Reviews (3)

BERKSHIRES
Acanthus is the gold standard publisher of books of this kind and their latest book does not disappoint.Mr. White does a supurb job of selecting wonderful images of these amazing estates and his research is scholarly and highly informative.If you appreciate beautifully crafted books on Gilded Age residential architecture, then I can't imagine you not loving this book.I have never had the pleasure of visiting the Bershires, so I guess this will have to be the next best thing to experiencing in person.

Rebuttal to Mr. Millen
Mr. Millen brings up some criticisms that are valid but are misplaced. This is not an ENTIRELY fresh view of the Berkshires but local authors Gilder and Jackson bring to light much fresh architectural and social history. Also, they have found a number of previously unpublished photographs that delight, such as the early view of Naumkeag that appears inside and on the back cover. Ms. Owen's work was groundbreaking, but this work supercedes it, particularly in the great production values for which this publisher is famous.
Well done but not an entirely fresh view of the Berkshires
I found this to be a well researched and mostly through book covering a wide selection of architectural examples from the Berkshires. It has a good mix of numerous previously published historical photos (the Lenox Library put out a photography book of note, too) but also many photos I have not seen before. While many of the properties are still standing today few of the photographs used are current, which is a shame, and fewer still are from the middle of the last century.
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Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Architecture    4. Berkshire Hills    5. Country homes    6. Design & Construction    7. Domestic    8. Historic Preservation    9. History    10. History - General    11. Home Improvement / Construction    12. Massachusetts   

Reviews (8)

The best bread machine reipes book
I do recommend this book to everybody passionate about bread. As a matter of fact I wasn' t passionate until I had the book. With other books is always one good bread and five hard as a rock ones. No fail with this one. I want to say that because I am young people laugh at me when I tell them I make my own bread( 2 loaves a week), but when they try it,they WOW! I have tried about 30% of the recipes and always have something new and exciting to try. One advise: Use measuring cups and follow the instructions! Do not use your imagination with this one, keep it for other art projects.

Review of Bread Machine Recipes Book
Excellent book - wonderful recipes - anyway can make wonderful bread with a bread machine using these recipes.Highly recommend - very easy understand.

first breadmaker book
I found this book very helpful and easy to follow. They all taste great! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cooking    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Bread    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Methods - Special Appliances    6. Cooking / Special Appliances    7. Home & House Maintenance    8. Main courses   

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Plumbing    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Building construction & materials    7. Mathematics and Science    8. Technology / Technical & Manufacturing Industries & Trades   

Reviews (13)

Building Your Own Home For Dummies
I have 3 degrees, but I did not know the 1st step about buying raw land, building a home, and getting a construction loan. I read this book from start to finish and could not imagine going through the process without using the guidelines in this book. I learned what questions to ask the broker about the loan and what questions to ask my contractor about the construction. It is so important to go into this kind of huge project knowing what check lists to take care of and have some kind of timeline. Nice to know what is around each new corner! I think this is a must have book if you're planning on building a home!

Should be titled"Financing" your own home for Dummies.
If you intend to be an Owner-Builder don't waste your time here.This is mainly about financing a project with the rest about using a General Contractor. You'd be better off saving your money to buy coffee for one of your crews than buying this book.

Good information source for the beginner
This book covered lots of detail and is bound to get the fire started in most. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Design & Construction    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Home & House Maintenance    8. House & Home / General   

Editorial Review

The common and sensible dictum among carpenters--"Measure twice, cut once"--is only the beginning for Carroll, who manages to take some very complex information and distill it into readable and understandable form. There are chapters devoted to laying out foundations, frames, roofs, stairs, masonry units, and finishing materials, and many little-known tricks of the trade and shortcuts. Carroll covers all the basics of tools and techniques, shows how to measure larger dimensions on projects while working alone, and shows that one needn't be a master mathematician to assure accuracy in projects, nor use space-age, high-tech equipment to achieve near-perfect results in a building project. From the simplest how-to project for a home handyperson to constructing an entire house, proper, accurate measurements are the very foundation of a successful result. Using common sense and care in measuring can save time, materials, and money on any home repair or construction plan. This is the book to tell you everything you need to know before you get started. Read more

