5 comments about EcoNest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries of Clay, Straw, and Timber.

1. A book must for all of us on planet earth!
   The only one of its kind--- building these homes will sustain and balance physical, emotional and spiritual health of the most endangered species ---US--- Homo Sapiens! And these homes are also visual masterpeices!
   
   Magnificently designed, written, & illustrated!
   
   Carol Shein
   W. Palm Beach Fl.



2. I purchased this text thinking it would give useful information on how to create an "econest" using timber frame and clay/straw techniques. I was disappointed that the book gave superficial information on the building techniques and seemed to be more of a promotional text for the writer's alternative home building system and business. If someone is interested in building a very upscale home using timber framing and clay/straw techniques and using the author's home building enterprise to do so, this is the book for them.



3. Paula Baker-Laporte & Robert Laporte's Eco Nest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries Of Clay, Straw, And Timber (158685691X, $24.95) surveys and contrasts different methods of green building which avoid the typical troubles of conventional building methods, from pollution and chemical usage to inefficient synthetic insulation. From design details to take advantage of solar energy to choices in lighting, entryways, and architectural design, ten selected 'dream homes' are presented. Full-page color photos of interiors and exteriors compliment design plans and first-person insights by the owner-builders on what makes each home a work of art - and an ecologically sustainable structure.



4. Paula Baker-Laporte & Robert Laporte's Eco Nest: Creating Sustainable Sanctuaries Of Clay, Straw, And Timber (158685691X, $24.95) surveys and contrasts different methods of green building which avoid the typical troubles of conventional building methods, from pollution and chemical usage to inefficient synthetic insulation. From design details to take advantage of solar energy to choices in lighting, entryways, and architectural design, ten selected 'dream homes' are presented. Full-page color photos of interiors and exteriors compliment design plans and first-person insights by the owner-builders on what makes each home a work of art - and an ecologically sustainable structure.



5. Great for case studies of Eco friendly construction of homes with some detail of how to do the job itself.

5 comments about Christopher Radko's Heart of Christmas.

1. This book has some great decorating ideas, but no technique on how to create these items yourself. This is why ... is so popluar. She not only shows you, she tells you how!



2. I saw Radko as a guest on the Today show a few years ago and i was stunned by his beautiful creations and compositions on christmas trees. I bought this book to have a book to indulge in, to be able to see more of his designs and how he decorates the tree. I do not want to recreate the designs because they are a little too much for me. I prefer cleaner, more subtle decorations for Christmas. However, the book and Radko's creations are great eye candy.

   The text is more general advice on christmas decorating and not specific instructions. It has a few sidelines though with useful checklists, like candle safety, types of christmas trees and other evergreens to use for decorating etc.

   So, if you are like me and you only want to look, get this book, it has beautiful pictures. If you want step by step instructions and lots of practical advice, get another one.




3. Okay, so how can Christopher Radko do anything wrong?? Well, he probably can't - but his publishers sure can. You may ask, what good is a picture full of detail that is only 2" by 1.5"?? PUHLEASE make those pictures bigger - the magnifying glass works, but not as well as a bigger picture.

   And the text....goes on....and on....and on.....with very humdrum items. How to pick a Christmas tree, how to light it. This information has been included in every Christmas book through the ages. We don't need to have it over and over again. Take away some of those words and put in more OR JUST BIGGER PICTURES!!

   This guy is special - make him a special book!!




4. Beautiful photography of Christmas displays from country home settings to mansions. Not just for the Radko ornament collector, Heart of Christmas provides all lovers of Christmas with a wealth if information about traditions of the holiday.



5. I'm a huge Christopher Radko ornament fan and collector ... His past books are just basically about ornaments only and I thought it was great to see this book about decorating and ~how~ to use his ornaments (among others) and, along with more elaborate decorating ideas it also includes the "basics" of Christmas decorating - such as how many lights to put on a tree, etc ... If you're not a CR fan, you may not appreciate the book as much however.

5 comments about The A Baby's Owner's Maintenance Log: A Record of Your Model's First Year.

1. This book is a fun companion or alternative to the classic baby book. I was able to write in silly incidents or the moments leading up to a milestone in the weekly pages. It's good to have a log of sorts for each child so that you can return to it for reference at a later time. I had one of these for my first child, and when my second came, I needed to know what week of age that I did this or that, and I compared size and such. If you're a crafty writer, your children will appreciate reading it when they are older. It has a very technical approach to it, which is a great way to involve dads!



2. I bought this book for my son-in-law before the birth of his first child four years ago. I just purchased a new copy for my niece's husband to include with his Chirstmas gift. They are expecting their first and my brother's first grandbaby in April! This book was a big hit!!



3. We send this book along with a shower gift and mark it for the dad. The dads never get anything for them so they actually read it and find it's not so hard. When something was wrong with either of our two kids, I would reach for the What to Expect Book and my husband would reach for this one. We come up with the same solution, only to his credit he'd get there faster because this book tells you what you need to know and that is it! A fabulous read for all dads!



