1 comments about The Concrete Dragon: China's Urban Revolution and What it Means for the World.

1. After seeing China's economic growth and urban explosion as a first-time visitor to Beijing, this book explained the why and how of everything I'd just witnessed. A good mix of historical perspective balanced with contemporary phenomena. The author's own photographs are right-on.

4 comments about Space Planning Basics.

1. The book is a very good reference to the importance of the space planning process with thoughtful exercises incorporated. It is best as a text book vs. trying to read and understand it on your own.
   You must understand that it's not a code book, so some of the dimensions, etc. should be verified based on your own location.



2. reading it makes me feel pretty much miserable, though it is something i need, and the book is quite helpful. i just don't quite think it should be called "basics" because a lot of information there is advanced level. and it just brings the question of space planning on a sad level. there are ways to talk about there in a better perspective. but still, if you don't have any other references, this is something good to use.



3. great condition and arrived very early! book is like brand new!



4. For very general understanding of Interior Design and as a study guide the NCIDQ exam this book is quite good. Be aware that as a tool for real world design solutions, it is lacking. The authors design philosophy and methodology are terrific, but the design solutions have problems. (example: A door entering into a two stall toilet room swings into the sink area. Anyone standing at the sink will be hit by the door when another person enters the room.) Although, if the reader has enough understanding of real world design conflicts and can spot the design errors in this book's illustrations, then the reader has gained the skill necessary to provide good workable design solutions. Many of the illustrtions do not comply with ADA guidlines, which is NOT necessary for passing the NCIDQ, but essential for the workplace. North Carolina, the state where I practice, has codified the ADA guidelines. Use this book as a study guide for NCIDQ. Be aware of design flaws. Use it at the office for philosophy and methodlogy only. If you are studying for NCIDQ, good luck, keep it simple, and parrot back everything that is required in your design solution. Do your finished design in black ink and write notes for everything.

5 comments about Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay.

1. This book is clear & concise for any level of clayer. Katherine has the amazing ability to relay to the sculpter what is needed to bring the sculpt to life while expounding on the importance of a solid foundation.
   My only critisim would be that I wanted even more animal examples & will be the first in line to purchase a follow up book should she decide to do one.



2. Katherine Dewey is a wonderful artist. I already own her book, "Creating Life-Like Figures in Polymer Clay" so I knew that "Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay" would be great. I wasn't disappointed! The only project I have finished is the fawn and it is adorable. I'm looking forward to my next project from the book but I can't decide which one to create because I love them all.



3. I'm not near this good yet, but it definately gives me the inspiration to keep trying. Great detail and instructions from a fantastic artist.
   I bought this as a used book and was very, very pleased with the seller and the condition of the book.



4. This book gives detailed explanations and has great pictures, it is helpful and inspirational : it allows you to expand your skills beyond the book's examples. A must for fimo-maniacs. Katherine Dewey is probably the most gifted polymer clay artist in the world but is able to use pedagogy to share her knowledge.
   I do not recommend it for beginners or children though, as some of the creations are detailed and might require some anatomy basics to be sculpted successfully.



5. This book, by Katherine Dewey, is a terrific resource book for those wishing to make animals from polymer clay - either to enhance their other sculptures or as a stand alone product. Numerous pictures and examples, with detailed instruction guide you step by step through the process. Animals included are deer, in two poses, frog, wolf, seal, bear and more. She also includes examples of bases, such as a leave for a sleeping mouse.
   
   The book is well organized and transitions beautifully from one point to another. Graphics are included along with tips and tricks on making armatures and painting the final product. This book has it all and I highly recommend it as a necessary part of your crafting library.

5 comments about Bungalow Kitchens.

1. When I was getting ready to restore the kitchen in my 1922 California Bungalow I had no clue where to start. The previous owners had gutted the original kitchen for commerical property use and had put in Pay N Pak cabinets and almond color formica to sell the house. After 13 years living with the new kitchen I decided to put in a period kitchen. Jane's book gave me the courage, inspiration and most important, the clues on where to begin.
   
