4 comments about Jim Tolpins Woodworking Wit & Wisdom (Popular Woodworking).

1. After you've read some of the many books detailing aspects of woodworking technique, and have spent a little time in the shop, read this for pure enjoyment. The crisp prose and amusing hand drawings are like having a great conversation with the author. This is "A Cabinetmakers Notebook" for the rest of us!



2. i bought this book mainly because i was so impressed with the author's original on building traditional kitchen cabinets. this book is great entertainment and wisdom as master cabinetmaker jim tolpin recalls numerous lessons from his formative years as an apprentice in woodworking. some of the best pieces of advice that he gives include:
   
   do not forsake hand tools! i've just recently started the so-called downward descent down the slippery slope and have found that hand joinery is much SAFER and sometimes FASTER than power tools such as cutting dovetails.
   
   put away that ruler! jim outlines various methods including story sticks, joe frogger and jigger sticks as numerically-FREE methods of measurements.



3. Each topic is one, or at most two pages. Nearly all have entertaining and even helpful sketches with them. The candor and insights into woodworking technique, tools, and wisdom are entertaining as well as educational. What's more, in addition to the editoral content - Tolpin's book is worth the price for any of the following: 1) the list of 20 favorite tools, 2) the list of 20 favorite books, 3) knowing how horses rear ends determined the width of the space shuttle booster rockets (REAL horses), or 4) how to use a story stick instead of a tape measure - and WHY.
   
   If you enjoy woodworking, odds are good you will enjoy this book. The only thing more enjoyable would be the chance to do a weekend project with this down-to-earth guy!



4. It is wit and wisdom, just like it says. Funny anecdotes and a few ideas I didn't think of that worked out well, nice light read. The other reviewers are spot on.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Finishing Your Basement Illustrated (The Complete Idiot's Guide).

1. If you are truly approaching a basement refinishing project from a beginners point of view, this book will be of little if any use to you. Poor illustrations coupled with less than adequate descriptions make it a pure waste of money.



2. If you want details about actually doing the work, buy a different book...



3. Its a good start for the lay-person to catch up with the basics. Especially good, if you want to get familiar with the kinds of tasks needed to completed to finish a basement. A good read, before calling a contractor to give you a bid for your basement.



4. This book gives a decent overall idea of what to expect when finishing a basement, however, it is not detailed enough to actually use to do the work yourself. It is a good book to read if you will be hiring contractors to do the work for you.



5. I've read a couple of other books regarding finishing a basement, and this is by far the most useless. It skims over framing, plumbing, electrical, etc., NEVER getting into detail such as framing around windows, proper DWV sizing, etc. Those are the details that you would really want to get from a book like this. Instead, it seems to focus on building your confidence by using a lot of exclamation points. Again, useless

1 comments about Audel Electrical Course for Apprentices and Journeymen, All New Fourth Edition.

1. I've got 10 guys in line to get their license on my crew but not a lot of time to go to school. And if they're going to school get the school to use this book. If you've got the same situation, just have your guys pick this coursebook up. It's amazing and from a great old electrical name-Audel!

5 comments about Bungalow Nation.

1. I live in a California Craftsman bungalow and therefore gravitated immediately to this book when I saw it in Builders Booksource in Berkeley, CA. It's absolutely lovely: the story of 75 bungalows in LA, Seattle, Chicago, DC, and Minneapolis. I was surprised that Berkeley wasn't included, but the homes shows epitomize America's love affair with these cozy, well-built structures. Included are features on porches, fireplaces, numerous built-ins, furnishings, landscaping, and interior/exterior decoration. You'll love this book, as I do.



2. Bungalow Nation is a truly sumptuous and detailed look at American bungalows.With color pictures on every page, this book is a wonderful balance of text and graphics. The author's text and the photographs by Alexander Vertikoff together present a well-rounded introduction to bungalow style through brief looks at over 75 specific examples of bungalow architecture.
   
