4 comments about Prescriptions for a Healthy House, 3rd Edition: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders & Homeowners.

1. Paula is a committed and dedicated architect and one of the leaders in the green building movement. She is a pioneer, and her book is an absolute treasure of information. Paula has integrated many of the safe building practices that are time honored and tested, and incorporated them into contemporary American building practices.
   
   The dangers of conventional building materials, and how they are toxic and contribute to indoor air pollution is one of the areas of her expertise. She carefully details why standard building practices are harmful, and how to take a healthier route. Comprehensive guides on how to find some of these alternative building materials and resources are found in A Prescription for a Healthy House.
   
   This book is an absolute must for those who are considering constructing a new building, or renovating an older one. If you are interested in health, this book is a no brainer. Why wouldn't you invest a few dollars to learn what one of the most talented and knowledgeable leaders in this field haves learned so you can apply it to your home?
   
   I actually hired Paula as a consultant for our new office building. With her help we were able to achieve the highest green building certification on the planet. The new building is Platinum LEED certified. There are only 17 buildings in the US, and 70 in the world that have achieved this certification level. If you are ever in the Chicago area, I hope you will stop by and visit our new office building, located at 3200 West Higgins in Hoffman Estates, IL.



2. Home is where the heart is - and what's around the heart can make it unhealthy. Now in a newly revised, updated, and expanded third edition, "Prescriptions For A Healthy House: A Practical Guide for Architects, Builders, & Homeowners" is especially for those who are building homes. "Prescriptions For A Healthy House" discusses how to improve the physical, emotional, and spiritual health of those who would reside in the home being constructed. Looking critically at current building practices, and offering advice on how to improve one's techniques, "Prescriptions For A Healthy House" is an expert manual on so-called Bau-Biologue - building biology. Highly recommended for community library architecture collections.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. As a Building Biologist I work with people who want healthier homes and there is no better resource for creating a healthy home than this book. Every builder, architect and home remodeler needs to read this book before they start their next project. It's cutting edge thinking.



4. I have read hundereds of books and articles on non-toxic homes and lifestyle and this book is top notch - highly recommended.

5 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!!!



5. I purchased this book to see if I could learn how to put my own screened room. Tons of ideas.

4 comments about How to Repair Briggs and Stratton Engines, 4th Ed..

1. I believe that this book will be a great book. I am having trouble with my engine and i would like to read this and figure out my problems. I can't wait to get it.



2. Dempsey basically says, theres two kinds, lots of varation, and if you have a problem, take it to a shop.
   
   Lacking in clear illustrations.

   Why did I need to spend $...to read this ?

   I gave it one star because 0 was not an option.




3. The book should be called overview of briggs and stratton engines. I found that the book lacked any usefull information for the home do it yourselfer. The book has little information on the primer bulb type carberator and little to no information on trouble shooting and solving problems of this type. His vage explanation as well as confusing illistrations has me regreting that I purchased this book.



4. Tinkering with old Briggs engines is fun and I've saved dozens from the dump over the years. This book is better than some I have read, but it's no substitute for the factory manuals for a specific engine or engine series. It does have some information the factory books don't, such as ways to get around needing some of the tools-although Briggs tools are not terribly expensive and are readily available.
   
   This book is best used in addition rather than as a substitute for the factory data. Judging from other TAB titles, it could definitely been worse.

5 comments about Green Remodeling: Your Start toward an Eco-Friendly Home (Ultimate Guide).

1. This book is green in that it beats around the "green" bush and seems intended for "green" do-it-yourselfers. I was looking for new ways to remodel which could add to the energy efficiency of my home, and really, all I got was a surprisingly discouraging primer on how to waste my money on do-it-yourself projects and maybe get a slighly higher R-value. Though only one chapter is entitled "building basics", most of the other chapters are painfully basic and downright misanthropic.
   
   The section entitled "Siding Choices" starts out "Siding problems can usually be fixed by making spot repairs...." Er, who said I had a siding problem? As to the "siding choices", presented only after the instructions on buidling two different kinds of scaffold, all are presented equally with no discussion on which is environmentally more friendly.
   
   The only value I see in this book is that a few of the slick pictures and elementary diagrams manage to answer a question or two, such as 'What does polyurethane foam insulation look like?' On the other hand, an illustration whose caption refers to an interior as well-designed shows the writer should go back to design school.
   
   Maybe the book is just misleadingly titled and should have been called "A primer on do-it-yourself remodeling including all the problems and one or two embedded references on doing it eco-friendly like." (Er, a little long, I know.)



2. Green Remodeling: Your Start Toward an Eco-Friendly Home. I read a lot of green remodeling books and magazines. The best feature of this book is the large number of photographs with captions. I believe that showing something to the reader is usually more useful than writing something. It is easier to get the point across when you SEE it. I enjoy all the Creative Homeowner books for this reason.



3. Attractive, well-organized, clearly written, authoritative -- this book, written by a veteran author and green-building expert, is the green remodeling guide to have, whether you've making decisions about remodeling or doing it yourself. Unlike some books on the subject, it is not only well-designed and attractive but full of hands-on guidance in the form of how-to and how's-it-work illustrations and photos.
   