   My contractor had met Jane at a workshop and respected her expertise. I was able to contact her through her business website. She was so excited and supportive for my project. She is a wonderful person with a great sense of humor as well as history of how our bungalow homes can help us live more healthy and fulfilling lives. And Linda's photos are marvelous.
   One in particular helped me decide to use the six black glass cabinet knobs I found left in the basement. I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves their old bungalow. For those building a new bungalow you will find the bones in this book and you might think twice about corian or granite countertops.



2. Being on the extremely limited budget, the idea of restoring our 1923 craftsman kitchen to the obsessive original is not even an option. This fabulous book gives you numerous ideas/ paths as to what a $100,000 restoration would encompass, and then provides compromises that the 'normal' home owner can accomplish with great results. It definitely made me re-contemplate several ideas that we had already set in stone, and I think ultimately will save us investment money. My favorite aspect of this book? Unlike several bungalow magazines (which will go unnamed) that feel the need to pretentiously describe the 'color of fumed oak' and ten million other things that the average home owner will never afford or see, Jane Powell is down to earth and able to 'talk' to you like your neighbor next door.



3. If you want to be historically accurate, this book is for you. The author gives examples of "Obsessive Restoration" and a "Compromise Solution" for each element of restoring a bungalow kitchen. However, even the compromise was too obsessive for me. In addition, the author wasted way too many pages discussing the history of kitchens, which is irrelevant to me. Her companion book, "Bungalow Bathrooms" is much of the same. I just built a new Craftsman home, and my goal was to build a new home with historic influences, so what I was hoping for were suggestions on how to incorporate modern materials and modern conveniences to achieve a bungalow look. Obviously that was not the author's goal -- she's all about keeping the historical accuracy. For me, "The New Bungalow Kitchen" by Peter LaBau was much more useful. It shows how you can bring bungalow style to your home without it looking outdated and old. And the photos are gorgeous.



4. I've been toying for years with plans to fix up the kitchen in our 1923 American Foursquare house, but last year when both my nonagenarian grandmothers moved into Assisted Living Facilities, I found myself clearing out their kitchens. When I brought some of their vintage kitchen equipment into my own kitchen, it suddenly came clear that my own kitchen re-do simply had to honor the history of my house and more importantly, the histories of my grandmothers' kitchens.
   
   I am in no way interested in obsessive restoration, but I really needed to see what kitchens of my grandmothers' childhoods and young married lives would look like. What might my own kitchen have looked like when it was first built? There are charming Craftsman details elsewhere in my home... under the barn-red paint and 1970's "country primitive" wallpaper, what was the feel of this room?
   
   This book is like a stroll through a neighborhood-full of kitchens from this era, wonderfully photographed and clearly explained. While my kitchen renovation will be a relatively simple project, I am thrilled to have such a lovely resource on which to base my search for the kitchen that lies beneath all that paint!



5. I can't even count the number of times I've reread this book or just leafed through and admired the fabulous pictures. As the owner of a 1920 foursquare, nothing makes me sadder than to see an old house that's been "improved" by someone with no sense of history or vintage style. This book celebrates vintage kitchens in painstaking detail, describing the form and function of every single surface, nook and cranny. If you're using this book as a "how to" guide, the authors are realistic enough to give you several levels of authenticity from which to choose -- for instance, are you going to go all the way and have a vintage icebox? Can you not live without a microwave and dishwasher? What kind of screws should you use on your cabinet hinges if you want to be "period authentic?" The companion bathroom book is great, too, but this book is my very favorite and inspired me to replace my brand new (but characterless) gas stove with a yellow and green 1920's model with shapely long legs!

5 comments about Pregnancy Sucks: What to Do When Your Miracle Makes You Miserable.

