5 comments about Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World.

1. This book is the premier source for a critical knowledge of the mechanics of the only environment we have in which we live



2. Stamets' Mycelium Running has way more mushroom lore than I'll ever remember - or even want to know - yet it's a fascinating read and inspiring too!



3. I purchased this book as a gift for a fellow graduate student who is studying the relationship between vascular plant roots and fungi. He and our professor/advisor oohhed and aahhed over it. I should have gotten one for our advisor too!
   
   A quality book with great photos through-out and it is very readable! I have come to the conclusion that mycologists aren't pretentious wordy folks! They enjoy their work, enjoy spreading their knowledge and it is obvious in this book! I agree with the previous reviews - this book should be recommended, if not required reading for any botany or mycology course.



4. I didn't get to read all of this book because it was a gift for someone but what I did read was very good. It's very informative in all aspects of mushrooms. The book includes the science behind mushrooms, how they can be used for ecological benefits, and best of all how to grow and harvest them yourself. The index of mushrooms, their uses and other information was short but very good. I highly recommend this book and will probably get it for myself soon.



5. This book provides a wonderful look into the world of fungi and their properties. I bought the book after seeing the author in a video, and the book has fully lived up to my expectations.

5 comments about Landscape Graphics.

1. Lots of good ideas with which to practice or trace. Definitely a particular style, but still somewhat general. One could easily devlop their own style from this. And more than likely, you're probably required to get this book if you're reading this. Best of luck!!!



2. This book is an absolute must-have for the beginning landscape designer/architect's personal library. As a fifth year landscape architecture student, my book is in wretched condition due to the fact that I refer to it constantly, more than any other book I own. It will continue to be useful to me for years to come.



3. Though the book was published in 2002, the graphics may seem a bit dated in our digital age, but the book is an excellent source of skills and design treatments needed in landscape design. Lettering and symbols are very helpful. The book is consistent with college level instruction and is recommended reading.
   
   Dan Halsey
   [...]



4. Excellent first year planning studio text book; excellent sketches and explanations, clear and comprehensive diagrams and text



5. Over the last ten years, I've recommended several landscape graphics texts to my students, and this is the one they repeatedly tell me they like. It provides a good mixture of how-to instructions and a wide variety of examples--diagrams, plans, sections, elevations and perspectives. Color rendering is not covered (I use Michael Doyle's book, but I'm sure there are other good ones).
   
   ***Students purchasing a used copy of this should check the publication date. The older version (1987) has some amusing and alarming examples--use with caution!***

5 comments about Let it Rot!: The Gardener's Guide to Composting (Third Edition) (Storey's Down-to-Earth Guides).

1. Great book for those who have a compost system going. We are on Cape Cod and recycle everything! This book tells us how to compost everything.



2. Composting, in case you aren't terribly familiar with it yet, is simply the practice of allowing waste matter to rot and decompose until it's fit to be tilled right into the soil. However, while the basic concept is as old as mother nature and often very easy to execute, it also helps to know more about it. What materials should you compost, and which should you avoid? Do you have to worry about animals or flies in your compost? How do you make sure your compost will turn into dirt and not a slimy, stinky sludge?
   
   While nearly every gardening book these days has a section on composting and most of these are enough to get you by, Stu Campbell's Let It Rot! is an entertaining, folksy and in-depth take on the art that will see you through nearly any foreseeable difficulty. I was certainly able to successfully compost with the simpler directions in other books, but there's information in here I wish I'd had back when I first started. For instance, now I know the cobweb-like stuff that I feared was mold was the natural activity of Actinomycetes, a part-bacteria, part-fungus organism that aids decomposition in certain parts of a compost pile.
   
   Mr. Campbell's book also introduces a great many different types of compost piles and composters that you can use, depending on what you're trying to accomplish, what area you have to work with, or what you're trying to decompose. He also suggests many ways to use compost in and around your garden, and how to get the most out of it. I'm glad I picked up Mr. Campbell's book, because I learned an incredible amount of new material!