   In short, this is solid, authoritative information presented in lucid, plain prose and well-conceived and executed art. At under $15 -- the price of a hammer -- it's a no-brainer, whether you're doing it yourself or just need to know your stuff to contract the job out.



4. This is a terrific, easy to understand book for homeowners who want helpful, real-world examples of how they can improve the energy-efficiency, indoor air quality, and green qualities of their home. The author provides numerous suggestions and examples of choices that make good sense when remodeling. Users can take "small steps" to green-up their home, or embark on large-scale projects that incorporate the newest green materials and techniques.
   Very useful book, especially for homeowners who want to improve their homes and be mindful of our environment, but aren't sure where to start.



5. My wife and I are in the midst of two remodeling projects, and were desperately seeking some practical information on being as "green" as possible. This book is a homerun. It's chock full of tips for energy-efficiency (very important for us), plus useful information on choosing greener products. We've done lots of research on green building and green remodeling, and kept running into conflicting definitions and standards. After reading this book, we now understand that going green isn't rocket science. The author does a great job of explaining what makes one product greener than another. A must-read for anyone striving to make their home as eco-friendly as possible.

5 comments about Choosing Colors: An Expert Choice of the Best Colors to Use in Your Home.

1. This was exactly the book I was hoping it would be. It truly helps you choose colors from the popular brands of paint available. I was most interested in colors for a room with only a northern exposure. Every color I tried seemed to turn green on the walls. This book was extremely helpful in this regard. The only reason I gave it only 4 stars instead of 5 is the same reason others have commented on. The paint colors used in palette 28 and 29 were omitted from the reference guide in the rear of the book. It covers blue which is most people's favorite color so the omission is significant. Fortunately, for me, blue is my least favorite color.



2. Kevin McCloud is an authority on residential architecture and design, and his personal choice of the best colors to use in every type of home makes choosing a snap in CHOOSING COLORS, which includes over 700 color swatches and tips for home decor ranging from historical to modern. From early period colors to modern earth tones and mixes, there are plenty of outstanding examples perfect for selecting the right color shade and combination, making this a top pick for any lending library strong in home and garden guides.



3. I bought this book while trying to plan a color palette for our new house. I've always liked houses with some color on the walls and different colors in different rooms. The challenge is finding colors that match the furnishings of each room and yet still coordinate with the other room colors.
   
   The book provides broader and more versatile palettes than I was able to find in any other book. Better yet, it provided some scattered advice about what colors to use in particular situations (i.e. exterior vs. interior, main color vs. accent, cloudy climate vs. sunny climate). It also offered advice about how to put together color combinations that work. For example, I found it's advice about the surprising utility of purple colors in bringing a complex palette together was quite useful.
   
   I would have liked to have found a book that offered more systematic advice or a palette that was precisely what I needed, but using the principles and some of the examples in this book I was able to put a household palette together that I am reasonably pleased with.



4. Save your money and buy the Color Bible. While this does have some historical references, unless you are doing a period home, do you care? I re-read the "how to use this book" 5 times. Couldn't find the numeric references to the palettes ("on palette 17.....etc"). Asked a few friends to help cause I was obviously missing something.
   
   Not worth the work. Buy a color wheel and a painters fan deck instead.



5. This is by far the best color reference book I have ever used. I am a residential design professional and there is a palette for everyone on your list in this book. It even provides you with the American paint suppliers and paint names/reference numbers. The brief histories are a plus as well. It is simply the fastest way to help yourself with color palettes for all architectural styles from antiquity to the present.

5 comments about Manual of Traditional Wood Carving.

1. This is one of those rare books written a long time ago (early 1900s) when craftsmen and artists actually made their livings working with their hands (after serving apprenticships under masters). Their art went on to be perfected during a time when such hand-craftsmanship was valued and rewarded albeit simply and honestly. The treasure trove of techniques and historical information in this book is the kind that I typically find only in old books like this one. 'Very applicable to todays professional or recreational woodworker/carver and to those simply interested in historical carved styles evident in todays antiques.



