Michael Closen

Although the phrase "trailer trash" is catchy and kitschy in describing mobile home living, this revealing peek into a stereotype that has dogged the mobile home since its earliest days challenges that label and defends the honor of the trailer home. Via nearly 400 colorful and fun images—including 300 postcards, home advertising, emblems, newspaper articles, memorabilia, and other items of interest—the novel point is made: the mobile home most assuredly deserves greater respect. Ten chapters explore features of mobile home living — from the history, residential parks and amenities, and mobile mansions to interior and exterior designs, and the people who live in them. So, keep an open mind. You may come away with a new attitude about the mobile home.

The artwork displayed on gift and shopping bags has never been more exciting! This contemporary peek at nearly 600 shopping bags in over 280 vibrant color photographs is perfect for shopaholics, fashionistas, art enthusiasts, and anyone who has ever enjoyed the graphic design and thematic liveliness of shopping and gift bags. Quality art and graphics, popular themes (including humor, novelty, gender, advertising bags, and more) are explored for modern paper shopping bags in this dynamic authors' collection—the first book of its kind in over 25 years. Detailed descriptions include the use of brand names for advertising, as well as themed art, dimensions, producers, and creation time frames. There is an art to mastering shopping and gift presentation!

This amusing book covers early camping history, RV designs, road conditions, driving habits, campground issues, and more, with a twist. Things go wrong in each and every chapter, and that is where the humor arises. Some 230 photos (both black-and-white and color) of more than 290 separate postcards from the authors’ personal collections illustrate the fun. Because camping and RVing are so popular all around the world, numerous postcards from Australia, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, and more, are included. Many images shown are quite scarce, and some are truly rare. The text and illustrations tell the humorous side of camping and RVing, past and present. All the postcards illustrated are described in detailed captions, which include each card's age, size, maker, and estimated value. The unique approach of this new book makes it stand alone as both a resource for information and a source of good old-fashioned entertainment.