Reviews (14)

3 and a half stars, pleasant reading, expectations too high
He starts off his book asking the reader to read the book cover to cover. This is not typical for a do it yourself project book. We needed some help on technical questions for a windowsill and backsplash and between reading the book when we can and trying the John Bridge Forum online and asking the specific question (we were unable to find another thread with our answers) we still have no answers. We have been trying to get answers for about 3 weeks now. However, for someone trying to learn masonry this is a good book to add to your library.

Full of Information
Got this book a few weeks ago as I prepare to redo two bathrooms.Although the pictures aren't the best, the descriptions, and funny writing style make this book a wealth of knowledge.

Great tip and step by step for all tile projects!
This book has been invaluable in my bathroom remodel.It contains many tips by the experts and scientific justification for other aspects of tile setting.A must have for the more advanced tile setting projects and a definite must for shower installs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Building Details Finishing    3. Construction - General    4. Construction - Masonry    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Decorating    7. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. House & Home    11. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    12. House & Home / Masonry    13. Pottery & Ceramics    14. Technology    15. Technology & Industrial Arts    16. Tile laying    17. Tiles   

Reviews (15)

good pictures but short on how-to
The pictures were great and the book needs more of them.The technical side of how to create the looks needs much more material and better presented.

CONCRETE as a work of art...
BEAUTIFUL...to find out what can and is being done with concrete. I knew that it had potential to be a beautiful art form, but did not understand how wonderful concrete could be until looking at the many photos in this delightful book.
An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home
Fu-Tung Cheng and Eric Olsen's Concrete At Home may sound like an unlikely mix for a home environment, but when used property, concrete can look and feel soft and warm while retaining extra durability. Cheng demonstrates how to mix colors and textures for this effect, from achieving a translucent effect to using thermal foam insulation to provide insulation to concrete, which typically has no insulating qualities to speak of. An excellent guide to incorporating concrete's positive qualities into a home. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building fittings    2. Concrete Construction    3. Concrete products    4. Construction - General    5. Design & Construction    6. Do-It-Yourself    7. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    8. Dwellings    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Home Maintenance And Repair    11. House & Home    12. Materials    13. Methods & Materials    14. Architectural structure & design    15. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (3)

Perfect for Beginners to Experts
This has been one of the most enjoyable creative books I have purchased in a long time.I orginally got it for my business which is moving into concrete molding and casting.I knew my mom would thoroughly enjoy it and immediately bought and Amazon sent her the gift copy.She LOVES it too and has already played around with some of the ideas in her desert garden.So thinking about it...I decided to buy my own copy!Next summer I plan on doing several of the creative ideas in it, but with my own artistic twist.I can't wait!
Thorough and Inspiring
I am thrilled to have this book. I knew people were doing this type of work, and I have wanted to know how. Other books have provided bits & pieces, but Sherri's book is THOROUGH. Each time I came up with a question in my mind as I was reading, the answer would be on one of the next pages. After reading through her book, I feel confident and inspired to take on projects I had been afraid to tackle. She shows a wide variety of projects -- her instructions are CLEAR and easy to follow. I shared this with my sister (out of state) & her comment was, "I can't believe you let loose of this!" A truly inspiring book!

Both practical and beautiful...
I like this book because it has very detailed "how to" instructions to make concrete ornaments for your garden.The "how to" illustrations are very clear.The photographs of actual designs are beautiful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    5. Garden Furnishings    6. Garden ornaments and furniture    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Gardening    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    11. NATURE - ANIMALS TRD HC   

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   

Reviews (1)

The best concrete book available
This book is a classic.Everyone who studies or works with concrete should own this book.It is technically superior to all others, yet easy to read.It has always been my first (and sometimes, only) reference. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Methods & Materials    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Materials science    9. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (3)

Give us a sixth edition, please.
Despite the fact that this book was published in 1998 and is based on the 1994 UBC, it is still the best book on masonry design out there for the practicing engineer. As another reviewer notes, it's useless as far as the actual design is ccncerned and it does assume you know a good bit about what you are doing already, but I am at a lost to find a better book for my newbies.

