5 comments about Chairs: A History.

1. I have read Chairs; A History and find it to be fasinating from two view points. One is that it is more than a history of furniture, it is a social history of the people who sat in the chairs and their times and their culture. Secondly I will retain it for years as one of the most complete reference books on the cultural periods discussed. Finally it is beautifully illustrated and written and should be in everyone's library.



2. A very well written book with lovely and truly beautiful illustrations. Highly recommended!



3. In this fascinating book, De Dampierre brings a fresh perspective to world history by describing it through one of the most ubiquitous items in our daily lives: chairs. In doing so, she has produced a highly enjoyable read for both the sophisticated antique collector and the general student of history.



4. Florence de Dampierre has produced what will certainly be not only the definitive guide to the chair itself but also a witty and learned look at how modes of communication in differing cultures governed the kind of furniture people invented for themselves. The scope of the book is huge, ranging from the cradle of civilization in Mesopotamia and Africa to the chair as modern art. I recommend it highly, both for serious collectors as well as anyone who has ever thought twice about the provenance of the place they've just sat down in. The book is copiously and beautifully illustrated, so it makes a lovely gift.



5. No one who has seen my home would expect me to have anything to do with a furniture book. But some perceptive friend gave me this book and now I get it! Under Ms. de Dampierre's tutelage, I have grown to understand how pieces of furniture are a reflection of the times in which they were created. This study of chairs is no less fascinating than any great work of art history and the author does an incredible job of detailing changes in social and political currents which impact the design and use of each chair in her exhaustive chronology. As importantly, the pictures are beautiful; the book is worth buying for them alone.

3 comments about Everyday Opportunities for Extraordinary Parenting: Simple Ways to Make a Difference in Your Child's Life.

1. This book should be on the nightstand of every parent. It helps you fathom the mysteries of why children behave in certain ways and what your role should be in guiding them at every age level from babies to young teenagers. It tells you step by step how to create a secure home environment for a young child and how to help an older one cope with school, peer relationships, stress, competition and all the other challenges of growing up. Although the author provides plenty of sensible advice herself, she's also picked the brains of many of the country's leading child development experts for their views which are found in boxes scattered throughout the book. I especially liked the way Conner didn't emphasize theory so much as the practical things parents can do. The book is packed with specific information and literally hundreds of tips, ideas and teachable moments. I highly recommend it.



2. This is a GREAT book. I HIGHLY recommend it. One of the best parenting books I have read.



3. I was looking for some ideas for my counseling newsletter when purchasing this book. It is full of suggestions for parents for ideas on how to raise self-esteem in a child. I love it! I will give this copy to my son and new daughter in law and order another for my personal library.

4 comments about Audel Pipefitter's and Welder's Pocket Manual.

1. Although the information in this book is factual, I find that the contents do not match the name of the book. Most of the information should already be known to the tradesman. When looking at a pocket manuel, I am looking for quick referances, pre-figured math tables, and or drawings. A better title for this book would be, Pipefitter's and welder's pocket manuel for beginer's.



2. I've been waiting for a revision of this Audel book for almost 10 years, and it's finally here! I always have a devil of a time finding any useful books about my trade-pipe fitting. The only thing I ever found was the old edition of this book, I guess that reviewer who wrote that review dated 2000 was talking about the old edition because the new one just came out-in late 2003. And what an improvement. I'm giving one to each guy on my crew!



3. I always have this book near me at work. It's an excellent reference, particularly if you're in your first few years in the trade.

   The book has seventeen chapters, plus an appendix. Here's the table of contents from my copy of the book:

   1. Math and Metrics.
   2. Calculating Offsets.
   3. Pipe Welding with Oxyacetylene and Arc.
   4. Automatic Fire Protection Systems.
   5. Steam Heating Systems.
   6. Hot-Water Heating Systems.
   7. Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.
   8. Process Piping Using Plastics.
   9. Grooved-End and Plain-End Piping Systems.
   10. Learning to Use an Instrument Level.
   11. Pneumatic Control Systems.
   12. Gas Piping.
   13. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding.
   14. Trouble-Shooting Tips for Arc Welding.
   15. Pipe Welders' Definitions.
   16. Definitions of Heating and Air Conditioning Terms.
   17. Glossary of Terms Relating to Plastic Piping.




