1 comments about Making Wooden Toys: 12 Easy-to-Do Projects with Full-Size Templates.

1. I do not recommened this book for several reasons the first and foremost being that the designs in my opinion are not safe for children.

   While the book recommends the use of non-toxic paint so that the toys are safe for a small child to use, the designs call for nail heads and thin dowels to protrude from the toys and the joinery called for in the designs is so poor that small pieces could easily break off and choke a child.

   The designs are crude and uninspired. A child with a crayon could do as well. The beginner woodworker will find only a half page of written instructions in the entire book. Among other things, these instructions make the absurb suggestion of using a hole saw with a hand (non-electric) drill.

   The intermediate or advanced wookworker will be appalled at the shoddy quality of the finished toys in the photographs. Wheels are not round, joints to not fit properly, cuts have ragged edges that have not been sanded, a child with no experience could make a better toy from wood. This book should not have been published. I gave it one star because I could not give it zero.

   Not recomended, save your money.

2 comments about By Design: Why There Are No Locks on the Bathroom Doors in the Hotel Louis XIV and Other Object Lessons.

1. A must have for all Designers interested in understanding how products are ultimately judged within their context-by thier effectiveness and usefulness.The six levels of Design Caplan outlines is a great measuring stick for all disciplines of Design and Engineering.



2. This outstanding book is said to be aimed at design students, professionals, or anyone else who could benefit from af uller appreciation of the design process. And yes, I have to agree, it is.
   
   More important to me however is the presentation in this book of the essence of what design is all about. This is the kind of book that the financial people behind a new big hotel should read. It is the book that a product development engineer should read before he starts working with his industrial designer. This is the book that nearly any business manager from marketing, to engineering, to sales, should read.
   
   The first time I travelled to Scandinavia I was struck with the simple elements of design that they do so much better than we do in this country. Simple things like the design of hotel doors, no more expensive than what we do here, just better.
   
   And the sub-title, 'why there are no locks on the bathrobe doors in the Hotel Louis XIV' -that's a great story, it makes such eminent sense. A special problem, a great design, see page 179.

2 comments about The Complete Guide to Getting and Staying Organized: *Manage Your Time *Eliminate Clutter and Experience Order *Keep Your Family First.

1. 
   Speaking from her own experiences, Karen Ehman offers suggestions for ridding your life of chaos. Anticipating situations and problems is the first lesson in becoming a more organized person. Readers will appreciate the advice to think ahead. One such illustration concerned having a full meal in the freezer.
   There are two basic facets of organization: managing your time and organizing your things. There is not one solid solution because we are all individuals; we must each formulate a plan that will fit our situation.
   The Complete Guide To Getting And Staying Organized is a workbook. Ehman has provided areas to write. This assists the reader in forming his or her own plan. Using a basic easy-to-understand philosophy Ehman helps readers take back their lives and homes. She has a method for decluttering that will make the reader eager to get started. I found The Complete Guide To Getting And Staying Organized to be sensible and informative. Too often books on this topic have a magical formula that never works. Ehman admits that her plan will not work if you only read the book. That is one reason she included areas to make your own plan. She geared this book toward mothers with children. My children are all grown ;however, I still found this book to be extremely practical and helpful. The book closes with recipes and forms. Karen Ehman has thought of everything to make organizing easier.
   Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for ReviewYourBook.com



2. As a professional Family and Consumer Scientist (Home Economist) I am delighted to recommend Karen Ehman's book THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GETTING AND STAYING ORGANIZED. Karen does a masterful job of breaking home management theory into bite-sized pieces so that the "clutter queen" transitions into the wise woman described in Proverbs 31:27 who "looks well to the ways of her household." With warmth and enthusiasm Karen provides numerous tips, strategies, forms, and recipes to create your own plan to get and stay organized. A special feature is the "From the Heart of a Kid" inserts written by Karen's daughter Mackenzie. If you would like for your family to "rise up and bless you" I urge you to purchase, read, and apply the timeless concepts contained in THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GETTING AND STAYING ORGANIZED.
   Pat Ennis, Establishing Chairperson of the department of Home Economics-Family and Consumer Sciences at The Master's College and co-author of BECOMING A WOMAN WHO PLEASES GOD, DESIGNING A LIFESTYLE THAT PLEASES GOD, PRACTICING HOSPITALITY, THE JOY OF SERVING OTHERS, and author of PRECIOUS IN HIS SIGHT, THE FINE ART OF BECOMING A GODLY WOMAN.

3 comments about The Woodwright's Apprentice: Twenty Favorite Projects From The Woodwright's Shop.

1. This is a great book with many project ideas. It is not a book of measured drawings. If you've viewed "The Woodwright's Shop," you wouldn't expect to see them anyway. Each project highlights different techniques with hand tools. I've personally recreated the bellows from this book with much success (If I do say so myself!)