   In a chapter called "In The Land Of The Bungalow" the book starts with a brief history of the origins and growth of the architectural style and its place in American history. This chapter is followed by brief treatments of specific aspects of bungalow style: the outside, porches, the inside, fireplaces, built-ins, and furnishings.
   
   Then the author and photographer take us to five different cities to look at examples of bungalows in each. Sample bungalows in Los Angeles, Seattle, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Chicago and Washington DC are highlighted in two to four page spreads. Each house has a description and history of the house and some information on the current owners. This is followed by some photographs of specific features with captions describing each.
   
   The book ends with a bibliography and lists of organizations and architects in each of the five areas highlighted.
   
   This is a lovely book. The bugalows are beautifully photographed. The endpapers are sheet music for the song "In The Land Of the Bungalow" by George F. Devereaux. The cover has a color print of a crewel embroidery of dragonflies. It is a labor of love that is a delight to read and a treat to the eyes. If you love bungalows, this is the book for you.
   
   I got this book because I am planning to remodel the kitchen and bath of my 1930 bungalow and was looking for ways to do so while retaining the original integrity of the house. This book has given me the ideas I need to move forward with confidence.



3. When I bought a 1920's bungalow a year ago, I checked out every arts and crafts and bungalow book I could get my hands on. This one rose to the top. Perhaps I'm a little biased because a good portion of the homes featured in the book are located in the Twin Cities, where I live. But the thing I really like about Bungalow Nation, besides the lovely quality of the photograhps, is that it provides excellent inspiration for the interior decoration of arts and crafts style homes.
   
   If you have a bungalow, or just love the style, you will adore this book.



4. The bungalow is uniquely suited to the homeowner of today: solidly built of good natural materials, unpretentious, yet capable of modification and expansion; usually set in a pleasant and roomy yard, and big enough for the "typical family of four" to inhabit without getting in one another's faces. For these reasons, many cities have seen a "bungalow boom" that has driven up the price of these cozy houses. If you're thinking about a bungalow but aren't sure you want to invest all that money, this book may help you decide. Chock full of all-color photographs, it shows the variations in style and modification possible to the type, the lovingly created details typically found in it, and the ways in which many bungalow owners have contrived to furnish their homes authentically. With a book or two about Craftsman or Stickley furniture, it should provide you with ideas galore about what's possible to a bungalow. And if you simply enjoy looking at pictures of small, simple, yet well-made American houses, it's a volume you're sure to enjoy. For restorationists, decorators, historians, and architecture buffs, it's a beautiful and indispensable volume.



5. Generously adorned throughout this book are beautiful photographs of classic Bungalow homes from across the nation. I flipped through this book at Borders, in the hopes of getting it at Amazon later, but fell in love with it too much to wait for the cheaper internet price. The cover, of course, is eye-catching, with all the rich fall colors, and that same craftsmanship is consistent throughout the book. Job well done!

5 comments about PICNIC: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus.

1. In Picnic, DeeDee Stovel draws upon her extensive experience and expertise as a cooking teacher and family chef to present 125 recipes with twenty-nine seasonal menus for creating that perfect picnicking experience. From Taco Salad; Sour Cream Chocolate Cake; and Thai Grilled Shrimp Appetizer; to Rice and Peanut Crispy Bars; Baked Chicken Fingers with Dipping Sauces; and Banana Frosty; Picnic has wonderful recipes for every possible outdoor outing from the mountain valley to the sandy beach, from the backyard to the National Forest. Planning to have a picnic? Then begin with browsing through the pages of DeeDee Stovel's Picnic!



2. First off, it is nigh impossible to find a decent cookbook for less than $..., but to find a great cookbook for under $... (Amazonýs price), is a true discovery.

   But we need to beg the question: even if it is a bargain, do you need another book just for picnics? I mean, picnics are simple, right? Chicken, potato salad, wine, salt, pepper and some napkins. Well, if you have picnic atrophy and go only once a year, then youýre fine with the ýColonel.ý However, if you, by chance, plan to cultivate the cultured outdoor dining side of you, Stovel is your mentor.