1. When I first read this book, I laughed at the first two pages. Then I just ended up feeling sorry for the author's daughter--who will one day read this and learn just how much her mother hated being pregnant with her. Then I was just shocked at how outdated it was. She has such a bitter attitude towards pregnancy, it makes you wonder why she didn't just adopt instead.
   
   On top of that, her information is outdated and one-sided. Aside from interviewing doctors, it seems like she didn't put much research or thought into her pregnancy. Never do we get the entire picture of all our choices when it comes to medical care, labor, and labor pain management. Foods that are healthy (ex- pasteurized soft cheeses) are completely banned in this book.
   
   Parts of pregnancy suck, but it doesn't have to suck that bad. In fact, many of the "unavoidable torture" the author talks about can totally be worked around while keeping mom and baby healthy (and in some cases, safer) than what she suggests.



2. I purchased this book based on the witty title and other reviews. I have been disappointed with the content, but that's probably because I have experienced an uneventful pregnancy. I found that I could not relate to the seemingly unending trials the author endured throughout her pregnancy. I do give the author credit for her funny moments and frank manner in her story telling. They gave me a chuckle every now and then. Overall, I found that the What to Expect series and The Modern Girl's Guide to Motherhood were much more informative and helpful.



3. I agree with most of the other reviewers - this book tells it like it is without being terribly crude or rude. There are some things mentioned that not every doctor will agree with (the risks of soft cheese, microwaves, hair dye, etc). However, early in the book, Kimes informs readers that doctors are different, just as all women are different. I enjoyed the empathy/sympathy about the fright of bleeding during pregnancy - especially if you've already had one (or more) miscarraige. I bought this book before my 1st miscarriage and just skimmed the part about bleeding and the fear of miscarriage. Then I had one and got pregnant again within 2 months. That pregnancy also ended in miscarriage. When I got pregnant the 3rd time, I read the section about bleeding during pregnancy being normal, but terribly scary for those who've suffered miscarraige. It reassured me that all women have some fear of miscarriage, but once you've been there, done that, your fear is greatly magnified! I'm in my 18th week now and still enjoying the book!



4. If you understand humor you will definately get this book. If you always wake up in a good mood and think being pregnant is the best thing that has ever happened to you... DONT BUY IT. This book is not for the cheerleader type who is always smiling. I LOVE THIS BOOK. It is a realistic look at pregnancy without the "being pregnant is a wonderful gift" outlook. I love my child. I am glad to have my child and having a child is a gift. What you have to go through to get the child is not always all roses. This book addresses that with an unyielding sense of humor and makes you realize that you might not be the only one who appreciates the gift (or light) at the end of the miserable experience tunnel but not necessarily the experience itself. I think this book really helped me deal with issues I was having with a rough pregnancy and made me feel better about everything.



5. This book is really funny and will make you laugh, while also providing helpful information. I couldn't help but read the entire book even though I was technically in my first few months!

5 comments about Theorizing a New Agenda for Architecture:: An Anthology of Architectural Theory 1965 - 1995.

1. An excellent collection of readings covering a wide variety of philosophical architectural readings. Highly recommended for those who want to understand the essential theory behind true architecture.



2. while nesbitt's introductions to the various sections and articles/excerpts are often quite good, i cannot give this book more than a "passable" rating. the selections are heavily weighted toward a the ideas of a select few authors/theoreticians, creating a fairly lopsided look at recent architectural theory (as can fairly easily be seen in a review of the table of contents). in addition, those familiar with the topic sections covered (for example, semiotics and its relation to architecture), will find the excerpts chosen to represent certain theoretician's bodies of work rather inappropriate and incomplete. i have not yet had the opportunity to read any similar anthologies of very recent architectural theory, but this is certainly not one which should impress, or one that should be used as a stand-alone source.



3. As an arcaheology student studying vernacular architecture, I found this particular text to be a waste of time. It does nothing for the history of architecture, nor does it lend itself to coherent reading.



