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Comments from RJ Bender about the Beaver/Bando W-SS Insignia book

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    Comments from RJ Bender about the Beaver/Bando W-SS Insignia book

    The above referenced book which I co-authored with Mike Beaver, was published in 2012. It is a unique product, and one of the best TR collector references ever published. I stand behind that statement, and invite comparisons to any other collectors' book in existence, to show me something 'better.'
    You all know that Roger J. Bender has been publishing TR reference books for half a century. He was not only a pioneer in this field, but he continues to publish first rate books, which have been a guiding light for all of us in this hobby. Don't forget that Bender published the Angolia book on SS cloth, which has been the undisputed 'Bible' on the subject for several decades now. As such, his comments and endorsement are particularly meaningful to me.
    Mr Bender sent me the (abridged) comments reproduced below, after receiving my book:

    "Dear Mark-
    The book is received and is just a great study of insignia. Absolute quality! I think as much as I really enjoyed all the wonderful images are the mounds of stories behind so many of them. I started reading immediately and was amazed with your understanding of the W-SS and its many interesting personalities. There is so much history in the text that I have to make notes, as there is much I have not researched before. I thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with me. I don't normally say it, but this is one book that I have to read every paragraph, as they hold so much I have forgotten and so much I never knew. You were blessed with working with and receiving great images from the leaders of our hobby. i just have to say...congratulations to a job well done...thank goodness when you were interviewing those great old Airborne guys, you took notes and were able to convey many of the stories into this book. Thanks for all you do and for all you have done for your hobby. Needless to say, I am most pleased, and thank you again."

    #2
    more comments from RJ Bender

    In a followup message, Mr Bender wrote:

    "Just wanted to tell you that I have spent the last few weeks playing with your book. It inspired me to dig out my box of SS insignia to check the embroidery against your confirmed pieces. It was a fun experience to match up the various embroidery styles and I walked away with a smile on my face. You did a wonderful service to that segment of the hobby."

    Comment


      #3
      Amazon.com reviews

      If you read the 13 reviews posted on the above captioned site, 12 are 5 star raves while one sour apple (like Ian) presents a negative opinion, which flies in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. I guess there's 1 in every crowd. Hewett's assertion that my book is 'disorganized' is a total LIE. The divisions are separated into chapters, broken down into regiments within each division, then presented in numerical sequence. The specialty units, as well as the collar, arm, and cap insignia each have their own chapter. If there is a more organized system of presenting this material, I'd like to know what it is. Tunic-removed examples, cut-offs, and metal insignia each have their own chapter, as well as a chapter (19) containing all items with veteran stories attached to them. The very few negative reviews are obviously predicated on some Agenda, other than an objective reporting of the truth.

      https://www.amazon.com/Bando-Insignia-Artifacts-Waffen-
      Hardcover/dp/B00J29O4A2/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1515331714&sr=1-5&keywords=Mark+A.+Bando

      My book is full color, large format, in your face EYE CANDY for the cloth collector, not to mention the historical info and war stories, which set it apart from any other TR collectibles book in existence. One customer calls it "Militaria Porn." This needs to be said, instead of trying to nitpick the relatively few mistakes or debatable items in a book with close to a thousand photos in it. The day when Mr Hewett or Hulley produce a book of equal or better quality, perhaps their hateful assertions might take-on some credibility.

      Comment


        #4
        For what it is worth, I love the book. It is very informative and has inspired me to wade deeper into this area of collecting. Thank you for the very excellent work.
        When you go home
        Tell them for us and say
        For your tomorrow
        We gave our today

        --Inscription in the 5th Marine Division cemetery,
        Iwo Jima 1945

        Comment


          #5
          re: link to Amazon

          If the link I posted doesn't work, just search my name in the Books section of Amazon.com and scroll down to the W-SS Insignia book and read the reviews.
          You'll see on that page, that I have authored 7 other WW2 books. This W-SS Insignia book is (so far), the only collector reference I've ever done, and it might be the last. My other books are straight history reporting, made possible by my over 1,000 interviews with 101st Airborne veterans and over 300 with 2nd Armored Division vets, not to mention many others from the 1st SSF, 82nd Airborne, 9th and 30th Infantry Divisions, 3rd Cavalry Group, etc. It took me 45 years plus, to talk to all those veterans, 95% of whom are now deceased.
          Even if I never write any more books on the subject of collecting, I am pleased with the book I co-authored with Mike Beaver, and I make no apologies for it. It is a valuable and significant contribution to the topic of TR collectibles.

          Comment


            #6
            What's this all about??

            Comment


              #7
              I really enjoyed your book , my daughter bought it for me as a Christmas present a few years ago. I get your format and that made it standout from the others done on the subject . A nice idea to to compare and boilerplate veteran bring backs. I think a little story with the stuff makes it interesting .....every body likes a story.

              Comment


                #8
                re: what's this all about?

                On a recent thread called 'NCO Runic Tab', check out Ian Hulley's comment about me on page 2 of the discussion.
                For the past five years, he has been publicly trashing my SS Insignia book and he never misses an opportunity to make negative comments about me. If this is a problem, why don't the moderators admonish HIM, for initiating it?
                I will not take it lying down.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Ok, thank you Mark...I'll take a look.

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Mark's books are wonderful references to this hobby.
                    His incredible research efforts and dedication to the topic is quite evident.
                    I hope he will continue with his publications and will certainly add them to
                    my collection library.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Mark

                      I have all your books
                      I thought so much of them I bought a lot of them for my brother who spent 20 of his 27 years in the Army
                      in the 101st.
                      I gave Breakout at Normandy to a WW2 2nd AD vet. He told me the book was right on and reading it made the hair stand up on the back of his neck just like he was back in Normandy again.

                      I met you a long time ago in Louisville and remember our correspondences about a certain medal grouping.

                      Your books are second to none.
                      For what it's worth, I got your 6 on this subject.

                      Matt Miller

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Maybe I miss something, but I have a question: is this thread about a self-celebration or what?

                        My books:


                        - THE WEHRPAß & SOLDBUCH OF THE WH
                        - THE SS TK RING
                        - THE ITALIAN-GERMAN MEDAL
                        - THE ANTI PARTISAN BADGE
                        - THE AWARDS OF THE LW

                        and more!


                        sigpic

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Someone needs a hug

                          Comment


                            #14
                            re: Self Celebration- 'Yep'

                            Both condescending, insulting comments If I don't try to get my book the respect it deserves, I can't rely on others to do it
                            Let somebody come after you and your work, and see how you like it.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              You're bitching about one negative review when all others are overwhelmingly positive? Life doesn't work that way I'm afraid. Suck it up and move on

                              Chet
                              Zinc stinks!

                              Comment

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