Rating: 
Summary: Super Keen on Keno book
Review: I am astounded. Did I really go to the dollar store and come home with this gorgeous book by the Keno twins? Is it actually a beautiful book with gorgeous color plates? Is it one of the most readable books I have ever read?A resounding triple "YES"!!! I purchased this book and thought, "Oh well, only a dollar, and looks like it is at least worth that." Then I browsed through the photos once I got it home. And on the third day of ownership, I began reading the Keno saga, a non-fiction journey of avid treasure hunters from their youth in the countryside of New England where they grew up, to their professional work in the world of Americana antiques. These guys are versatile with a capital "V" and with the help of Joan Barzilay Freund, they have put together a wonderful set of chaptered adventures that each center on a separate discovery of very special Americana antiques. Freund is the author of a book on the collection of Americana furniture of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henry Meyer; so she obviously knows her stuff. The Townsend desk from the Meyer collection is featured in one of the Keno book chapters. This is just plain good reading. And without intending to do so, I am swept into the education they afford me as the reader who learns from eager teachers, lovers of their work of discovery. The same élan one sees in Leigh and Leslie on TV pours out of these pages in their own voices. Certainly I have loved seeing Leigh and Leslie on "Antiques Roadshow" and on their own PBS series, "Find!" The gentlemanly enthusiasm of these brothers is infectious and makes me feel like I might just make a great discovery in my antiquing adventures, too. Whether or not I do, I have certainly loved reading their book and highly recommend it to any reader. Without intending to, you will be swept along into the Keno brothers' lives and inadvertently learn a lot about the glorious craftsmanship of American cabinetmakers and the surviving products of their hands. What an exciting read! Now, if I could just find a few more copies for friends!
Rating:
Summary: Super Keen on Keno book
Review: I am astounded. Did I really go to the dollar store and come home with this gorgeous book by the Keno twins? Is it actually a beautiful book with gorgeous color plates? Is it one of the most readable books I have ever read? A resounding triple "YES"!!! I purchased this book and thought, "Oh well, only a dollar, and looks like it is at least worth that." Then I browsed through the photos once I got it home. And on the third day of ownership, I began reading the Keno saga, a non-fiction journey of avid treasure hunters from their youth in the countryside of New England where they grew up, to their professional work in the world of Americana antiques. These guys are versatile with a capital "V" and with the help of Joan Barzilay Freund, they have put together a wonderful set of chaptered adventures that each center on a separate discovery of very special Americana antiques. Freund is the author of a book on the collection of Americana furniture of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Henry Meyer; so she obviously knows her stuff. The Townsend desk from the Meyer collection is featured in one of the Keno book chapters. This is just plain good reading. And without intending to do so, I am swept into the education they afford me as the reader who learns from eager teachers, lovers of their work of discovery. The same élan one sees in Leigh and Leslie on TV pours out of these pages in their own voices. Certainly I have loved seeing Leigh and Leslie on "Antiques Roadshow" and on their own PBS series, "Find!" The gentlemanly enthusiasm of these brothers is infectious and makes me feel like I might just make a great discovery in my antiquing adventures, too. Whether or not I do, I have certainly loved reading their book and highly recommend it to any reader. Without intending to, you will be swept along into the Keno brothers' lives and inadvertently learn a lot about the glorious craftsmanship of American cabinetmakers and the surviving products of their hands. What an exciting read! Now, if I could just find a few more copies for friends!
Rating:
Summary: Hidden Treasures
Review: I couldn't put it down and I want to know when the sequel will be available! Beautifully photographed and intriquingly written, the Keno's book brings us a peek into their passionate world of early Americana aquisition and sales. It evokes much respect for their expertise.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Book !
Review: I simply could not put this book down! I love antiques anyway and these brothers tell a delightful tale. My thanks to them for sharing their childhood stories with us and, as another reviewer here put it so aptly, "educating us with their knowledge." What a pleasure this book was to read and the pictures were excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Kept me up all night!
Review: I started reading this book at about 11 pm and next thing I new, I looked up and it was 5 am and I had just finished the book. Except for being a little tired the next day from staying up reading all night, I highly recommend this book.
It starts out talking about a beautiful American secretary (piece of furniture) and then goes into how the twins got started and interested in antiques. Through their accounts and adventures you pick up new ways of looking a items that may help you find your hidden treasure at the next flea market.
This book goes into ALOT of detail about furntiure, so unless you are interested in antiques and hidden treasures, it might get a little tedious. But, I found all the detail highly educaional and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: I like anything Leigh Keno does. . .
Review: I'm once again tweaking my review. Okay, make no mistake, I bought the book strictly because I had a huge, pathetic crush on Leigh Keno, which I can happily and semi-maturely proclaim "over". (I think.) That being said, this book is still a beauty. Hidden Treasures exudes quality, in the book itself and in its contents. The photographs offer outstanding details and close views of some of the most beautifully crafted American furniture ever created. Add to this, the tasteful and candid writings of the beloved Kenos, who take turns writing the chapters, following the paths of various pieces of American furniture, from discovery (sometimes in pieces, sometimes in France)to auction. If you have more than a fleeting, estoteric interest in the inner workings of the Antique business, and enjoy a peek behind the scenes and/or if you merely have a particular affinity for the Kenos, Hidden Treasures will be a great addition to your fine book collection.
