5 comments about The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance, Third Edition.

1. The book was very well written and an excellent resource for someone who needs to understand how the different aspects of a pool or spa work. Certain readers may find some of the information too detailed. However, this reader being a new pool owner and an engineer greatly appreciated the comprehensive explanations that were provided.
   The text includes a plethora of information pertaining to pools, spas, and the support equipment. It provided a basic explanation of construction, repair, replacement, and maintenance of the structure and equipment. There are many pictures and detailed diagrams. In addition, there are numerous quick tips throughout, which are presented in bold fonts and segregated from the main body of the text. Although the information that was provided was thorough, the explanations do not require a doctorate to understand. This reader would recommend the book to any new or existing pool owner with even a slight amount of mechanical understanding.



2. Cover all items, and for an engineer and new pool owner like me it covers things I'll probably never need but are interesting to know. It is a heavy read and appears to be for pool builders in places.



3. I found the book to be very helpful for a person with technical background and for the average homeowner. It is very easy to understand and useful. I highly recommend this book for the pool technician as well as the homeowner who wants to know if his pool service company is not ripping him off.



4. This was shipped quickly and promptly. Only problem it reads more like a text book. So take you time reading this.



5. This is really the only spa and pool maintenance reference many people will need. It gives just the right amount of detail without boring the reader with the mundane. I work at a hotel and this is my first spa and pool to maintain. It has made my life far easier.

1 comments about Smart Guide: Basements: Step-by-Step Projects (Smart Guide).

1. Part of the outstanding "Smart Guide" series from Creative Homeowner, Basements: Step-By-Step Projects is a no-nonsense, "user friendly" collection of step-by-step projects to insulate walls, update plumbing, install new wiring, eliminate moisture problems and much more in the basement of one's home. Color photographs, diagrams, and detailed instructions distinguish this excellent do-it-yourself resource which is confidently recommended for personal "do-it-yourself" and Interior Design technical reference shelf collections.

4 comments about How To Build Your Dream Garage (Motorbooks Workshop).

1. This book isn't worth the money, it reads like the words are just copied from product brochures, and the photos are very disappointing. There's nothing in here that would make a great garage. I'm a builder and I found a lot more garage ideas and much better quality in the Ultimate Garages books, which have fantastic images and are worth every cent of the extra price.



2. If you're looking to build a garage starting from Square 1, or even modify your existing garage to make it more workable, this is an ideal place to start. Sure inspirational photos are great (this book, by the way, has plenty of them), but so is practical advice to go along with them. The author doesn't just illustrate the ideas, he explains how to implement them. The reader gets the feeling that Klancher's been there, done that, and he even employs a self-deprecating sense of humor to help steer you clear of some of the mistakes he's made. Sure, Klancher sometimes comes across as not being the sharpest tool in the shed, as it were--a Pabst-swilling, man-child in the realm of power tools, petty zoning-office bureaucrats, and potentially lethal electrical current--but that's the point. His voice makes the title a highly readable book for the Everyman. So, if you're farming out the whole project because you don't want to get slivers under your nails, pick up one of the many hoity-toity "idea" books that are available. If, however, you subscribe to a DIY ethos, like so many garage owners do, this is your book.



3. If you want to actually build or hire someone to build a garage for you, this is the book for you to assemble both great ideas but excellent questions to ask or think about. Having remodeled my own kitchen - and hiring out some work - this book helped me figure out a timeline, expected budget, and what I might be able to manage myself or want to hire out when taking on a new build project as opposed to remodel.
   
   I've read a lot of books about remodeling - fewer on building - but felt this was immensely helpful in getting me started.



4. This book is great for anyone looking to do a total build out or just add cool new stuff to his garage. I bought it because it had projects for all of the things I wanted to have in my shop, plus it had a bunch more that were easy to add and put my shop into a whole different league. Everything is really well explained and the photos really help, showing all of the important steps. This book was key in turning my crusty detatched garage into a cool shop that all of my buddies want to hang out in.

3 comments about Building Bamboo Fences.

1. "Building Bamboo Fences" is beautifully illustrated with 31 pages of full color pictures and a fairly decent how to section about how to build them. One thing I do not like though is the books organization. There is a section of pictures and a section on history and a section illustrating construction technique. The book would be much more readable if these sections were mixed (i.e. the color pictures should be near the relivant history and how to illustrations. There needs to be a section discussing the different varieties and how and where to grow them. Bamboo grows nearly anywhere in the US, but tropical varieties are more rot resistant. There also needs to be a section on tools. Thin bladed knives are useless to split bamboo, but you would not get this from reading the book. And, where do you get tools and bamboo cultivars? It is not in the book...



