5 comments about Building with Stone.

1. This book is informative with good use of photos, which I expect in a book of this type. What else you get, is a really well written and entertaining book as well.
   
   The author is humorous and also a blacksmith among other things. He talks about doing things in the old ways with the help of modern contraptions where they will actually help.
   
   If you are interested in American History or primitive skills (not to mention building with stone) you should read this. It may even help make you a better person.



2. Chuck will keep you smiling as your read his books. They contain plenty of humorous stories while they display the stone arts. There are better guides but you should read as many as possible: you'll need it.
   
   Stone work is the hardest task you'll probably ever do in your life. If your project is big, it seems to never end and you'll doubt you'll ever finish. One rock can take 2 hours to lay whereas if all goes well, you can lay 5 in an hour. So, if you are interested in stone work, I'd advise to start small on the first few projects. This book is a good guide to helping you along the way.



3. An excellent introduction for anyone who is interested in learning more about stone work and masonry.
   
   I enjoyed the book for the breadth of coverage, and for the anecdotal stories. It is one thing to be told safety tips and procedures, but the lesson is much more effective with a good story. I had hoped for a more comprehensive discussion of the tools used, how to use them, and how to shape the stone. However, lack of this does not detract from the usefulness of the book. The closest I have come to stonework was moving stones around for landscaping, but now if I were armed with a set of stonework tools, I would be tempted to try something more complex.



4. This book was better than I expected. I was hoping for color photographs, but it 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.



5. 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.

2 comments about Framing Walls (Fine Homebuilding DVD Workshop).

1. I spent a lazy saturday afternoon watching this video for some knowledge of construction. I am interested in doing light handyman, remodeling work at my house, so this video was definitely beyond my knowledge. But I decided, why not learn something new. What I saw were two old guys framing a one story house and they were very fast in what they did, but very accurate and knowledgeable. After I watched the video I did a google search of the authors and found out the older brother was born around 1930 and has been doing framing work for all his life. The guy is a PRO. Anyone looking to do framing work should take a look at this video. For someone with absolutely no knowledge, this video may be a bit complicated. The video is more suited for someone with some "hands on" work, and some carpentry skills. 5 stars.



2. "Framing Walls" by Larry Haun, is the second DVD in a three-part carpentry series that will teach you how to build your own home. Part One is titled "Framing Floors," and Part Three is titled, "Framing Roofs." Each part in this series teaches you the skills necessary to build a home of your own. This DVD edition is a great asset to this classic VHS collection because it allows you to quickly move from one building selection to another, or to review a topic.
   As a carpenter myself, I've had many homeowners ask me if it was hard to learn the carpentry trade, or to build a home. My answer is pretty simple: "It's for sure not as hard as you may think, if someone is there teaching you the skills." And that my friend, is what you will get when you watch this DVD. As a matter of fact, you will have a master carpentry teacher with decades of experience pointing out each step of the building process in easy to understand everyday language.
   I also recommend owning the book titled, "The Very Efficient Carpenter," by Larry Haun as a companion to this DVD series because there are sections that Larry goes into more detail in the book. However, the bottom line is this: You can learn to build your own home by watching an experienced carpenter do it first, then doing it on your own. All it takes is a little confidence in yourself. You can do it.

1 comments about Residential Landscape Architecture (5th Edition).

1. Very informative and usefull both for the beginer and experienced designer. It is a little high priced but worth it if you are in the design profession.
   Mike

2 comments about Pacific Modern.

1. It is a great collection of modern architecture, it is wonderful to see such examples throught the world. Since I know the author personally, I love to see how his second book is even better than the first.



2. We purchased this book as a reference for clients building new homes. We are based in Australia and have seen these photos before...our clients hadn't so it was still very useful. Clear and with floorplans shows how space and light work well.

3 comments about Fire Places: A Practical Design Guide to Fireplaces and Stoves Indoors and Out.

1. This is a great book - beautiful pictures, but excellent information as well. Best book on fireplaces I've seen



2. I was excited to find this book but once it arrived I was a bit disappointed in it. It has tons of photos of a variety of fireplaces, inside and out, exaplins the different types well but I was looking for more information on unique fireplaces, ones which could be placed in the center of a room. So if you're wanting a more traditional fireplace setting, this book might be great.