   I still re-read the section on hand-cutting dovetails each time I attempt them.

   All-in-all, it's a great book that demonstrates woodworking techniques while forcing you to improvise your projects around the basic themes presented in its pages.




2. When you read Underhill you begin to understand the tradition of woodworking--the heritage of anyone whose ancestors had to hew out a shelter and live off the land (in other words, every one of us). The former master housewright for Colonial Williamsburg includes projects with instructions specific enough to get you started but vague enough to challenge you to inject individuality into your work. As a still-green intermediate woodworker and a history student, I loved it.



3. Any of Roy's books are awesome for woodworkers who know how to read. Oh sure, you love Norm and his $8000 drum sander, but if you truly want to learn how to work with wood with nothing more than the bare essentials, then pick up this book as well as all the other books Roy has written. Otherwise, just buy all the garbage books about "How to Master a Biscuit Joiner" or "Setting up a Leigh Dovetail Jig". Just make sure you add a box of 80 grit sandpaper for your random orbital sander to your order.

No comments about Spa (Taschen 25th Anniversary).

5 comments about Loving Hands: The Traditional Art of Baby Massage.

1. Nothing compares to this book, other books or DVDs are a waste of time compare to Loving Hands. Is beautiful and real helpful, for both mother and child. Worth every single penny and much more.



2. Beautifully written, with photos to demonstrate the techniques that could be an art book in and of themselves. You get a feeling of being a part of something magical and wonderful by reading this book and practicing what's in it. I love the simplicity of this book. Highly recommend it for new moms or anyone interested in infant massage.



3. An excellent resource for mothers and care-givers of infant children. This book helps to equip the care-giver to be better care-giver. Part of the book was non-traditional in the sense of it being a resource book.



4. Really, it's Frederick LeBoyer, the Birth Without Violence obstetrician's baby massage book. Use it, and give it to friends expecting.



5. Thirty years ago I bought this book after reading Leboyer's "Birth Without Violence" and having the first birthing room delivery in my city. What a joy! I followed the beautiful photographs and took time each day to sit skin-to-skin with my newborn and massage her tiny body. It was our quiet special time to just recall the wonder of life, birth and our future lives together. We would dream.
   
   I have given this book to many new mothers and newborns and bought it this week for my niece. I wrap it with Arbonne's natural Baby Massage Oil. The routine is easy to follow, and the book has quiet, soothing photographs of a mother and baby in this dance of love. Buy it, use it. You will be so thankful you did! Thank you Dr. Leboyer.

5 comments about Carving the Nose & Mouth: Step-by-Step Instructions for Creating Realistic Features and Expressions (Carving Expressions in Wood).

1. This book is not on a par with Phares first book. Those who enjoyed and gained carving knowledge from "carving the Human Face" will be trully disappointed. The gallery pics are ok but the how-to photos are not the best. They lack clarity and depth.



2. The pictures are so poor, there is a glare off of the wood so you can't see where he carved. You have to read the captions under each photo and try to follow along.



3. I would agree with previous reviews that the picture quality and overall presentation are not nearly as good as the Carving the Human Face book of Jeff's. I do think, however, there is worth in this book, in that it makes a decent companion to to the Carving the Human Face book. It goes into more detail in its specific area than the Face book and illustrates the differences between Native American and Caucasian faces, which the Face book does not. This made it well worth the price of admission for me.
   
   If you only want one book. This isn't it, in my opinion. If you want a companion to Carving the Human Face, I recommend it despite the above limitations.



4. If you want to learn carving the human face you must have all of Jeff Phares books. This is another awesome one out of his series.



5. photos are washed out, too much light, hard to see. Jeff Phares is a world class carver, but this book isn't alot of hep due to photos. Tim

5 comments about Altar Your Space: A Guide to the Restorative Home.

1. This book makes a wonderful gift. It is meant to be looked at and referred to for specific instruction as well as inspiration. I've given a number as "house" and "wedding" gifts and keep it out in my home for my own enjoyment -- great to page through after a tough day.
   This is a book that will serve many purposes for many years.



2. ALTAR YOUR SPACE is a must have book! It appeals to all of your senses with its' inspiration of color, insight and possibility. I have applied the concepts the author conveys in my home; not only do I feel a sense of peace but everyone who visits feels somthing similar. This book is beautifully written and the photos are candy for the eyes. Treat your senses then give the gift of this masterpiece to someone who appreciates life.



3. This book captured my attention with the title and cover, but it held me from the intro right on through with the deep thought that obviously went into writing it. It hit me with its deep insight into how important to our well being, our consciousness, and our lives are impacted by our Sacred Space. It not only portrayed that visually but in the body of the work through metaphor, thought provoking ideas, and real life examples, shared in a spiritual voice. I love this book and I have already gotten it for two family members and a half dozen friends. Good job on taking what I would normally consider a coffee table book and giving it some substance.



