Reviews (21)

The One to Have
Leonard Lee's "The Complete Guide to Sharpening" is a wonderful (make that essential) addition to the home or shop library. A writer once told me that a really good title should only fit one book, and this one certainly does. After reading the table of contents I was awakened to the idea that almost every tool needs something sharpened, reshaped, or polished to perform its tasks the best. How about sidecut pliers, tweezers, various drill and router bits? They're covered in this book.I appreciate the photographs and illustrations of various cutting edges under extremely high magnification. The whole "a picture is worth a thousand words" cliche takes on serious meaning in this book. Some prospective buyers may look at the sheer scope of this work and think it's overkill -- too comprehensive for most hobbyists. I strongly disagree. This work should be read, followed, and kept for future reference. I would not have thought of sharpening my pruning shears, hedge trimmers or other tools had I not purchased this book. I find it well-written, comprehensive in scope, founded in facts, and easy to follow. I consider this book the equivalent of a doctoral dissertation on sharpening. Buy it and use it.

Now my tools are scarey sharp!
Prior to reading Mr. Lee's book my approach to sharpening was to fire up the grinding wheel and make some sparks fly from the tool's cutting edge.The results were less than satisfactory.I needed a mentor.
Best Book for Sharpening Skills
This is the best book by far that I've found for sharpening every tool in the workshop. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Carpentry tools    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hand Tools    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Power Tools    7. Reference    8. Sharpening of tools    9. Woodwork    10. Woodwork - Tools    11. Woodworking    12. Woodworking tools    13. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork   

Reviews (23)

I'll never be the same!
Patterns of Home describes principles of nature at a deep level. I found my self awestruck as I mused over all of the different aspects of nature that manifest principles described in this book. Nature is the essence of all things beautiful and functional. Patterns of Home explains how to build dwellings according to rules written long before humans arrived. These suggestions can be applied to homes of any style and budget. This book describes an order of design that is practical and elegant.

Very readable, good principles, good overview
Readable, good principles, good examples, good overview of architectural design work.The only thing I find missing is - as with most books on design - any connection to the realities of cost.

Brings a New Concept to the Reader
There are a lot of books on residential architecture that show beautiful house designs. This book takes a different tact that I find most interesting. Instead of looking at the house first and then emphasizing features, it turns the process around. This book defines ten elements, or essentials, or patterns that help to define what goes into houses that are time proven to be a part of the design of exceptional houses.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural design    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Decorating    5. Design & Construction    6. Design & Drafting    7. Designs and plans    8. Domestic    9. House & Home    10. Technique    11. House & Home / General    12. Interior design    13. Residential buildings, domestic buildings   

Reviews (2)

The dis ease of living in the US
The costs of sprawl are enormous.This book describes the costs in terms of many different types of public health measurements.If you haven 't thought about sprawl, this is a good place to start.It is chilling to think about how many physical, emotional, psychological and medical ramifications there are to the US automobile lifestyle.The price to degradation of the planet was not discussed in depth but that too would make you think about our legacy of our lifestyle to the quality of our planet for future generations. I am encouraged that the topic is being developed.The automobile lifestyle is addictive and to change it will require a paradigm shift.The shift starts with organized discussions and lucidly presented data.This book is excellent on both accounts.

reasonably well done
A broad (though not particularly deep) guide to the public health problems associated with sprawl, including: (1) the air pollution caused by sprawl-induced auto traffic, (2) the health consequences of the reduction in walking caused by automobile dependency, (3) injuries and deaths from auto traffic, (4) water quality problems associated with suburban development, (5) the alleged intangible costs of automobile dependency (e.g. driving-induced stress, the isolation of nondrivers).None of these issues are addressed in enormous detail; for example, the book occasionally mentions pro-sprawl counterarguments, but does not fully address them.But then again, each of these topics could probably justify a separate book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cities and towns    2. City planning    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Environmental Health    5. Environmental aspects    6. Growth    7. Health Policy    8. House & Home    9. Politics / Current Events    10. Public Health    11. Public Policy - City Planning & Urban Dev.    12. Reference    13. Urban Planning    14. Health systems & services    15. Political Science / City Planning & Urban Development    16. Urban & municipal planning   

Reviews (3)

Newman
I absolutely have to admit that the book is very simple to read and understand but for my course sake, my professor has to use an additional book to give me the depth the course requires.

