Jersey early on in his career and spent decades on the air from his humble home, communicating with Hams everywhere from all kinds of economic and ideological backrounds. The book is replete with interesting vignettes and descriptions of what Ham Radio is all about, and the true passion and wonderment of engaging in all aspects of this hobby shared by millions around the world. The graphics are first rate, with a veritable 'world tour' of colorful QSL cards, which reflect many of Jerry's contacts with other Ham Operators from every conceivable corner of the world! After reading this book and 'taking in' the wonderful graphics, I even picked up a few entry-level study guides from the ... site (National Amateur Radio organization) on the advice of my neighbor Jim, and I am excitedly planning on obtaining my entry 'Technician' license! I can't wait to get on the air! Just a superb, SUPERB book!!!
Rating:
Summary: Hello world nice to meet you.
Review: I was utterly unaware of the ham radio community before reading "Hello World". After devouring the book upon it's arrival, I am now totally enamored with both the hams and "Hello World". The book teems with lush images and interesting factoids that let me in on an intriguing and lovable culture.
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