Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I decided I wanted to give grandparent journals to the parents and in-laws for Christmas, and began reading the reviews for the many books. I have a rather comprehensive genealogy already done, so I wasn't too interested in getting the whole "family tree" aspect. Instead, I wanted insight into the person's childhood and adulthood, and perhaps some little personal nuggets that would really flesh them out for me, my kids, and generations to come. At Any rate, I still couldn't figure out which one I wanted (sometimes those "look inside" things are just useless, showing copyright pages and blank sheets!), and of course the local book stores don't have all of them. I decided the only way I could decide which was right was to buy them all, look at them, and return the ones I didn't like as well. So, I bought Grandmother Remembers a Written Heirloom for My Grandchild, A Grandparent's Legacy: Your Life Story in Your Own Words, A Grandparent's Book, The Grandmother Book: A Book About You for Your Grandchild, Grandparents Journal, and Memories for My Grandchild. I'm planning to review them all as I make my decision. Since there's really no meat to the description of this one, I'll try to fill you in. This book is hardcover with a spiral binding which makes it really easy to lay a page flat to write in the book. Chapters are tabbed like you might see in a recipe book. The chapters are "family history", "childhood memories", "family traditions", "family celebrations", "the next generation" and "the future". These tabbed pages are a heavier stock paper, and the back side of them has a pocket built in for sliding in papers, photos, or other flat items. The paper on the other pages is a nice weight, with a flat finish which would make it possible to write on it with any type of pen or pencil. The last 4 sides (2 pieces of paper) in each chapter is a totally blank piece of cardstock. I would assume they want you to do with it what you will; continue answers, stick on pix, or somesuch. One subtlety that didn't sink in before I ordered it is that this book is written for both the grandmother and grandfather, so each page is split in half. the question(s) is/are at the top, then there is a lined section for grandmother, then a lined section for grandfather. The font is not really script; more like an italics. This book skips the basics (full name, birth date, birth place, mother's age, etc) and jumps right into the meat of it. Most pages ask at least 2 questions, some as many as 4. At first this didn't thrill me, because it didn't look like there was room to really answer the questions. It has occurred to me since, though, that this might work to advantage, because not everyone can fill in the start-a-sentence-for-you style lines, but with this more open, free-flowing space, you can answer the questions that apply to you, and ignore the ones that weren't part of your life, without leaving obvious gaps and blank pages. This is different from some other books such as Grandmother Remembers a Written Heirloom for My Grandchild which starts the sentence for you ("Grandfather said he liked me because __________"). Purely a style preference. The questions are different and interesting, while still being broad enough that you don't have to worry that they are trying to reach for minutae in the dark recesses of someone's brain. For example, "What is your most vivid or magical memory of your wedding day?", "what do you remember about your birthdays?" and "what family traditions do you remember from your childhood?" I think this one is a definite contender, and you can't beat the price (really! Check it out on the other online book stores.). UPDATE: Amazon changed the price on this -- radically. I don't know if it's because one was purchased and brought it to their attention, or what, but it isn't as great a deal today. I would still recommend it, even at this price point, if you are okay with one book for both grandparents. I decided to buy this one for my inlaws, as they aren't as in to family history stuff, and I think I'd have a hard time getting them to each fill out a full book.