2. If a person could only have one book on woodcarving, this would be THE book. It was written back in 1911, so some of the material is out of date. For example, the section on how to sharpen tools is dated. Some of the "tone" of this large (568 page)book is in the style of stuff written at that time. It can be a bit preachy and it can get a bit philosophical at times. For example it talks about how learning to carve wood makes you a better person. But these points are so minor, when you consider the entire book, that they cannot even be considered as flaws. There is no other book which even tries to cover just about all types of woodcarving. It covers:tools, history, and styles. It provides an almost unlimited (1146 to be exact), and certainly unparalleled set of photos and line drawings of different types of carvings throughout history. He even has a chapter on how to set up training programs for woodcarving for various groups of people.
   Mr. Hasluck does provide some "how to" information. He provides a set of recommended gauges, clamps, sharpening equipment, bench designs, etc. He tells you about and even illustrates the various steps of carving (setting in, grounding, modeling and finishing). He is the only author I have come across who explains why he recommended every tool that he recommends. This is absolutely enlightening!!! It is interesting that his recommended set of tools is much different from the modern authors on this subject (eg Chris Pye, Nora Hall, etc). After researching this topic, I have come to the conclusion that Hasluck selected his set to be most appropriate to highly detailed relief carving, which is the type of carving that he spends the most time on.
   I would bet that if someone wanted to start learning how to carve, and they bought only this book, they would be very disappointed. If you are looking for a "how to" book, which gives you a preselected sequence of five projects, from easy to medium, and tells you which tool to use to make each cut in each project, then this is NOT the book for you. There are other books that do this much better. Go to the website for Chris Pye and check out his books on introductory carving, and check out the videotapes of Nora Hall on her website. These will give you much more of the very specific "how to" information on a sequence of specific graded projects.
   Every really good carver that I know has used this book extensively. Most of the good carvers that I have talked to are mostly self taught. All speak "lovingly" about Hasluck's book. It is the greatest source of carving information and suggestions and illustrations you can find in one place. One of its "drawbacks" is that it is so encyclopedic, that one could not read it from cover to cover. This is more of a reference book that a carver refers to VERY often during his/her development.
   Hasluck's coverage of Chip Carving is an example of how encyclopedic he is. Other authors on this subject only cover one of the many ways that it can be done. He covers many of them in great detail, and he doesn't denigrate any of them. I would buy this book only for the set of chip carving designs that it includes. The rest of the book would be "gravy" to me.
   This book is to woodcarving what the Roman Coliseum is to sports arenas. It is a classic. I doubt it will ever be surpassed.
   Hasluck's book is really for the person who has taken control of his own education in woodworking, and who wants to become VERY good. It is far too much for the casual person who wants to make one or two carvings with inexpensive tools. Of course, if you like to have impressive books on your coffee table, this would be a good one!!!!!
   I am in awe of Paul N. Hasluck, the author of this wonderful book. Having the goal of writing a book of this scope and depth would be like having the goal of climbing Mt. Everest without oxygen. It would not be for the faint of heart. Virtually all serious modern books on woodcarving refer to this 1911 book. It is incomparable, and it is a real bargain. In my humble opinion, you'll get far more out of this book, which will probably cost you less than $20, than you will from a course on woodcarving that will cost you $1000.
   BUY THE BOOK. You'll be glad you did.



3. This book is somewhat outdated. Don't purhcase it if you are planning to learn wood carving from it.
   It is however an interesting reading and will provide some usefull information.



4. maybe in the 1700's it was a good book, but now it s not. i read about half of it, put it where it belongs, in the trash. save your money, go on line, alot better info on the web,for free. tim



5. This book is full of information, with a catch. It is like a hundred years old! and has never been updated. To sharpen chisels, it recommends a three foot diameter grinding wheel set in the ground. good for traditionalists.

2 comments about Raising Confident Girls: 100 Tips for Parents and Teachers.

1. Straight forward, easy to follow tips on how to help girls grow to their full potential. There are not a lot of wasted words. This book's format is simple and to the point. It is written for ordinary people who just want some common sense advise on how to help girls be happy, healthy, and strong.



2. Parents who wish for confident girls will find the "usual" list here, all centering around developing respect and confidence in girls. There are some glaring omissions, however. (Nothing on boundary setting, questions that girls may have about development.) Some of the recommendations may be wrong in certain settings (e.g., "Don't impose your views" makes no sense if the child is not safe). This is child-centered, laissez-faire parenting, suitable for middle-class, well-educated, physically safe families.

   Some of the 100 tips parallel exactly the 100 items for boys in the author's book for boys (e.g., Support the school).

   This book is better than Will Glennon's "200 Ways to Raise a Girl's self-esteem."

No comments about House Beautiful 500 Makeovers: Great Ideas & Quick Changes (House Beautiful Series).

3 comments about Reupholstering at Home: A Do-It-Yourself Manual for Turning Old Furniture into New Showpieces.

1. This book is well written, concise, and easy to follow. It is especially good for first-timers as the authors take you through many steps most beginners do not consider.



2. Although a book could never substitute seeing first hand, how upholstery is done, this book provides very detailed information. The photos are dated, but the process of the work is not and very clearly explained. Definitely a good reference book to have for anyone learning upholstery who might need additional information.



3. This book is excellent! The author shows you step by step what you need to do to reupholster your piece of furniture. I used this book and was able to quickly learn what I needed to do to reupholster an old chair I own and looked like I bought a new chair from the store when I was finished. Since then, I have had family and friends asking me where I bought the "new chair!" I recommend this book to anyone wishing to do the same.

1 comments about Rustic Garden Furniture & Accessories: Making Chairs, Planters, Birdhouses, Gates & More.

1. Great ideas and tips with 144 pages of color photos and tinted drawings.
   The cover is not my favorite example of the variety of styles of natural
   wood applications illustrated inside.