2 comments about Barn: The Art of a Working Building.

1. This book is truely an inspiration... the images and descriptions will bring great memories of Barns to your mind, will bring tears to your eyes if you spent childhood fantasies in "the barn", and might inspire you to save, build, or restore a barn someday... thank you Elric, Alexander , and David, whoever and wherever you are for presenting such a work...It stays on the table, within easy reach...



2. Endersby and fellow authors, using an intelligent combination of pictures, drawings, and text to successfully depict both finished buildings and structural detail, have written the definitive book on barns. They trace the lineage of American barns from their European roots in a lively, readable, informative format. In addition to it's functional qualities, the book is quite handsome, a stunning addition to the library of anyone who likes barns. Quite simply, this is the best book on barns I have ever seen.

5 comments about The Bat House Builder's Handbook, Completely Revised and Updated.

1. Maybe I'm too sold on what's marketed as variety.
   
   I agree with what other reviewers have said, that these are good bathouses and the instructions are easy to follow. I just wish there were a little more variety in terms of design.
   
   The book, by the way, over and above the houses does have some reference information on bats including where to put the houses. That was helpful.
   
   If you're into bats, and would like to make your own houses, this is the book I would recommend.



2. Lots of good information in here. This book went into detail that I'd never even thought about. Definitely worth a buy if you want a good house that will attract bats.



3. I was a bit annoyed to open the package from Amazon and see this glorified pamphlet inside. "There goes ten bucks!" I thought. Don't let the size fool you, though. When I opened the booklet and started flipping through, I saw that it really is an excellent guide. It is far superior to anything else I have seen on the subject. I have seen bat houses for sale in my area that do not come close to meeting the well researched guidelines described in this book. Worth buying, definitely. I just wanted to combat the mosquitos in my neighborhood -- now I will likely join the Bat Conservancy and build houses for any friends who ask.



4. My grand daughter's are anxious to get started building! I bought this and the Stokes Guide to Bats. They love the books. Easy to use and with a little help 8 & 10 years-old understand the blueprints.



5. For a small, pamphlet like publication this handbook packs a surprising amount of information about bats and bat houses. It has several very detailed plans for bat houses and accompanying materials list that simplify the purchasing process. Very happy with this purchase.

5 comments about The Triumph of Individual Style : A Guide to Dressing Your Body, Your Beauty, Your Self.

1. I found this book six years ago in the libarary. I took copious notes from it over the next few years I checked it out. I finally purchased it and with every reading get more tips for style. I wish I had purchased it sooner.
   I sew and it has proven valuable for things like selecting prints, woking with fabric texture, and determining hemline, waistline and neckline lengths and widths. Other books tell me what to do to achieve an effect, but this one tells me why.
   I am exploring style and trying to develop more creativity in my sewing. I think this is the best guide around for that purpose. It also would have been a good companion for my "Dress for Success" efforts a few decades ago.



2. This bok with it`s beautiful drawings adds dimension to it`s material. This is a must for people who want to look their best and also a great book for clothing designers as weel as image consultants.



3. I am a fashion designer who was looking for some good resource books to help with figure-appropriate designs. I came across this book after a long search and thought I had found gold. Unfortunately, it was not what I expected. I was really disappointed with the line sketches used to explain clothing choices and found those designs to be VERY outdated- especially considering the second printing was in 2002. For example, I could not disagree more with the advice for rectangular-shaped women- that they should opt for sack dresses that ignore the waist, rather than trying to create one.
   The chapters on jewlery choices and color charts were equally useless.
   I would not recommend this book to any fashion designer looking for figure-flattering design elements. "Dress Your Best" by Stacy London and Clinton Kelly is by far a better choice- especially considering the price.



4. This book is for the experienced Fashion and Image Consultant that want the theory behind creating image and beauty.



5. I bought this book "The Triumph of Individual Style" because a friend was excited about it. Her talk struck my curiosity, so I ordered it. Once I received it, I looked through the whole book and I lost interest right away.
   It must be the most useless thing someone suggested. It might be good for someone who has absolutely no eye for beauty and balance. I would rate it 0 (zero) if there was a zero star to add, but since there is not one, I have rated 1.

No comments about Georgian Style and Design for Contemporary Living.

No comments about Build the Right Fencing for Horses: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-193 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-193).

5 comments about The New Cottage Home: A Tour of Unique American Dwellings.

1. As an avid cottage fan, and living in one while designing a new one to build for myself which is even more zen and simple, I found this book to be one of the best books on cottages around. Although I also admit what was considered a cottage when my place was built someone hundred years ago and what is considered a cottage in 2006 is around five square feet more in size.
   
   Of course I am a purest and go by what my dictionary says a cottage is which is 1 : the dwelling of a farm laborer or small farmer 2 : a usually small frame one-family house. Small being reduced in size. So I was surprised that on page 112 they show a French Hunting Lodge from the Pacific Northwest. Not a cottage at all.
   
   What does make this good sized book useful for anyone looking for ideas on cottage styles is the vast array of examples given. From the coastline of Maine to the San Juan Island of Washington State, to rural Kansas to Massachusetts to favorite areas here in California.
   