Easy to understand w/out a lot of junk
The Indian Government has adopted this book to all of its University courses on the subject of security.Teaching them how to hack our systems ;)

Give This Book a Miss
I'm sorry. �I gave Newman 150 pages in the interest of fairness. �But this is the worst textbook I've ever had in any class, and I've been going to school off and on for 44 years! �It reads as if the guy was walking down the street with three or four hard copies of his manuscript on the way to the publisher, and fell down the subway stairs. �Then, since he was up against a publishing deadline, he just shuffled the papers back together and submitted them for publication. �Then, obviously, the publisher was in a big hurry, too, because nobody bothered to proof-read this abomination. �I don't know very much about some of the subjects in this book, but the errors and ommissions on the subjects that I do know something about cast suspicion on all of the rest.IMHO somebody should confiscate Newman's keyboard, and he should be barred from writing ever again!Run from this book as fast as your little feet will carry you!Please note that Amazon's system doesn't allow a zero star rating, or that's what I would call this stinker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business enterprises    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer networks    4. Computer security    5. Computers    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Electronic commerce    8. Electronics - General    9. Equipment, Appliances & Supplies    10. Leadership    11. Project Management    12. Security - General    13. Security measures    14. Technology & Industrial Arts    15. DIY    16. Technology / Electronics / General   

Reviews (2)

Traditional Adirondack Design
"In time the Adirondacks became synonymous with rugged living, fishing and hunting, other outdoor activities and all sorts of rest and relaxation. It was because of the great camps and rustic furniture that Adirondack became a style until its own." ~Ralph Kylloe
Dream Away The Hours . . .
imagining yourself in the homes pictured in this magnificent book. Again, Kylloe has outdone himself capuring the pure essence of what a true home in the Adirondacks is all about. No author has a better technique on showing the reader all the rustic beauty thats out there far beyond our imaginations, by taking us on his personal home tours into some of the most gorgous beautiful Adirondack homes, most on lakes. He includes Adirondack history and again shows us in many of the homes the rustic furniture and decorating styles that depicks the true meaning of what life must be like for some toown these truely magnificent homes. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Camps    2. Decorating    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    5. Domestic    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design - General    9. United States    10. Vacation homes    11. Home furnishing & decoration    12. House & Home / Decorating    13. Interior design    14. USA   

Reviews (18)

Fantastic Book
This is a great book. I love the pictures and have actually called one of the artist to order one of her creations. It would be a much better book if the author would have included a resource guide as to where to purchase the organizing units that the women use to create their working envirnoments.

Good book but......
This is a good book with beautiful pictures of craft spaces.I ordered in the hopes of getting ideas & inspiration for my craft space, but got none.

Where Women Create
This is an agreeable book, but I found Organizing Your Craft Space by the same author much better and more useful.Much material is duplicated - you really don't need both books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Artists' studios    2. Careers - General    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. Decoration & Ornament    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. United States    11. Women artists    12. Women designers    13. House & Home / Decorating    14. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Editorial Review

One of the most daunting endeavors for any would-be do-it-yourselfer is dealing with the electrical--namely, electrical repairs, improvements, and wiring and rewiring projects. The reason for this is simple: mistakes can cause fires, major disasters and expense, and even death. But anyone can learn about safe and correct wiring in order to complete repairs or add new wiring to an aging and inadequate system. This is the book to show you how, from the basics of how electricity works and simple repairs and projects, all the way to complicated rewiring you might otherwise assume must be done by a professional. Included are the most up-to-date electrical code requirements; guides to evaluating, planning, and installing new electrical circuits; repair advice on switches, receptacles, and fixtures; and a detailed and well-illustrated lighting design section. A total of 288 pages of hundreds of illustrations and photographs and a comprehensive reference index make this an ideal book for the beginner, and an up-to-date refresher course for the professional. Read more

Reviews (36)

The Complete Guide to Home Wiring - 3rd Edition: Includes Information on Home Electronics & Wireless Technology (Black & Decker
I've purchased many books on these topics but this series is really well done. The illustrations are excellent and the overall layout makes it really easy for a first time do it yourselfer. I'm currently collecting all of the titles in the Black & Decker series and can't wait to begin using them in my home projects. Highly recommend for first timers. Good Luck!

