1 comments about Buick, Oldsmobile & Pontiac Full-size models 1985 thru 2005: Front-wheel drive (Haynes Repair Manual).

1. I don't so much have a problem with the instructions, but the pictures are just not acceptable. They're often so dark and blurry that they resemble a Rorschach test more than any kind of discernable auto part. Even daguerreotype quality photos would have been an improvement. And frequently the instructions refer to auto parts that don't even merit a picture, which exercises one deductive reasoning skills, I suppose. Note to editors: PICTURES ARE IMPORTANT! If a person doesn't know what a certain part looks like, he's a bit lost when he's told to remove it or adjust it. To be fair, I couldn't have done a lot of repairs without this book, but that was in spite of the sadistic photographic illustrations.

5 comments about GM A-Car, 1982-1996 (Haynes Manuals).

1. I bought this book because I have been working on swapping motors and wiring harnesses on a Chev Celebrity('88) and a pontiac 6000('85). I needed the diagram for the multi-port fuel injection for the celebrity and all I can find in this book is '86 and earlier multi-port fuel injection diagram. If you are going to publish a book claiming to be from '82 - '96 shouldn't you include all diagrams and documents for those years and makes? I think so. This isn't the only situation with this book like this. I have encountered others. This one is just the most recent.



2. Poor automotive repair writing is common. This state of affairs can be tolerated when the information claimed in the title is supplied in the text.

   This Haynes manual provides insufficient information for any particular model or year to allow even a fairly experienced auto repair amateur to do much more than trace out problems blindly. Even the wiring diagrams that describe a particular model and range of years give schematics only of "typical" systems with insulation colors and the features actually present on any given system left undefined.

   In addition, they provide precious few photographs and diagrams of the locations and configurations of various components such as pumps, compressors, and other parts that may vary significantly from one vehicle to another.

   The final insult is the tendency to describe a number of systems and problems as being too complex or specialized for the owner of the manual, therefore omitting them from the text, suggesting instead that the reader consult with the appropriate repair shop.

   This is even worse than my old AMC repair manuals, not good company for a mainstream publisher.




3. I agree the others this book has no real information you can use. But for my '94 Olds this is all i can find. It may be a waste of money but it is somewhat of a start in troubleshooting your car.



4. What happenned?

   I have an '83 Celebrity, and had, in the past, purchased one Haynes manual for it (then, only shared info on the Celebrity, and it's identical Pontiac twin, the 6000) and one Chilton's Manual. BOTH of which I remember being quite helpful.

   Unfortunately though, I seem to have lost them while moving, and had to invest in a replacement. Now I can't believe what I'm seeing between these covers.

   Now for the record, I've always leaned towards Haynes to be more helpful and less simplistic in their technical approach. But in an effort to reduce the amount of product offerings (I'm guessing this as why) they have consolidated this and several other manuals to one single manual of normal thickness... having lost LOTS of weight in the details department.

   There are entire engine configurations eliminated here... one can barely find MENTION of the 2.5 liter 4cyl... as much a staple of the Celeb as the 2.8 V6.

   This "revision" STINKS.

   I recommend any alternative.




5. I used this book to fix quite a few probalem with my 95 Buick Century, and while the text can get confusing (because of the many motor references), I was able to repair every issue I had with that car - from routine maint (oil, air filer, belts, radiator, spark plugs), to some bigger things (exhaust, brakes, aleternator, electonics).
   I wish the book had more specific pics and descriptions of the car I had, but as it it - its spead pretty wide.

1 comments about GM Cadillac El Dorado, Seville, Deville, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado, 1986-1993: All Full-Size Models 2WD and (Haynes Manuals).

1. I found this book to be helpful in taking on small tasks such as doing your own brakes. In all, I would estimate this book saved me a few hundred dollars in repairs this year versus what I would have spent at the dealership or the local repair shop. (I was really upset when I found out how SIMPLE it is to replace disc brake pads) However, I would not use this manual for serious work, such as engine overhauls. In essence, this book is great for doing brakes, belts, spark plugs and minor troubleshooting. I would not depend on it for anything beyond such activities. Some of the chapters discuss engine overhauls and replacing struts. These are two pretty dangerous activities that the book sort of glazes over. They should have just left those things to the logic of "let somebody else seriously injure themselves doing this stuff".

