Book excerpt: The rich colors of Frederick Rhead's Fiesta or the translucent beauty of Waterford crystal, Russel Wright's American Modern or Haviland's White House service of 1879 -- the right tableware adds personality to a celebration. But beyond their appeal to all who want to entertain in style, and their value as collectibles, china and glass wares mirror the profound cultural and economic shifts in twentieth-century America and provide a unique vantage point from which to view our society.