2. "Building Bamboo Fences" has all the information you will need to build your own bamboo fence. Additionally, Mr. Yoshida has included a brief history of bamboo fences in Japan, a complete glossary of terms and many beautiful color photographs for inspiration. Fence diagrams range from simple see-through fences to more complex bamboo screening fences. The diagrams, techniques, and instructions for building different types of bamboo fences are clear, complete, easy to follow and even include tips on how to correct any problems you may have in construction. I turned an open work bamboo fence diagram into a trellis for my climbing rose bush in one afternoon. Whether you are looking to build simple edgings for garden paths or a full-screen fence - this is the book to use.



3. This is a Great book for bamboo lovers. Especially if you have access to the waste branches .I can't wait to do more with those! The more ideas here you try....the more the fever grips you.....Possiblities endless!
   Lots of pictures with great informative diagrams, inspiratinal ideas and plans as well as info on how to harvest and preserve poles. I like to fire harden....but watch out for explosions!
   One of the 2 best bamboo books I have seen. The other one is in Spanish

5 comments about Big Book of Home How-To (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. Great book I would recommend it to all homeowners.



2. The book is great...easy to follow...tells you everything you need to know about anything regarding the home. My husband loved it!!!



3. This was purchased as a gift but looking through the book, it seems it will be helpful for the new do-it-your-selfer.



4. Bought this item as a gift for my BF after researching a lot of home improvement books and it was a winner. It has a lot of different projects than you would find in other home improvement books (IE the Reader's Digest books, as they just keep updating the original version and not adding much new info.) He has already used it to do a few household repairs and it was right on!



5. This book has clear illustrations go to along with their directions for basic home improvement and repair needs. There is a large variety of information available in this book and has so far helped me with electric work and tile work. When it came time to call a professional, I felt better informed for the discussion of what I wanted for my house.

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)

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

1. My boyfriend loves this book. He read it in one day. I gave it to him on Christmas and he spent more time reading the book then he did spending time with his family. He read it and reread it. He would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn welding.



2. 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



3. ...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.



4. 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.



5. 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.

4 comments about Building Screened Rooms.

1. This book helped me to understand that there is much more involved with building a screened porch than I could handle myself. The directions were clear enough that I think any do-it-yourself-er with some experience under her belt could do a fine job. Not as many examples as I would have liked to have seen.



2. A great book, Many picture, giving great ideas and also many helpful notations for builind one.



3. This book has good information, nice pictures and usable designs for building screened rooms. Excellent "how to" methodology along with lumber specifications, loads and design detail. Best book I've found for screened room subject matter.



4. I bought this book specifically because it said it would show you how to build a screened room. From the book's front cover, "A complete how-to guide." I had been turned off by other books which simply said if you want a Gazebo, buy a kit and here's how to put it together. I don't have the budget to build from a kit. I need to put in the sweat equity. I bought Building Screened Rooms because I saw that it did have directions and a material list. I took it to the lumber yard to buy the materials. They explained that there was not enough detailed instructions or material specs to be able to build this. He said, "If you have a really knowledgeable builder, he may be able to figure this out for you." Not everyone is rich enough to just drop a wad of money on some architect, landscaper, builder, gardner and step back and watch them do the work. There are real live people out here who need directions because we are willing to work to attain what we want and can't just buy everything. I am so completely and hopelessly disappointed!!!

3 comments about Deck Designs: Plus Pergolas, Railings, Planters, Benches.

1. Deck Designs packs in a wealth of deck design ideas and patterns, featuring designer's unique approaches and their tips on how the deck feature was achieved. Color photos of patterns and decks supplement information on design considerations and details on construction techniques for the homeowner who wants to create his own custom deck.



2. I almost made the mistake of letting the contractors design my deck. They came up with a big boring rectangle. Thank goodness I bought this book first! It is packed with many wonderful ideas, including photos and tips to making a deck interesting and functional. It covers layout, railing design, and yard and use considerations. It is a very small investment for a big project, I suggest that anyone building a deck take a look at this book before proceeding.



3. If it hadn't been for this little gem of a book, I'd have ended up with exactly what I thought a deck was: a 10x30' rectangle on stilts outside my back door.

   Thanks to the inspiring designs outlined here, I was able to upgrade my $4K do-it-yourself deck with some snazzy details and useful layouts with little additional work and expense. Please do yourself the favor of flipping thru the pages of a book like this - if for nothing else than to see how it can be done by the best designers and builders.

   No, just like me you will never be able to afford the hand-sanded grade A redwood beauties that are featured on a couple of these spreads - materials alone would run into six figures. But you will be able to steal the design of the railing, or perhaps the notion of a split level or a nifty little nook for a bench or some other detail from the top end decks. There's enough closeups and sketches of the design to run with a concept that you find appealing, and the narrative will help you think thru the elements of your design that might open up new possibilities.

   After reading it from cover to cover a couple of times I shared the book and my comments on post-its with the contractor I had hired to help me complete my project, and it inspired him to come up with some ideas of his own, as well as better understand where I wanted to go with the project.