   It would have been nice for Haynes to include the Cadillac engine computer trouble codes, but you have to buy a seperate Haynes manual to get those.

No comments about Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac Full-Size Models 1985 Thru 2002: Buick: LeSabre, Electra and Park Avenue, Olds: Delta 88 (Haynes Manuals).

5 comments about African Ice.

1. Samantha Carlson, PhD, is a highly respected geologist, very rich and very attractive. The dangerous and cunning Patrick Kerrigan, president of Gem-Star, hires her to find an elusive diamond lode deep in the Congo. Kerrigan also hires a team of four ex-Navy SEALS, led by Travis McNeil, to protect her.
   
   And so the adventure begins. Neither Sam nor Travis totally trusts Kerrigan. When they're met by their military escort at the Congo border, they find all their weapons and equipment have been tampered with. When this `escort' service tries to kill everyone in the expedition, there's no question that Kerrigan has set them up. Trying to get out of Cairo is no picnic either since Kerrigan has another attack force of killers ready to do what the Congolese force couldn't do. And that's just the first half of the story; problems and surprises continue as they try to take Kerrigan down.
   
   This is a fast-paced book filled with non-stop action and tension. The descriptions of the poverty in the Congo and overcrowded conditions in Cairo are disheartening. Of course, there's a bit of a love story woven into the mayhem as well. Are diamonds always a girl's best friend?



2. I read about 100-200 books a year, very few do I remember but when I find an author that catches my imagination then anything they write I buy. Being a "diamond drillers daughter", grew up with the "rough diamonds" and learnt that "all that sparkles is not gold" sometimes have to look deeper to find the treasure, this book was a "treasure" I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller and likes a book that makes you think, great job Mr. Buick looking forward to reading more of your books



3. The heroine of this book is Samantha Carlson. She is a geologist with
   a world renown reputation for discovering oil deposits and diamonds. She
   has been hired by Patrick Kerrigan the President of Gem-Star to lead an
   expidition to the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has been supplied security in the person of Travis McNeil a former Navy Seal and some of his associates. She is to go to the Ruwenzori Mountains and find a wealthy diamond vein.She and her party are to be escorted by Colonel Mugumba of the Congolese Army. She finds the wealthy vein. Under orders of Kerrigan Colonel tries to kill Carlson. McNeil manages to overcome the Congolese soldiers and they escape to Cairo. Another of Kerrigan's hired
   guns Liam O'Donnell and his crew of MI-S operatives attempt to kill the crew and kidnap Carlson. McNeil once again rescues Carlson. Carlson and
   McNeil go to Antwerp where they have a master plan to ruin Kerrigan.This
   book is exciting throughout with a shocking ending. Be sure to read it.



4. 4.5 stars!
   
   A smart, savvy thriller that will keep you up at night until the last page has turned, Jeff Buick's African Ice is an adventurous tale of conspiracies, murder and the search for treasure. I read this novel while traveling from Alberta to Pennsylvania, and it kept me in its grip.
   
   The characters are interesting and multi-faceted, exploring their pasts and weaknesses. The foreshadowing was solid, the plot twists kept me on my toes and the ending had a quiet justice about it.
   
   If you're looking for a fast-paced adventure through the jungles in search of the motherlode of diamonds while the characters are being hunted by aborigines, hitmen and a deceitful employer, pick up African Ice. You won't be disappointed. I wasn't.
   
   ~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, bestselling author of Whale Song: A Novel



5. Oil isn't the only resource worth dying for. Diamonds give untold power and wealth to those who possess them. In "African Ice," the author has pitted his protagonists against nature and man in a game of survival riddled with betrayal and greed. Through the adventure the reader comes away with a better understanding of the diamond business and the true exploiters of Africa: mining corporations, political opportunists and mercenaries.
   
