Customer Reviews

Barbershops

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Admittedly I was a bit disappointed with this book. We all know barbershops have fallen in popularity from their heyday but in an age of retro love and resurgence, I was was looking for a book that was going to document and capture the classic, enticing nature of old barbershops. A classic, old style barber's chair is a true beauty to behold--with expert metal craftsmanship and complimentary upholstery. But, our cover's picture of a torn chair with its exposed stuffing is a perfect indication for the majority of this book. The photographic style--muted colors, low contrast, etc just end up lending to the overall depressing message of this book--that barbershops have long lost their allure as men's clubs and are stuck withering away in a 70s era of nothingness. There are some interviews with people who are still keeping the dream alive but again most of these are men in their 50s who end up literally dating the vitality of the clubs. This is not a celebration, but an obituary.
We have had a minor barbershop resurgence--look at Rudy's. Let's sweep the old hair off the floor and uncover the true beauty and social importance of these shops. And there is a treasure trove of romantic images to assist us--the advertisements!, the colognes!, the powders!, the hot towel machines!, the blades!, the chairs!
But sadly, this book chose not to take that side.

I heard about this book on CBC Radio and it sounded fantastic. I received my copy and the photos are beautiful! They really capture the atmosphere and the details of those traditional barbershops. There are little interview excerpts that really give you the feeling that you're sitting in one of them, overhearing bits of conversation. I sat and read it cover to cover and felt like I had just spent an hour in a barbershop. Very unique!

My grandfather was a barber so I was immediately interested when I saw photos from this book in the Globe and Mail. I just bought the book and was so impressed. The photos and text really capture the world of barbers and I'm thankful there is a record of this disappearing profession. And it's not all nostalgic - some of my favourite pages feature modern barbershops that are striving. A book that anyone would enjoy.

I loved this book! It's full of photos of things like those beautiful old barbershops chairs, the bottles of tonic on the counter, the little personal things in every shop. The photos are paired with barber quotes that are amusing, while also wise and touching. And I enjoyed the personable writing style of the section on barbershop history. This is just a beautifully-crafted book.

Books like this come along once in a generation. You can almost smell the hair tonic as you flip through the pages. The anecdotes are bittersweet and nostalgic and compliment the stunning high-quality imagery beautifully. The old style barbershop may be going the way of the dinosaur, but thanks to this lovely book, they will live on in our memories forever. Thank you for giving us this wonderful treasure.

Gus

I can't wait for my clients to see this great book. It makes me feel proud to cut hair. It's a dying bread and seeing this awesomely done photos will make you wonder why Barber shops are fading? Talented book all the way. A++++++

I bought this book for my husband for his birthday -- he read it in one night! He has been a barber for about 15 years and loved reading the stories!! A great find!