5 comments about Building Kitchen Cabinets.

1. I am a firm believer in the KISS method of doing things. (Keep It Simple Stupid") Every step is covered in this book so that anyone can learn from it. The "Build Like A Pro" series of books are all laid out like this one. The "Expert Tips" are great. They show you short cuts to help you do the jobs right, but in less time. This is stuff you only learn by doing the job everyday. They are trade secrets.



2. This book is very well laid out and easy to follow instructions to build the greatest custom cabinets. This is the best book I own



3. This book is well written, and easy to understand. The author gives you a solid understanding of the basics and some of the more advanced "how-tos" of cabinet making. I would recommend this book to people who have some knowledge of power tools and want to learn how to build kitchen cabinets.



4. This book was a great introduction to how to build cabinets. Being an experienced person in woodworking, this book gave the guidance towards me taking on this project. As a previous review stated, I also found an error in the calculation table but after doing the calculation over and over again, it seemed to have the wrong calculation formula but is was indeed correct. I did though find an area that the publisher and the author should have covered that was overlooked. When assembling the doors the author states to assemble the rails and stiles with glue, drive a couple of 1/2 inch nails into the assembly and remove the clamps. After doing this, I discovered those nails while routing the outside edges with my round-over bit. So, I will in the future take extreme care to where I place those nails, assuring that they will not be found later. I also modified my wall cabinets by using 1/4 inch plywood for the tops and in some assemblies I found that using the pocket hole method better for attaching plywood to plywood, less splitting when the screw is at an angle.
   Otherwise this book is an excellent source that gave me the confidence and courage to build my own cabinets, as I have them all built now, just waiting to stain and assemble them and install.



5. I bought this book and Danny Proulx's Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets (Popular Woodworking). Proulx's book focused on particleboard construction and mostly 32mm cabinets. I was very dissapointed as I was anxious to start building cabinets and particleboard is not what I was looking for. This book however, was just what the Dr. ordered. I'm very comfortable with my tools and have been woodworking for years now, but I still found some usefull tips in the book. I skimmed the book without reading all of it and immediately bought the lumber I needed and began construction. I had a completed bathroom vanity cabinet in 1 afternoon (not including stain and finish). As others have mentioned, his dimensions are not perfect, but since my house doesn't perfectly match the book, I used my own tape measure.
   
   Even with the dimension issues here and there, I highly recommend this book for anyone who actually wants to make cabinets. I have a few other books that discuss the "idea" of making cabinets. This one tells you the tools you need and how to do it. It focuses on pocket-hole joinery but it also shows how you can use other joinery techniques as well. I can't stress this point enough... if you are planning on building cabinets, you will love this book. If you just want to read about building cabinets, this book isn't what you want.
   
   I'm off to buy more lumber for more cabinets!!!!

5 comments about The Bread Builders: Hearth Loaves and Masonry Ovens.

1. This is a fantastic book for anyone who really enjoys fresh bread. I wore out a bread machine and learned to knead all my favorites by hand. This not only explains every part and ingredient's role in making bread, it also has all the description and scientific explanation to build an outdoor bread oven. We're planning on building an outdoor kitchen and the bread oven in this book will be a part of it.



2. I was looking for a book that would help me understand how to build a masonry oven. This book provides that along with much much more. The detail in the book regarding bread making is excellent and I am certain I will read this book many times as my experience grows. I consider it an excellent book for anyone interested in breadmaking.



3. One of the authors has a German cultural background and the conclusions of the book are somehow biased. It tries to justify with scientific and health arguments, that sour bread tastes better than non sour bread because it is the old natural method of making bread. From an unjustified a 'priory' argument, that is, the flavor of sour and acid bread has to be better, comes out an elaborate collection of scientific facts to describe the incubation and fermentation process of homegrown yeast so that you can get a more potent flavored bread, German style. Give a piece of rye bread to children and you will see that they reject it because it tastes nasty. Instead, give them bread made with available yeast from a supermarket and they will eat it gladly. Most of the everyday bread made in Europe is made with supermarket yeast instead of homegrown sour and acid sourdough. This is so because they don't like the flavor and acidity of sour bread, not because of a shortcoming of mass production, like the author suggests. The bread is to be eaten with other foods, not to be eaten alone, and a very potent flavor of bread would take away the flavor of the other foods.