Reinforced Masonry Engineering Handbook
The fatal problem is this book is NOT current to the 97 Uniform Building Code, contrary to the advertised description. It is written for the 94 Code. Therefore, it is useless and dangerous for actual design and permit. This book gives a pretty good tutorial, but asumes the reader to be an engineer already and skips key explanations of the process, showing numbers in formulas without referencing where they came from, what they mean, or what units they are measured in. Too cryptic. The reference data is scattered throughout the book, and often doesn't have a cross-reference, so it took me over an hour to read each page of problem, due to hunt-and-peck for clues. The design examples are fairly good but hard to follow, and the problem questions don't have answers or process to check your work. The subject is so complex that it would be scary to formulate a real life problem. The author left out the seismic factors on foundation design, so the answers are very wrong in earthquake areas. The 97 Code changed greatly from the 94Code, so you will be struggling to learn erroneous information.

Review of Masonry
This book provides a comprehensive explanation detailing the design standards used in masonry.This book is a must have reference guide for those who are in the field of Civil Engineering or design of masonry walls. No C.E. should be without one.It provides a necessary reference justlike the AISC Steel Structural Book or any other design code books. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Masonry    5. Masonry Construction    6. Reinforced Concrete Structures    7. Reinforcing bars    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Building construction & materials    12. Materials science    13. Technology / Engineering / Civil   

Reviews (4)

A good introduction for the would-be amateur stone mason
An excellent introduction for anyone who is interested in learning more about stone work and masonry.
Great starter book!
This book was better than I expected. I was hoping for color photographs, butit has B&W only. Doesn't get into a lot of details, but covers quite a few topics on the subject of stone masonry. I agree with previous review. Would have been great if the section on Mortaring Stone could have been more detailed. All in all, a good starting book to refer to.

Little bit of everything.
This book seems to have a bit of everything that has to do with traditional stone masonry. It shows how to build different types of buildings and objects. Pictures are only in Black and White. If your looking for a full colour glossy paged book on stone architecture this is not for you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amateurs' manuals    2. Building, Stone    3. Construction - Masonry    4. Design & Construction    5. Do-It-Yourself    6. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Masonry    10. Stone    11. Garden design & planning    12. House & Home / Design & Construction    13. TECHNOLOGY / Construction / Masonry   

Editorial Review

Michael Byrne's Read more

Reviews (26)

Not for the beginner
Like most Taunton Press publications, Setting Tile skews abit toward the art side of its trade, and it glosses over quite a few things that an absolute novice, or even a fairly skilled worker in another trade, needs in order to get a good result. As other have pointed out, he doesn't go into using mastics or epoxy-based mortars. But those seem like decisions based on his experience with the materials. He simply uses thinset. Enough said.
Very good detailed information on all aspects of tile setting
I've purchased over six tile books and this is by far the most
Another perspective
I've been setting tile for over 30 years, but studying this book was still an edification.It was filled with more information than I expected, and I found it to be very interesting and helpful.I counted 283 photographs and diagrams, although some of those were multiple diagrams within one larger diagram.As an engineer and perfectionist, I reject the myth that a professional necessarily does better work than an amateur.(The correct translation of the word amateur is one who pursues any study or art out of love instead of money.)The key to excellence is to thoroughly study and understand any undertaking beforehand, and then to allow enough time to do it as well as it can be done.So there's a reason why the term do-it-yourself often connotates a hack job - that's what you get when you don't have the patience to study the right way to do a job, and instead proceed with ignorance and impatience.This book isn't intended for someone who can't understand that once adhesive has been spread with a trowel, the tiles are placed on the adhesive.If you can't figure that one out, you need a professional.If you can't find the clear diagram on page 179 that illustrates how a membrane and backer board meet at a tub edge, you need a professional.If you can't find any of the book's references to the inferiority of pre-mixed air-drying mastics (glue) compared to latex-modified thin-set mortars, or how to mix and apply them, you need a professional.Here's one short excerpt from a five-page discussion of adhesives that starts on page 38, "organic mastics are probably the most commonly used adhesives, but they're nonetheless generally inferior to other adhesives."If you're too impatient to read this 244-page book and you just want to stick some tiles on a wall, go down to your local home center and buy a big bucket of glue and some tiles and fake it like a typical do-it-yourselfer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building Details Finishing    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. House & Home    7. Tile laying    8. Tiles    9. Home furnishing & decoration    10. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (3)

Great ideas and techniques
The techniques represented were unique. There were many examples of other clay artists works. Ms. Pozo presented step by step photo processing for each technique. She started with clay basics and moved forward through firing ranges, shrinking, warping, cracking and glazes. She gave excellent usable information on the installation processes.

