5 comments about Casa Yucatan (Country Workshop).

1. This is another marvelous book on Mexican & Spanish Architecture, furnishings, & landscaping. The colors & textures used are exceptional. The lush landscaping is something we are trying to recreate in our our home.

   This book & their others have inspired us to do some very creative things with our desert property.




2. We wish we had known about and read Casa Yucatán, before we had our wonderful three-week vacation in the Yucatán, in August/September, 2002. If you're planning to go to the Yucatán, be sure to take Casa Yucatán with you. We discovered (and stayed at)three of the marvellous hacienda hotels: the Temozón, Santa Rosa and San José. Each one has unique architecture, adapted from its original use with panache and refined good taste. When we saw them in the book, it was like re-visiting them. Our appetite was whetted to try to see more of the beautifully-photographed and knowledgeably-described homes on our next visit. At the back of the book, there's a 4-page Travel Guide, filled with useful information. Mexican design is beautiful and probably no non-Mexicans know more about it than Karen and Joe, having dedicated decades to studying it seriously and having visited and photographed many outstanding examples for inclusion in their books. One place we'll be sure not to miss is Hacienda Petac, the restoration of which was just completed in December 2002. Karen and Joe are partners in that enterprise, the design center of which offers a showcase for Mexican antiques, architectural elements and decorative accents. Hacienda Petac also offers accomodations to guests. We would hope that some of the architects whose projects are featured in Casa Yucatán and whose names addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses are shown, might be willing to arrange with the owners for interested readers to visit their beautiful homes.



3. I love architecture and interior design and am currently in the process of designing a home thirty miles south of Cancun. In working with an architect from France and the relevant language issues (French, Spanish and English) I needed a starting point to state my ideas of what I wanted to design. I have many other books such as Casa California but needed something with specific architecture in the Yucatan Peninsula.
   
   After our original drawings I bought this book. My architect laughed at our next visit as he had the same book with much more wear on it. His other clients had been using it to describe thoughts and just referring to page numbers. In my case our ideas were established prior to discovering this book. But the book allowed me to visualize many of the ideas incorporated by our architect. The pictures are beautiful and the author does a great job providing a historical perspective on the styles. My architect said it is worth planning a trip to view many of the homes in the book and I hope to do so in the future. My compliments to the author for successfully capturing the culture of this unique area of Mexico.
   
   In the next year I hope to buy authentic Mexican furniture. I have heard in Guadalajara there are places to buy this furniture prior to massive mark-ups through distribution. Please email me if you know of any ideas on where I should consider shopping and also if there are internet sites to view, [...].



4. "The distinctive landscape of the Yucatan Peninsula possesses a unique natural beauty where limestone plateau, tropical jungles and subterranean rivers and caves are the setting of two magnificent cultures."
   
   If you are looking for a book to inspire you in the middle of winter, then this book will provide a summery escape to sun drenched lands where blue cushions line an outdoor seating area overlooking the ocean and burnt sienna paint splashes across inner walls. The gardens in this book are inspiring, with stone fountains, hammocks and dense foliage.
   
   The tubs made from hand-carved stone are spectacular, like bathing rooms from a dream. Fascinating stone fountains mist a room and are situated in a large tile in the middle of the floor surrounded by modern statues.
   
   Opening this book is like entering a magical land where you can visit art-filled escapes, old haciendas and colonial home gardens. The chapters include:
   
   Design Textures
   Architectural Elements
   Water Spaces
   Open-Air Living
   Casas Yucatan
   Haciendas
   Costal Homes
   The New Maya House
   
   "Water Spaces" is a favorite chapter with gorgeous pools and ponds that extend for the entire length of many buildings. The Porches shimmer with glossy tile and are highlighted with sapphire blue accents in paint on rows of pillars facing gorgeous crimson edged windows with lemony painted walls. In the bedrooms, beds hang from the ceiling or are covered in netting.
   