4. Great book that I take every were I Go. One that no welder should be with out.

1 comments about Site Design and Construction Detailing, 3rd Edition.

1. In this day of AutoCAD libraries and "canned" construction details from vendors, it is rare that a book of hand drafted construction details exists. If the reader can get past the nostalgia of the draftsmanship, and understand the communication that is taking place - black and white photos matched with actual construction documentation - then one should begin to understand the educational component. The idea is being able to have what an AutoCAD library doesnt, a matched pair of construction details with a photo of the constructed landscape element. Some early career professionals and, particularly, students may benefit from having a three dimentional representation of landscape elements. It helps to be able to see the finished product and a detail of the guts - you simply have better comprehension of what goes into construction and how the components come together.
   
   As for criticism of this piece, understand that most of the landscape features look dated - railroad tie retaining walls out of the 70's, glass block fountains from the 80's, heavy timber playgrounds that no municipality would ever build due to liability - theyre all in here! But do not let this deter you, one should still consider this for his or her professional library, because, after all, material requirements, connections and structural considerations dont chage with aesthetic style - the landscape still has to function and standards still have to be met.

5 comments about Steel-Frame House Construction.

1. While it was not the book I expected, it does cover the topic of framing your house in steel very well. It even answers the question of "How do I hang a picture?" :-) This book is for the DIY with a small house or for professionals who want to switch to working with steel. From start to finish, it is framing in steel.



2. Simple but with all the stuff one needs to start building steel framed houses. Pity there isn't a version with metric measurements.



3. Book was very informative and easy to understand. In plain english, I recommand this book to any one who is interseted in Steel Frame Constrction.



4. I found the book of very little value. Most of steel structures these days gets calculated and drawn up by computer. The assembly of the computer generated panels are dead easy and far cheaper than doing it by hand. More time should have been spent discussing the various options regarding cladding, insulation, utilities etc.



5. Im a jouneryman commerical carpenter of 20 yrs.(metal stud framer),but never done residential framing, so i want to build a home using metal studs,but didnt understand roof systems.This is fact! steel studs Are cheaper ,dont warp ,rot ,deteriorate, fire proof,termite free,150 mph wind resistiance,recyable,and it helps in our quest to go green one house at a time,and this book is fabulous.Me and my wife intend to build our first house really soon with these principles illustrated in this wonderful book . also look up steel alliance .com for a metal stud instructional school near you. GO GREEN

5 comments about Construction Principles, Materials, and Methods.

1. Certainly THE bible in the construction industry. The problem is the depth to which this book delves in discussing rather dry, mundane topics. I guess if someone needs to know just about anything in construction, it's here, but be forewarned that there is an IMMENSE amount of information that must be waded through in order to find a specific piece of information. Often used as a textbook in Constructing 101 since it is so exhaustive in its scope (we spent an entire semester on only 1 chapter!). Also makes good reading for insomniacs.



2. As the other reviews stated this book is in depth. If you are a building professional than you should already know the fundementals and require a reference that is the basis of your field. This book is too exausting for school, but as soon as you move to the office you should use it as the starting point for your details, CD's and specs. I used this book to study for the ARE and it has also come in handy when questions arise on the construction site with contractors. I have always felt that, as Architects, we have enough books all about subjects that we hire consultants for ie. Structures, MEP but we are the ones who need to be the experts about our handicraft: Construction.



3. It is certainly THE BIBLE for construction. Boy, I sweated it! But, if you can get through it, it is certainly worth the efford.



4. This book is a great desk reference for any materials needed in construction. I am a student and find myself going back to this book semester after semester. Great Book.



5. This book is an excellent resource for those entering the Architecture profession. It is exhaustive and has information I couldn't find easily elsewhere.

