5 comments about The Log Home Plan Book.

1. I bought this early on in the planning stage of our log cabin as a resouce. After looking through dozens of books and magazines I actually used one of the plans in the book after modifying it slightly. This has many plans that give you some great ideas and has enough difference between them to be a nice starting point in the design process.



2. My husband and I are in the preliminary stages of planning our dream log home. There are many pricey books out there to peruse, but none were as helpful as this one. It helped us to understand construction and budgetary compliance. By planning with this book, we curbed our budget, without compromising quality and beauty. The information was easy to digest and the photos were excellent and instrumental in the implementation of design and decorating. This book is definitely a MUST HAVE for anyone who is planning to build a log home.



3. This was the first log home book my wife and I purchased after making the decision to not settle for any old house on the market and to build our dream home. It was a great way to get the ideas flowing. I appreciate the layout of the book: lots of exterior and interior photos, floor plans to put the photos into perspective, text descriptions of the houses, and great side bars on everything from windows to roofs to heating. The photos and descriptions are inspiring while the floor plans and side bars are practical. Buy this book early in the process and continue to refer to it as your design comes together.



4. I expected the book to have more plans under 2000 sq ft. If you want a mansion than it has lots of good plans for you!
   
   Rose



5. Stay away if you are looking for floor plans...I would have rather spent my money on three good magazines.

5 comments about Rustic Retreats: A Build-It-Yourself Guide.

1. For anyone with space enough, but without the money to build on it, this book has so many answers. It has line drawings on almost every page and is pure delight to read and dream over.



2. I don't get why you put a beautiful photo on the cover of your book and all 2nd rate hand drawn pictues inside. It's deceptive! Won't help you with Country Home ideas. Maybe good for a kids Fort or a Bowhunting stand...



3. These are true rustic retreats for adults. Just know this is not for children's tree houses or play houses. These are very rustic retreats, such as a lean-to to use as a nature retreat, or for the shack-like building the size of a garden shed for sleeping in as a weekend getaway,(sans electricity or toilets).

   The one I loved the most was a rustic arbor for grapevines that was basically 4 poles with a semi-roof--for the vines to grow up and over the top to form a roof. The idea of sitting under it with a table and relaxing outdoors was quite tempting. However, where I would get the rustic tree trunks to make this is beyond me (but it looked wonderful).

   There are no photographs. This is not a glitzy-beautiful tempting type of book. It is about the nuts and bolts of really building one of these structures. I suggest browsing this book first to see if there is a structure you are interested in.

   The plans are quite detailed and seem more than adequate to use as building plans.




4. I'm glad there are no photos in this book. Get an imagination! The drawings are fun and lively. They also give important aspects of the project that a photo rarely illustrates. Now I know how (in detail) to construct a tipi, or put together a simple door or roof that really would hold up to nature. The primitive shelters section is great. So are the tree houses. Not that all of these projects are practical homes, but now I have ideas for that "fort" in the back acre my kids are bugging me about. Thanks for a great book to just read, or get us outside with a saw and hammer.



5. I liked this book alot. Contains simple and practical ideas. But I would say it is best for someone who is ready to get off their duff and build something, anything. Instead of just looking for pretty pictures and dreaming. If I can do it you can too.

5 comments about Cabins: A Guide to Building Your Own Nature Retreat.

1. We used the ideas in this book to add nice touches to our Mt. Rainier cabin rental. The photos are great and the projects well described. the ideas are very creative.



2. I'm tending to agree with both sides here! And I think it's a great book. I have been reading building and cabin books for a year (we're building this Summer). This one is pretty great - a good way to inform yourself about options, the decisions you need to make, kinds of cabins, etc. Another reviewer writes as if I were going to go out and build my cabin based on the info in this book. Now that would be silly wouldn't it? I need architect drawn plans. So read this wonderful book, and go buy some plans. No, yt's not a how-to, and it shouldn't be used that way. But it's still a great book.



3. This book has been quite valuable to me as I plan my cottage in Canada. While it is not totally comprehensive, it does a very good job of explaining many of the relevant concepts of cabin planning, design and a fair idea of the building process. Some useful details concerning construction techniques are provided, as well.
   
   Other reviewers have argued that much is left out--correct, given that the book only runs 240 pages. I think that those reviewers misunderstand the intent of the book: to give the reader ideas, not to hand-hold them through every single step of the process. For example, many of the building plans that are provided are lacking in some key details. So what? I intend to have an architect draw up my plans anyway.
   
