Apple Parers, by Don Thornton. 239 Pages. Softbound. Those who have spent any time in the serious pursuit of antiques have likely encountered mechanical apple parers in their travels. Almost without exception, those parers would have been of the more popular and commonly encountered types. In producing this superb book, author Don Thornton has opened the door of discovery to a world that was previously known only to the most advanced collectors of these uniquely American mechanical devices. In a work that covers the full range of these tools from early wooden handmade devices to the most complex Victorian gadgetry, Thornton not only documents what is known of each parer, but includes a series of extraordinarily well done black and white photographs that reveal the details of each device. Whether you are already an advanced collector of these tools or a student for the sake of study, or anywhere in-between, Don Thornton's "Apple Parers" is guaranteed to provide hours of enjoyment and be consulted often. $55.00 (BK-0169)