3. Fire places seem evoke some kind of hidden memories out of our distant path when the fire at the mouth of the cave kept the tigers away. This has become so important that even apartments now seem to come with fire places.
   
   This book, as is usual with this publisher is a beautifully illustrated, beautifully printed collection of fire places that range from a simple rock lined fire pit out in the yard to fire places that are the design center of the house, wood stoves that meet the new EPA regulations, to antiques that may have come from grandmothers house.
   
   Besides the beautiful photography, this book also includes design tips, and the regulations that come from building codes. And there are discussions of more types of fire places than you could ever imagine without seeing it.
   
   I got this book because my house does not have a fire place, and it's the next major extension that I plan to add. This book answered all the questions that I had, except do I want something indoor or outside. We have a long season for entertaining outside.

4 comments about Analysing Architecture.

1. In clear, precise diagrams and thoughtful text, author Simon Unwin offers an engaging methodology for the study of architecture and aesthetic systems. Time-tested buildings from classical temples to traditional Japanese homes and early modernist masterpieces, are explored in this wide ranging, but focused study. Unwin demonstrates that while architectural styles change over time, the underlying principles that organize quality designs remain remarkably consistent.
   
   This book is a must for all architectural students interested in acquiring the visual skills needed to understand a wide variety of design methodologies. My only criticism is that proportion and scale were not given enough attention, but there are many other books that cover this important topic separately.
   
   Intelligently considered, and clearly presented, `Analysing Architecture' is a refreshing counterpoint to the sort of pretentious, self-serving rubbish that Eisenman, Libeskind, Hadid, et al try to pass off as design.



2. I used this text for a architecture class I was enrolled in. The figure/ground drawings are useful.



3. This book establishes a systematic method in analyzing architecture. It explains how architectural elements are combined together to form designs that could relate an appropriate sense of 'place' specific to the programme as well as the environment surrounding it. The book is well illustrated with diagrams and examples. An extremely useful introductory guide for those who want to learn more about the basics of architecture.



4. Beginning with the root definition of architecture as its "conceptual organization, its intellectual structures"., the author makes clear its function as "identification of place", goes on to identify the basic elements and concepts, examines the use of natural features of the landscape, analyzes primitive place types, geometry in architecture, space and structure, and other key concepts.
   From the campsites of primitive man to the sophisticated structures of the late twentieth century, architecture as an essential function of human activity is explained clearly, and illustrated with the author's own excellent drawings. Highly recommended as a well-organized and readable introduction.

   (The "score" rating is an unfortunately ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books.)

5 comments about Cordwood Building: The State of the Art (Natural Building Series).

1. Mr. Roy has done so much research into this subject. His formulas alone are worth the price of the book. Aong with timberframing and his book on underground housing, I have finalized my plans for building my next home. Keep up the good work Mr. Roy!!!



2. This book doesn't tell you everything that you need to know about the subject but it gives you a whole lot of information and sets you on your way. The information is very good. If you are a beginner and have never tried this kind of thing then this is where you start.



3. This book is a great read. Enjoyable and yet it seems to give plenty of info on the different aspects of the cordwood building process. More than half way through I found out that there was a glossary in the back which helps explain some of the terminology. I would highly recommend this book for anyone thinking of building a cordwood home. This book will give you most of the know-how to build it and most importantly it will help you decide if you do want to build cordwood. It worked for me. My wife and I are presently saving up to build a cordwood home. I think it would be a good idea to watch the "Complete Cordwood DVD" before actually building.



4. I have only read a few chapters, but I feel the honest and open discussion of the Author will only enrich me and others as we follow in his footsteps. To build ones own home is always a dream. To be empowered with the knowledge to do so is a gift. Thank you! And If I ever follow my dream...you are always welcome for supper. (dinner, tea...we call it tea...although it is the evening meal...tea does sound funny)



5. I'm from Germany and cordwoord buildings are uncommon here. Horizontal log homes are booming but as expensive as ordinary home building not a choice for people without a lot of money.
   So cordwood may be a solution if we can get a permission with our restrictive rules and regulations here.
   