3. I bought this for my husband as he went crazy on composting. I read it as well. And it provided more info. A must read for anyone wanting to start or even seasoned rotters. Good book to leave on the table gets lots of funny looks



4. This book is a quick crash course on composting. I learned things about composting that I never new before. The other great thing, it is an easy to read book! Totally satisfied!



5. I have never tried composting before, so I wanted the big picture. I researched online and this seems to be the undisputed classic book on the subject. It seems to tell ALL you need to know to manage your composting, and in as few words as possible.

5 comments about Second Nature: A Gardener's Education.

1. I picked up this book when I didn't have my own dirt to get my hands into, and I was hoping to garden vicariously through Pollan's essays.
   
   There are a lot of lessons to be found. For instance, the chapter on roses explains how human intervention and selective breeding brought about a huge difference between the technicolor tear-dropped buds we see for sale at the grocery store and the rounder and simpler flowers that Shakespeare and his contemporaries wrote about.
   
   Throughout the book Pollan makes the case for uniting culture and nature in the garden rather than pitting them against each other as Thoreau (the naturist) did in his writings or suburban landscaping (very culture-centered) implies today. It is an interesting argument worth considering, but by the fourth part when I found it repeated for the umpteenth time without anything new to add I quit reading the book.



2. Pollans description of what is a green thumb and the sysiphean art of mowing reminded me how therapeutic gardening can be and why it cures depression. Thank you Michael for making me look at my roses in a totally different way. You will love this book if you tend to think in pictures and love the art and hard work of gardening.



3. I loved this book. It is written in the spirit of earth that author obviously is in love with. The book is divided into four seasons: spring summer,fall and winter. Each of the seasons has it's own unique characteristic that follows ancient tradition of preparing soil, sowing,cultivating, weeding, harvesting and winter nothingness.
   However if reader looks for practical advises, he or she will not find it here. It is a wonderfull read for all the nature lovers.



4. Michael Pollan's writing is full of metaphors. This book about nature as a human construct was enjoyable to read. I found some parts frustrating because I like the romantic idea of nature even if it is just a human construct. But overall I would recommend this book for a quick read.



5. That's not entirely fair, but...this is a book of essays, not a natural history or gardening book. It is about Pollan's perceptions of nature and landscape, through the gateway of his garden. He does only enough research to flesh out his musings with historical fact and literary reference - and he is very selective. He leans heavily on Thoreau, and neglects wider scholarship. His essays bog down in pedantic and turgid language (he abuses at least one 5-syllable word per essay). The writing is much like Bill Bryson's, about whom, I'm also kinda lukewarm. I didn't love it, although there are good bits - the story of his first rose plantings was interesting, and inspired me to drop a few snobby old roses in the sod.

5 comments about Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification, Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation and Uses.

1. Hands down this is the best reference guide for anyone involved in the green industry. Don't expect flashy pictures and illustrations, only hand drawn samples here. Dr. Dirr is a master and this book contains insight and witty remarks on thousands of species.



2. This is the textbook for my landscape design class. Not only is it thorough, but Dirr has some humorous insights into plant culture. Plants are listed in the back with botanical as well as common names for easy reference. I wish there were photos of the plants, but some black and white illustrations of leaves and buds are included. Overall, this is my primary reference for identifying and learning about woody shrubs and trees.



3. I bought this book "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" together with "Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs" some years ago. One of the best purchases I ever made. They really go together like hand and glove. If you see something in "Dirr's Hardy Trees ans Shrubs" and you want more specifications just keep the "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" at hand and you'll find what you are looking for.
   Recently I ordered them once again to give away as a present.