1 comments about Air Conditioning Principles and Systems: An Energy Approach (4th Edition).

1. it is a great book.. we used it in the class..

2 comments about The Way We Live by the Sea (Way We Live (Rizzoli)).

1. This beautiful book will transport you to the sea of your dreams. The photographs are evocative and dreamlike. Whatever your sea dreams are, you will find them in this book.



2. This is a beautiful book for anyone who loves the sea. In looking at it I was immediately transported to ocean locations - very relaxing and pleasurable. There is a lot of variety in the book and I enjoyed the ideas for sea based furnishings which can be used as much in the city as by the ocean. The only additional thing I would suggest for future editions would be to incorporate images from a wider choice of countries.

2 comments about Authentic Color Schemes for Victorian Houses: Comstock's Modern House Painting, 1883.

1. Good for someone with a need for very basic color scheme for historic homes. No imagination needed. Colors are boring by our modern day standards, but give the old world look desired in the older victorian neighborhoods that despise the brighter californian look.



2. To quote the book, "Those of our readers who expect to find lists comprising all the various scales of color, giving definite information as to what particular color should be used to harmonize with this or that shade, and telling just what combinations are allowable, and just what are to be condemned, will, therefore, be disappointed." This book covers how to prime wood and mix colors (reddish brown color is achieved by mixing Indian red and burnt umber) and does give specific color schemes. This is a reprint from 1883, and the authors mentioned that the printer could not replicate most of the color schemes they envisioned (maybe I need to get watercolor paint and mix the suggested colors to see what they intended). We are building a Victorian home, and I was looking for ideas of what worked well in the past, but the rust red, dark mustard yellow, greens and browns they showed did not inspire me as I had hoped. It does have helpful information about color selection, but it is fairly generic in nature. Most of the plates are house exteriors, but there are a few interior plates as well.

5 comments about Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers.

1. This is a great book - my husband and I have put the advice into action and it works! For example. practice with your toddler, prevent bad behavior: my husband took our 2 1/2 year daughter trick or treating. After a few houses he came back and said she wouldn't say thank you to anyone. I got down to her level and we practiced, you knock on the door, say trick or treat, I pretended to give her candy and told her to say thank you. I was very specific but kept it in her terms and it worked!! She told everyone else that night thank you. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't feel like we needed it, it's really helped. They talk about praise, time out and reminding mom and dad how important it is to stay calm. After all, they're watching everything we do even when we don't think they're even listening.



2. The book is easily readable, a quick read, which I appreciated. And many things were discussed, not necessarily answered for me, but things I am thinking about were answered. The reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because my situation is different from the author's situation, so some of the material misses the mark (for me).
   
   At the same time I will keep the book for future reference.



3. This book is VERY basic and overall boring. There are better books out there for sure. Try your local library!



4. I decided to try this method because I had used the Boys Town Common Sense teaching method as a school project. I really liked its "non-bully" approach to dealing with students who were misbehaving. I particularly liked the preventative approaches that reduced the amount of misbehavior in general. Now that I have a toddler, I really wanted to use the same type of approach and had struggled with doing so. I tried other books and methods but found them to be outside my style or ridiculous and difficult to apply. This book is just what it says: "Common-sense" and it WORKS. It is easy to apply and doesn't require a Masters to use. My son has made amazing progress behavior-wise. I highly recommend this book for those who like a simple program for profound results.



5. I felt this is a good book at helping parents deal with issues they are having with their kids. My issues were my 3 & 4 year old would not listen the first time around and i was always repeating myself. Also they use to go to bed without complaints and now they keep coming out or fighting. This book gave us methods to use, which seem to be working. This book help me see things my kids do that push my buttons, and how to stop this. Now i feel more calm even when my kids are losing it. I don't have that 'i am going crazy' feeling very often. I found myself saying "Stop!" or "Don't!" all the time. Now i am calmer and say things like "Let's make a better choice please." My kids seem to like it better, and have a good idea of the rules and consequences. The book help us with more structure without giving a schedule.