5 comments about Bridal Couture: Fine Sewing Techniques for Wedding Gowns and Evening Wear.

1. The book arrived quickly and in great condition. It looks like it has lots of helpful information that I'll need for my daughter's wedding gown...I'll start sewing in September.



2. Though some of the featured gowns are very "eighties" (big sleeves, big skirts), this book is wonderful for showing how to engineer and fit the understructure or foundation necessary to achieve a remarkable fit on evening wear. The detailed instructions on preparing a muslin are easy to follow and thorough, and this book describes the small steps that, if followed, provide a "knock-em-out" gown that will stay put, even when dancing. Underlining, corsets, boning, and "how to keep things from drooping" are all demystified here. This will be terrific for evening wear and costumes, too, once the wedding gown is finished.



3. I have been sewing for over 25 years and have a degree in design. However, I am always looking to evolve my technique, and I looked into this book because I wanted something that detailed couture techniques for formalwear. In reading other comments on this site before I purchased this book, I noticed some reviewers did not like it because of the outdated dresses. However, I wanted to add that while the specific dresses shown in this book are dated, the techniques described and illustrated are fantastic. This book is for someone that already knows how to sew well, but wants to take their sewing up another level. Don't buy this book expecting to copy one of the dresses used in the examples. Buy this book if you are looking for instruction on choosing and adding stability, using boning, etc, etc. This is about applying couture techniques to your own design. I was looking for something very specific, and found this book to be very helpful. I am glad I purchased it.



4. Highly recommend this book if you are making a wedding gown for the first time. Very clear instructions complete with pictures. There is also great chapter on how to attach lace.



5. The Susan Khalje book is an excellent source of its sort - not speaking of the nice design and pictures, it tells you everything you would want to know when trying to make an evening or wedding dress. Susan Khalje gives many interesting tips and tricks that would otherwise be very time-consuming to figure them out, like how and where exactly attach boning, what layers to use under skirts to make them look as you want to, how to work with lace and how to place it on the curved bodice by hiding the cut places, she gives suggestions as what fabrics to use for what garments - she is very fond of silk organza - for petticoats, underlining, bone channels.
   
   This is one of the rare books that show you professional-done garments and reveal all their making secrets. Even if you're an advanced sewer, I still think you'll find many good tips here. Maybe a pure beginner would not be able to appreciate the value of the information given.

5 comments about The Treehouse Book.

1. This book is just as good as the front cover picture suggests: pie-in-the-sky treehouses. The kind that you dreamed about as a kid? Its obvious from this book that some adults still think about and make their dreams become beautiful structures in reality. If you ever wanted a pictoral book of treehouses representing your wildest imaginations, this is the book for you!



2. This book along with Treehouses of the World are inspirational page after page. If you are a fan of treehouses, this book is a must in your collection.



3. This book has the best pictures and if your looking for ideas
   and inspiration, this is the book to buy.



4. This is the third book from Peter Nelson of Treehouse Workshop. His previous two delved in depth into treehouse construction. This work is more a survey of the many wonderful treehouses to be found throughout the world. It is crammed with quality color photographs and, unlike a previously reviewed work, has a unifying narrative throughout.
   
   Peter starts you off with a very useful section entitled "Choice of Tree". There he briefly touches upon suitability of various tree species to treehouse construction and provides a mini sketch of each tree species with a treehouse. Immediately after comes some very accurate arboriculture advice from Jonathan Fairoaks. It's nice to find a treehouse book that gets this part right for a change.
   
   For me, the real value of this book is in the tour it takes you on of many notable treehouse. I bring this book to meetings with clients so they can see the many incredible things possible. And for those who've never considered it possible that a treehouse could be any more than a small, roughly built box, this book will blow their minds.
   
   What this book lacks is building advice. It's not a "how-to" book. There really is no great "how-to" book out there. Even so, highly recommended.



5. I really liked the whole book, but I especially liked the part about kids treehouses. Some of them were homemade, and some of them were built by an artist. Before I read the book, I was wondering what different treehouses look like. I thought the treehouses with a loft and a ladder would be lots of fun to explore. Some of the treehouses were hotels. One of the treehouses was built by a robber! He had used it as a place to store his disguises. I thought it was a very good book.

5 comments about Making the Best of Basics: Family Preparedness Handbook.

1. This book has some useful information but it doesn't fit the bill as an emergency book because much of it includes things like recipes which you cook in an 350 degree oven - which you may not have in a true emergency. Also, there are a lot of charts that look good but really don't help that much. 9 pages on the use of honey seems a bit much too. Resource section lists lots of resources but closer examination shows that many aren't geared to individuals or only carry one item for emergency use.



2. The publisher, Gold Leaf Press Says: Basics has sold over 350,000 copies. Concerns about the Year 2000 computer bug, unexpected job loss, volatile financial markets, and natural disasters such as severe storms have made home storage and preparedness a current topic all across the country.

   Making the Best of Basics has been the home storage and preparedness bible for a generation of readers. With over 350,000 copies sold, Basics is the most comprehensive single volume available on in-home storage.