   At minimum, I know a heck of a lot more after reading the book than I did beforehand.



4. As others have noted, this is a useful book for generating ideas and getting the creative juices flowing. I bought it to obtain those features, and it did not disappoint me.
   
   The Stiles are, apparently, a prolific couple on this and similar topics, and they certainly deserve credit for effective packaging and marketing. David Stiles has filled the book's pages with material--some good, some irrelevant, and some good for entertainment--but he certainly has filled it nonetheless. The layout and tone of this book is vaguely reminiscent of a copy of an early 1970s Mother Earth News. The reader's challenge is to extract the kernals of insight from the volumes of chaff. What the book lacks in detailed engineering and construction discussion and techniques it makes up for in peripheral and, in some cases, funny advice. Consider the detailed description of the electronic vehicle-arrival and gate-unlocking monitors--this in a book purported to find ways to get one in touch with mother nature and perhaps forego electricity entirely. Or the sketch plan for the garden-hose remedy against racoons infiltrating your metal trashcan. The advice is intriguing enough, but one suspects that a bit more discussion on well-installation or obtaining running water might be in order before turning to a technological solution involving the use of pressurized water for a racoon problem. Given the Stiles' ties to Manhattan, maybe the accepted security measures of their current environment don't seem quite as ridiculous or irrelevant as they probably do to anyone who actually lives in a rural area. Or consider their admonition against Coleman lanterns being "Scary and hard to light." Hmmm, I, too, have fears and I'm certainly not the most dexterous fellow, but I've learned that five minutes of hands-on practice can turn even the most hardcore urbanite into a safe and proficient Coleman-lantern lighter. Something tells me Mr. Stiles has not taken the time to do the same, and this casts a disconcerting pall over the value of much of his other advice. How much of it has actually been tried?
   
   But this book is valuable for the focus it gives to architecture and perhaps encouraging one to pick up a tablet of graph paper and start sketching floorplans or facades; extract those ideas and use them as fodder for formulating your own. Read the rest with a grain of salt. For a more focused, pragmatic, and obviously tested perspective on cabin-building, get a copy of G. Wayne Fears' "How to Build Your Dream Cabin."



5. Ive begun a mission to build a small cabin on some family property here in Oregon. Recently, Ive done a good deal of research and purchased 5 notable books on how to build a cabin/small dwelling.
   Upon reviewing this material it looks like its well thought out, but is lacking in alot of depth. Gives a wonderful representation of what could be done, and what is possible (something which other books lack).
   Out of these 5 books, Ive got two which will carry me to the end with great depth, and 3 that will be "reserves" for ideas. This is definitely the top of my reserve pile, and my first for pictures of ideas.

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

1. 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.



2. 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.



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 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.



5. 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"

3 comments about Black & Decker Complete Home Improvement: with 300 Projects and 2,000 Photos (Black & Decker Complete Photo Guide).

1. I recently purchased this book and was a bit disappointed with it. As a beginner, first-time homeowner, I was hoping that it would be a great source for "how-tos" on a lot of major home improvement/repair projects. The book does cover an insane number of different topics. In that regard, it probably is a great "reference" book for people who are not beginners in home improvement. However, for someone like me, I felt like devoting 1-2 pages on EVERY project a lot of times just was nowhere near enough information for me to confidently tackle the project. I mean, they even capped a roofing project (major) to 2 pages. I saw the Home Depot 1-2-3 books and they seem to provide a lot more depth and step by step instructions than this Black & Decker book, albiet with not as many topics.



2. My husband and I are novice DIYers and purchased this book and its companion (Home Repair...in the gold cover which doesn't seem to be on Amazon right now, though we bought it with this book this past fall). We've found both books to be excellent. I agree with the other reviewer that the topics are covered in maybe 1-3 pages, but B&D has done an excellent job of keeping the writing tight and to the point, but also understandable. Additionally, the photography quality is excellent, making the photos very helpful and somewhat of a stand-in for more text. Highly recommended.



3. Not much to say, i bought a book, It was a good experience, i gave them money, they shipped me a book. It was new, so cant complain, it was dirt cheap, which is a PLUS, and thats it..... good stuff

5 comments about Building Your Own Greenhouse (Greenhouse Basics).

