5 comments about Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home.

1. Except for the girl power cover art and the fun, feminine little anecdotes that precede each section ("If you can paint your nails, you can do this repair. Just don't get the enamels mixed up!"), there isn't much that deciphers this book from any other general home repair guide...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.
   
   "Dare to Repair" bills itself as "a do-it-HERself guide," but the information in this book is useful for both men and women alike. The material in the book is well-organized and easy to understand. The authors explain how different things in the home work, from sinks to refrigerators to door locks. Each task is detailed in easy-to-understand language and is accompanied by helpful illustrations. As a new homeowner, I find this book very helpful and refer to it quite often. I'm sure it will end up saving me a lot of money down the line! (There's also a "Dare to Repair" book about auto maintenance, and I'm going to buy it because the home repair guide is so good.)



2. Takes you step by step through home basics-repeat-basics, like lighting the pilot light on a heater, patching a nail hole in a wall, etc. Fun, easy to follow and great for the timid!



3. My colleague must have taken a hint from the scratch on my forehead, the bags under my eyes and the black-and-blue mark on my shin. Or maybe she knew that a centuries-old house would be fraught with things that needed to be repaired. Whatever the reason, she showed up at my house with Dare to Repair and it was the perfect housewarming gift. I was too knee-deep in the cosmetic stuff--removing wallpaper, sanding floors, installing countertops and light fixtures--to get to some of the things in the book. Frankly, some of the others I just hadn't thought about. I had already completed some of the tasks in this book - replacing electrical switches, cleaning a stove's grease filter (ugh!), disengaging an electric garage door opener, locating the main water supply valve, finding contractors. But this book reminded me of the things that I hadn't gotten to yet - bleeding the hot-water radiator, creating a circuit map, adjusting the garage-door closer. And it educated me on the things that I hadn't considered--fixing a dishwasher, repairing a slow-filling washing machine, replacing a round doorknob with a lever, winterizing the plumbing. (I wish I had this book before I broke a locked door open.) Hats off to the posters who found little use for this book: I know more than a few people of both genders who haven't completed many of the tasks in Dare to Repair. I've completed more complicated tasks than the ones in the book and still found the book useful. (My contractor offered me a job as his assistant.) Even if you complete just one task in the book, you will have recouped your investment.



4. This book is excellent for taking care of everyday repairs by those who never took "Shop," and who are not talented or particularly knowledgeable in mechanics or electronics.



5. The book is helpful, but just when I think it's going to explain in further detail, they move on to the next problem. I was hoping for more detail. I guess it's a little too simplified for me.

2 comments about Materials and Components of Interior Architecture (7th Edition).

1. This book is a good reference for anyone who is currently designing or building a luxury home, but for a general education on construction interiors, this is not the book. There are many references to the latest products, which include both color and feature description that will be quickly outdated. Most of the discussion centers around materials that would be used in an affluent home rather than your typical family residence, and product descriptions focus on the unique product, not the typical. Dimensions for comfortable clearance and layout hints are useful for residential layout, but the commercial references are very limited.



2. This book is very poorly written. It also does not adequately discuss estimating materials.

5 comments about My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure.

1. My Home, My Money Pit is unique among home improvement books because, in a fun way, it tells you what not to do.
   
   The book is a quick read and a great reference.
   
   I could go anywhere for step by step instructions; but, step by step instructions only work in a perfect world. My Home, My Money Pit provides a wealth of information needed to prevent a home project from becoming a disaster.
   
   My Home, My Money Pit is a book every homeowner needs. It's not the only home improvement book you'll ever need but you need this one. You need it to recognize potential problems before they happen and avoid them whether you are doing a project yourself or hiring a contractor. I've been doing home projects for over thirty years and I've read dozens of home improvement books. This is the only one of its kind.



2. Sometimes home improvement books can be informative, but a very dull read. Not so with My Home, My Money Pit. It has a wealth of highly useful information and is enjoyable reading. A great combination.
   
   Tom and Leslie have an ability to explain things very well and leave you with true understanding. It is almost like having them sit down with you and discuss it face to face.
   
   This book has become my go-to guide on taking care of my home.



3. My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement AdventureBEST HOME IMPROVEMENT BOOK I HAVE IN MY HOME IMPROVEMENT COLLECTION.