Good solid reference book
This book has a little of everything.If you are just starting out in tile-making it would be an excellent choice.There area LOT of different decorating techniques, and a very wide range of applications.The book is laid out well, with plenty of photos, so you can see finished examples of the techniques being described in the text below on the page.It would be an excellent beginner-to-novice book.
Must have!
This book is a must have from novice to "pro!"It is abeautiful, comprehensive book on tile examples, tile methods, and equipment.Awesome! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    4. Glazing (Ceramics)    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Pottery & Ceramics    7. Pottery craft    8. Tile craft    9. Tile laying    10. Tiles    11. Crafts & Hobbies / Pottery & Ceramics    12. Home furnishing & decoration    13. LITERATURE - LIT CLASSICS TRD PB   

Reviews (1)

***
Helpful for designing retaining walls... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Masonry    2. Design & Construction    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. Reinforced Concrete Structures    6. Reinforced concrete constructi    7. Reinforced concrete construction    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Technology    10. House & Home / Design & Construction    11. Structural engineering   

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (4)

no help
I bought this without reading the reviews, it was a mistake.I am designing an addition and need a clear guide from forms to finishing.This isn't it.As meantioned, it is a collection of articles.While informative, there are major gaps in coverage and I am no more ready to design my foundation than before.There is more useful info on foundations in the framing books I purchased.

Disappointment
This book lacks the details for someone who is looking to actually do the work themselves.As mentioned in one of the other reviews - this book is just a composite of magazine article.Typical of magazine articles - shallow with little substance.

Just a compilation
I have a couple of other books in the "for pros by pros" series and they are great.I was disappointed in this one, however.Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete footings    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - General    5. Foundations    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. House & Home    8. Building skills    9. Home & House Maintenance    10. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (10)

Decent introduction to stonework, but better books available
This is a decent book for the novice to overcome any initial trepidation about building drystone features. It is well illustrated, and comprehensive enough to get you started. However, with a few exceptions, the stonework illustrated is of average quality. For a true photo reference on the art of drystone, I would recommend Dan Snow's "In the Company of Stone" over Reed's book any day. Combine it with John Vivians "Building Stone Walls", and you will have everything you need to enter the world of drystone work: quality pictures of excellent stonework for reference, and solid, no nonesense text to guide you.

Beautiful book with detailed how-to info
This book is full of beautiful photos and ideas for stonescaping.It includes stone paths, patios, steps, retaining walls, and even how to make an impressive stone waterfall.However, it's not only the wonderful photography that makes this book great, but it also includes information about how to accomplish these things.I would have to say this is a great "how-to" book that disguises itself as a beautiful coffee table book.

Stonescape
A good book for anyone interested in landscaping their yard with dry stacked stones. It teaches you much more than just making retaining walls. Learn how to make paths, steps, benches, pools, and how to integrate plants into the stonework. It could have used some more photos of finished projects, but overall it should be enough to help you finish any stonescaping project you take on. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    3. Garden ornaments and furniture    4. Gardening    5. Gardening / Horticulture    6. Landscape    7. Landscape Horticulture    8. Landscape gardening    9. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    10. Outdoor Structure Construction    11. Stone    12. Stone in landscape gardening    13. BG-FICTION OVER $5 - BG-SEC FICT $5/10    14. DIY    15. Garden design & planning    16. Gardening / Garden Design    17. Specialized gardening methods   

Reviews (2)

Great Illustrations
This book is pretty good at showing you how to accomplish building well... the title of the book. I find it's best attribute are illustrations and examples.
Walks Walls and Patios Review
If you know absolutely nothing about creating walls, walkways, and patios, then Walks, Walls and Patios is a book you'll want to read. This book covers every aspect of hardscaping your property and has detailed diagrams, instructions on figuring out exactly how much material to buy, and several photo galleries filled with design ideas. The photo galleries are actually my favorite part of the book, since they really have good ideas and designs.
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Subjects:  1. Do-It-Yourself    2. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    3. Home Improvement / Construction    4. House & Home    5. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    6. Garden design & planning    7. House & Home / Outdoor & Recreational Areas   

Reviews (1)

An amateur's opinion
My title should be self-explanatory.
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Subjects:  1. Construction - Masonry    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    4. House & Home    5. Technology & Industrial Arts    6. Home & House Maintenance    7. House & Home / Design & Construction    8. HOUSE & HOME / Masonry   