Reviews (8)

good reference book
author goes into a lot of detail...i learned a lot from this book

Over 20 Years In The Trade, I Still Learned A Thing Or Two.
I read this book thinking I might find something interesting. I was not disappointed. The book has historical commentary and personal experiences that are interesting. Old timer's secrets of layout, very cool. Geometrical calculations are easier to understand when you can see how they are to be applied. The formulas used in the book are reasonably simple. Most importantly, when there is a shortcut, it's shown in this book. From the ground to the roof, and all in between, there's detailed(but basic, no really fancy decorative work) explanation and excellent illustration. Handrails, masonry units, roofing, the book shows where to start and what to do next. He shows how to build many of the jigs and measuring/marking secrets that I use regularly. I don't do everything exactly as he does, but everybody has their own way of doing things. If this guy writes any more books, I and many of my competitors may not be needed any more. MANYsecrets of the trade.
Must Have
If you're planning on building any of the hard parts of a house like footings, foundation, floors, walls, ceilings, roofs, stairs, masonry or shingles, you will want this book so you can figure out how to make them plumb, square, level, and evenly distributed.(I think that covers most of the carpentry sections)Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Carpentry    5. House & Home    6. Technology & Industrial Arts    7. Home & House Maintenance    8. House & Home / Design & Construction    9. HOUSE & HOME / Reference   

Reviews (8)

too rustic for my taste
This book has pretty pictures, but focuses on a more rustic colonial home.Think charming, yet squeeky, New England Inn.I was hoping for some pictures and ideas for a more "updated" Colonial with larger rooms.A little less "shabby chic" and more "classic decorating".
Great ideas and inspiration
As proud new owners of an antique home in Marblehead, MA -- built circa 1720 -- we were thrilled to find Treena Crochet's "Colonial Style." It helped greatly in getting our creative juices in motion.And the author even took time to respond to my e-mail inquiry about a ceiling issue which had us stumped.The book is a real pleasure to own -- just like our antique home! Ann and Mike

Good for some ideas.
I'm a traditionalist in the sense that I want to preserve the integrity of my old house 1765, and I'm looking at options with regards to bringing some of the old feel within a newer addition.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture, Colonial    2. Decoration and ornament, Early    3. Decoration and ornament, Early American    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Dwellings    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. Home Maintenance And Repair    9. House & Home    10. Interior Design - General    11. Interior decoration    12. Remodeling & Renovation - General    13. Residential Interior Design    14. United States    15. Home furnishing & decoration    16. House & Home / Design & Construction    17. House & Home / General   

Reviews (12)

Really Good, But.....
This is a book with a good deal of information on solar homes. But the author repeats himself over and over. The book could have been writen in about 70 pages instead of 270 pages. Also the author does not give you all the necessary information that he could. Instead he refers you to different websites throughout the book. Before I read this book I had already done a lot of research on solar houses on the internet, though this does take more time the information was free and covered at least 80% of what is in this book. With a little more research I probably could have found the rest. The book is still a good read though.

Excellent passive solar book
An excellent passive solar publication that is very complementary to my own book: The Sun-Inspired House: house designs warmed and brightened by the sun.I knew that Dan Chiras had already published an excellent book with passive solar details so one of the goals of The Sun-Inspired House was to show numerous examples of passive solar homes while adding another way to look at passive solar.

good, sound ideas, but repetitive and tedious
The ideas seem sound and helpful; however, the book would be better written more to the point and include more pictures.It reads like a high school essay that has to be 10 pages long but you only have 5 pages of material for -- so you pad. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Construction - Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning    3. Design & Construction    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Domestic    6. Dwellings    7. Energy conservation    8. House & Home    9. Passive systems    10. Remodeling & Renovation - Energy Efficient    11. Solar energy    12. Solar houses    13. Alternative & renewable energy sources & technology    14. Heating, lighting, ventilation   

Reviews (11)