4. I am a third time homebuyer and this book was sensational. I loved that it didnt go on and on about silly minutae, the summaries detailing home improvements were funny, complete and succinct. Every page has a green tip, i.e. how to make your own furniture polish. It covers everything you want to know about making affordable home improvements room by room, as well as what to look for in product selection. All your questions are answered in one book. Buy it. The book itself is an investment. You won't be sorry.



5. It's truly a positive spin- "anyone can do" book! Recommended for both first time and existing homeowners and small investors. Advice for budget to high end ideas for exterior and interior.Teaches/reminds of basics in all aspects of home ownership and dealing with outside contractors/vendors/etc.

5 comments about Earthship: How to Build Your Own, Vol. 1.

1. Wonderful. Easy to read and understand (maybe a little too easy sometimes, but that's OK). We are preparing to build using this book, and we are really excited by the possiblities. I would reccomend this book (and have) to anyone interested in really understanding sustainable living. Great book.



2. This book and the rest of the books in this series are the perfect recipe for living in harmony with the Earth. Reducing our carbon footprint is the challenge for this generation and this book series shows you how to do it - step by step. It's wonderful for the do-it-yourselfer and presents it in an easy-to-follow guide that gives even a novice the confidence that he/she can do it, too! I saw Earthships on several documentaries on Discovery channel and I am impressed by just how little energy they need to sustain themselves and how logical they are designed. I devoured this book and parts II and III as well. I can't recommend this series enough!



3. good topic for discussion around a break room or sitting lounge. not extremely detailed on mechanics of an Earthship house (guess you have to buy a blueprint or get a contractor). well worth it if you want to be more environmentally involved.



4. This book was informative, and it pretty much gave me all the information I wanted to know about how to build an earthship, but the pictures it uses is mostly hand drawn which still leaves a lot to your imagination. I wanted to see color pictures or at least real life black/white pictures that show me different layouts, designs, and other options for building one. Keep the hand drawn ones but add more that show off the idea. Also it seems that for me to even build one requires a lot of money and a lot of paper work with the state. It was a great book but in my mind it didn't make the possibility of me ever owning one for an affordable price any more realistic. I love the idea though.



5. Smart solution of building a house with recycled materials. Though the first printing was in 1990 I think the concept hits the bulls eye in our present day. If you are a teacher, a student in architecture or just want to build your own house I highly would recommend this book.
   
   Regards
   Michael

2 comments about Low Cost Pole Building Construction: The Complete How-To Book.

1. I gave the book five stars because there was a total lack of books on the subject when I read it months ago. Thanks to Amazon, there is now more available. I am a developer of lots. I have seen what the family faces with home buying. The pole house will only be for the stout-hearted, brave and good humored. But for those few souls it will be a wonderful experience. This book takes you from day one - walking onto your lot - to the finished product. And it tells you everything in between like, how to get your friends to gleefully help you plant your poles to having an old "barn raising". It's good stuff. It's dated, but if you're an ol' fashion American pioneer like me, you'll love the challenge.



2. I thought this was a great book, I picked this up at the library and this was a wonderful read from front to back.
   
   PROS:
   1. Learn how to build at a low cost.
   2. Provide shelter/housing one weekend at a time.
   
   CONS:
   N/A
   
   I also purchased a real estate book on how to get land cheaply:
   
   Investing Without Losing (ISBN: 0978834607 NOT on amazn, on other stores)

3 comments about The Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs (Consumer Reports: You Need to Know).

1. This book covers the basics of what consumers need to know to reduce their utility bills and reduce their consumption of Greenhouse Gases. The one section that is outdated refers to heating your house using cord wood. Please do not cut down trees and burn them to heat your house! Trees are the one carbon-capture technology that actually exists, everything else is smoke-and-mirrors. We need trees to help clean up the mess we are making of the environment!



2. This is an excellent and complete overview to the improvements you can make in your home to make it more comfortable and more energy efficient. By following it's advice, you can improve your efficiency by up to 30% - depending on the age and condition your home is - I've personally experienced 27% savings on a 2800 sq ft home built in 1989. This has been a hobby and passion of mine for over a year, I've used various resources on the Internet. This one book covers all the topics I've discovered elsewhere, educates the issues well, instructs how to make the efficiency changes based on expert experience, all in a layman's language that's easy to understand and follow. I wish they would have published it a year ago - would have saved me significant amount of time that I've spent researching and learning the hard way.



3. This is a great comprehensive guide. But if you're already energy conscious, there's not much new in this publication. For the general homeowner, it's definitely a must-have. Here are the most significant facts: new window replacements don't usually pay for themselves; CFL bulbs save a ton of energy and reduce carbon emissions at a low cost; front load washers save water but not much energy; your home loses energy through electrical outlets and switches; central cooling and heating is most efficient (don't use space heaters); and upgrading your central a/c and heater may be economical.