Good for an overview, but not for adding circuits or anything more complex
I was getting ready to add a couple rooms to my house and wanted to do the electrical myself.I'm an electrical engineer and have done plenty of wiring throughout the years, but none of it that necessarily complied with the NEC.Oh sure I used 14 awg for 15 amp circuits and 12 awg for 20 amp circuits, but that was about the extent of the code compliance (out of ignorance of the code, not contempt).Well, I wanted to start following the letter of the law so I got the B&D "Complete Guide to Home Wiring".
A handy boom for a handyman
In my trade I have to constantly teach new guys the ABCs of home electrical installation.This book shortcuts that.I make all of my new hires buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - Electrical    4. Dwellings    5. Electric equipment    6. Electric wiring, Interior    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Maintenance and repair    10. DIY    11. House & Home / Electrical   

Reviews (26)

WOW! Love It !!!!
It's Charles Faudree!!What more needs to be said.I've been a fan of his for years.Noticed his rooms in some of my favorite magazines.Especially Traditional Home.He NEVER fails to delight and inspire.Tons of ideas on every page.Wish he would publish a book every year !!

My New Bible
Charles Faudree is my ultimate favorite designer and this book is not a dissapointment.It is something I can study over and over again.Being close enough to Tulsa, I recently got to experience Mr. Faudree's personal decorating first hand. This book is testament to his impeccable taste.

French Country at it's best!
If you love the french country look then this book is for you. It is like the bible for decorating in the french country style. Yet Faudree's genius lies in his ability to mix in English, Swedish and other genres so that it looks like a real home and not something out of a French country showroom. He can even mix antiques into a contemporary home for a flawless look. You will want to jump into the pages of this book and live in these rooms. They are absolutely gorgeous! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Architecture    3. Decorating - General    4. Decoration and ornament, Rustic    5. Faudree, Charles    6. France    7. History    8. Home Improvement / Construction    9. Influence    10. Interior Design - General    11. Interior decoration    12. United States    13. Home furnishing & decoration    14. House & Home / Decorating    15. Interior design   

Reviews (6)

don'twaste your money!!
While I very much enjoyed Miss Wearstler's first book, I found Domicilium Decoratus to be borderline obnoxious. Rather than show great decorating, the book focused mainly on close up shots of objects in her house that took up the whole page.In addition, I feel that as the viewer of the book I do not need to see fifteen entirepages of Miss Wearstler dressed in ball gowns pretending to be domestic.

delicious eye candy
I loved modern glamour.
amazing design sensibility
This signed limited edition in a specially bound case is superbly done.Ms. Wearstler has the uncanny and clearly innate ability to take any object you give her and make it look absolutely fabulous.When I saw her son's carrera marble bathtub, my first thought was, "how do I get her to adopt me?" ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Art    3. Decorating - General    4. Design - Decorative    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Interior Design    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior Design - Style Books    9. Art / Design / Decorative   

Editorial Review

These days, more and more people are saying no to "better living through chemistry" and yes to a lifestyle that is less toxic and more environmentally friendly. This trend toward a more natural lifestyle has become something of a crusade for Annie Berthold-Bond, author of Read more

Reviews (23)

A Thorough Discussion of Green Clean
This is one of the first books that I read on the subject of green cleaning and how very toxic some of the household products we have all grown up using really are.The book contains a vast array of home-made recipes for everything you can think of and not just for house-cleaning but also for personal care as well.Annie also infuses the book with her humor and wit as well as her recommendations for commercial green products for those who would rather not make the investment of time and money in making the recipes.Some recipes are very simple and others are more involved.This book is an excellent reference and resource for anyone looking to expand their green clean library.

excellent reference for living a green life
I purchased this book because of the positive reviews at this site, and have not been disappointed.
A great book
Annie Berthold-Bond has done a lot to help clean up America. I used to use tons of chemicals to clean my home, but no more. Her scrubby cleanser was the first recipe I used and I no longer worry about sticking my hands in a bleach based scrubby cleanser to do the job. I love her Castille soap recipe and we now use it as a face and body bar and it also makes a great shampoo bar. No more plastic shampoo bottles and sodium lauryl sulfate to worry about any more. I actually clean my home more because I know that I am not being poisoned in the process. Thanks Annie! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    2. Environmental Toxicology    3. Environmental aspects    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home Management    6. House & Home    7. House cleaning    8. Household supplies    9. Indoor air pollution    10. Nature/Ecology    11. Reference    12. Toxicology    13. Home & House Maintenance    14. House & Home / Reference   

Reviews (23)

Very useful book for someone in college
I must admit I have no clue about most of the stuff out there (I just learned how to cook recently). I took this book out of curiosity from our college library and found it very useful. For someone like me, its a life saver.. This book has tons of useful new and old hints. It is true some of the hints are from the past or based on common sense, but not everyone knows it (hello, this book said hints not new hints and not everyone knows everything). After reading this book I've decided to buy it for myself and my friends.