1. This is simply a magnificent book on how to construct your own hobby greenhouse as well as other gardening structures such as simple cold frames or installing a bay window with a nice ledge in your home. The main advantage of building your own greenhouse is cost-savings; manufactured greenhouses are very expensive to buy and even more expensive to have assembled. And you don't need to be a handyman to put one together - in most cases you'll be building a frame to hold plastic sheeting to keep out the cold and let in the sun's rays. So what if it's a little crooked here or there? Chances are neither you nor anyone else will notice, but the flowering assortment of vegetables, fruits, and specimen plants will grab everyone's attention!
   
   The author, Mark Freeman, shares his own experiences as well as the experiences of others in building greenhouse structures. First he explains how greenhouses work. Then he shows you every step toward the completion of your own hobby greenhouse. The rest of the chapters are 'Site Selection and Laying a Foundation', 'Framing', 'Glazing', 'Ventilation' (a very important chapter because successful greenhouse gardening hinges on this), 'Supplemental Heating, Insulation, and Heat Sinks', 'Plumbing and Wiring', and 'Shutters and Shades'. Sources for suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors are also listed in appendices. In conclusion, he shares designs for eleven different DIY greenhouse structures including a hoop house. Another design is called Mary's Madhouse (an attached second-floor solar greenhouse built lean-to fashion over top of an adjoining shed) and Alwin's Plumber's Friend is a greenhouse made from PVC pipe. Mark Freeman's greenhouse is attached to his home and includes a hot tub nestled among his seedlings and houseplants.
   
   In short, this is a great resource for the home gardener who has thought about building his or her first little greenhouse because you will no doubt experience success without too much fuss.



2. Pretty simple to follow instructions and drawings. Not the most exciting book of its kind I have read recently, but some good information and alternative building ideas.



3. This book was well written and offered many interesting greenhouse plans. I built a 22x40 foot model from the plans and have been very happy with the results.



4. It made a giant leap into a small step: From a gardener to a greenhouse operator.
   
   Buy the book and enjoy transformation and success!



5. Want to build your own greenhouse. Books addresses some problems associated with air circulation, temperature control, building materials etc...

3 comments about Audel Millwrights and Mechanics Guide.

1. I'm a shop foreman and I need to know A to Z about everything mechanical and how to fix it. This is the only book I could ever find with millwrights information in it and blacksmithing, but all I had was my dog-eared, ancient copy. Until now. Finally a new edition and none of the good material has been disturbed. This a must-have for every shop-every shop foreman.



2. I wondered where the great Audel brand had gone until I saw this book, probably one of the most known books of all the old Audel's I have in my collector's library. Anyone who does anything with his hands, whether at home in the garage or on the shop floor should buy this book.



3. I bought this book new about thirty years ago. It was $11 then, if I remember right. I ordered it from a catalog; amazon.com and home computers didn't exist. So the edition I am writing about is the one thirty years ago.
   
   This book contains all the hints and kinks and even secrets about setting up machinery that you would normally have to learn by working with someone experienced who knows what he is doing.
   
   The book touches on just about everything. The rigging section tells about how to take care of rope, how to tie knots, how to estimate the weight of something by lifting it with a pinch bar. There is a blacksmith section showing the tools used and some basic forging techniques.
   
   There is a lot of discussion of power transmission, such as flat belts, V belts, shafts, bearings, couplings and such. It shows how to align an electic motor so that the pulleys on the motor and the machine will be in line with each other.
   
   This is not a project book. It doesn't have plans on how to build something. But if you have a machine like a hammer mill, a lathe, an air compressor, a blower, a furnace, or whatever, big and mean, this book shows how to put a sling on it, lift it with a crane, move it, build a floor to put in on, put it where you want it, line it with other machines, put a motor on it, line up the pulleys to power it up, bolt it down, lubricate it, and even a little about how to build a roof over it.
   
   You will have to have a big pocket to put this book in.

5 comments about The Black & Decker Complete Outdoor Builder: From Arbors to Walkways: 150 DIY Projects (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

1. As a do-it-yourselfer, this is a wonderful addition to my DIY library. The pictures are colorful and add to the project explanation and the directions are clear and consise.



2. This book is worth all others on this subject. It is good money saver for me.



3. I have dozens of these "how to" books in my library and was most impressed with not only the concepts, but the instructions this book offered. This book could keep the outdoor handyman busy for a dozen summers. Very well done and most original.