4. Too bad that so many of these reviews are written by Weekend Warriors who wanted a "pretty book with pictures." ~sigh~ I'm a landscape architect who trained under Dr. Dirr when he was teaching at U of Illinois. Of course, because he was teaching the subject, this tome was part of the required course. For the professional plantsman or very serious gardner, there is nothing like it! This is my third edition of this book, the first one being thin and light and probably a two-pounder. This one weighs in at 6 pounds. I don't know of a serious nursery that does NOT have this as part of their library; it's excellent when you need to know just how Acer saccharum and Acer saccharinum differ; what diseases do Betula nigra contract; and which Ilex species to plant in your zone.
   
   The reason why he does NOT bother with roses, clematis and other pretty plants extensively is that there are far better sources than his book to refer to for information and he just can't be bothered to rewrite what better experts have already written.
   
   This book is NOT a key to identify plants. This book is NOT a coffee table book to impress anyone. This book is to be used at a store or in the field, covered with mud and spotted pages as you earn your living from working, planting and selling woody ornamentals. There are 100's of pretty books that Barnes & Noble cranks out each year for the casual gardener. If in doubt about a book, hike to a store or library and check the book out THERE, rather than ordering an unknown book and criticizing the author for what he's NOT vs. what he is. If you pay your mortgage and truck payment by working with trees and shrubs, you already have this book and know how good it is!



5. Dirr is the bible for plant information. I find that most plant people have a copy on their bookshelves with significant signs of use. (worn pages, dog earing, stains, soil etc)

5 comments about 2-at-a-Time Socks: Revealed Inside. . . The Secret of Knitting Two at Once on One Circular Needle Works for any Sock Pattern!.

1. I'm just learning to knit socks. Since I can't use the dp needles, the 2 circular needle method and teh 1 circular needle method are a blessing for me. The pictures are very good and helpful.



2. This is a pretty good book for intermediate knitters who want to get in with the magic loop crowd. Morgan-Oakes spends a good 17 pages explaining the magic loop technique. Her instructions aren't overly illuminating (it took me a few solid hours to understand precisely what she was saying each step of the way), but they aren't horrid either. A few more pictures would have helped, but I got by alright.
   
   The patterns, on the other hand, are disappointing. I found 4 out of the 17 patterns worth making. The rest are quite boring, dowdy, and "crafty" looking. I think Morgan-Oakes was trying to offer a variety of patterns (one for the fashionista, one for baby, one for the rugged hiker etc.), but in doing so, she loses any kind of continuity. If your tastes in socks are wide and all encompassing then you will enjoy the patterns in this book. If you are a discriminating knitter, like me, then you will be disappointed and, perhaps, even a little horrified at the "Ragg Hiker" socks, which are nothing if not a throwback to the 90's.
   
   Initially, I was attracted to the book by the socks on the cover (the color, the texture--it just works), but the pattern is actually for a child's foot. That was a bummer. But either way, with Morgan-Oake's book, I achieved what I set out to do--knit two socks on one circular needle. The technique is indispensible for anyone who is a periodic sock or sweater knitter. It gets rid of the second sock/sleeve syndrome nicely.
   
   Final verdict: get it at the library.



3. I have been wanting to get this book for a while (unfortunately paid more for it at a chain store) and it has lived up to my expectations. I have started a pair and the directions are very clear. The first trial pair are very step-by-step with clear pictures. Then at the beginning of every pattern in the book there are very clear lists of what stitches are used so you know ahead of time what you are getting into. I love the way she layed out each pattern subdividing each 'part' of the sock ie: "knitting the leg", "working the heel", "turning the heel", etc. It is a great book for beginners, but don't let that 'put off' experienced sock knitters as there are a lot of really nice patterns in this book for both types of knitters. There are basic 'Ragg-type', to colorwork, to fancy cables and lace. I started with "Berry Season". It's a short ankle sock with an easy 4 row stitch. I have made a pair of socks (one) on circs (one sock on one circ---couldn't bare to hold 4 DPN's--I'm a crocheter at heart) but this is my first attempt at two on one and while it is a tiny bit tricky at first, once you get past the first couple of rows it is easy (get rid of your starting tail as soon as you know you are going to make the pair as it gets in the way). There is a good glossary in the back with the assumption that you know how to basically knit. And there are good pattern stitch keys and a really nice sizing chart. The book is on a wire spine so it lies flat when open--a nice plus. Thanks Ms Morgan-Oakes for a really nice book.