4. This book is enormous, far larger and more complete than I had imagined. As others have said, it is not exactly a step-by-step "how to" for baking break or for building an oven, but it comes close. I like the word "treatise"
   
   If you are have been thinking about building your own masonry oven, this book has enough information to make that possible. Don't believe a word of what the whiner from Japan with absolutely no literacy or mechanical skills has said: this book does indeed contain outlines, guidelines, drawings, and more that will go a long way towards making a DIY masonry oven possible. however, if you have to be led by the hand the entire way, and given exact specifications for every board and every brick, then I guess this book isn't good enough for you...



5. This book is wonderful. This was the most highly recommended book on building and cooking with a fire brick oven and rightfully so. If you are interested in building a fire brick oven, this book is definitely for you. It has good readable instructions with detailed illustrations and plenty of variations from which you can customize your own oven.

5 comments about Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life.

1. Ed Begley is officially my guru! He has sensible options for us all to do little things and some big ones to help our enviroment and biggest of all...save us money!! If we'd all just try one or two of his suggestions we'd make a big difference



2. The book arrived in great condition and in a timely manner. I would recommend this book to everyone who wishes to make a difference.



3. "Living Like Ed" contains product information and company names. I am trying to figure out how to run an air conditioner without paying the electric company. I think a wind turbine and a dc to ac converter will do the trick better than solar panels because the wind blows even when the sun does not shine. If I get this to work, I'll write another review for this book.
   Barbara



4. I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a basic guide and a start at being a better person for the earth. It gave me some great ideas to use for myself.



5. Ed Begley Jr. really walks the walk! I really like the way he sets up the book. He tells you how to do the easy things and the more expensive things too. There is something everyone can do and Yes, everything does make a difference. It will save your energy bill, and help to save our planet.

5 comments about Creative Concrete Ornaments for the Garden: Making Pots, Planters, Birdbaths, Sculpture & More.

1. Super book with detailed information on creation from beginning to end! Super for beginners and seasoned artists.



2. I can't say enough how thorough Ms. Warner-Hunter's books are - they are step-by-step, material suggested, inspirational, and illustrated (photographic)! As an artist, this book was helpful in clarifying issues I had with materials: and, as a teacher, I believe even a middle or high schooler could follow this manual. Lark books are fabulous and this one of the best!



3. Start with her first one, Making Concrete Garden Ornaments, then try this one to expand you skills. An excellent way to get a feel for this art form!



4. This book is filled with inspiring ideas and recipes. I am excited to get started - Only problem is that it is always raining on the days I can work!



5. This book contains many "recipes" for making concrete containers and concrete art. The book contains many full color photographs to guide you through each project step by step. The instructions are thorough and easy to follow. I've already made the hypertufa planters and stepping stones. The author also included numerous photos (and website links) of other artists' works. I found this book to be very inspiring.

5 comments about Green Building & Remodeling For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)).

1. I am truly a dummy when it comes to green building, I've never bought a dummies book before - but wanted to remodel my kitchen and needed some expert green advice. The book is broken down into these really helpful sections like finishes, water and energy. It even includes helpful checklists to remodel your kitchen in a green way. The advice I learned from this book will probably save me thousands in construction costs and will continue to save me $$$ on my water and energy bills. The author presents the info in a very fun and logical way. Anyone building or remodeling their home should do it green - and definitely needs this book to guide them every step of the way. The reason I bought this book is that I heard the author speak at a local green conference, and the way he presented the information just made sense to me.



2. Great info. in an easy to read format. Really enjoyed learning about different products and solutions.



3. This book gives a great overview of various green building options for homes. It has a lot of practical and useful information for the beginner or even the advanced green building enthusiast. It also contains a really helpful list of resources for further research. I would have liked a little more information on solar and geothermal, but the book isn't designed to give thoroughly detailed information about every option. I would highly recommend this book.



4. Green architect Eric Corey Freed knows his stuff and it shows in Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies.
   
   Freed makes green building and remodeling approachable and very doable.
   