Subjects:  1. Construction - Masonry    2. Masonry    3. Reference    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Standards    6. Technology    7. United States    8. Structural engineering   

Editorial Review

Well, here it is: Basic tools, basic techniques, illustrations and photographs, and all the planning and safety instructions you will need to build a variety of stone walls. This is a book that can help you beautify your back yard with the grace and texture of natural stone, or launch you on a career of reconstructing the Inca Empire or building a second Great Wall of China if you get carried away. Up to you... ... Read more

Reviews (6)

McRaven did it better!!
Charles McRaven's "Building Stone Walls" is much better. Covers all the material and techniques that Vivians book does and more! Don't waste your time on this book. If you're looking for more detail on working with stone, McCraven's book is the one.

Excellent overview; good first book on building with stone
Compact and concise, John Vivian's "Building Stone Walls" is a book that you can take with you while collecting (or buying) stone for your project, preparing the location, and building your wall. It offers a good overview of stacking stone, as well as a couple of less common ways of using stone (re-channeling moving water, for example). Best of all, it has some very practical, timesaving tips, particularly advice about when it is necessary to start with a trench and gravel base and when it is not. Very brief, minimal detail.
This book concentrates on dry stone walls, even though the title does specifically say this.Although the book does mention mortar stone walls, minimal detail and description is provided.One could not possibly build a mortar stone wall from reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - Masonry    2. Design & Construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Home Improvement / Construction    5. House & Home    6. Stone walls    7. Walls    8. DIY    9. House & Home / Design & Construction   

Reviews (5)

Great for beginers
If your looking for a book about stone masonry in general, this will give you a great primer for authentic stone masonry.He details some basic projects and gives you a great detailed how to.I was looking for something a little more advanced but I wished I had a resource like this when I was first starting out.Don't know if I agree with his technique for drystone retaining walls. He says start skinny and step back,I am a hard headed Irishman who believes that your wall should be just as wide at the base as it is tall. I will have to do some more research.
High on inspiration, a bit thin on tools
Wonderful black & white pictures of stone walls, stone arches, stone bridges and sundry projects.The author makes much of ancient Scot stone work.There are a lot of nice pen drawings used for 'step by step' construction programs.There are many, many suggestions regarding stone choice and stone placement. These comments are the best feature of the book. Finally, there are a few pages on handling large stones with hydraulic booms, pick-up trucks and front-loaders.These suggestions are not going to be found in many books.
A great guide book
A guide to the basics of stonework that concentrates on the most common projects: retaining walls, stone fences, foundations and steps, and then adds a bit more for the adventuresome: a fireplace, an arched bridge and amoon gate. A good book for the do-it-yourselfer or to learn what to lookfor in working with a professional stone mason. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Building    2. Building Engineering (Specific Aspects)    3. Building, Stone    4. Construction - Masonry    5. Crafts & Hobbies    6. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    7. General    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Home Improvement / Construction    10. Stone    11. Building construction & materials    12. DIY    13. House & Home / Masonry   

Reviews (1)

Fantastic for the price!
When I first bought this book I wondered if it would be out-of-date. It wasn't. Although there were many tricks I've learned that weren't in the book, I did catch many new formwork techniques from this book. I'd recommend it to anyone learning to set forms on a residential or light commercial construction site. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete construction    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Formwork    5. General    6. Home Improvement / Construction    7. Reference   

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Methods & Materials    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Technology    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Building construction & materials    9. Structural engineering    10. Technology / Construction & Construction Trades   

Reviews (3)

Novice mason learned much from this book
I am a craftsman skilled in telephone, electrical and concrete work. Masonry is a new skill that I am working to acquire.
only brick works, no advise on stone masonry
I need to build a stone wall and stone patio, stone walk way and a stone trail path, so I choose this book, but I find this book is a thorough brick textbook, even someone called a stone masonry master book. What a dispointing!! Be careful when you choose this book!

Comprehensive text book of masonry building techniques
A text book aimed at persons studying to become professional masons.The writing is clear and readily understandable by professional and non professional alike.The technical information presented goes far beyond that found in most books in this field which are aimed at DIY and semi professional builders.It makes a wide range of tasks such as arch and fireplace construction accessible to anyone able to mix cement and position a brick. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Construction - General    2. Construction - Masonry    3. Education    4. General    5. Home Improvement / Construction    6. Masonry    7. Masonry Construction    8. Technology    9. Building construction & materials