4. My husband and I were expecting #1, and hub is a car geek. We were kidding about user manuals and how he could cope with new baby if one existed. He loved this book! It's definitely more father-friendly and funny. The gag does run a bit dry, but at least it's consistent throughout the book. We just purchased another for #2!



5. This product is great. Not only does it make me laugh, but it is also convinient if you want to keep a record of when you breastfeed or poopies and pees, or also your baby's randomness or firsts. I use it as a little diary for my little girl. I would recommend this product to others.

1 comments about The First-Time Homeowner's Survival Guide: A Crash Course in Dealing with Repairs, Renovations, Property Tax Issues, and Other Potential Disasters.

1. Sid really hits the nail on the head, so to speak. It's the perfect compliment to the other books he has written like "A Survival Guide for Buying a Home" and "Home Makeovers that Sell".
   
   Being armed with his book eases a lot of the tension from not knowing what to expect. 5 stars!

3 comments about Finish Carpentry (For Pros by Pros).

1. I'm a big fan of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking so I figured this was a great opportunity to capture some very useful information on "how to" (as the book is billed) install trim work. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. The book's articles are dated (pneumatic nail gun review from several years ago!) and not all apply to trim work. To make matters worse, there are not too many detailed tips to actually use. Just short articles which merely touch on the subjects. Definitely not worth the money if you're looking for any sort of ideas or lessons on finish carpentry.



2. I was completely new to hanging molding. This book will cover what you need in order to cut crown molding (molding closest to the ceiling), however, do not expect to learn how to chair rail or baseboard molding correctly. In my opinion, theis book, "touches" on the subjects, thus not providing enough info to get your job done as efficently as possible.

   To restate the point on crown molding: This book will teach you a mathematical formula so you can hang ANY size crown molding correctly.

   All in all, there are about 6 pages in this book that helped me out a bunch, but its definately not worth the buy. The book is EXTREMELY OUTDATED! They speak of Pnuematic nail guns (no one uses them anymore.) In addition, a COMPOUND MITER SAW will get your job done in a snap as compared to using a POWER box or POWER saw.

   Craig savage came out with a DVD this year (2004). I'm going to purchase it and see if its any help.

   David




3. Being new to carpentry, I purchased this book to get aquainted with finish work. Previous reviewers spoke of this book being outdated and I agree. However, as an apprentice, I found useful methods including tips for scribing and fitting interior finishes. Putting these methods in the back of my mind has facilitated my work.
   
   The organization of material is haphazard at best. This is not a textbook, but a collection of articles from Fine Homebuilding magazine. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with some basic techniques and universal situations in finish carpentry, this book will be a decent start. For the experienced carpenter, look elsewhere.

2 comments about How to Buy Land and Build a House in Thailand.

1. Mr Puterbach's polemic against "How to Buy Land and Build a House in Thailand"
   has almost NOTHING to do with the book he pretends to be reviewing.
   
   Yes, "stuff" happens everywhere, all the time. But if you are dumb
   enough to put your newly built house in the name of a nearly broke single mother
   you just met in a bar, you are likely not bright enough to be building
   a house on your own in another country to begin with!
   
   Having said that, I found Mr Bryce's an EXCELLENT book on the pros and
   cons, the risks and rewards of building a house in Thailand.
   
   I personally found his experience and information invaluable, and would
   STRONGLY recommend you not even consider building a house in Thailand without reading this book first!
   
   There are indeed many complexities involved,and this book is the easiest
   way thru the challenges you will indeed encounter.
   
   Jim Cogan



2. Well written, and quite valuable. Very detailed as the topic is technical, yet also readable. VERY useful information it would take a while to find yourself. I would have liked to have some of the information in front of me before I purchased land there. As for building, its very local specific, for Thailand, and some region specific info also. Thats a good thing....
   
   I'd say "Dont Build Home Without It," to play on the AmEx slogan (not that I have any fondness for those corporates....:). I wont. Many of the details here you will likely be faced with at some point, in a relatively complex place (land ownership, etc). The experiences (and knowledge) of others is an invaluable gift. It helps if you can also write, which he can.
   
   Highly recommended, as is his other book (with Thai co-author), Retiring in Thailand. If you plan to do this also, it will save you (and will me) a lot of pain and frustration, I am sure. Also very detailed yet readable. In my experience (Belize, Panama) its some of the best of the genre. Unqualified 5 stars, as is this book. Thanks, Phillip....!

2 comments about Italian Country Living.

1. The seller says I will receive a credit, and allowed me to return the book. It is a nice book, not exceptional; good addition to references.



2. Intersting homes are featured in this book with some unpredictable decorating. It has great photography of the homes as well as fantastic views on some of the featured properties. I also recommend French Country Living by the same author.

5 comments about Bodyguard Manual - Revised Edition (Bodyguard Manual: Protection Techniques of Professionals).