   I like the checklists throughout the book and the perfect green rooms, both of which make understanding the big picture easy.
   
   Freed does an excellent job in explaining the advantages of building green for the health of the occupants and the environment.
   
   If you've ever wondered what the true environmental cost of a particular product is, Freed does a great job of explaining it in "the life cycle of materials from cradle to grave." If you didn't "get" greeen before, this section will show you how important it is to look at the entire life cycle of a product to determine how green--or not--a particular product is.
   
   I also liked the handy list of green material substitutes which make purchasing very easy.
   
   The book was very readable and concise and even fun to read. I highly recommend it.
   
   By the author of the award winning book, Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify and Energize Your Life, Your Home and Your Planet



5. I have a number of the Dummies books on various topics, and had an interest in how one might "green" an existing home, or build a new one. One thing I learned recently is that 50% of the energy lost from a typical house is due to poor building insulation, and that's one area in which most houses, depending on where in the U.S. they're built, could be improved. Since we wanted to beef up our house's insulation, we had a type of insulation installed that was more green than the other choices, and that is equally effective. If you're building a house from scratch, this book has a lot more information on many other topics relating to green building, including materials, construction, design ideas, energy saving tips and ideas, and many more topics on the subject.
   
   Interestingly, since I was interested in insulation, I just turned up this information on insulation principles from a German website on all the details relating to that, in case this help anyone else:
   
   Occupational skills
   
   Thermal and noise insulation fitters carry out their work on the basis of technical documents and job orders, both independently and in cooperation with others. They plan and coordinate their work, consult and coordinate with others working on the site, set up construction sites and take the measures required for smooth-running operations, for health and safety at work and to protect the environment at the job site. They check their work to ensure error-free execution, document their work, carry out quality assurance measures, calculate job performance data and hand the vacated job site on.
   
   When carrying out the following activities, thermal and noise insulation fitters use plant and machinery, they erect and dismantle scaffolding for work, protection and support purposes and measure constructions and elements thereof for proper fit.
   
   Thermal and noise insulation fitters
   * process materials to protect surfaces, for example steel and non-ferrous sheeting and synthetics,
   * build and mount supporting and load-bearing constructions,
   * build models of fittings,
   * prepare elevations and developed views from templates for simple and complex fittings,
   * measure up system components and prepare isometric projections,
   * check site conditions for insulation purposes and select appropriate insulation materials,
   * build mattressing from insulating materials,
   * apply materials to insulate against heat, cold, noise and fire,
   * craft and fit parts and fittings,
   * coat insulation systems with sheet metal, foil, sheeting, wrapping and hard plastic coatings and fittings,
   * build and fit inner linings for cooling chambers,
   * build construction elements using dry construction techniques,
   * check insulation systems and assess their efficiency,
   * identify damage in connection with rehabilitation and refurbishment projects, determine the cause of the damage and carry out the corresponding rehabilitation and refurbishment measures.
   
   Additionally, thermal and noise insulation fitters carry out related tasks in the field of building construction.

3 comments about Build Your Own underground Root Cellar.

1. Having a root cellar in your back yard is like having your own private supermarket of fresh fruits and vegetables. Any time you need potatoes for dinner or an apple for a snack, just open the door and walk inside. Anything you need is right there on the shelves.
   
   But a root cellar is more than a convenience. In addition to providing the security of having a year's supply of fruits and vegetables on hand, a root cellar offers sanctuary. In an emergency, it could shelter your family for a few hours, a few days, or even a few weeks, if necessary.
   
   A well-built root cellar can be a good investment. It will save you money for years to come, yet if you build the cellar yourself, the cost of materials is less than you would spend in one winter buying food at supermarket prices.



2. I am planning a root cellar, and this book was a big assist. I am a little farther south, and so it had a lot of information that is less applicable to me. Valuable for the northern half of the U.S.



3. I really recommend this product as an excellent resource fo starting a root cellar project. I had considered just winging it, but the materials list has proven invaluable - mostly because it allows you to utilize found materials and save money. The step by step planning is very helpful. A great book for the money.