5 comments about Tile Your World: John Bridge's New Tile Setting Book.

1. This is the ultimate book for tile setters and for those who want to be tile setters. John focuse on all of the little things that the amateurs don't. focus on. The actual tiling itself is the last thing he focuse on. He will teach you the science of laying different types of tiles. You will learn everyting from floor deflection to room layout to determing the square footage and much more. I even learned of a new underlayment product made by Schluter that does not transfer cracks to the tiles due to structural movement and also a waterproofing membrane to use in shower tile installations! I have learned so much Thank you.



2. I bought the bookas a gift for a friend who is quite interested in home renovation technique. She was thrilled by it and judging by her reaction, it must be an informative and well written book.



3. John Bridge has put together an excellent reference for the experienced and novice tile setter alike, and if you're looking to learn the basics to put together a project for the first time, this book is a must read. John's light, conversational style makes the book a quick read, and as mentioned in another review, the online forum on the author's website is also an invaluable reference.
   
   Highly recommended to those who need a to learn the ABCs of tile.



4. I rebuilt my bathroom and completely renovated the shower. This book was my bible. Of course I had other references and ideas to use, but pretty much kept to this book. I had it there by my side while constructing everything from the shower pan, shower walls and tiling it all. Sure I could have done it without this book and my wife would have made me hire a professional to redo my job.
   
   Not to brag, but with the advice from this book people think that a professional DID remodel my bathroom. There is so much satisfaction in doing it yourself and to get a the results as good (and sometimes better) as a pro...



5. This book was pretty disappointing. After spending $24 for what I thought was going to be an authoritative book from a well respected expert on the art of tile setting, I find myself browsing other books while I'm at Home Depot to get the information I need. In particular there is absolutely no mention of how cutting and setting stone tiles is different than ceramic. No mention of using epoxy to set tiles with resin on the back or use of epoxy for anything. No mention of design issues like what size tile or what layout is best for small or large rooms, what size grout joints look best with what types and sizes of tile. He has these cute sections about how cool it is to be a tile setter all over the book which bugs me since that space in the book could have been used to give real information. As an example he has a section on making u-cuts in floor tiles. He never actually tells you how to make a u-cut, just how great you'll feel when you master this skill.
   
   I'm guessing the reason this book has so many great reviews here is that the people that hang out in his online forum buy the book and enjoy his cute little stories and write a glowing review. They don't care about the lack of detail in the book because they can get it from the online forum. But for $24 I shouldn't have to then go to an online forum or sneak peeks at other books while at the store for the information I need, it should all be in the BOOK!
   
   From looking at other tile books at Home Depot, either the Stanley (that's pretty sad) or Taunton book would be better choices for people who actually want to learn how to set tile.

No comments about The Black & Decker Complete Guide: Build Your Kids a Treehouse (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Flooring (Black & Decker).

1. I suspect that one of the most insane decisions in my life is deciding to redo my kitchen - on my own. This makes all kinds of practical sense, given what labor costs. But I am incorrigibly un-handy. But in a fit of pseudo-parsimony (you never really save any money doing something yourself - you just buy tools instead of labor) and a determination to recover my macho I have sailed into the unknown of plumbing, cabinetry, plastering, tiling, and, worst of all, flooring.

   No sooner did it become obvious that replacing the floor was inevitable than I realized that I was completely clueless about what to use and how to go about it. Of course there is no lack of people who will tell you what they would do, but this is one of those things that you live with forever and it needed to be wholly what I wanted. At this point I scanned the shelf of the local handyman's heaven and found this little cheery volume.

   For the most part it's quite practical. Chapters on planning, design, and preparation nurse you through the start up and dreaded removing of the old floor stages. Then there are chapters on hardwood floors, ceramic and stone floors, resilient flooring, and carpeting. More follows on finishing and repair. More than enough to answer the basic questions of how to close the knowledge gap and make a sensible decision about how to proceed.

   There are countless photos, and the writing style is clear, even if it is a bit dull. Of course, dull is a good thing when making a major household change. One gets excited when the day is over and the job done, not by unexpected drama in the kitchen. This seems as good a reference as any I've seen, and covers far more than I ever wanted to know. I expect that someday soon my cats will be walking on something entirely new. Complaining as they go, of course.