   Samantha Carlson represents the modern woman who believes she can do anything she chooses to do while retaining her feminity. She does not act like a man to compete in a man's world. She follows her own compass in an engineering profession few women care to embrace--geology. This makes her no less fearless than the first women aviators or astronauts, just confident in her abilities, knowledge and potential. And she has reached the pinnacles of success because her intuitiveness has kept her alive. She finds a soul mate in Travis McNeil, a former Navy Seal who now provides security for "at-risk" mining executives, and together they outsmart and outmaneuvre the nastiest of villains with wit, candor and courage.
   
   Jeff Buick is a remarkable story teller, who is equally at home behind the points of view of a man or woman. He's a sponge for authentic details that meld character and setting into a lifelike experience for the reader as well as a marathon master of pacing, action and suspense, which delivers blood-curdling twists. By his own admission, he loves what he does, and this reader was thoroughly entertained. I look forward to reading all of his books.

No comments about General Motors: Buick Century, Chevrolet Celebrity, Oldsmobile Ciera and Cutlass Cruiser, Pontiac 6000, 1982 thru 1993 Automotive Repair Manual.

3 comments about How to Photograph the Moon and Planets with Your Digital Camera (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series).

1. This book shows that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars to be able to take pictures of astronomical objects.
   
   The book is an encouragement to amateur astronomers or someone with only a passing interest in the night sky, to go out and take photographs of the the Moon and planets. It shows how anyone can take an astronomical photo with a family digital camera and a little ingenuity and imagination.
   
   The book also doubles as a photographic atlas to the Moon with detailed notes on what can be seen in the photographs.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the night sky or photography.



2. The title of this book is very misleading for the reader and interested buyer. The first two-thirds of this book consists of some basic astronomy information and the history of the moon and many pages of the moon's geography. The author only focuses on photography within the last third of the book and even then he never really gets into any substance about the techniques of astrophotography. The images are really poor and I suppose works since the author only concentrates on doing astrophotography on a shoestring budget. I don't see how this publication is beneficial to any amateur astronomer or astrophotographer. It is not worth the money. There are numerous books (many I own) on astrophotography and digital astrophotography that really are jammed-packed with quality photos and techniques. Also, the few methods that the author's does touch upon in this book seem very anchient. The author donates 150 pages of this book (out of 254) alone to the moon and it is all about its history, formation and pages upon pages of moon atlas pics. I highly recommend that the buyer first read and review this book before purchasing. Very disappointing!



3. I was so pleased to know that such a book as this was available to help amateur astronomers new to astrophotography. I am now enjoying the easy to read introductions to each sky target and using the simple but necessary instructions to make the photography possible. Also very pleasing is that the superb images illustrated can be very closely matched by my efforts after reading this book. How refreshing not to have to wade through off-putting text and theory in order to capture beautiful pictures immediately with readily available and inexpensive equipment. I thoroughly recommend this work to anyone eager to begin taking sky pictures, especially of the Moon.

No comments about Chilton's General Motors Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac FWD 1985-05 Repair Manual.

No comments about Standard Catalog of Buick 1903-2004 (Standard Catalog of Buick).

2 comments about Chevrolet Impala SS and Caprice, Buick Roadmaster 1991-1996 (Haynes Manuals).

1. Although the Chevrolet 9C1 Caprice is about as durable and long lasting as a car can be something will break sooner or later. One can save hundreds or even thousands of dollars by doing what repairs he can without taking the car to a shop. This manual will help anyone make such repairs. Even if you do not repair your own car it will help you to better comprehend and diagnose any problems you may encounter. That will save you money by knowing what is wrong before being deceived by a dishonest repair shop. For those that do repair their own vehicles this book explains in great detail and understandable terminology what to do and how to do it. The Haynes manual is much easier to read and understand than the Chiltons books. The only drawback the Caprice manual is that it does not go into complete detail on the differences between the civilian Caprices and the 9C1 Police package Caprice. That aside it is well worth the cost. I have saved well over $5000 in repair cost over the 350,000 miles I have traveled with this book in my library.



2. This is not a repair manual, just a brief review of some of the components of the cars and even that is incomplete.