4. Architectural Theory from 1965-1995 is complex, nuanced, and somewhat pretentious. Part of the problem is that contemporary Architectural Theory (and I would call this "Postmodern" theory) is connected to Continental Philosophy, which is also quite pretentious and often inaccessible to the vast majority of readers. Quite frankly, a lot of postmodern theory is, in my opinion, meaningless, but very hip, drivel.
   
   That being said, if one is able to separate out the drivel, there is also a great deal to gain from reading postmodern theory. They key is to learn how to separate the good from the bad. This book won't teach you that, so you may often wonder, after reading a text, whether you just don't get it, or if there is really anything to get at all. All of the authors whose essays are contained in this text are very important in contemporary architecture, and any student or enthusiast of contemporary architectural trends needs to understand these figures, such as Koolhaas, Eisenman, and Tschumi (also, all major figures at architecture schools in the US). I would say every one of the authors here has some good points, although some of them write in far more verbose and pretentious language than others. But, this book is simply presenting the important figures in architectural theory, so I won't fault the book for the flaws of the texts contained within. It would be irresponsible NOT to include all of these texts. Judge them for yourself, and remember that each of theorists in these pages has critisized the work of other theorists in the textbook. They aren't all equal, and nobody has claimed they are.
   
   The only problem with this book is that it doesn't contain any illustrations. Now I know this isn't meant to be a coffee-table book with pretty buildings, but it's very problematic to have architecture texts without illustrations. I highly recommened looking up some of the work of each of the architects in here. For example, if you don't understand what Eisenman is talking about, take a look at some pictures of his buildings and it may become clear. Also, remember that most of the texts in this book, when first published, DID contain pictures accompanying them, so something is lost in their removal. Some of the texts need pictures more than others. I think Rem Koolhaas, more than most of the rest, relies quite heavily on images to get his point across in his fantastic books (especially S,M,L,XL and Delirious New York), and republishing his work without these images takes a good deal of the meaning away, and also makes the texts much more dry.
   
   I recommend this book, but probably just as a reference or a jumping-off point from which to explore certain trends and theorists further. The organization of this book is quite nice, outlining each theoretical trend (such as deconstructivism, phenomenology, or critical regionalism), and making clear the overlap (many theorists have essays in several sections). Again, this book is probably not for the casual architecture fan, and reading it is not as fun as opening up a Koolhaas book or other beautifully-made visual book, but if you really want (or need) to understand the most important trends and theorists in contemporary architecture, this book is a great buy.



5. I am an architecture student at Washington University. This book is a great stepping stone into Architectural Theory. But, why I am really writing this review is to correct the unread
   individual who wrote a review of this book prior to me.

   phe·nom·e·nol·o·gy - noun

   1. A philosophy or method of inquiry based on the premise that reality consists of objects and events as they are perceived or understood in human consciousness and not of anything independent of human consciousness.

   2. A movement based on this, originated about 1905 by Edmund Husserl.

4 comments about The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy.

1. I finished this book in a day. I found it easy to read and very inspiring. Just looking at the pictures gave me ideas about how I'd like my home to eventually look. Not a how-to or a book offering advice - it's a book to relax with, enjoy reading and use as inspiration!



2. Not so much a how-to book as it is a collection of homes to aspire to, The Cottage Book: Living Simple and Easy's combining of photographic examples and Carol Bass' prose transport the reader right into the cottages and their surroundings, with experiences beyond the visual alone. This is escapism at its asthetic best, a vacation-in-a-book. The title of the book is perfect, as are many of the featured rooms. Highly recommended for those who long to be close to nature and in touch with the past, with beauty all around as well. This is simply the best decorating book I've ever experienced. Inspirational!



3. Fresh and "reader friendly".

   The varied cottages presented by Carol Bass have soul and depth of character. And, they have a usefulness, charm and vitality that makes you want to re-create those kinds of spaces for yourself.

   What does the American cottage, camp or bungalow tell us about what we add to our life when we have a little time to get-a-way? This book gave me a chance to peek into special homes that show a sense of multiple generations beautifully layered into one place at one time.