   One of the most exotic outdoor rooms is a Moorish design with arches, seating and a burnt sienna tiled floor. These are places you could live and be quite happy never to leave. I want to jump into the pictures of this book and run around barefoot in a summer dress.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



5. This was the best...so far... a coffee table book full of information and gorgeous pictures showing the uniqueness and beauty of Yucatan.

2 comments about Concise Guide to Self-Sufficiency.

1. DON'T BUY THIS VERSION!!!! There was a problem with the printing in China and the pages in the intro section, 24-25 are WRONG and don't follow... so wait for the reprint... Email Peter Jones at DK in London to find out when this will be...



2. I bought this book at Borders recently and I don't see anything wrong with pages 24-25. They fit properly within the sections before and after.
   
   With that said, I have only begun to go through this book, but I find it highly informative. This is the stuff our grandparents would have learned growing up on a farm, and its nice to find the basics covered all in one book. The step-by-step illustrations are highly informative and detailed. This book teaches you what all the different construction and harvesting tools are called and what their purposes are. The majority of the book is devoted to food. It explains how to start and maintain a healthy garden or large crop, and how to find all the food you need from nature (of course you will need other books for proper identification of edible wild plants). Then it explains how to kill and prepare poultry and other meats, and how to make bread, jams, syrups, pickles, cakes and biscuits, and how to store and preserve all of your produce. The basics of brewing beer and making wine and cider are also covered. It also covers woodworking, building construction, basketry, knots and ropework.
   
   What's best about this book is how it encourages you to experiment. The people who would want to buy a book like this (such as myself) likely have no knowledge whatsoever about self-sufficiency, and are probably afraid of making stupid mistakes, but this book sees mistakes as a learning process and encourages you to try new things.
   
   This book serves only as a starting point. It will give you the encouragement to move forward. If you want more detail, you can move on to his "Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency" or "The Encyclopedia of Country Living" by Carla Emery, and from there you will want to get specialized books on each of the subjects covered here.

4 comments about Authentic Arts & Crafts Furniture Projects.

1. This is a good A&C furniture book for the intermediate woodworker. The authors cover pieces from the simple (wastebasket) to the more difficult (entry bench, sideboard). A nice touch is that besides covering the usual Gustav Stickley pieces there are items by other A&C companies of the time (Shop of the Crafters, Limbert, Greene & Greene [actually architects, but they designed the furniture for their buildings], L & J.G. Stickley, Roycroft). The introductory chapter covers a brief history of the style, next is an introduction to some of the general woodworking techniques needed, and then the various projects with good photographs and explanations (there are a couple of minor editorial glitches, but they cause no real problems). The projects also vary from a duplicate of the original to slightly modified interpretations. A useful technique is given for staining/glazing the furniture to achieve the traditional golden brown color without actually having to fume the pieces in concentrated ammonia (a smelly, dangerous, and potentially lethal approach). So if you are a somewhat experienced beginning woodworker, you should find some great projects here to move you on to the next level. And even if you are a very experienced furniture maker, you will find some nice pieces you might want to make too.



2. This book was the first that I picked up when I started building my own furniture. The projects turned out great and the finishing process that he recommended was excellent. The diagrams and step by step instruction give you all the information that you need to complete each project even if you're an amateur like I am (you do need to have/buy some good power tools though). I've made two of the projects he describes and there are still a couple more I'd like to do.



3. I have built almost everything in the book. I made a few mistakes because I misinterpreted the drawings, but if you study the drawings very carefully before construction then you will truly enjoy this book. Author needs to write another book like this. Watch the interpretation of Dado and rabbet joints in particular.



4. I would classify myself as an intermediate level woodworker and a book expert (I am a librarian after all) and I can honestly say that this is one of the absolute best books of its type on the market. As I see it, the normal downfall of a book such as this is the authors either spend way too much time giving us all of the philosophical and historical background behind the furniture style in question, or once they actually get to the furniture projects section they disappoint by selecting such rare (and odd) pieces to reproduce that the book ultimately becomes more of a novelty rather than a useful tool.