WONDERFUL - FULL OF GREAT INFORMATION
This is a great book.I didn't know so many common household items could be used in such an effective way.I have tried several cleaning suggestions for around my house and my friends and relatives are really impressed!
Haley's Comet...hahah
This book is chock-full of ideas for the perplexed at home. Out of tomato paste? Not sure what potatoes to buy? And what the heck is the difference between baking powder and baking soda and does anyone even care> This book is especially valuable for the section on substitutes, like allspice berries or ground allspice. You can use a mix of nutmeg and cinnamon in a pinch. Well, I love jerk seasoning and it does require allspice, a member of the pepper family but if you don't want to run to the store and pony up four bucks for a small jar of it, I'm right with you and Mr. Haley on that. Haley has recommendations on homemade cleansers in the companion book by Haley on cleaning hints, but there are a few ideas here. Mostly, this is a basic home ec book. This is like Heloise's Hints for the Hopelessly He-Man. For guys who want to learn to keep house, this is a fine book. I'd recommend both as a set for anyone setting up house. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - Household Hints    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Home economics    6. House & Home    7. Cooking / Culinary Arts & Techniques   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - General    3. Facades    4. General    5. Methods & Materials    6. Architecture / General    7. Building Skins    8. Construction industry    9. Façade    10. Non-Classifiable    11. Photovoltaics   

Reviews (2)

A fantastic book for Concrete repair
This is the best book out there on this subject. The author has done an excellent job explaining and illustrating the proper process of repairing concrete: Diagnose, repair and protect. I have made this a must read for all of my sales reps. Good bookfor civil engineering students
This book is very useful for every students who take civil engineering as their major. It give you all the explanation about concrete destruction because of nature and human error. And tells you how to repair it and tomaintain it so it won't damaged more that it used to be. I find this bookvery helpful for my thesis.Every civil engineering students and othermajor that related to it has to own this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete Structures    2. Concrete construction    3. Construction - General    4. General    5. Maintenance and repair    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Building construction & materials    10. Structural engineering   

Reviews (9)

Open Says Me
This book is an extraordinary manual for emergency entry procedures.The directions are clear and concise, and the numerous illustrations are very helpful.This book can teach you how to bypass a lock with a bottle of bleach -- who knew ??

Far from easy ....
I had been trying to open an old S&L moneybox for some time - the lock mechanism is "simple" per this book. Curiosity can be frustrating. I didn't want to spend any money on tools for a one off project (I ended up doing this and bought another book). The intellectual satisfaction was worth it.I'm interested in antiques so may get some payback for learning in the future. (I can now also open simple padlocks, and furniture locks, with an improvised tool in fairly quick time.)
Just about there.
personally im only interested in picking locks and this book does help abit, but it focuses more on bypassing security systems and teaches you how.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    3. Amateurs' manuals    4. Equipment and supplies    5. House & Home    6. Lock picking    7. Locksmithing   

Reviews (3)

Idea Finder
Great find.This is the perfect book when plannning a remodel.It's refreshing to find such a variety of interiors under one cover.The garden shots are equally inspiring and wildly different from one home to the next.The book is beautifully shot and the narative is well thought out.Well worth buying.

One Word: Fabulous, Fabulous ,Fabulous
I know you say to yourselves. Not another narsicistic book on celebrity domiciles.. But this book stands out. It is smartly written by Sue Hostetler. An element of honesty comes out in her subjects that one is not usually privy to in a celebrity "fluff piece". The humanity of those who dwell within the walls portrayed in this book really shines through. Also the photographs are "Superb". I have owned many beautiful photo books and this one really stands out. The depth of the images and the natural balance of light is stunning. Peter seems to know just what the spaces want to share with the viewer. All the homes shine under Peters visionary imagemaking. I would say if you are interested in what really drives the styles of today, "Hip Hollywood Homes" is a MUST HAVE. The style , design , and tastemakers who opened their lives and homes to Peter and Sue really are the creme' de la creme' of what is happening now.

Vanity Fair meets Architectural Digest for those with real style!,
Much, much more than other coffee table books!
Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. California    3. Celebrities    4. Decorating    5. Decorating - General    6. Domestic    7. Homes and haunts    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design - Style Books    10. Los Angeles    11. Residential Interior Design    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Construction - General    3. Entrepreneurship    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Superintendence    7. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    8. Technology    9. Building skills    10. Business & Management    11. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful Wonderful Reference
Fantastic book!One that is extremely useful and one that I take everywhere with me.Perfect for new designers acquiring fabric sense.I know several firms where this book is a staple reference guide.A+++++