A decent overview, but spotty production...
Since there are few printed resources available on the topic, the book deserves credit for treatment of this increasingly popular approach to art- and propmaking.And to be fair, James does a pretty good job of it, covering a broad range of techniques and materials.However, as an instructional text the book leaves a great deal to be desired.The photos are of mediocre quality, often underexposed and composed in a way that poorly illustrates the step at hand.In addition, certain elements of the mechanics and process in moldmaking deserve diagrammatic illustration which are absent from the text (e.g., undercuts are not explained or taught clearly at all; choosing the way in which to split a mold into multiple parts is important and almost wholly neglected).As a university art instructor the book is a valuable source of information, but I will not offer it as a class manual; it's simply insufficient as a teaching guide.

Good beginners book
This book was very interesting and would be a good book for beginners in casting.The vacuum forming machine guide is very thorough however if anyone needs recipes for the casting materials then this is the wrong book for you however the book explains how to use items from a hardware store to cast items.If you need information on lost wax casting ,this is not the book to buy.If you need information on the various casting methods that do not use any heat source such as kilns,then this is a good book to start with.the information on the various methods are invaluable.I did not like the fact that the pics are in black and white ,never the less it was very informative.

Molding and Casting Handbook
Excellent book on tips I was looking for. I'm happy to discover this book for my purpose. It is very practical and comprehensive guide for molding and casting models.
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Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - General    4. House & Home    5. Molding    6. Molding (Founding)    7. Performing Arts    8. Plaster craft    9. Plastics    10. Theater - Stagecraft    11. Other Technologies    12. Theatre, drama   

Reviews (11)

Used 5th edition in Digital Elec class
My professor used the 5th edition in the Digital Elec class many years ago. I write software but have been trying to make the transition to logic design ... picked up the latest edition for refresher
Magnificent book to understand Digital Electronics !
This is the best book to understand Digital Electronics with clear and simple explanations. The salient feature of this book is that it has lot of applications sprayed throughout which keeps the reader attentive and interested. A "Must Read" for graduate/undergraduate students in any university in the world.

Good for first year EECS program.
You can gain the basic digital logic design knowledge using this book in no time! that is not always sufficient for people who wants to get A grade rather you can just make it your introduction and so soon move to part two (that is up to your current course).Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    2. Digital Electronics    3. Electronics - Digital    4. Electronics - General    5. Equipment, Appliances & Supplies    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Technical design    10. Technology / Electronics / General   

Reviews (11)

EV reference...has all the ins and outs
This book is a great reference for anyone interested in the trade offs when creating an electric vehicle.
Electric cars rule!
This is a very informative book that can tell you pretty much everything you need to know when it comes to electric vehicles.If you want a good fiction read about electric vehicles, try 'The Wilson Concern', by Will Alan.I found it very entertaining and informative.

My first referance in my Q8 - EV
This book is very useful for EV projects and contains a lot of theoretical and practical information. My EV was the first one in my country (Kuwait) because of this book and (Convert it). It is really dependable assuming that you have mechanical skills. Good Luck!!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Automotive - General    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Design and construction    5. Electric automobiles    6. Electric vehicles    7. General    8. Handbooks, manuals, etc    9. Hobbies/Crafts    10. Home Improvement / Construction    11. Reference    12. Automotive technology    13. Crafts & Hobbies / General    14. DIY    15. Electric motors   

Reviews (2)

Excellent Woodworker's Tool
A basic guide that covers just about all you need to know on the subject.Taunton is always the source to use for the best in anything to do with carpentry and home repair.

