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Book sourcing tips - Printable Version

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Book sourcing tips - Dave - 08-13-2007

(I think this is the best forum for this post, but feel free to move it if there's a better place)



Books relating to worship dance, messianic Judaism, Jewish roots, etc are often hard to find. They don't sell in their millions and rarely attract the attention of the major publishers. Some (especially on dance) are out of print and only available on the second-hand market.



Consequently, it can be a bit difficult to locate books. I've been collecting books for many years, and here's a summary of what I've learnt:



The growth of the internet has revolutionised bookselling. It's sadly had a negative effect on local bookshops (so do support yours), but has transformed the used book industry as everyone now has access to a global marketplace.



The various Amazon websites (particularly <URL url="http://www.amazon.com">Amazon.com, and <URL url="http://www.amazon.co.uk">Amazon.co.uk) are always a good starting point and have a vast range of product, including many obscure items. They have a feature called the Marketplace where independent vendors can list stuff on their sites. This is fully integrated and when you view an item you'll see something like "10 used and new available from $5", you click on the link and you get a list of people offering the item. Most will be new and offered at a lower price than Amazon itself. You order through Amazon but your order is shipped by the vendor.



To make best use of Amazon (lowest prices and widest range), you need to be aware of some finer points:<LIST> </LIST>There are other internet booksellers such as <URL url="http://www.powells.com">Powells and <URL url="http://www.bn.com">Barnes and Noble. Occasionally you will find that they have items that Amazon doesn't, but generally their ranges are smaller.



A couple of useful sites are <URL url="http://www.addall.com">www.addall.com and <URL url="http://www.isbn.nu">www.isbn.nu - both will search many different booksellers (new and used) for a book.



Amazon and the other big names aren't always good for second-hand or out-of-print books. For these, there are two database websites into which thousands of individual booksellers upload their catalogues. Have a look at <URL url="http://www.abebooks.com">ABE Books and <URL url="http://www.alibris.com">Alibris. I personally prefer ABE books, who seem to have a larger range and better prices. They also have a UK-centric site <URL url="http://www.abebooks.co.uk">here. Your order is shipped directly from the vendor.



All the above stockists carry a large range of Christian books. But if you'd rather go to a specifically Christian company, try <URL url="http://www.christianbook.com">Christian Book Distributors (large US company, international shipping is a bit pricey but their books are cheap!). In the UK, there is <URL url="http://www.eden.co.uk">Eden, who seem quite good.



<URL url="http://www.messianicjewish.net/">Lederer is the main publisher of messianic books - they do have a webstore but it's often cheaper or easier to get their books via Amazon.



One point to note when searching for books on the various websites is that they are not error-free. In particular you get occasional spelling mistakes in titles and authors. If you are having trouble finding something, try reducing the number of words you are searching for, or just put the title or author rather than both. Using the ISBN number (if there is one and you know it) can be useful, but isn't a guarantee of success.



Practical stuff when buying from overseas: <LIST> </LIST>I think that's everything, but feel free to ask me any questions, and share your experiences.


Book sourcing tips - DeanZF - 08-13-2007

I can add a hearty "amen" to Dave's post. The only companies that I've not personally done business with there are those in the UK. I know the others and trust them. They in turn trust their used book sellers because if they mess up, they are off the trusted list. Kind of a one strike and you're out system.


Book sourcing tips - SandyC - 09-09-2012

If anyone knows where I could get any reasonably priced literature on the Jewish faith, I'd appreciate hearing about it.. I'm in New Zealand, and trying to find anything here of any quality on some things is.. woefully hard, this is one faith I'm quite interested in learning about, so I'd like something informative, but hopefully also at a reasonable price as my income is.. a little tight these days now I'm retired due to health issues..


Book sourcing tips - HelenaZF - 09-14-2012

<URL url="http://www.amazon.com/Judaism-For-Dummies-Ted-Falcon/dp/0764552996/?tag=zionf-20">Judaisim for Dummies might be a good place to start.



You can get a used copy on Amazon for under $2.



Check out a large excerpt from the book here:

<URL url="http://www.ccebook.org/preview/0764552996/Judaism-for-Dummies">[url]<LINK_TEXT text="http://www.ccebook.org/preview/07645529 ... or-Dummies">http://www.ccebook.org/preview/0764552996/Judaism-for-Dummies</LINK_TEXT>[/url]





Dean should be by to give you a couple more ideas. Smile








Book sourcing tips - SandyC - 09-14-2012

That would be a good start for me, especially given my.. limited knowledge at present, thanks I'll have a better look at it once I've had coffee and breakfast...