   What feels very timely today is the bold use of color and the variety of different styles and materials to make a place personal.

   The book is useful in creating a meaningful home.




4. Reading The Cottage Book is a vacation in and of itself. Tons of windowsill sunlight, fresh indigenous flowers, classic patchwork bed quilts, exposed cupboards textured with china patterns from generations past and present, a perfectly positioned telescope, clothes line dried in the fresh air, vintage tablecloths draped over a table offering ice tea and croissants, and porches inviting us to spend a leisurely day enjoying the outdoors--all these things remind us that every cottage has a story worth living! Each cottage in this book is presented as unpretentious and practical, yet bright and beautiful, highlighting the simplicity, comfort, humor, and traditions found there. Particularly unique is the author's note of vibrant color introduced in each cottage room, either through unique fabrics or pieces or furniture. The book demonstrates clearly that the colors around us can have a powerful effect on our feelings and even outlook on life. A touch of vibrant color should be a basic element of any cottage home.

3 comments about Julius Shulman: Palm Springs.

1. This is just a gorgeous book. We saw the exhibit at the Palm Springs Art Museum on which it is based, and the book lives up to the exhibit. It's a beautifully photographed (of course -- Shulman does amazing things with light and contrast) retrospective of Desert Mid-Century Modern, and Alan Hess provides his usual informative commentary. A must-have for Desert Modern enthusiasts!



2. this beautiful book is a wonderful tribute to the world's most famous architectural photographer, the photographs speak for themselves and the book is lovingly assembled and very well executed



3. Excellent new book on Palm Springs architecture. The final statement on John Lautner's contribution to Palm Springs architecture finally does just to this exeptional architect. For a book of this quality the price is obscenely low.

5 comments about Colored Pencil Portraits.

1. After having spent a great deal of money and time on other books which tend to just showcase only the artists work with little to no value to the budding colored pencil artist, finding this book made ALL the difference. My technique and understanding of the use of colored pencils for realistic painting has blossomed and I credit it to the extensive use of this book.
   
   It is not only a fine book on the techniques used by Ms. Kullberg, but it also encompasses the ENTIRE piece, from structure and form of the background to the tiniest of details on the face, hands and clothing. I cannot sing of its praises enough.
   
   If you are seeking a book on portraiture, you could not spend your money more wisely. I recommend this book above any others for presentation--it's like having an art teacher there whenever you need them!



2. I have taken a workshop by Ann Kullberg she teaches colored pencil so clearly that even I learned something. I have read this book and one of her other books. Colored pencil painting done by showing the importance of layering colors in creating shapes with depth and richness in colors. I've since used what I learned from Kullberg in my other painting mediums. I've got nothing but praise for this book!



3. Colored Pencil Portraits
   I have been a non-professional artist for over 50 years, and I do primarily portraits of people and pets. This book offered very thorough help. For example, the author showed how to create your own guide for skin tones using the brand of pencils she uses. It made it very easy to create the same effects.
   
   She also gave quite a bit of space to explaining how to do a background, and showing good and bad examples of how to place the main subject within the "frame" of the background. Many full color examples of what she is trying to explain make the book enjoyable and easy to understand the points she is making.
   
   All in all, this book is well worth buying if you do portraits--or would like to.



4. For those interested in the colored pencil medium, this is a descriptive reference for portraiture creation.



5. When I recieved this book, the first thing I did was skim through it entirely. It is very informative and well written, going into excellent detail in technique and color theory for the medium of colored pencil. After settling down with enough time to properly read it ( although the chapters are detailed enough that it is not necessary to do so), I also found that the techniques explained incorperate very well into my own personal style of drawing. It will definatly remain, as a great reference, in my studio for years to come! I recommend this book to anyone who loves colored pencil or those that have no idea just what a colored pencil can do.

No comments about Ten Canonical Buildings: 1950-2000.