4. I discovered this book at a book store in SF and while I did not think I was looking help at home the richness of the photographs and colors drew me into this book. Almost 30 minutes later, I had to purchase this book. One of those photography books in which the brilliant images bring you in but the sage and engaging writing style had me stay awake all night feeling as if this writer had opened my head and extracted everything I had ever felt but by no means could articulate or even know that I thought these things. I loved this book and with some simple changes, trials and efforts around my house, I look at my home much differently and more importantly, I feel different at home. Its promise to help me make my home feel more restorative was delivered. When I arrive home each night, it is like I have arrived at a perfect oasis. I highly recommend it.



5. The purpose of interior design is to ensure that the residents of a dwelling, be it a home, an office, or an apartment, live and work in as amenable, pleasant, personalized, and positive environment as possible. As a respite or sanctuary from the stresses and demands of the world at large, personal living spaces should be as good for the soul and spirit as they are for the body. Jagatjoti Singh Khalsa founded the Tara Home in Venice, California, for the purpose of specializing in sacred home furnishings and antiquities drawn from or inspired by the world's most spiritually rich locations. The result is "Altar Your Space: A Guide to The Restorative Home", a unique interior design guide focusing on the decor of a living space in meeting the personal and spiritual needs of its residents. Beautifully illustrated throughout, enhanced with informed and informative essays, and replete with real-life examples, "Altar Your Space" shows how to infuse a sacred quality into a living space with simple furnishings ranging from hand-cared wooden chairs, to stone statues, to silk pillows, to translucent curtain, and thereby crafting a kind of sacred place where form and function come together to create ideal metaphysically supportive living conditions with respect to virtually every room in a home. "Altar Your Space" is a very special and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, and community library Interior Design reference collections and supplemental reading lists.

5 comments about Making Wood Signs.

1. I used the original book about 1986 and was able to make signs just like the professionals since I already had graphic training and experience. The college courses I took for graphic design did not go very far into actually producing the final product. This book made the difference. And now its even better and bigger than its predecessor.



2. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in signs. I rate the book the best Spielman has written on this subject to date.



3. Making Wood Signs is an excellent book for the hobbiest and average woodworker alike. Very well written with many photos to help anyone getting started in sign making. ~Paul S.



4. Excellent resource for basic information on making wood signs for various purposes, using several technologies - router, scroll saw, sand-blasting, etc. Whether you're just making signs for yourself or thinking of going into business, the "how-to's" are clear and well illustrated.



5. This is not the book you think it is. This description is wrong. This is a little book. This is not the one you want. Get the book that shows the brownish/beige cover (same title and author). I was very upset and had to reorder.

5 comments about The Complete Cabinetmaker's Reference (Popular Woodworking).

1. ...namely for all the people that flunked out of elementary algebra and can't figure out how to size cabinet parts for themselves. Do yourself a favor, save your money and buy either udo schmidt's, jim tolpin's or danny proulx's books on cabinetmaking as they provide much more useful information beyond cutlist and assembly instructions. Keeping in mind that a standard wall cabinet is 12" deep and that a standard base cabinet is 24" deep and that both are often 30" high (excluding toe kick), you can EASILY fill in the rest of the dimensions by downloading a PDF file on cabinet dimensions from any of the major cabinet companies like merillat or mill's pride but in general most of the widths are in 3" increments beginning with 12" and up to 48". You can easily replace this entire book with the innovative FREE ecabinets program from thermwood.



2. I used this book and a couple of others to build some garage cabinets. I found it very useful. This made the project much easier. I modified the designs a bit, but having a starting point with cutlists was invaluable.



3. Read the title people. It's called a REFERENCE book for a reason...it's not a "how to" or instructional book...it's a reference manual for standard assembly and measurements. This book is a great reference for any kitchen or bath project. That binding makes it easy to copy and bring to an estimate. True, the basic construction is frameless...but American style cabinets are moving to either a frameless 32mm style completely or are a frameless carcass with a face frame slapped on the front of them.



4. The book is well manufacturing and will last for quite a while so you won't lose out on quality. It is glossy and well illustrated however it lacks content for anyone who has built a cabinet or two. It does contain some good points on basic cabinet construction that will be beneficial to someone just starting woodworking however if you are looking for construction details on lots of different styles this is not the book for you. The book contains a lot of the same thing with many construction sheets repeated with only minor changes to a single dimension. For example pages 20 to 27, which contain 28 separate construction sheets (one per page), have exactly the same cabinet illustration and cutting list with one minor change in width on each sheet. This pattern appears to be repeated throughout the book (e.g. pages 32-39, 44-59). However like I said it is well made and would be a good first reference but is definitely not for anyone above beginner level.



5. The book is for my husband. We had to replace the one he already had because we gave it to our son for a project and he likes it so much he wanted to keep it. Great reference.