   And wonderful examples of simple to elaborate. One of my favorites because of its really simple zen style is the Pumphouse on pages 52-59 on San Juan Island in Washington State that was made into a smooth lined, all in one cottage which I and other minimalists would love to own. Or the wonderful Salvage Yard cottage in Franklin County, Kansas on page 156-161 that would fit in just about anywhere where clean lines and environmental desires are important.
   
   There is even an off the grid cottage and some communities of nothing but cottages like those on Lopez Island in Washington State beginning on page 196, where the cottages are part of a land trust that was set up to allow people on moderate incomes to build small abodes with common greenbelt areas in and area where expensive homes were/are the norm. Heck, this made the book worth the price in itself.
   
   Each cottage is shown inside and out complete with basic blueprints of each cottage so one can see how the space sits and works. The photography and text meld well and makes this a book that is hard to put down.



2. This book is great if you want gables and a structure with more character but more expensive. I am looking for simple structures. I do like the book a lot.



3. the used bookstore wouldn't even want this rubbish- about 5 pages of decent information. it's all coffee table fluff and I don't drink coffee- Boo



4. Some books you love and race right through them. This one I loved so much I dawdled over every page, scrutinized the photos, and extracted every bit of info I could from the written descriptions.
   I pictured myself curled up on the windowseat reading a book. I imagined walking through the woods to my camp cottage, or lounging in the adirondack chair on the porch with an ocean view. This book will fuel any dreams you have of owning a second home, a special retreat from the real world.
   The cottages are grouped into these categories:
   *Cottages by the water
   *Cottages of the forest and mountains
   *Cottages in the field
   *Cottages in town
   The final section covers designing the cottage home (26 pages).
   Each cottage gets 4 to 6 pages. The book describes the owners' vision and tells how the architect created their dream cottage. It might be 500 sq. ft. or 2,000 sq. ft. but each vacation home is a pleasure to view. Besides numerous color photos, there's a floor plan for each cottage. These combine with the descriptive text to give a pretty good picture of each home.
   Savor this book. Even if you never have a cottage, you can dream.



5. I thought it was a little dated for being called "New cottage homes". I know some of the houses built and they were built over 13 years ago. So not so "new" if you know what I mean. If you buy it I am sure you will understand.

5 comments about Raising a Happy, Unspoiled Child.

1. I'm writing this because my daughter has finally turned 3. She is as delightful as what's described in the book. Cheerful, affectionate, curious but able to respect boundaries. I'm a first time mother, and I started reading this book when my daughter was a baby. I found all the instructions and explanation very helpful and easily to apply. It's assuring that Dr. White's advice is based on research and observation of numerous real-life cases, rather than his imagination and personal opinion. This book emphasizes how one stage of a baby/toddler's development can affect the next. It's more a whole-program approach rather than a guide with quick-fix solutions. Those who seek the latter could be disappointed.



2. This is an outstanding book that should be read by both expectant parents. It discusses not to raise a child that is how an A student, great athlete, or future world leader, but rather how to raise a student who does well in school, life, and society.
   
   Mr. White interviewed parents from different cultures and child rearing methods and gives the reader straight advise on methods to improve your child's chances for success in their life ahead. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is ready to have their first and also as a re-read to those working on their second, third, etc. A definite must!



3. I found the advice in this book appealing (it's much the way I like to do things anyway). I was excited by the research. But I was frustrated because the description of the child's social development does not match my kids at all. My daughter was a delight from 14-24 months - the time frame when she was "supposed" to be testing me. She took direction, minimum tantrums, played well on her own, etc. Around 24 months the testing hit, and we are still in the thick of it (though outsiders tend to call her a "delight" - as mom, I see the testing going on). According to this book, a testing 2 year old is the mark of an overindulged child. But this simply isn't the case with ours. The book "Loosing Our Minds" has alot of interesting and useful information for parents of gifted children. Often gifted children do not develop according to neat little timelines that scientist and baby trainers prefer.



4. I bought and used THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF LIFE By Burton L. White during the late 70's! Now I'm
   using the new edition of that book, along with RAISING A HAPPY, UNSPOILED CHILD in caring for my grandchildren and the toddler pre-school class I teach. I have never found a better book on caring for young children. It makes it possible to detect new stages and explaines how to deal with the changes in the child's behaviour. So-o-o helpful! I include these books in my gifts to young mothers.



5. I bought this book to help me deal with my two year old who was acting up, but the premise of this book is that if you are having problems with you're two year old, you probably screwed them up in the first year and it's too late to really do anything about it. Basically, you're screwed and it's because you spoiled them. Needless to say, this didn't help me. I completely agree with other reviews which said that the author divides children into angels and brats with no in betweens. Not helpful. I wish I would have taken more heed to the bad reviews, because apart from a few decent recomendations, this book was a complete waste of time.

5 comments about The Practical Guide To Patternmaking For Fashion Designers: Menswear.