   I am thrilled to say that the authors of this book got the balance between philosophy and practical matters just right. There is just enough about Arts and Crafts fundamentals here to whet the appetite for the projects which follow. And speaking of the projects, this is good stuff! Out of the twenty two projects offered in this book, I can honestly say that I would be very happy to build fifteen of them and put them in my own home. In a book this size I am usually lucky if half of the projects are appealing enough to want to build them for myself, and keep in mind that I am a HUGE fan of this furniture style.

   Bottom line is that the color illustrations (although minimalist to the beginner's eye) are compelling to the more skilled among us, the choice of projects is excellent, and the bibliography of suggested reading is very good. I highly recommend this purchase.

4 comments about The New American Swimming Pool: Innovations in Design and Construction: 40 Case Studies (New American).

1. Not just great photos and ideas. This book give details on all the pools, including geographical location, size, depth, color of plaster, type of coping and decking/terrace, etc. Although there are a lot of great books out with wonderful pictures, this one doesn't have all tropical pools, which is nice for those of us who don't have a jungle of palms! Very nice designs for those who live in temperate climates or with more traditional yards/homes. Best pool book yet.



2. ...there is absolutely nothing on construction. It's a coffee table book at best!



3. This is a great pool book if you're contemplating building a classy pool with beautiful landscaping.



4. I think the book's inside cover is close to correct...
   
   "Lavishly prodiced, The New American Swimming Pool is an invaluable and practical refernce book [Pool Owner - maybe not practical]. It is a fresh, important source of inspiration for architecture and landscape architecture enthusiasts, homeowners, architects, landscape architects, landscape designers, and pool contractors."
   
   [...]

5 comments about On My Swedish Island: Discovering the Secrets of Scandinavian Well-being.

1. I thought the book was entertaining,enlightening, comprehensive, and useful. It made me dream of my very own 'away from everything' cabin in the woods living with nature. The references were especially useful and I am already using some of the products mentioned in that section. A very good book for anyone who cares about health and keeping our planet as it should be.



2. The suggestions in this book are not expensive. It is always good to get back to the basics. This book has sent me back out doors to enjoy my own little slice of nature. I don't think she is suggesting others to recreate her experiences but to consider your own. This book is a very good buy.



3. This has become one of my top favorite 5 books because of the wisdom the author shares. Everything from simply living spaces, simple food, the outdoors, being content with less and more observant about the world around us. Call it Scandinavian zen or simply wise living.
   
   The author hits the nail on the head when she shares how our choices can make our lives better and that these choices often have to do with being still and observant and not allowing big business or hurried people to sway us from taking the path less traveled.
   
   Its a book that I read and then set down, then pick up and read some more, and set down. I savor the lessons I have learned from the book and have recommended it to simple living group friends who like myself try and live a self sufficient lifestyle void of so many of the 'must haves' that American society pushes.
   
   Living here in the Sierras I also appreciated the authors wonderful stories about what the outdoors offers. Be it walking for fitness, or enjoying the fresh fish and vegetables it offers.
   
   So much to be learned from the author and cannot recommend the book highly enough.



4. While reading On My Swedish Island by Julie Catterson Lindahl, I noticed I had a myriad of feelings towards it. At times, I was bored reading about herbs that are apparently capable of making your life more enjoayble, but at other times, I perked up upon reading about Sweden's "Every Man's Right" law. The book was well organized and easy to read through. I felt as if I could do some of the things Lindahl mentioned and create my own Swedish paradise inside my New Jersey home.
   To begin with, Lindahl suggests various ways to achieve inner peace. The Swedes are big on being outdoors and this value shines through in the writing. Although Lindahl is British, she married a Swede and appreciates and respects their values. She used to run on the treadmill everyday but ditched this habit and began going outside to run and cross country ski. "..I live in part of the world where the overwhelming majority of people perceive going out into nature as an integral part of life. A 1995 study showed that 80 to 90 percent of Swedes and Danes...spent recreational time in forested and natural environments or parks." (Lindahl 49-50) It's hard to get out and enjoy nature when no one else around does and too many things are going on. I appreciate how much the



5. There was such wisdom here, that while reading it I'd bought my mother a copy, and now I'm rereading my copy again a year later.
   