Starting Out Right
It's not like me to wax poetic over a an introductory how-to book, but Lonnie Bird's tome on Using Woodworking Tools really is one of the finest effots I've ever seen.Taunton continues to set the bar with their 'complete illustrated' guides, but this one is exceptional for even that series.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts / Hobbies    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Furniture    4. Hand Tools    5. House & Home    6. Power Tools    7. Woodwork - Furniture/Cabinetry    8. Woodworking    9. Woodworking tools    10. Crafts & Hobbies / Woodwork    11. House & Home / Woodworking   

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Decorating    4. Decorating - General    5. General    6. Hadley, Albert    7. House & Home    8. Interior Design    9. Interior decorators    10. United States    11. Biography: general    12. House & Home / Decorating   

Reviews (5)

Belongs in every household
"Green Clean" is a treasure for every household. Even if you do not care about the environment or about your health, this book is definitely worth its money. It contains not only the expected environmentally sound advice but also strategies for keeping your home clean and orderly. There are also great do-it-yourself recipies for cleaning products (my favourite: DIY air freshener, it smells exactly the way I want it), and countless invaluable little tips on how to make life easier, e.g. how to load your dishwasher most efficiently, how to organize your kitchen appliances.
Great book - quick & easy use
You don't have to read this cover to cover (although that's nice too) to begin benefiting from its content. It's great for quick reference. I've used several of the "recipes" for cleaning products and have been pleased with the results. The format of the book is user friendly and I love its stain-resistant, washable pages. Lots of good info. about having a green household! I highly recommend it if you're thinking about making some positive changes for your home and the planet!

Everyone should read this book
This book tells you how to clean just about anything without harsh toxic chemicals so common today.Your body and environment will thank you for all the fresh air and your house will be green clean. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cleaning & Caretaking - General    2. Cooking / Wine    3. Courses & Dishes - Cakes    4. Do-It-Yourself    5. Environmental aspects    6. Home Maintenance And Repair    7. House & Home    8. House cleaning    9. Natural products    10. Cooking / Cakes    11. Home & House Maintenance   

Reviews (18)

making concrete garden ornaments
this book is so easy to follow! i have made so many cool things!if you think concrete is just for sidewalks,think again.this book really opens up new horizons you had never thought about.

I love it!
This is a great book, with lots of information. Even if you have never worked with concrete before this book makes it easy. I highly recommend this book! I was right out the next day making things. ENJOY!

Great!
I am a true beginner working with concrete.I wanted information on making stepping stones and I found this information and a whole lot more!It was written for anyone to be able to understand and start projects immediately.You won't be dissappointed if you purchase this book.I love it! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    3. Garden Furnishings    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. House & Home    6. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    7. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY ACTIVITY    8. Building skills    9. DIY    10. Garden design & planning    11. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas    12. Sculpture   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    5. Real Estate - General    6. Reference    7. Business & Economics / Real Estate   

Reviews (3)

Perfect Book For 3D Modellers and general Artists
This book is really the reference book for furniture and has a Wide variety of furniture types covered! About 99% of the books pages contain Beautiful and 100% clear Photographs.
Furniture by Judith Miller
A few months ago, I found this book while browsing through the shelves at a local bookstore. The fantastic pictures and descriptions in the book ignited my interest in furniture history. This is not a how-to book, but if you want an understanding of the details that are characteristic of particular furniture styles -- as well as some background on the historical, political and social forces that influenced these designs -- you probably won't find a better reference manual.
Great new book
This is an absolutely beautiful book.The photography is spectacular, all of the pieces are on a white background so you can really see the details.It has a lot of information accompanying the photos and covers all the major time periods.I would like to use this as a text for the History of Interiors class I teach. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Encyclopedias    5. Furniture    6. Furniture Arts And Crafts    7. History    8. Styles    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Furniture   

Reviews (6)

Not for the beginning Inspector
I used this book as a text to getting certified and my foot in the door to starting my own business.Thank Heavens I have a fair amount of background in many of the fields already.The author strikes me as someone who used a filing cabinet of notes and articles to assemble a book without refining the thoughts before they went to press.I was disappointed that a school would choose this text for it's students.Despite that, and the typos, some good information can be gleened from it's pages.

Solid foundation but not covering all details
this is a good book to start with but the problem is it tried to cover everything in just 1 book. if you really want to become a professional home inspector you definitely need to read more on each individual topics (HVAC, Plumbing etc). but as a textbook for the prelicensing course of home inspector this book is ok.