Rating:
Summary: --Living in the world of antiques--
Review: I've enjoyed the Antiques Roadshow for a number of years, and have been intrigued by the various people who are specialists in the different fields of antiques. How did they learn their subjects? What education did they pursue? Those were a few of the questions that were of interest to me. The twins, Leslie and Leigh Keno are an attractive addition to the Roadshow. I especially like the fact that they are always polite and kind to the people who bring in the antique items for evaluation. The Keno brothers never appear to be condescending to the visitors, and their enthusiasm about the antiques is catchy. Well, HIDDEN TREASURES was a pleasure to read. In this autobiographic form, Leigh and Leslie tell about growing up in New York and how they became interested in learning about objects that they found around the old family farm and how that interest turned into a love of American antiques. They also relate some interesting stories about their experiences in discovering, and being involved in the identification of some rare and unique pieces of furniture. They both write well, and I found the book to be very entertaining. You don't have to be an antiques expert to enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: --Living in the world of antiques--
Review: I've enjoyed the Antiques Roadshow for a number of years, and have been intrigued by the various people who are specialists in the different fields of antiques. How did they learn their subjects? What education did they pursue? Those were a few of the questions that were of interest to me. The twins, Leslie and Leigh Keno are an attractive addition to the Roadshow. I especially like the fact that they are always polite and kind to the people who bring in the antique items for evaluation. The Keno brothers never appear to be condescending to the visitors, and their enthusiasm about the antiques is catchy. Well, HIDDEN TREASURES was a pleasure to read. In this autobiographic form, Leigh and Leslie tell about growing up in New York and how they became interested in learning about objects that they found around the old family farm and how that interest turned into a love of American antiques. They also relate some interesting stories about their experiences in discovering, and being involved in the identification of some rare and unique pieces of furniture. They both write well, and I found the book to be very entertaining. You don't have to be an antiques expert to enjoy this book.
Rating:
Summary: CALLING ALL "ANTIQUES ROADSHOW" FANS!...
Review: If you are familiar with Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, the charming, identical twin brothers who often appear as appraisers on the popular "Antiques Roadshow" television program, then you will undoubtedly enjoy this audio book. While authors do not generally make good readers or narrators of their own works, the Keno twins are the exception to the rule. Just as they do on the "Antiques Roadshow", the twins convey their unbridled enthusiasm for antique American furniture. Their passion is contagious and makes one a truly captive audience. I had purchased this audio book for a road trip and could barely tear myself away from the car until I had finished the audio book in its entirety, as it is so interesting and entertaining. Born in rural, Mohawk Valley in upstate New York, the twins developed their passion at the feet of their parents who had dabbled in this field. At a very young age, searching for old objects with a history was a hobby that developed into a passion. As teenagers, flea markets were their stomping grounds. As they grew up, they developed by inclination and education into worldly and sophisticated connoisseurs of beautiful rare objects, specializing in antique American furniture, a niche in which they are now foremost experts. The audio book takes you on the hunt of some of their most prized acquisitions. With an insider's look at the wonderful world of collecting antique American furniture, the twins take the listener on a journey that few would otherwise be able make, as many of their most prized acquisitions bring in six and seven figure sums. The excitement of the hunt, the thrill of the discovery of a valuable piece of antique American furniture, the history of its provenance, and the loving description of the beauty of that piece, all provide a fascinating peek into the rarified world of antiques in which the twins work. The tone of the book is conversationally chatty and educational. The twins have a wonderful, innate ability to draw the listener into their exclusive world. Their down to earth charm is a delicious counterpoint to the exquisite and rare pieces that they have come across, all of which they share with the listener in detail, lovingly describing the craftsmanship that went into making these beautiful pieces that are so collectible today. This audio book comes with a full color pamphlet that pictorially details the pieces that are the focus of this abridged audio book and serves to enhance this most enjoyable listening experience.
Rating:
Summary: CALLING ALL "ANTIQUES ROADSHOW" FANS!...
Review: If you are familiar with Leigh Keno and Leslie Keno, the charming, identical twin brothers who often appear as appraisers on the popular "Antiques Roadshow" television program, then you will undoubtedly enjoy this audio book. While authors do not generally make good readers or narrators of their own works, the Keno twins are the exception to the rule. Just as they do on the "Antiques Roadshow", the twins convey their unbridled enthusiasm for antique American furniture. Their passion is contagious and makes one a truly captive audience. I had purchased this audio book for a road trip and could barely tear myself away from the car until I had finished the audio book in its entirety, as it is so interesting and entertaining. Born in rural, Mohawk Valley in upstate New York, the twins developed their passion at the feet of their parents who had dabbled in this field. At a very young age, searching for old objects with a history was a hobby that developed into a passion. As teenagers, flea markets were their stomping grounds. As they grew up, they developed by inclination and education into worldly and sophisticated connoisseurs of beautiful rare objects, specializing in antique American furniture, a niche in which they are now foremost experts. The audio book takes you on the hunt of some of their most prized acquisitions. With an insider's look at the wonderful world of collecting antique American furniture, the twins take the listener on a journey that few would otherwise be able make, as many of their most prized acquisitions bring in six and seven figure sums. The excitement of the hunt, the thrill of the discovery of a valuable piece of antique American furniture, the history of its provenance, and the loving description of the beauty of that piece, all provide a fascinating peek into the rarified world of antiques in which the twins work. The tone of the book is conversationally chatty and educational. The twins have a wonderful, innate ability to draw the listener into their exclusive world. Their down to earth charm is a delicious counterpoint to the exquisite and rare pieces that they have come across, all of which they share with the listener in detail, lovingly describing the craftsmanship that went into making these beautiful pieces that are so collectible today. This audio book comes with a full color pamphlet that pictorially details the pieces that are the focus of this abridged audio book and serves to enhance this most enjoyable listening experience.
| 
