Maryland 24/7

Rating:
Summary: The Library Journal, October 2004
Review: Book Briefs section: The series abounds with unique imagery and some surprising choices. The bottom line is that [the state books] will likely be as popular [as America 24/7], if not more so. Large public libraries should order the entire set.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Idea With Lackluster Execution
Review: What a great concept- a state photo book with the option of a personalized cover. The best gift idea I've heard of in a long time. However, IDEAS often fail in their execution...

The book is of good quality itself but I was astonished at the quality of the photographs- many lacked in the quality of subject composition, some were blurry or had a bad tint, and the vast majority were simply boring. Considering that this was a largely a digital project I was very surprised. I am not a professional photographer, yet I could scrape up enough of my good shots to publish a much prettier version of Maryland. I would say about 5 photos out of the book are actually worth holding onto. Most of the photos feature people as subjects, which would have worked well if the photojournalism was better.

I do have to commend the company however on it's turn-around time on the personalized covers. I put the order in within 2 weeks of the Christmas holiday and I received it two days before the holiday. I checked the kindly provdided status link frequently and I was amazed that the job was completed within just 3 days! Although, I did end up waiting almost two weeks on pins and needles because although they claimed to send it via USPS priority mail shipping, they sent it parcel post instead.

My opinion would be to look through the book at your local store and see if you like the photos before you put your name on the front cover and personalize it. Me? I would save my money and have a photo calendar made at the local drugstore.