2. I've only helped a neighbour lay a wooden floor before so I needed all the help i could get. This book is informative with good pictures and ideas. It details everything from the tools you need to the different types of flooring and how to lay them
   I now feel confident to embark on purchasing and laying my own wooden floor. Highly recommended for a beginner



3. I'm a novice DIYer and new homeowner of an old place, and I like to get all the help I can before talking to experts. This helped me get informed on some flooring options, and was certainly helpful with illustrating to my carpenter what I wanted in different areas of my current renovation project. I probably would rate it higher if I've had the chance to do the work myself, but that's for later.



4. This is a great book for the do it yourself person. Great full color pictures. Complete step by step details on how to do a particular job. Have looked at several books like this and the Black and Decker book was tops. Not only does this book give you step by step instructions for a project, it also gives you a list of items needed prior to starting project. FYI I am fenmale and feel I can do any floor job with the aide of this book.



5. I've bought this book for my laminate floor project. The book turned out to be a disappointment: it gives no more information than I found on a leaflet from a laminate crate. With great details and pictures it explains very basic things, like it targeted for a 6-years old doing his school science project. But it omits really important details and nuances: how to calculate a layout so you wouldn't end up with the 1-inch wide last row, where to use which molding and how to install it, and so on. And if some unexperienced and not technically-inclined person starts his project using only this book, he very quickly may find himself in the troubles, with lot of materials and time wasted.

5 comments about Monster Garage: How to Weld Damn Near Anything (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. I'm a novice to welding, but I'm a professional in the field of training materials -- I thought I might pick this book up for a quick intro on equipment to buy, how to set up my home garage with tools, perhaps. What a laugh. What this book actually is:
   
   1) A disjointed collection of photographs and useless captions. Under a picture of a race car: "This race car has a strong TIG-welded front suspension ..." and the photo is from 6 feet away.
   
   2) A bewildering list of disjointed paragraphs. A heading of "Aircraft Mig Welding" followed by two paragraphs of text, followed by a heading of "Race Car Mig Welding". I'm sure those two paragraphs just about cover aircraft welding, huh? There's a nice general topic to gloss over.
   
   3) Someone's idea of how to cash in on Monster Garage TV show marketing, without actually having to do the work of writing an actual BOOK. There are no step-by-step procedures, no introduction to the topics, or techniques. If you want a mindless collection of tables, charts, and oddball photographs, this is for you.
   
   The correct title should be: How to Make Money for the Discovery Channel Without Doing Work



2. ...it's not a very good series. The book does contain useful information about electric welding processes. However it leans too heavily towards welding for aerospace - a reflection of the author's background. Bottom line is there are better welding resources out there that support custom car building. As a Monster Garage souvenir it misses the grade with only a passing reference to the show and Jesse James.



3. This book had a lot of nice pictures but not much information. It was somewhat entertaining if you liked Monster Garage but not very helpful. I needed more specifics on how to do it since I have not welded since high school and that was a long time ago. I ended up going to the library and getting a big heavy book on the subject and that was much more helpful.



4. This book seems to be some marketing ploy aimed at skimming any $$$ they can off the Monster Garage name. One would think that with that title you would be getting some good information from Mr Jesse James or at least someone remotely related to the show.
   
   This is not the case.
   
   It appears that the publishers bought some guys book titled "Performance Race Car and Aircraft Frames By A Guy That Hates MIG Welders", threw in some pics and graphics from the Monster Garage show and tossed it on the market to rake in those Monster Garage bucks.
   
   Let's simply examine the title:
   
   Monster Garage- Nothing really remotely to do with the Monster Garage. A bit at the front end, but nothing really to do with welding done on the show.
   
   How To Weld- Actually very little in the way of constructive instruction on the actual process of welding.
   
   Damn Near Anything- Well, as long as you are talking about race car chassis or airplane frames and then there is very little even on that.
   
   The book boils down to this- You suck unless you TIG weld everything.
   
   If you are a neophyte looking for good basic instruction then this is not the book for you. If you like pictures that really have nothing to do with actually welding, hey, this might be your cup of tea.



5. With a name like "How to Weld Damn Near ANYTHING", I thought I'd be learning all the tricks needed to weld together two aluminum cans, or maybe the secret to welding a tungsten wear plate to a stainless carrier.
   
   Alas, there is none of that. Just a rehash of stuff you can find in any basic welding text without much useful added. If you want basic info, download the Miller introductory books from the web for free and you'll get much more (and better) information.