1. There is a french defenition for what this book explains, it is called (accompagnement VIP). I enjoy reading Mr thompson books, they are correct but academic, good as a presentation for a University degree, especialy the Concord chapter that is part of history now. But I would have some reservations of recommending this book as for professionals. Today's pro teams deal with very high risk and dangerous situations, I am talking about Delta force operators driving the US ambassador into west Beirut during conflict and coordinating their only E&E with a Zodiac at sea,or bodyguards Coordinating Embassy security with 24 hour mobile counter assault teams, protecting VIP in Iraq, Afghanistan,Pakistan where you are monitored by the enemy 24h, your cars already marked, and your movements noticed and your face already photographed,where the ambush is inevitable one day or another,protecting VIP's conducting negotiations in high risk areas and countries and sometimes between borders, that what we could call bodyguarding for proffessionals these days, and these are only few examples. The only problem is that those professionals are on duty now, hope one day one of them will share his experience with Amazon. I gave this book 3 stars for the hard efforts that Mr Thompson is still putting in delivering a correct message.



2. Don't let the review titled "Accompagnement VIP" throw you off. That particular reviewer obviously has been reading "Inside Delta Force" a few times too many and has taken it to heart as being the end-all for executive protection work. Granted, "Inside Delta Force" is a damn good book, and I highly recommend it (but not as an example of what real-world EP work consists of).

   But I'm getting off-topic and ranting.

   This is a good overall book, and the author obviously has the credibility to stand behind what he says. He hits the high points about EP work, which is as good as it gets in learning how to do this job. Any decent EP course you choose to attend will do nothing more. An EP team's operating procedures are set by the team leader and are strongly influenced by the principal you are protecting.

   Mr Thompson also emphasizes the one true reality of EP work. It's boring 90% of the time. And if you are doing your job correctly, this is how it should be.

   The high-profile stuff in the news (SF guys with President Karzai, L. Paul Bremer in Irag, etc) are not the norm for EP work. Is it truly "Executive Protection"? Yes, but from a more "para-military" sense. EP work extends to covering corporate execs, celebrities, politicians, royal families, doctors working at abortion clinics..... the list is endless.

   "The Bodyguard Manual: Protection Techniques of the Professionals" can be good for the individual looking to learn about bodyguards in general, someone trying to get their foot in the door, or even the seasoned professional looking to get a fresh perspective on how others do the job.

   It's all in how you look at it and what you take from it!!

   "Gingii"
   USMC '89-'02
   executive protection work '02-present




3. As I read the manual, I relized that there is'nt any manual out there that teaches you the art of protection services, all are just a general desciption and nothing more, I have invested alot of money on so called "trainning manuals" and still hav'nt found one yet that teaches you more than you probably know if you are serious about Entering into this Profession, But I will say that this is the most detailed of all the manuals I have read, and would be a great starting point for the novic protector.



4. First of all I have to say I am not a Protection Professional, I do not play one on TV, and I had no wish to become an Amatuer Bodyguard.
   
   But that all changed when I had kids. The world is changing fast and it is my job to see to the safety of my loved ones. This book goes a long way to focusing the mindset to the hazards (real and imagined) that can be encountered. However much of it is geared to protection teams rather than the single protector. Good book though if you have an interest in the subject, I liked it but am not qualified to comment on the validity of the techniques.



5. One of the better books on the subject, a step up from the earlier version, excellent graphics and well written and easily understood text. A good buy.

No comments about New New York Interiors.

4 comments about American Farmhouses: Country Style and Design.

1. As a devotee of country style and an admirer of farmhouses around the northeast, I found this book to be charming. A cross between a coffee table book and a reference guide, it's the kind of thing you can pick up and peruse easily without having to read straight through. It's refreshingly useful-with just enough historical information for the nonacademic. I learn something new every time I refer to it. Yet it's lovely to page through, which also makes it a great Christmas gift for anyone who loves country style. The nicest thing of its kind to come on the market in a while.



2. This book could revolutionize and galvanize traditional country decorating, much like Mary Emmerling's American Country did when it was first published. If you buy only one decorating book, this should be it. Not a bad photo in the whole book. I am thrilled with it!



3. I grew up in California agriculture and the houses selected for this book bare little resemblence to Western farmhouses. All the houses are from east of the Mississippi, mostly East Coast and very old. There is one Texas farmhouse from the Civil War era.
   
   It seems that the design strategy of the owners has been to restore the old farmhouse ambience with older style elements. In California we try to reach the ambience of the farmhouse but with modern elements and techniques. If this is your objective then the book is still interesting but it won't give you much direct inspiration.
   
   I rate it three stars because the author forgot that the western US has its own farmhouse style and we happen to be American also. A more appropriate title would have been "Colonial American Farmhouses".
   
   - jim



4. this is a very nice and informative book anybody who likes country and primitive will surely enjoy this book