5 comments about The Homeowner's Guide to Renewable Energy: Achieving Energy Independence through Solar, Wind, Biomass and Hydropower (Mother Earth News Wiser Living).

1. This is an excellent book, because it has much information in general, different green ideas for your home. And that is important for you and the Planet today and future.



2. I found this book to be very informative. It provides a wealth of knowledge about being self-sufficient. I am particularly interested in solar and wind power and this book provided some very good information about each of these subjects. Would highly recommend this book to anyone who is thinking about living green.



3. I read this book cover-to-cover over the course of a couple of weeks. I'm new to the field of renewable energy, so you'll have to take my criticisms for what they are, a critique of the writing:
   
   1) The author frequently repeats himself, and sometimes goes so far to state that he is repeating himself, and that the reader should refer back to a previous section.
   
   2) Many of the references are "so and so claims such and such" or references to the Home Power magazine. It's great that the author cites his sources, but it often left me wondering if the author placed any stock in the claim being reported.
   
   3) The author frequently refers to his own house, which was designed from the ground up to use renewable energy. While this is neat, it doesn't seem applicable to readers who already own houses (with a 99% chance that they're not nearly as efficient, and that it's not possible to convert them).
   
   4) I would have enjoyed more information on solar power, since it seems to be the most applicable in urban and suburban areas. Instead, it received basically equal treatment alongside micro-hydroelectric and wind power.
   
   Still, it's a good book - 3.5 stars - and contains a number of references to other sources of information on the topic.



4. I found this book to be more satisfying that the author's more popular book, "The Solar House". Of course, they aren't functional substitutes for each other. This book goes deeper into renewable energy systems available to address the energy needs of residential buildings and related topics. I appreciate his discussion on conservation, the breakdown of the energy consumption of a 'typical' residence, etc. This book goes deeper into energy than "The Solar House" goes into passive design, providing almost enough information to evaluate and size some systems. The amount of information presented varies by system, as solar photovoltaic and wind power get a more detailed treatment than biomass. For someone wanting enough information to select, size and/or design systems -- or more realistically to evaluate the proposals generated by a systems provider -- supplemental information will probably be required.



5. Not only did I find this book useful, I enjoyed reading this book. I am not a techy science person, nor do I usually seek out nonfiction, but I found that this book was written for people like me - people who are interested in making some changes in our homes to help our planet and lower our bills. The book was set up with clear chapters outlining the pros and cons of various types of renewable energy sources (wind, water, solar, and more) and how we can retrofit our homes to use them. It contained several comparison charts for the different options described, including cost comparisons, and the author provided detailed information about the information in those charts. The book also explored small changes we could easily make, and there was a section about the future of renewable energy. Written to be thoroughly understandable and readable, this book helped me become much more aware of things I could do to make some "green" changes, which was exactly the information I was seeking. All in all I recommend this book highly!

5 comments about Country Wisdom & Know-How.

1. My daughter is really into reading about homesteading, and hopes to eventually find her own little slice of heaven. This is an excellent book, with lots of information. Although it's a very large book- which I wasn't expecting (approx. 11x17 soft cover), I do give it a good rating, because it's the information that counts.
   
   2 other books we also purchased: Five Acres and Independence & The Modern Homestead Manual



2. A huge compendium of information from animal husbandry to construction and crafts to gardening...even how to recipes. That's the good news. I have great admiration for Storey Books and own many of their products. This book, however, is not up to par with their other products.
   
   The publishing (not by Storey itself) leaves much to be desired. I'm surprised Storey put their name to it. I'd have gladly paid triple the price for a better quality soft-cover or hard-cover books with good quality pages and larger print...even if in several volumes. In fact, that's exactly what Storey should do with this and the similar "Survival Wisdom" book. They would be great hits and huge sellers. So what if it's a collection all in one book. The brown paper cover and lighter-than-newsprint pages require extremely delicate handling, and the tiny print is almost painful to read.
   
   Much, if not all, of this book's contents are from the Storey "Country Wisdom Bulletin" series. It would ceratinly cost more, but a set of the bulletins may be the better option.
   
   Overall, I'm disappointed. Regardless how potentially useful the information in its pages, this book is not a prudent buy.