Forget about it
As mentioned by other reviewers - This book has many typos and incomplete sentences that don't make sense. The diagrams in the book are so grainy that they're almost useless. The material content of the book is not detailed and only barely scrapes the surface of the most important items. My suggestion - forget about this one! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Real Estate - Buying/Selling Homes    5. Real Estate - General    6. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    7. Home & House Maintenance    8. House & Home / General   

Reviews (6)

A contractors point of view.
This is a very complete compilation of cost data for commercial construction. The systems portion is very helpful for a quick estimation but the real value is in the wide variety of componets listed. This book will take awhile to learn to use for the new contractor but the investment in time is worth while.

A Good Starting Point
For anyone in the construction management field, this text is a well-known reference.Nothing can replace your own firm's historical productivity data and quotes from subcontractors and suppliers, but RS Means can give you a good idea of where an estimate begins.It is a great tool for architects and owners to calculate preliminary cost estimates for a wide range of products.

The most famous book in construction field.
This book is famous enough not to mention...
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Subjects:  1. Construction - Estimating    2. Construction - General    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Technology    5. Technology & Industrial Arts   

Reviews (4)

Tour de Force: Earth Moving at its Finest
Ranks right up there with Handling the Big Jets, get behind the wheel of an earth grader or dumptruck. Moving great masses of the earth is a singularly human occupation. This book will put you there.

Excellent basic refernce
I ordered the latest edition of this book for my husband, who had spent hours studying the previous one. Whether you're operating a dozer or an excavator, or even a Bobcat; transplanting trees, landscaping, making stock ponds or building roads... this is a valuable reference.

Moving the Earth
Just a word to Amazon....[com] as an entity, thanks guys/gals, very much! To the rest of you...I ordered this book on a holiday, to be delivered the cheapest method possible (I was in no rush, I had a copy available at work but wanted one for myself). It was sent that day and I received it 8 days later! I certainally do not expect that to be the case with every order, nevertheless, I will be looking to order any future items thru Amazon.[com] As to the book...if you work in the dirt, around, on, or in Machinery and want one book that tells you how it really is (speakin' in :) down to earth talk) and covers it all...you're lookin' at it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Earthmoving machinery    3. Earthwork    4. Engineering - Civil    5. Excavation    6. Science/Mathematics    7. Technology    8. Technology & Industrial Arts    9. Civil Engineering, Surveying & Building    10. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (7)

A-1 Books
Great book, I had to use a friends book to prepare for my upcoming exam.I order this book via Amazon with sale via A-1 Books. Accordingly it was indicated as "in stock" and would be shipped within 2 days.I ordered the book on July 29th, received a e-mail from A-1 a week later telling me they are out-of-stock on this item and they expect it to be in stock in 3 days and I should expect delivery by the 17th, which is much too late.I considered what A-1 did to be false advertising, baiting and switching to steer me away from other vendors who had the book for sale and ready to ship. They knew they didn't have the book in stock, why didn't they update their Amazon inventory listing.It should be crossed referenced/verified before a customer's credit card is charged. Amazon is partially to blame for not monitoring the vendors they represent; and giving customer false expected ship dates. I will never order anything again from A-1 or Amazon. They didn't even have the common decency to offer me free overnight shipping for their mistake.That's not good customer service at all!!

Great Study Guide
I took the PSI Affiliate Broker exam for the first time and passed.This is a great book to review prior to taking theexam.I had a great teacher for pre-licensed 1 & 2 courses. However, I used the PSI book as a review. I took the exams in the PSI book which help me identify with my weak areas.I recommend this book for anyone who is about to take the PSI Affiliate Broker exam. Good Luck!!

EXCELLENT STUDY RESOURCE
This study guide was instrumental in my passing the National Real Estate Exam for the state of Tennessee.The study guide is a condensed version of the the information that you will need to pass the exam.Also, the guide prepares you for the different test strands on the exam and helpful study hints. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business/Economics    3. Examinations, questions, etc    4. Professional - General    5. Real Estate - General    6. Real Estate - Sales    7. Real estate business    8. States    9. Study Guides    10. United States    11. Economics, Finance, Business and Industry    12. Home & House Maintenance    13. House & Home / General