   Stovel breaks up the book into the four seasons, and within each season she gives multiple menus (Spring 6, Summer 12, Fall 7 and Winter 4 menus). Each menu normally has five items. For example: Stovelýs, ýSpring Day-Hike Picnicý menu has: grilled chicken fillets in a spinach wrap, artichoke salad, carrot sticks, gingerbread and fruit, with herbal iced tea. Her menus are thoughtful, flavorful, and balanced by having only one or two unique items out of the five. Her recipes are easy to follow and very tasty. This is a text only, there are no photos of the plates.

   I thought Picnics were fun, kinda fast, intimate (like for two) and cheap. But the recipes here are for eight people! I have never had a picnic with eight people. I have had a church gathering and a Super Bowl sporting event, but not a picnic with eight people. Perhaps Stovel comes from a large family and see her readers bringing mom, dad, grandma and the five kids along; but in todayýs world of virtual families, recipes for eight are an overkill. Thus, because my picnics are for two, every recipe has to be cut in half and then I still have a picnic basket of left overs.

   Also, sometimes, the ingredients for these recipes doubled my weekly grocery budget. For example, the ingredients for the ýArtichoke Saladý (pg.16) set me back $16 by the time I bought three jars of marinated artichoke hearts $9, six sun-dried tomatoes [you gotta buy the whole jar] $4, mushrooms, scallions, etc. Or consider the ýFresh Fruit Bowl Kaleidoscopeý costing more than $17 not counting the Grand Marnier Liqueurý which is a heart-stopping $4, just for 50ml.

   These points aired, this is a wonderful book that has recipes that can be used year round, picnic or not (Try ýTanteýs Coffee Cakeý and ýCurrant Oat Sconesý - Excellent). ýPicnicý is an excellent buy for the money. Recommended. 4 stars




3. I bought DeeDee's book mainly because of the price. I thought an inexpensive book on picnics: some good recipes and tips - forget it.

   On my first inspection only one or two recipes interested me. Well, maybe I just wasn't hungry. I put the book away and tried again later. Nope, nothing here.

   Most of the recipes, if not all, are for the wine and brie set picnicing in the Hamptons. If your picnic ideas include hummus with creamed cucumber dressing, garnished with figs that are stuffed with walnut and endive, this book is for you, otherwise look elsewhere.

   I really think this book was put through a marketing survey and they felt they could only get the ten dollars for it if they were lucky.




4. "A picnic evokes thoughts of leisure, relaxation, and enjoyment of the outdoors. It can be a still life in the open air or a boisterous frolic on the beach. Some picnics celebrate a special occasion, some offer the opportunity for friends to gather, and others provide an excuse for breaking the routine of daily life." ~DeeDee Stovel
   
   Are you dreaming of sipping hot chocolate out in the snow or nibbling on brownies after skiing, then there is a lot to offer even in the winter. DeeDee Stovel is a caterer and cooking teacher who is also the author of "Weekend! A Menu Cookbook for Relaxed Entertaining." The recipes in this cookbook are family favorites so most are for eight people. You can easily cut the recipes in half or plan to have leftovers. The picnics for Romantic outings are designed for smaller quantities.
   
   In this creative work, you can find picnic ideas for every season. This would be perfect as a gift with a basket filled with items needed for some of the recipes. The recipes are a reflection of the favorites on the East Coast, but they will appeal to anyone who loves to go on a picnic. You will find information on:
   
   Picnic Planning
   Spring Flings
   Summer Spreads
   Autumn Outings
   Winter Wanderings
   
   DeeDee Stovel loves art and introduces the reader to famous artists who loved to paint picnic scenes. She briefly introduces picnic history and includes information on portable meals from the past.
   