4. I LOVE IT! This book first of all lays FLAT because it is spiral bound. I have knit socks with double point needles and tried 2 circular needle sock knitting but this is hands down the best way! I suggest you make sure to buy at least a 40" circular needle and the best one would be the bamboo ones because the tubing is VERY soft & bendable. This book is great, easy to follow, and has some really nice patterns. I would suggest that you be a fairly good knitter and if you have knitted socks it would be a very big plus!



5. Second sock syndrome (SSS) is a terrible affliction upon the knitting community -- by the time you finish one beautifully shaped and fitted sock, you're tired of the pattern, the yarn, or just making socks (though how could you?). Anyway, knitters have been looking for a way to avoid SSS, and the easiest way is to knit both socks at the same time.
   
   As you can imagine there are various ways around this and Melissa Morgan-Oakes shows us one method using a 40" circular needle to knit two socks at the same time. This books is spiral bound and lays neatly open to the page you're working with. There are lots of pictures of the steps to cast on, divide the cast on stitches for the sock, and start kntting in the round so that the two socks are separate but on the same needle and can be knit equally so you finish the both at the same time. It may look tricky but there are lots of photos and helpful hints -- it really does work.
   
   The book also contains knitting patters for 17 socks. Most some have patterns, some strips (lots of stripes), and lots with cables. These are nice standard socks in various yarns and basic styles. Nothing truly fancy but all of the pattern will knit up into solid socks for cold feet from women, men, to younglings. The pattern stitches all are on charts--at least I didn't see any written out line-by-line and I went through the book 4 times. There's also a informative section on the parts of a sock, which the author (and I) believe make it easier to figure out what you're doing and how it all fits together. There are also helpful tips and hints throughout in the patterns.
   
   This is a great beginner sock book. For the experienced sock knitter just looking to learn this technique, it great especially if you learn well from photo with some description. The how-to will show you what you need to know to continue to develop your own patterns.

5 comments about Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi.

1. One of, if not thee, most comprehensive field guide for wild mushrooming ever published. Amazing work.



2. Superb field guide for the mushroom greenhorn and connoisseur alike. Great color photos with all sorts of information about the little guys that you could ever imagine. They also warn about which ones to stay away from - always a good thing. Even if you're not into them that much, it's still a great book to have around the house just in case you ever want to know what kind of mushrooms are growing in your neighborhood. This would be an excellent book for a classroom or a great gift for a kid who's into being outdoors. Boy & Girl Scouts and groups like that would find this book indispensable for outings and general knowledge.
   *Note* There is also a pocket guide that I own that is great too, and much more easy to lug around than this compendium.



3. It's an excellent book, but could be perfect if it has color spore charts, one of the most important taxonomic features are spore color and Arora recognize this on his book, why let that out?



4. This book is amazing, and is my husband's new found hobby book and is already well-read. It is extremely thick for being a mere paperback, and arrived damaged. My only complaint is that it seems to not be ready for the hard wear and tear these mycologists will surely be exuding. The book itself is even more than we hoped for, and is an amazing resource.



5. For anyone interested in learning about mushrooms, this book is the mushroom bible for species in the United States. It's not really a book for beginners, because the information can be somewhat overwhelming, but if you want a positive ID on something you've found, there's no better resource to do it. Then again, Arora injects a dose of unexpected hilarity that a mushroom-hunter with any level of experience can appreciate.

5 comments about McGee & Stuckey's Bountiful Container: Create Container Gardens of Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Edible Flowers.

