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Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Start
Review: Certainly the prior reviews have not lacked in force of opinion. It is foolish, in my estimation, to expect a book in this price range and size to go into "restoring" sewing machines. Common sense should rule that out. It is also no primer in the heavy-duty repair of machines; the author rightly directs the reader to a dealer for that. What remains in an excellent guide for the average person in doing minor maintenance on a machine. As an owner and sewer for nearly thirty years, I wouldn't dream of taking apart my computer Bernina machines but had a good time dissembling some old Singer machines--and the advice worked! I saw nothing wrong with the author's advice on shopping and buying machines, though this might vary with geography and local dealers. Though I was already aware of it, I thought his section on who owns who in the sewing world, and where machines come from, was interesting. This was not meant to be investigative writing, and no doubt the author did not wish to injure independent dealers. I found his recommendations for how to shop for machines by price to be spot on, though of course prices do go obsolete. I particularly enjoyed the full-color photos of the steps involved in minor cleaning of the machines.
For this price, this is a great first book on sewing machines and their workings.
Rating: 
Summary: Beginner Level Book
Review: I collect antique sewing machines. My newest one is a 1966 Singer 221 Featherweight. When I got this book, I gave it to my son who is just learning to sew. It was written in terms he could understand and had a lot of practical knowledge in it. For me, it was of no use. I have been sewing since age 11 and have taught myself most everything I know about machines. So, if you are just starting out, this is a great book. If you are an antique sewer like me, find another book like Charles Law's Encyclopedia of Antique Sewing Machines (limited print and hard to find). He tells you how to restore a black japanned finish with gold leaf without destroying the surface, what chemicals to use and not to use, and has many manuals for obsolete machines in the back of the book with diagrams.
Rating:
Summary: Buy a Brand Name
Review: John states very early in his book that buying a sewing machine is like buying a car: buy the brand you like, know, or have the tools and skills to fix. This is very true and excellent advice, and since his brand preferences become very clear by the end of the book, I followed it and found my wife the best used Swiss-made machine I could afford. It is a great machine, and it completely revitalized my wife's interest in sewing. She evens wants to start quilting. The biggest weakness of the book is that no details are offered as to machine brands differ mechanically; the reader is left to shop by features alone. In my case, this was no help, because mechanical malfunctions (and not a lack of a feature) that rendered my former machine worst than useless. These technical details are known, and I was lucky enough to find a former Singer wholesaler who could explain the differences between brands and models. The section about how to finance a machine can be skipped. The repair section is interesting and useful, but it won't jump-start a dead machine. The list of great machines of the past is really good, but they are not to be found in the market (Although one did appear on a online auction). His price guidelines I found to be too high (yeah!) for this area. It is a nice book, and very readable. The list of machines and the final chapter make the book worth buying.
Rating: 
Summary: A comprehensive, well-written guide to the market.
Review: Mr. Giordano has done an excellent job of leading consumers though the confusing maze of today's sewing machine market. Easy to read, educational and entertaining. Recommended highly if you are interested in becoming educated in the sophisticated world of sewing machines. An unexpected bonus - he's funny! Anyone would be well advised to purchase this book before buying.
Rating:
Summary: Buy a Brand Name
Review: Not only does this book give you solid info about purchasing a new machine, but good details on looking for top-quality used sewing machines. Mr G. also provides you with a step by step demo (with accompanying photos) on how to do that $50 machine cleaning your dealer wants to sell you. Now you can do it yourself at home!
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Review
Review: Some chapters of this book weren't worth the time to read them. The pricing guides obviously become obsolete right away. He indicates you couldn't possibly get a good sewing machine for under $150 even buying used, and that the only place to get a good used sewing machine is at a dealer, I disagree. The section about finding your "Sewing Tempermant" was contradictory and just wacky. Perhaps it's my fault for assuming that "refurbishing" would be about restoring a neglected machine to top condition, but it's actually about taking your old well-cared for machine, and cleaning, oiling and shining it up a bit. "How to Modernize an Old Machine" is really just a collection of tips about changing your sewing habits. Mostly very interesting tips, but not really about changing your old machine. Despite all of those complaints, I enjoyed the book and learned a lot. I especially liked the information on the brands, who made what when, and who's making it now, etc. The chapter "Setting Up Your Sewing Space" is reason enough to read this book, and certainly isn't just for novices.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Review
Review: Some chapters of this book weren't worth the time to read them. The pricing guides obviously become obsolete right away. He indicates you couldn't possibly get a good sewing machine for under $150 even buying used, and that the only place to get a good used sewing machine is at a dealer, I disagree. The section about finding your "Sewing Tempermant" was contradictory and just wacky. Perhaps it's my fault for assuming that "refurbishing" would be about restoring a neglected machine to top condition, but it's actually about taking your old well-cared for machine, and cleaning, oiling and shining it up a bit. "How to Modernize an Old Machine" is really just a collection of tips about changing your sewing habits. Mostly very interesting tips, but not really about changing your old machine. Despite all of those complaints, I enjoyed the book and learned a lot. I especially liked the information on the brands, who made what when, and who's making it now, etc. The chapter "Setting Up Your Sewing Space" is reason enough to read this book, and certainly isn't just for novices.
Rating: 
Summary: Silly man in red socks...
Review: This is an ok book for TIPS here and there, but really lame in every other way. My favorite laughable piece of advice is when he says to go ahead and rub perfume on your machine to make it smell pretty. Sewing temperment? Insulting, and a waste of paper. I can't help but feel that this guy is the Winnie the Pooh version of Norman Bates. Kinda creepy. I really tried to like the book.
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