   The useful information includes ideas on how to keep food safe, how to prepare meals to go and how to keep food cold or hot. If you are looking to create "ambience" then she gives recommendations for flowers, mints, candy and other items to add to your checklist. There are two ready-to-go checklists for "Baskets at the Ready." This enables the picnic prone to be ready to travel at the hint of a picnic longing.
   
   Picnics of Interest:
   
   Breakfast in a Meadow
   Spring Day Hike
   Family Celebration in the Backyard
   Summer Canoe Picnic
   Beach Picnic
   Sunlight Through the Trees Picnic
   Music Festival Picnic
   Sports-Fan Picnic
   Moonlight on a Mountaintop Picnic
   Teddy Bear's Birthday Party Picnic
   Cross-Country Ski Picnic
   Workday Picnic
   
   Recipe Ideas are organized according to the Picnic, but you can even just take one new idea from your favorite chapters and create your own outdoor feast. There are tantalizing recipes for:
   
   Gingerbread
   Herbal Ice Tea
   Champagne Mimosas
   Bundt Cake
   Brownies
   Apricot Almond Bars
   Barbecued Chicken
   Red Potato Salad
   Grilled Salmon Fillets with Mustard Dill Sauce
   Frosty Fruit Salad
   Chocolate Zucchini Cake
   Tortellini Salad
   Fresh Peach Ice Cream
   Marinated Pasta Salad
   Sun Tea
   Petite Lobster Rolls
   Cucumber Sandwiches
   Gazpacho Madrileno
   Cold Rice Salad
   Strawberry Cookies
   Spicy Beans with Sausage
   
   If I had to choose one picnic book to keep in a basket for spontaneous outdoor feasts, this
   would be it. There are 125 recipes with seasonal appeal and lots of classic favorites and some intriguing surprises.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review



5. I love to have picnics and have many cookbooks on that subject. Out of my collection, this is the one I go to the most. No pictures, but easy and excellant tasting recipes.

5 comments about Art Deco Interiors: Decoration and Design Classics of the 1920s and 1930s.

1. This book was more encyclopedic than inspiring. This would be great for a student of design. It was not helpful for me. I wanted to find decor and furnishing ideas for my unostentatious 1930's home. This book did not offer help to the interior design novice.



2. For those who are looking for a special purpose book, such as one that will instruct a person in design, or categorize items one may want to purchase by type (lamps, vases, statues, etc.), this may not be the ideal book. For the reader who is interested in exploring the deco spirit of original times and designers who viewed deco interiors as ensembles and not mere collections of items, this is an excellent book. As well bound as it is, I may eventually wear out my copy. It has been most useful to see original period interiors (ensembles, including the objects of which they are composed) from hotel lobbies, theatres, bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, restaurants, train stations, ocean liners, movie sets, offices, kitchens, and more, as I gather interpretive hints and inspiration for remodeling projects for each of the rooms in my house. I also browse through it sometimes just for the type of eye candy I never tire of. Photography is plentiful, and many photographs are nearly full-page in size. The writing is instructive related to history and designers, and well written. If I could keep only one art deco book - so far - this would be it.



3. This is a pretty dry book. First it helps to know a little French. Secondly, all this book does is throw in a couple hundred names of designers and places. Third, when the author speak of different designs which were created by people there are no images to back it up, so you really can't produce an image in your head of what the author is describing, the images that are in the book are mainly black and white and drawings which really didn't give me a sense of what the designer was trying to portray. As a designer I purchased this book to learn more about the art deco style, characteristics, elements, materials and influence, which is not what I found in this book.



4. Great book with many helpful photos. Great history of the art. Recommended to anyone who wants to know more about one of the 20th century's most important art forms.



5. The 1920's and '30's in the United States saw the construction of huge number of Bungalow in a great many US cities. These now 80 year old houses were often constructed in newly developed subdivisions. Now many of these subdivisions are being discovered as artistically attractive, close to town, shopping, entertainment. The bungalow houses often retain their characteristic style, and many even contain their original fittings such as light fixtures, plumbing, fireplaces.
   