1. This is extremely helpful for regular gardeners as well as container gardeners for its thoroughness, including varieties that grow well in containers as well as in the ground, varieties for different climates, cultivation, soil. I have many gardening books, but I turn to this one again and again for reference.



2. This is like an encyclopedia for new gardeners like me.
   It gives advice for every veggie and flower and helps
   with ideas for combining plants so you get a good-sized
   harvest.



3. I checked this out from my library expecting just to glance at a few topics, but I ended up reading every word! In fact, I only returned it to the library because it had a hold on it- so I decided to buy it :-) This is a great book- very thorough and as a beginning gardener it made me feel very encouraged to try anything I wanted. I am so glad I bought this! Oh, and no problems with shipping, it came right on time.



4. If you grow vegetables in containers then this book is a must. No pretty pictures just good tips. The only con is you might not find detailed info on a specific vegetable but you will find something on the family of vegetables.



5. Unfortunately, although I read very good reviews on this book, it is not what I expected and doesn't cover many vegetables in great detail. Most of what I'm growing in containers is not covered in this book, which is what I was hoping for. Probably my fault, I should have researched more before buying.

5 comments about Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use--Includes How to Make Ferrocement Water Tanks.

1. Wow! This book has a ton of usefull, usable information packed into such a thin booklet! No wasted space, which makes me feel that I've not wasted my money on this book! If you are serious about helping to save this planet, or even just surviving the next tragedy that may befall upon us: Get. This. Book.
   Can I just say again: WOW!



2. This book is well written and complete. I feel that after reading this book I can safely capture rainwater and I know all the details to think about when designing our system, specific reasons to place pipes etc in specific places ... an excellent detailed referrence book and enjoyable read; I read the entire book and enjoyed it. If you are seriously considering to have a rainwater catchment system this is a must read.



3. I Built a 10,000 Gal tank straight out of this book for US$ 1,500.
   It looks good & it doesn't leak.
   What more can you ask for ?



4. This book can help you for how to planning the different water systems in rural and urban areas, the best is how to make ferrocement water tanks.



5. I love all those oasis manuals. Once again Art Ludwig surprises us with a manual full of info reagarding water catchment and storage. Although I'm working in this field for more than 10 years, I always find something new and interesting in Oasis manuals and ther are a fundamental part of my permaculture-libary

5 comments about From Vines to Wines: The Complete Guide to Growing Grapes and Making Your Own Wine.

1. This book tells you everything about growing grapes and producing fine wine. It even deals with the choice of grape-varieties suited for your climate. It is almost perfect. I think many Europeans will read this book, and it would have been perfect if it included the Meditteranean countries in the tables of climate-zones and selection of suitable varieties. It is very difficult to find this (about Europe) on the internet. But a great and very useful book.



2. We wanted a resource for the wine process from growth to the glass.
   Everything you need is in here.



3. This is indespensible for home winemakers. Period.
   
   If you are a person engaged in wine studies, this is an essential first look into serious technical winemaking aspects. Before delving into more serious technical manuals such as "Understanding Wine Technology" and "The Science of Wines from Grape to Glass".
   
   Pros: wonderfully written in laymans terms
   Cons: drawings sometimes difficult to distinguish



4. I gave this to my father and he was so excited because it focused a lot on building a good trellis with good illustrations and also good for prunning.
   These are two things that lack in other books that i have bought him (and that I am starting to be interested in, too).
   Of course the book covers all aspects of the grape and wine making process, but the trellising and prunning in more detail was very welcome.
   Recommended on all aspects.



5. When we were planning our vineyard we needed all the help we could get. From Vines To Wines was one book kept by the bedside for constant reference during the planning and planting stage. (The other book was "Vineyard Simple." The illustrated guide to pruning is exceptionally well done. Now that we've made it through year 1, I find myself going back to the book time and again. I strongly recommend this book to anyone interested in planting a vineyard. Craig Justice, Webmaster of Winemaker's Journal and Founder, Blue Merle Vineyard & Winery