Good Text, But No Color
I was a little disappointed that all of the pictures were blackand white.In order for this book to be useful to me, I would have topay [approx. $20.] plus shipping and handling to get the actual swatches used in thisreference book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Decorating - General    3. Design - General    4. Technical & Manufacturing Trades    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Terminology    7. Textile Fabrics    8. Textile fibers    9. Art / Design / General    10. Fashion design    11. Textile arts   

Reviews (7)

an excellent source for hard to find information
this book provides a thorough and well detailed look at SIP anatomy and construction techniques.information on this construction type is extremely difficult to find from sources other than (possibly biased or glossed-over) information from SIP manufacturers.the content covers so many details of its construction that it could concievably be used as a primer/manual/textbook for contractors or others interested in using this construction type.any information needed to supplement the information found here will most likely be so specific that it will be material related to a particular manufacturer's product or information gleaned directly from materials testing reports.i have looked extensively, and not been able to find, any materials on SIPs that could compare to the value of this source.

Excellent Starting Point for Learning about SIPS
Just a quick note on this book.My wife and I are looking to build an energy-efficient home.We are both engineers and very detail-oriented people.As part of our due diligence, we picked up this book after seeing a demonstration house built with SIPS as part of the 2005 Smithsonian Folk Life Festival (this was part of the US Forest Service pavilion - sustainable building approaches area).As noted in an earlier review, this book does have a bit of a promotional feel.However, it could simply be the author's enthusiasm for what appears to be a very good product.The book is also somewhat light in treating potential problems with SIPS.The failures of mutliple SIP roofing systems in Juneau, Alaska should have been addressed.In fairness though, these failures seem to largely be installation problems on the part of a small number of builders unfamiliar with the product.Overall, this book is a very useful and fairly detailed introduction to SIPS building.We would love to see a follow-up title that goes into much more technical detail on designing for SIPs use, as well as further exploration of lessons-learned from using SIPs in various settings and climates.

Answered my questions
I have been considering building a home on a piece of property I own for the better part of a year now.I'm a fan of SIPs due to energy efficiency and the perception I have of their ability to withstand the harsh climate of south Texas.It helps that the best home I've ever owned (and I've owned more than ten) was a panelized home but on a wood foundation that I purchased in Minnesota 15 years ago.The house was solid, energy efficient and better built than anything any of the many site built stick homes I owned before and since. Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - General    3. Design & Construction    4. Dwellings    5. Exterior walls    6. House & Home    7. House Plans    8. Modular construction    9. Prefabricated houses    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Wall panels    12. Building construction & materials    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (4)

Agreed
After doing my own research, I ended up purchasing this book. I agree completely with the other reviews - its the best book, its the only book you need, and I congratulate the author on making this a flexible yet thorough resource that guides you pictorally through every step of the process. Just plain awesome, and I just finished my deck and I love it - it exceeds my expectations and its due to the advice in these pages.

best deck building book I found
I am planning to design and build a large (40x15) deck, and I bought several books to learn about the process.This is far and away the best of the lot.Plenty of detail for each part of the deck.Great diagrams and pictures.Lots of great "tricks of the trade."Very readable.Highly recommended.
The Best Book on Design and Construction of Decks
I've been researching decks and screen porches for the last few months, with the intention of building a 16'X 34' elevated deck and screen porch on my home in Southern CT. I've done many home construction project big and small; however, I'm not in the construction business. Scott Schuttner's Build Like a Pro book on decks, is by far the best book on decks, period. It is clearly superior to the other books I've read on the subject (and I've purchase over four of them and flipped through a lot more). This one was really the only one I need to buy; unfortunately, I came across it after studying the other books and still not feeling that I had a full understanding on deck construction and design options. Schuttner's book lives up to its opening dedication: "...to all those who desire to do the best they can."Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Decks (Architecture, Domestic)    3. Design and construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - Patios & Decks    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. DIY    12. Greenhouses, conservatories, patios    13. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (28)

Better Construction Drawings
Very good book. It has helped me to make better construction drawings.

Cha-Ching!
After years of architecture school and years in practice, Building Construction Illustrated remains for me one of the best resources for construction detailing and general architectural design available.This is the first copy I've purchased since the 1st Edition and although I haven't had time to identify everything that's been updated, this volume is very thorough, simply and clearly noted, and, of course, well drawn.A MUST HAVE in any architect's library at any phase of their career.

Well illustrated, well thought out.
This book offers a good introduction to construction, with illustrations that will make you, if not dangerous, at least on the road to competence. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Building Construction    4. Construction - General    5. Domestic    6. House construction    7. Methods & Materials    8. Technology    9. Technology & Industrial Arts    10. Architecture / Methods & Materials    11. Building construction & materials