   Lindahl does an excellent job of guiding us through a 'cultural tour' of the Nordic mindset toward health. The info is organized well, into chapters covering physical fitness, a proximity to and relationship with nature, relaxation, and diet. Through each of these, she illustrates how it's different from the frenetic life of a business professional (which she'd once been), and give practical advice for those of us whose lives are still frenetic.

5 comments about Building Stairs (For Pros by Pros).

1. I have a large amount of admiration for the Taunton Press. Fine Homebuilding is quality magazine and the For Pros books have been worth the money. This book is a poor collection of disjointed FH articles that have no cogent flow to them. I should know better than to buy books by "Editors," but I made a mistake here. William Spence's "Constructing Staircases, Balustrades & Landings," while not a perfect book, is much better than this collection.
   
   Taunton's "For Pros" books on Electrical (Caldwell) and Plumbing (Hemp) are well worth the money, particularly Caldwell's offering.



2. As an installer by trade, I urge anyone interested in learning the construction of stairs to consult another book. I wish I had read the other readers comments before I wasted my money on this book.



3. So I don't know why I bought this book without reading the previous reviews. I usually check those first and avoid books like this. It had too many types of stairs to be documented and not enough detail for each one. I would have rather had just three basic types of stairs covered in detail than all of the types in here. The writer appeared to be showing off.
   
   Still, it did show me what I needed to purchase (bending rail) and had about two pages worth of useful information. I finished my curved baluster, but I see flaws in my work. I am a pretty ambitious DIYer and I would not recommend that anyone try doing this but a professional. This book did not give enough detail or complete instructions to help me through the rough spots.



4. The book addressed building stair-related structures that were just not relevant to standard stair building needs...



5. They must work perfectly every time they are used for the life of the house because someone can be horribly injured or worse, including the builder. Not for a DIY project and I was alarmed by what this volume left out. A DIY stairs project would be painting trimming an interior staircase, or tacking down some mats. I do not feel the book is unsafe, just grossly incomplete.
   
   Sorry, I have to rate the book at 1 star. Zero wasn't an option.
   
   Hire a licensed builder with time in rate.

3 comments about Rustic Carpentry: Woodworking with Natural Timber.

1. Learn how to bring out the beauty in unfinished wood-work. Whether you need a new table or tool-shed this book is tells you step-by-step how to build whatever it is you want to build. The illustrations are great, and even the most inexperienced person can follow along and become a master carpenter.



2. This book has some great project ideas in it, but it is somewhat lacking in content. I was expecting some better "how-to" information than the book presents.
   
   Not a bad purchase, but it wasn't as informative as I was expecting.



3. Interesting in a quaint, old-fashioned way. There are some good ideas for mortised and other joints. I think most projects in the book would seem labor intensive and time consuming to builders today. Still, a good book for historical perspective on "wildcrafted" artifacts for home and garden.

5 comments about Build Your Own Solar Heating System.

1. With gas and oil prices at record highs and more price hikes looming on the near horizon, Kenneth Clive's step-by-step, do-it-yourself construction manual, "Build Your Own Solar Heating System" is timely and critically important for homeowners wanting to lower their monthly utility bills. Using readily available materials, "Build Your Own Solar Heating System" deftly and methodically guides the reader through the process of constructing and installing a solar heating system from choosing the right materials to assembling them in good working order. Nicely illustrated throughout with detailed diagrams and photos, the reader is given instructions for each phase of their solar heating system installation project, including a wealth of practical tips for getting the task accomplished safely and effectively. Instructions are organized for building one section at a time. Of special note is the 'how to' information to sweat copper plumbing joints and the electronic diagrams to building solar heating system controls. A very highly recommended addition to personal and community library Home Technology & Improvement reference collections, "Build Your Own Solar Heating System" provides everything the non-specialist general reader needs to know to get the job done with the competence of a professional.



2. This book provides exellent detail for the one type of installation that the author chose for his situation. Pieces and parts of the book will provide good reference and construction details for my final project (I especially like the colletor design). However, no other options were discussed other than the author's particular preference (hot air/rock heat exhange in a 6 foot deep, underground, insulated chamber). I recommend this book as a good additional resource for you to determine your own particular installation.