   This time, this style of home was made for Art Deco.
   
   This book shows how these houses would have been decorated when they were new. The furniture, art, decorations, wall paper, paint colors, etc. just look like they belong in bungalows.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone looking at decorating a 1920's vintage bungalow.

5 comments about The Official Rent-A-Husband Guide to a Safe, Problem-Free Home: Quick, Easy, and Effective Solutions for Do-It-Yourselfer Improvements and Repairs.

1. This book was recommended to me after numerous attempts to become "mistress of my domain" failed. It is so well done I plan to pass the word along to all of my home challenged friends. Fantastic in every way,particularly in the extraordinary way in which it is written.



2. Mr.Warren and Ms. Craig have accomplished something no one else ever has in this really wonderful publication. Many thanks to a couple in perfect harmony!



3. The coupling of Mr. Warren and Ms. Craig is casting genius! Never before has the usual dry home repair industry had such a sharp, sophisticated, and witty voice. This completely charming and easy-to-understand book has, undoubtedly drawn numerous women, such as myself, to an area which until now was perceived as forbidden. Three cheers!



4. I was looking for a book that tells you how to prevent bad things from happening- a recommended schedule of maintenance for my home. This book tells you how to handle problems after they have happened. I get the impression that they want you to buy the book, figure out that you have no idea how to fix your problem, then look to see if there's a "Rent-a-Husband" franchise in your city.



5. Truly helpful and a joyous reading experience.

1 comments about How to Build Walks, Walls & Patio Floors.

1. I recently purchased this book, along with several others, to help me with a backyard landscaping project involving a flagstone patio, walkways, and low retaining walls. I found this to be the least useful of the lot. It is neither a good how-to book nor a source of inspiration and ideas. It covers far too many different techniques, from stepping stones to pavers to bricks to concrete to flagstones, all of them at a fairly superficial level. It had very little on using flagstones, which is primarily what I wanted information on. Furthermore, some of the excavating and edging techniques recommended seemed at odds with what I had read elsewhere.

   The book had some pictures of completed projects, but they were for the most part pedestrian and had little or no explanation of the design principles demonstrated in them. For a more comprehensive look at the topic, I would suggest "Start-to Finish Patios" from Ortho Books. It is much longer and covers both ideas and suggestions and building techniques much more comprehensively. It even goes into lighting and pergolas.

5 comments about Home Enlightenment: Practical, Earth-Friendly Advice for Creating a Nurturing, Healthy, and Toxin-Free Home and Lifestyle.

1. Have you ever wondered about the long-term effect of cleaning products in your home? What about pesticides, chemicals and all the other potentially toxic goods that invade our lives?
   
   Twice poisoned by such things, author Annie Bond, host of "Annie's Healthy Living Network" online, offers realistic remedies for a natural and nontoxic lifestyle that include everything from eating and cleaning to gardening and dressing. A comprehensive path toward ecologically-healthy living.



2. This book helps you take better care of yourself and your love ones. We are concerned about what we eat and if it's safe. We also need to be concerned about what we use to clean our homes with and what we use on our skin. In this book there is lots of good, practical receipes for a toxin-free home. This book will be on that I will use often.



3. I do not have a lot of time to read with four kids and this book was a easy fast book to get through. Lots of information that was displayed easily. Not the big words either. And in the back it a huge wonderful list of resources I could look up on the internet. Wealth of information. I gave this book to our school hoping when they remodel they consider what was written.



4. What an absolute miracle! Thank you, Annie for a great book! Buy it, everything you need to know is in here.



5. Excellent book with great, user friendly ideas to improve the quality of your life and your home. Recipes for cleaners are excellent. Some of the rituals described are a little far out there but are thought provoking and are worth exploring.
   
   I use this book as a home reference all the time and it has been extremely helpful and chock full of wonderful ideas for your life, home, body..inside and out.

No comments about 2006 International Building Code: Code & Commentary, Volume 2 (International Building Code Commentary).