PROPOSED BOOKLET
I have had an "expression of interest" ( which is a long way from giving me the job!) from a specialist publisher in the UK to write a booklet on spinning tops.
Their editorial policy is for "a brief sniff of the cork" approach. Such that will give people a broad overview of the topic and interest them enough to want to find out more about the topic.
They appear to be heavy on illustrations and light on text, though there is room for adequate textual explanations and commentary.
There is no way in the world that it could be a book that was sufficient for the top enthusiast, it will essentially be brief and it will have to leave out what would be most interesting to people like you and me.
I would be very pleased to receive your comments on the outline that I have prepared and would love to receive your input on any of the topics listed. Please feel free to suggest additions, subtractions alterations, in fact anything that will help this booklet to be a more interesting publication (If it gets accepted!!)
I particular, I would welcome the donation of possible illustrations for the book in colour prints, as sharp and as detailed as possible.
Please email me mailto:brian_l@avondale.edu.au
THE FUN AND PLEASURE OF SPINNING TOPS.
Outline of proposed book.
Author Brian Lemin
11/28 Deaves Road.
Cooranbong
NSW
Australia. 2265.
Note : The general principle of this booklet will be a minimum of text to accompany illustrations
Contents.
Introduction x
Types of Tops
The Science of tops
Spinning Tops.
Tops around the World
England
Europe
America
Israel
China and Japan
The Pacific Countries and Islands
South America
Making Tops
Tops on the Internet
Bibliography
Top Collections xx
Introduction.
This will comprise a history of tops from 2000bc to present time.
Each section of the time line illustrated
Types of Tops
Mode of Spinning Classification
Finger or Palm spinners
Supported Tops
Peg Tops
Whip Tops
Archemedian Tops
Magnetic tops (Anti Gravitational)
Hand Launched Tops
Mechanical Tops
Foot Tops
Blow Tops
Other types of Classification
Materials approach
Painted Tops
Natural Tops
Figural Tops
Whistling Tops
Humming Tops
Musical Tops
Advertising Tops
The Science of Tops
How a top spins
Design principles of tops
Special tops.
Tippe top
Anti gravitational top
Magnetic tops
Top Illusions
Spinning Tops
Instructions on how to spin a peg top and a whipping top
Tops around the World
Introduction outlining the tops of the world and including many countries that are not dealt with underneath
England
Famous for its peg tops and whipping tops and many games
Europe
France. A bewildering variety of whimsical tops
Germany
A proud history of folk tops
America
The home of the Advertising Top
Israel
The Teetotum and Hanukah
China and Japan
Spinning as an art form and Tops as a form of art
Pacific Countries.
Malaysia and the ethnic tops of the Islands
South America
Ethnic Tops
Conclusion
How to Make a Top
Easy to make tops
About six examples using everyday things. Paper Plates, Cotton Reels,
Cardboard, Washers and Coins with holes in them, CDs, Beads etc.
Turning on a lathe
Very brief principles of turning a top on a Lathe.
Tops on the Internet
A list of Internet sites where one can see different tops, and different collections etc
Bibliography
Where to see Top Collections
THE END