3. The contents of the book are as the title says, for building yourself your own solar heating system. The book elaborates a lot on how exactly do the plumbing and building work but fails to explains some basics. These basics/rules of thumb are however well explained in another book I bought "Solar Water Heating".
   
   I plan to get various offers from companies, select the best offer, based on what I have learned by means of solar heating books, not to build the system myself, so the book was not the right choice for my needs. I would not buy it again.



4. A thorough cronicle of one DIY project. Good construction details. Weakness is lack of anything approaching engineering or sizing basis. If you want to construct "something" this is adequate. If you want a specific heat output to match a house size this doesn't have it.



5. I will be using the information from only a portion of this book. I am handy and could build the system but is a much bigger project than I want to get into at this time. The system requires digging a huge pit for a storage tank. I will be using solar panel design for my water heating system, though I will be changing it to meet my needs.

4 comments about Caricature Carving from Head to Toe: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Capturing Expression and Humor in Wood.

1. Dave Stetson is probably one of the top caricature carvers in the nation. He views the world around him in a unique way. His approach to teaching woodcarving stems from a desire to teach the student beyond the project, to enable the student to be more creative and carve on his own. This book allows the student to do that. The explanations are concise, with step by step photos and explanations. The photo gallery has a wonderfully diverse subject matter. And Dave's style of teaching is loaded with humor. It's a great addition to my woodcarving book library.



2. I am a novice carver and so have several books on wood carving. I clearly understood this well written book. The illustrations/photos are excellent and support the text well. I have a few friends who want to borrow it. I told them to buy their own at Amazon.



3. I got a lot of enjoyment out of carving this character. Mr. Stetson's
   instructions and the step-by-step photos are easy to follow and you will be proud of the result. One caution: Mr. Stetson's old man has an over-the-horizon fixed stare that doesn't look natural. And so did my copy. Use care when you set the head. I made mine a fly-swatter to carry and now he seems to have a reason for staring at the ceiling!
   
   I have most if not all of the caricature carving books and in my opinion this is one of the two best. Highly recommended.



4. This book is the best learning book ever! You get deatils on how to make your project come out great! I would totally recommend this book to all woodcarvers. Thanks!

5 comments about Custom Wooden Boxes for the Scroll Saw: Step-by-Step Instructions and Detailed Plans for 30 Plus Innovative Projects.

1. This is typical Diana Thompson, with a twist. Yes, there is compound cutting - but she also takes us through simple but elegant box making, inlay, and relief cutting. These boxes come out really great, and the patterns and instructions are clear and complete. If there is one complaint, it is that Diana must have access to a really good lumber supplier, because many of her wood choices are not available at all at ordinary wood providers. The designs come out well with just Home Depot-type woods, though, so it shouldn't discourage anyone. I love this book.



2. I bought this book and also Gary Mackays' book, Box-Making Projects for the Scroll Saw at the same time. Even though there are some cool projects in his book that I will build, Diana Thompsons book is much more artistic. You can really see the difference between a mans point of view and a womans. I like Dianas projects much more. One point to mention though, Her box projects are all lift off top boxes. I would recommend this book.



3. I found this to be a good beginning on my initial projects, to over come the learning curve of the saw.



4. I used this book to create my first few projects and if I can do it I'm sure others can. The directions are straight forward and the plans are nice. It is really quite simple.
   
   Only down side is this book doesn't explain too much about the information beginners may need to start right away. I had to use some internet sources and another book to 'learn' how to use the scroll saw and what some of the language meant. With the beginning info under my belt, however, I photo copied the plans and went to work and the boxes I made were very nice....at least thats what the gift receivers said. ;)
   
   I've included a picture of a box I made from the plans found in this book. You can locate it under the 'customer picture' section under the book cover picture.



5. I found this book excellent. With my skills the products came to life from the pages. I make these products for sale for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and all profits go to them. I am eagerly awaiting my other two books. Denis Dack.