3. Our copy of Country Wisdom & Know-How is very worn and tattered but still remains the focal point of our coffee table.
   I discovered this book at a Barnes & Noble while living in the city. Was attracted to it because of it's paper-bag-like cover. Even though I lived in the middle of a city, in an apartment, I bought it anyway. My wife and I became hooked! Fell in love with the idea of having a hobby farm because of this book and packed up and moved to the country.
   Everything you could think of is stuffed into this book, from Beekeeping to butchering chickens to building a compost bin. The book it's self is huge, but the print is very small. The "organic" looking cover doesn't last long. But the material inside is awesome.
   Since this book, my wife and I have started a small side business keeping honeybees and selling our honey at farmers markets. We also enjoy making pickles, canning, raising chickens, and watching our daughter grow up in a world much richer than what we had in the city.
   Highly recommend this book for any city dweller interested in starting a life in the country. It's a reference you'll never live without!



4. A book for the 21st century in the spirit of the Whole Earth Catalog. Big and thorough, it goes into detail upon detail of the stuff you aunt or uncle would have told you if they lived in the country.
   
   While they don't tell you where to buy stuff (WEC did), it does tell you what to look for when you buy, so maybe a better deal?
   
   My only complaint is that the type is so small I've had to order a magnifier to read it.



5. If you want a great book to help you simplify your life and begin to wean you and your family off the rampant consumerism of today, THIS IS IT. I actually bought it a couple of years ago, but with today's oil crunch and people trying to save money and produce more, thought it would be a good time to recommend such a book to my friends.
   
   "Country Wisdom And Know-How" from editor's publishing covers everything from caring for animals, to building suitable gates, to caning chairs, pest proofing your garden, growing food, canning food, and cooking food. It even teaches you how to make wine! This book covers EVERYTHING you need to know to start on the road to live more off the land and your own two hands than depending on others to do everything for you.
   
   It is an oversized paperback book, the cover seems to be made out of old grocery sacks (it has that look and feel) and may even be made of recycled material. I have used this book a good bit over the past two years and found the advice is sound, practical and easy to understand. I recommend that EVERYONE interested in getting their lifestyle simplified buy this book.
   
   You won't regret it.

No comments about Joey Green's Fix-It Magic: More than 1,971 Quick-and-Easy Household Solutions Using Brand-Name Products.

3 comments about Solar Power Your Home For Dummies (For Dummies (Home & Garden)).

1. As an electronic engineer, I originally looked at home solar energy as a chance to buy some cool gear to play with, while saving money in the bargain. As I delved into the book, my outlook changed. I was surprised to find how complex a home's energy use situation can be, and that some money can be saved before connecting a single wire. Even as I later relished the chapters covering solar electricity generation, I still noted the frequent reminders and references to non-electrical aspects of a "solar" home, as well as practical financial and regulatory realities to consider in choosing a system. In short, I came away from my first reading with a much more balanced perspective on solar energy, and I'll continue to re-read as a reference. Of course, I'm still hankerin' after that gear, yet, at least, now I have a better picture of what's really useful. Plus, I'm off to a good start in being knowledgable enough to deal effectively with those installation contractors. Well done!



2. My husband and I have become increasingly consciencious about saving our natural resources. It has been our goal to add solar panels to our house but most of the books out there were not written for the average person. This book answered all our questions in a language we could easily understand. We learned how to make solar power an investment throughout our entire house! How cool is that?
   
   The awesome thing about this book is it goes way beyond explaining the money we can save but includes vital tips on what not to do. I love when a book keeps me from making mistakes. I could go on and on about this book because I'm thrilled I finally have a great reference tool. I am eagerly anticipating creating a home that will actually not take so many of our precious resources from the earth.



3. This is a good introduction to how the energy from the sun can be put to practical everyday use. If you don't like to read a lot of technical stuff, this book is for you. Quick, easy reading the non-technical average person. with references for more information. This book has practical projects for the person who already has some knowledge of solar energy as well. If you're looking for a really detailed technical book of how to design and install your own solar collector (electrical or water), better get a different book. My 5-star rating is for those who are beginners or those that have a little knowledge of solar energy.