4. Black & Decker is of course synonymous with power-tools, but less well known is that they make really excellent how-to books as well. This one is outstanding. If your interested in carpentry, masonry, and landscaping design, this book is first rate. The emphasis here in on things like fences, gazebos, stone walls...things with an outdoor landscaping theme. There is also excellent coverage of decks, porches, and sheds, too. A nice and very comprehensive book. Tons of color and detailed illustrations. You can't go wrong with the B & D series or the Better Homes and Gardens series.



5. This softcover, colored picture book is the one to have. Be sure to have a pad of Post-It notes handy because you'll be marking pages for future reference. I saw this book in my local mall's bookstore and thumbed through the pages. I liked it so much I went home and ordered from Amazon.com for $[...] less than the bookstore and also received free shipping!
   
   I bought this book because I've been trying to design a porch and deck. Most books have deck plans and ideas but nothing about porches. This book had pictures and detailed diagrams complete with top and side elevations. It showed beam layouts and spans with measurements.
   
   Of course there are many other sections in this book about pathways, patios, fences, walls, gates, sheds, outbuildings, and outdoor accessories such as kids' play structures, raised garden beds, fire pits, and many more. This is a great reference guide for all of us who love to build things but sometimes need guidance. It'll be the best investment under $[...] you'll make.
   
   Bruce Campbell
   Camden, Delaware

5 comments about Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile.

1. I have always been an avid DIY'er and a passionate lover of tile, so I have just about every book on the subject. I've been waiting for the release this newest book TILE STYLE and let me tell you, it does not disappoint. Truly an all inclusive book, it covers in great detail everything tile including natural stone, glass, metal, mosaics, terra cotta, brick, porcelain, ceramic, cork and numerous decorative tiles. Not only will you learn the qualities of each, but how to chose, design with, install and care for them as well. The book is filled with beautiful photos of tiled rooms (even the installation sections are full color). And when it comes to the installation sections, this has to be one of the most detailed, yet simply presented of my entire collection. Plus, the projects incorporate the newest setting methods and materials in conjunction with the most current trends in kitchens, baths and flooring such as a granite tile countertop, a glass and metal backsplash and setting a travertine tile floor! Beautiful, extremely informative and cutting edge - a must have tile book!



2. This book is chock full of gorgeous tile applications in a variety of styles. I especially love the mosaics. Pure eye candy!



3. This book has some wonderful examples of tile projects to inspire you to do your own. After I read the book I did my own project and it turned out well. The book is packed full of useful information to help anyone complete their own project.



4. This is a great book about tile. It has creative, inexpensive ways to upgrade your tile look and to help enhance your end result. There are beautiful pictures of tile work someone would actually install into their own home. Highly recommend this book for the person who is looking for creative ideas.



5. Tile Style: Creating Beautiful Kitchens, Baths, and Interiors with Tile I am a professional interior designer and Tile Style is my new favorite tile book, and I buy alot of books. It offers not only great pictures for ideas etc., but is a great "how to" for anyone just starting out.

5 comments about Haircutting for Dummies.

1. What is it about a bad haircut ~ I mean a truly, truly BAD haircut, so bad my husband didn't even recognize me when I walked out of the salon ~ that drives people to "Haircutting for Dummies"? I know I'm not the only one who has been in this DIRE situation. This is a good guide, a little confusing in places, but that confusion might be me, but overall a very helpful guide. If only this book could grow out bad haircuts... at least it can help fix them.



2. I usually like the Dummies books (although I hate their name) because they explain the most basic information. This book seems to be adapted from a hairstylist's textbook and assumes a lot of background knowledge. The directions keep commenting on my needs as a professional, which I have no desire to become. And there are not nearly enough pictures for a topic so visual a topic as haircutting. I will be shopping for other books that are more geared towards the home haircutter.



3. My stepdaughter has been cutting my hair for years, and mostly does a good job. I got this book for her, and the last haircut I got was the best she's ever done. Lots of stuff about cutting women's hair in here, too.



4. There aren't enough pictures and the author writes in hard to understand language. I need a book that's written in easier language with tons more pictures. I would not order this book again.



5. I found this book to be the perfect review having been out of the business for sometime now. But it's actually an excellent self learning tool for anyone wanting to know how to cut hair with or without previous experience.