reviews

The following reviews are reproduced in their entirety. No editing or selecting has taken place.

Charles Miller, the editor of 'The Radiophile' writes:

I opened Tony Thompson's new book with pleasurable anticipation because I know him to be a talented writer with a careful attention to detail, and I was not disappointed. His introduction, unlike so many which tend to be waffle that one skips in order to get at the body of a book, contrives to be both succinct and usefully informative, and his first chapter on the origins of radio follows the same pattern: it provides newcomers to the hobby just the right amount of information needed to acquire essential basic knowledge and gives due (and all too often long overdue) credit to early workers other than just Senatore Marconi. Chapter Two, entitled The 1920 s - Radio For All, deals with how broadcasting began in Britain and the evolution of receivers during that period. The influence of radio magazines is mentioned here and is developed later in the book. Here I have to report that over the last few weeks I have had, for certain reasons, to write the better part of 15,000 words on these subjects, necessitating intense research, and I am intrigued to find that Tony and I have been, unknown to each other, treading the same paths. The lamentable fact is that far too many alleged writers on radio, historically and technically, appear to be using "received information" of doubtful value culled from the internet which makes the finished product at best unreliable and at worst dangerously misleading. Tony clearly also has carried out the extensive research essential to an authoritative reference work, and as I know too well, a passage that may be read in half an hour can have involved days of searching through original sources. He has applied the same meticulous attention to detail throughout the book, which goes on to cover the history of radio receivers through the 1930s, '40s, '50s and '6os; to deal with the invention and development of valves and loudspeakers, the stories behind some well-known manufacturers' names, collecting radio sets and sources from which they may be obtained, restoration of cabinets and much more. The book is lavishly illustrated, in the most part by high quality colour photographs which in themselves make it a valuable reference work. Last but certainly not least, there is a proper index that is genuinely useful. 

I commend this book unreservedly as a most worthwhile addition to your library. C.E.M.

Author's response:

My sincere thanks to Chas for this very positive review. Chas' excellent magazine, 'The Radiophile', is required reading for all interested in vintage radio. He is highly respected by all in the profession and to receive such praise from him is an honour.

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Rob Mannion G3XFD (editor of Practical Wireless magazine) writes: 

When I was sent a promotional dust jacket and details of this book by Crowood Press, I realised it was going to be good. However, when the book arrived I was even more impressed because it's superbly illustrated and extremely well presented. In fact, I think it’s a book that any PW reader would thoroughly enjoy - both Tex Swann G1TEX and I were impressed by the quality and when it comes to books we're not that easy to impress!

As far as I know, I've never met or spoken to the author Tony Thomson (sic). In fact, on reading the fascinating potted history of PW and Fred Camm in the book (page 87) I'm not so sure if he knows that PW is still published and has copyright over some of the material used!* (see note below) Despite this the author has done an excellent job in writing and presenting the subject. The book is profusely illustrated with excellent photographs and the author provides an interesting history of the early days of wireless, featuring the equipment then available and the personalities behind the early success of broadcasting. Vintage sets from the 1920s, 1930s, the Second World War and the 1940s are superbly illustrated and the techniques used are discussed. 

It's written by someone who knows the technology and certainly cannot be described as a 'coffee table' book relying on the 'arty' side alone. 

The book provides a truly fascinating and entertaining read. Receivers from the 1950s and onwards are featured in profusion and many of my favourites - including the Bush TR130 and Roberts RT1 of 1958 - are there. For the keen radio enthusiast (even though communications sets aren't covered)** the author provides some interesting historical details on the manufacturers and the development of transistor techniques - in fact, transistorised receivers are well featured (they are often neglected in books of this type). Also included in the book are hints of the necessary safety methods required for use with mains sets, valves, restoration and repairs (including loudspeakers and sources of spares for older receivers. There's also a selection of photographs showing a number of American and Canadian receivers and PW readers attending the huge Dayton Hamvention flea market in the USA could identify their bargain-buys. 

The section on European sets took me back to my school-days when we owned a (featured) Blaupunkt set. Altogether, I think I'm going to get much pleasure from Tony Thompson 's book. It's the type of book I can pick up, read for an hour or so and then pick it up again days later and discover something new! The author's work is superb and most enjoyable but I'm just a little worried that there's no mention of PW in the 'further reading' section at the end of the books, especially as many of our readers will buy a copy!* However, despite the omission I can thoroughly endorse Collecting Vintage Radios to PW readers. It's a truly engrossing book and many of the sets featured will take you back to our early days in the hobby!

Very Highly Recommended.

Author's response:

This is a fine review, for which my thanks to Rob Mannion (who, by the way, I don't know and have never met either).

*The author is in fact well aware of PW’s continued existence but as it is now predominantly for the radio amateur of today rather than the vintage collector and enthusiast I did not include it in the reading list. Because articles of vintage interest do find a place in its pages it is well worth seeking on the bookstore shelves. Regarding copyright, a 70-odd year old picture of FJ Camm from an  advertisement would seem unlikely to infringe copyright to any great extent but if a second edition is produced I will certainly add a credit to Practical Wireless. 

**The focus of the book is on commercially produced receivers for the domestic market - home use - and it was never the intention to cover semi-professional or hobbyist radio receivers as this big subject would require a book to itself to do it justice. Any takers?