The Book of Tiki (Midsize) by Sven Kirsten Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Book of Tiki (Midsize)
Book Review: Sven Kirsten defines an era!
Summary: 5 Stars
Truly a wonder of nature this Book of Tiki. Chances are, you might so your parents or grandparents in the pictures, from the days before you considered them old.
The text of the book goes briefly through the various sources of Polynesian pop-culture, and where it branched off. From Michener's South Pacific, to the Lanai apartments in Anytown, USA.
The pictures, brought through the archives of time in the form of various postcards and of the now empty lots that once were Tiki bowling alleys and apartments, show us a fascinating time of tehnicolor wonder and primitive naivete. This was before PC was PC.
All around, a fantastic read, whether you're a full on tiki freak, or you simply wonder why grandpa wore a Hawaiian shirt to your wedding.
Book Review: More Tiki Than You Can Shake A Torch At
Summary: 5 Stars
Like all Taschen books, this book is visually STUNNING! Just leafing through the pictures never gets boring. The real treat is the book is also jam packed facts, folklore, drink recipies, and so much more. More information about Tiki than I ever knew existed. Plenty of eye-candy in this book, but very well balanced with informative and fun content. A must have for the Tiki enthusiast!
Book Review: Excellent book on Tiki, though a bit artsy
Summary: 4 Stars
This book is a must have for anyone interested in Tiki or kitsch art. Describing themselves as "urban archaeologists" seeking remnants of Tiki culture, the authors provide a fun and informative look at this vanishing art form. The book does an acceptable job presenting the evolutionary history of Tiki, from the 1920s to the present. Key events, such as the establishment of Trader Vic's, and the Kon Tiki craze of the late 40s, are looked at in further detail. There is also a good look at the "artifacts" of Tiki art and architecture throughout the United States. The book is packed with color photos of Tiki mugs, matchbooks, buildings, and much more.However, the book does lean a bit too much towards making the book eye candy. The Book of Tiki uses intense colors, and ultra-hip page compositions that make it difficult to read (typically Taschen, but I still found it distracting). Also, a consolidation of information would have made it easier to reference, such as a table differentiating the different "Trader" Tiki businesses. Also, some of the text ("Exotica and the Tiki style were denounced as contrived rituals of the imperialist establishment at the same time that the Vietnam war developed into and ugly mistake, with native huts and palm trees burning on TV."), had me wondering if they were being tounge-in-cheek, or were actually serious.
Nevertheless, this book is the current bible for Tiki aficionados, and is well worth having on your bookshelf.
Book Review: This is the start of things to come
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent picture book filled with great stories about the good old days. It will bring back memories of a tiki age gone. Why dont we have these kinds of places anymore? Maybe that will change soon but in the mean time this is a great book for all who love this period in our American History or for the island dreamer.Book Review: A Tiki Treasure!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is full of photos of different tiki establishements and tiki memorabilia, not to mention loads of information on those items and the people who created them. As a tiki newbie, I found this book very informative and tons of fun!