1. A serious text book type for aspiring designers. I bought this book simply to make clothes for myself as there is not much out there for men. 99.9% commercial patterns are for women and the 0.1% patterns for men are 80's redux with batwing sleeves and over sized shoulders. So far, I have used the book to make a block pattern for my own body. It's quite easy if you put your mind to it and reread the instructions. I must admit that this book is not suitable for amateurs. Having learned to sew from my mother since I was a preschooler must've helped me understand the term and techniques better as I did not go to fashion school. I am hoping to be the next Ennio Capasa (Costume National) someday, who knows?



2. I have been trying to find a decent book that deals solely with menswear pattern design and I found it with this book. Many others I have from before were very difficult to use as the instructions were very minimal if any at all at times. This manual has excellent illustrations & instructions to make someone who may have never taken a course a good understanding in how to manipulate a men's pattern or create one with an easier understanding.



3. In the very first chapters a lot of useful information is presented, and a the reader is given a good insight on the fashion industry and the role of patternmaking. Then you're given a list of tools you'll need to begin your own patternmaking and from there on out you should be set with this book as your guide. I've also purchased the women's book and it looks like it will be just as helpful, but one thing at a time...



4. Detailed, yet understandable text describes design of men's fashion from making sloper to final pattern-making. Describes use of pattern-making tools.
   
   Spiral binding has held up so far under hard use.



5. This is a great book for men's patternmaking. I've had a lot of trouble finding a book to produce men's slopers but this covers that as well pattern constructions for vests, pants, and jackets.

5 comments about Woodshop Dust Control: A Complete Guide to Setting Up Your Own System: Completely Revised and Updated.

1. This book provides a complete and detailed writing on the methods for woodshop dust control methods. It covers different strategies for controlling dust from simple respiratory protection devices(masks), shop ventillation and air filtration and dust collecting machines (portable and central units).
   It discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each method for different situations and how to optimize each strategy for a given situation. Great and interesting book. Written in practical and easy to understand manner.



2. A very good starting point for anyone interested in woodshop dust control. Does a good job covering the hazards and methods of control of sawdust. It then goes on to describe methods for designing and installing a central dust collection system.



3. Basically what I found is just when the book was getting into enough detail to be useful the section would end.
   
   The book is fine if you haven't ever read an article on dust control. But a two page section on dust control from sanders right at the end of the book??? Come on give us a little meat here. Little detail is given on how to control dust with jigs or with equipment that doesn't have dust control.
   
   I gave it 2 stars because I found it wasn't technically detailed enough to be useful and very vague in areas that really needed attention. Took me 3 hours to read it..I'll put it on the book shelve where ironically enough it will probably gather dust.



4. Very detailed, Easy to read, very helpfull in setting up shop.



5. The book is ok, but I wish he would spend more time on running a DC system in a small home shop. Also, a topic I was interested in (grounding a pvc based system) was brushed over in less than a page.

5 comments about 30 Days to a Simpler Life.

1. This book did not change my life, but it contained clear cut ways of simplifying. If you are already a hard core simplifier then this book is probably mostly a review. It is best for beginners or for those of us that need to be reminded that less is more. I got a lot out of it and I think you will too.



2. Of the hundreds of this type book I have read (and almost 100 I still own) this is my favorite, the most marked, the most dog-eared. It looks like the old friend that it is.



3. The book has some fairly interesting tips, but I am glad I purchased it at a garage sale.
   Shortly after starting it, I googled both Cris and Connie. Unfortunately, this skewed the
   way I viewed the book, as I kept taking everything Cris said/wrote with a huge grain of salt.
   Connie's advice was really helpful and cheerful. Sorry, Cris seems bitter and a bit of a hag.
   Therefore, the point of this lousy review is to warn anyone else to just READ the book, and
   don't do what I did, and become predisposed to disliking one of the authors. It definitely
   had a negative impact on what's actually a pretty decent book. It's quite outdated in some
   respects, being written in the 80's, but still - interesting.



4. I thought this was a good book with many specific suggestions on how to simplify your life. One of the tips I used from the book was to put all of our carryout menus in plastic sheets in one master notebook. That one tip alone was worth the price of the book and has probably saved me hours of searching for misplaced menus over the last year.



5. I suppose this book may work well for type-A personalities who don't have husbands, children, dogs, roomates, etc. I tried a lot of these techniques and it really just caused a lot of tension in my house and got me pinned as a control freak. If you live with others, you cannot force them to change. Period. It's hard enough to force yourself to change and usually you don't succede anyway.
   
   On top that I found the book to be very waste-oriented. There was a lot of "get rid of stuff and then go buy new stuff just like it." For anyone working overtime and trying to make ends meet (you know the people who are really short on time and really need some simplicity in their lives), this is not simplifying, it is frustrating. So I knock off three stars for all the classist bull and not taking into account how some people really live.
   
   I let it keep 2 stars because this book made me realize that this kind of 'simplicity' does not improve my life. There is beauty in having some chaos, and learning to go with the flow is much more about simplicity than being an anal-retentive witch. My life is better when my fride is covered in finger paint masterpieces, my husband cant stop laughing at the sock that got stuck to the butt of the baby's jammies and my dog is passionately cuddling an old shoe like it was her first born baby. Now THAT is a good life.