   The book provides the builder with every detail he must know, it's really great.
   For getting some practice we will start building a small shed with cordwood. ;-)

5 comments about Windows and Doors (Build Like A Pro).

1. Good book, but title is misleading, more about proper installation of windows & doors rather than fabrication of doors & windows. Title should be "Install Like a Pro"



2. I have a 100 + years old house with the original windows. They have a section on Tuning Up Old Windows which I found very helpful. There are only a few pages on this subject for old windows. The information is straight forward and to the point.



3. I checked this book out of the library mainly for a few chapters that contained info on Pocket Doors and Fixing Door Problems. The book covers almost everything you can think of to address installing doors and windows, including putting new doors in old frames. It gives you pointers on choosing windows and doors including how various components operate. I didn't know there were so many types of windows operating styles to choose from out there!
   
   I found this book very helpful and confirmed that I wanted to hire a professional! The pocket door section seemed a little slim to me, but that might be because I had no clue about what they were doing. It's definitely not a step-by-step. LOL. Even though some of the projects in this book might be DIY, many of the complex projects would probably require a professional, unless you've done some type of construction-type work.



4. I have read every book that I could find on windows and doors and found this one to be the best bar none. The pictures are fantastic and the helpful tips are worth the price of the book and then some. Also, the book is very easy to understand which is not the case with a lot of books out there on the subject.



5. I've been trying to find all the information I can on the tricks to hanging doors. You won't find all the answers in one book, but this one has a lot of information on how to solve problems. I might add that there is a very good video by "Tom Law, Installing Doors and Windows" that gives you a good idea of how to properly hang doors. Seeing someone in action is a lot easier than reading a book. I've read this particular book 3 times now looking for all of the tricks of the trade. If you are like me, you've installed a door and said, "why is it doing that?". If you can identify a problem or prevent one, then that can save you a great deal of time. This book deals with a lot of issues, like out of plumb walls and cross legged jambs. I would also add "Gary Katz, installing and hanging doors" book to your library and you will have 3 fine sources to become a professional installer. I have all 3 and have recently installed 2 perfect exterior doors. I'm not a pro yet, but I am a lot closer. There is a lot of satistaction in installing a door correctly. Have fun.

5 comments about The Cabin: Inspiration for the Classic American Getaway.

1. This is the perfect companion to my dreams of a cabin of my own. Wide variety of styles, sizes, budgets. While most are in northern climates, there is one lovely Louisiana "dog-trot" cabin featured. A beautiful book -- I flip through it often.



2. I bought this book along with a bunch of others when I bought a country home. I liked this one the best-no Architectural Digest rich people cabins that none of us can afford (or even want). This book limits the size of the cabins to a modest 1200 feet or so and focuses on the creativity of the owners. Really interesting uses of space. I have given it as a gift many times and everyone has really liked it



3. This is a great book with many terrific photos that will fuel your imagination and inspiration for a future small home which, in my opinion is the wave of the near future. Less is more, and this book shows you how beautiful that can be. I would recommend you leave this book on the coffee table, people always pick it up and enjoy flipping through it.



4. In a nutshell, a beautiful book with gorgeous photos and plenty of ideas. In the few days that I've had it, its been used frequently to clarify and illustrate our own ideas about the cabin that we're planning. As far as I'm concerned it has paid for itself already.



5. God, this book is so lushly illustrated with cozy spaces and intimate hideaways that you just want to scramble for the hills after one read-through. All the houses in it are deliciously comfy and cozy, illustrating the forgotten principle of 'just enough', all look just big enough,a nd all look terribly inviting and tempting. This book is cabin porn, basically.

1 comments about Italian Villas and Their Gardens: The Original 1904 Edition.

1. My sister read about this book in a recent magazine and we are totally delighted to see that it was available as a reprint from the original plates. Maxfield Parrish, the painter, did the illustrations and they are wonderful in their dreamlike qualities. And the prose by Ms Wharton are flowing and typical of the turn of the last century.
   
   I would recommend this book as a coffe table book, a piece of art and a conversation piece all in one.