   Making the Best of Basics has been updated for the '90s and offers the average family a manageable and effective plan to enable them to live on resources in their own home in a near-normal manner for up to a year. Basics includes chapters on storing and using (including 200 recipes) everything from water, wheat, and dried fruits and vegetables to vitamin supplements to maintain your family's health and emergency sources of fuel and energy.

   Basics is an excellent and proven source you can use to prepare for an uncertain future.




3. If you're like I was, you're looking through the various disaster preparedness books wondering which one is best. I have worked my way through 7 of the most popular books and offer a shared review of all of them here. I hope this comparison helps you make a decision.
   
   Book 1: Crisis Preparedness by Jack A. Spigarelli
   Like many of the disaster preparedness books, this one begins by answering the question, "Why bother being prepared?" It also outlines a framework for being prepared that includes accumulating supplies, getting mentally and physically prepared, and having your finances in order. One thing I particularly liked was the emphasis on the importance of knowledge. It wasn't just about what items you need, but also what skills and knowledge you should develop. But this book is mostly about food preparation for a major disaster, with emphasis on having a year's food storage, milling your own grain, growing sprouts, home canning, dehydrating, freeze-drying, etc. There are detailed tables showing the calories of various foods including their protein, fat, and carbs. The final third of the book offers advice on other topics, including weapons, hand tools, clothing, energy, medical, sanitation, transportation, communications, and home preparation. The book concludes with a list of recommended books and a brief listing of companies that sell disaster preparation items. Overall, this is a very good preparedness book. I probably should have given it 5 stars, but I thought it went a bit overboard on the food plan. That said, it is the most comprehensive of the preparedness books.
   
   Book 2: Preparedness Now! By Aton Edwards
   This is another thorough disaster preparedness book, one that focuses more on emergency situations (fire, chemical attack, etc.). It is organized into brief chapters (some only a few pages) on a variety of important topics, including: water, food, shelter, sanitation, communication, transportation, and protection. It is also filled with many packing lists detailing what you should get in preparation. It introduces the e-kit (a very lightweight kit to keep with you) and grab-n-go bag with more extensive items. Final chapters of the book discuss various possible disasters, including earthquakes, tsunami, infectious diseases, chemical and bio warfare, crime, fire, and extreme weather. Some of the commentary is a bit questionable, but the technical content is good. Note the deficiency with this book is that it does not offer any detail on food storage.
   
   Book 3: Disaster Preparedness for Dummies
   First of all, this isn't a book. It's a DVD video. I wasn't paying attention when I bought it, and was a bit surprised when it arrived. I generally like the Dummies series. They are well researched and serve as a good summary. This DVD offers a lengthy video discussing many disasters (hurricanes, earthquakes, tornados, etc.), briefly outlining how you might prepare for them. It also has an overview of how you should react in case of a terrorist attack (nuclear, chemical, and biological). But the advice is all very general, and is more like what you'd expect to hear from your local weather station. For example, the video repeatedly advises you to "stay calm" and "evaucate in an orderly fashion." The videos are high quality, but don't expect detailed outdoor survival tips or food storage suggestions. Everything presented is relevant and useful, but it feels more like a FEMA public service announcement.
   
   Book 4: Emergency Food Storage and Survival Handbook by Peggy Layton
   This book is broken into six main sections. The first section offers decent but very incomplete summaries on preparing for short-term emergencies. The second section discusses how to store and purify water. The third part talks about the logistics of setting up a food-storage program, and has some suggestions on how to store food. The fourth section details what types of foods you should store. The fifth section has blank inventory planning pages. And finally the last section has some recipes. About half of the 285 page book is either blank planning pages or simple recipes. The first half of the book is pretty good stuff, but I found this book to be incomplete. It does however offer some good advice on food storage.
   
   Book 5: Organize for Disaster by Judith Kolberg
   This book goes an entirely different direction than the other preparedness books. Emphasis is on understanding the federal resources (i.e. FEMA, Red Cross, etc.) available, creating a personal intelligence network, organizing essential documents, maintaining insurance coverage, listing a home inventory, preparing your house for disaster, basic first aid, and having a good family communication plan. There is also a good list of necessary items to have on hand that would suit many common disaster. I recommend this book for its common-sense look at disaster preparedness. However, it is not the only book you would need, because it doesn't detail food storage, water purification, heating, etc.. That said, it covers some topics that the other books overlook.
   
   Book 6: Making the Best of Basics, Family Preparedness Handbook by James Talmage Stevens
   This book is almost completely about in-home food storage and preparation. There is little discussion outside that (except for basic water issues). Many chapters discuss food in significant detail, to include things like grains, recipes, preparing sourdough breads/biscuits, dairy products, honey, sprouting, drying of fruits/vegetables. At the end of this book is a huge compendium of preparedness resources, telling where things can be purchased in every US state.
   
   Book 7: No Such Thing as Doomsday, by Philip L. Hoag, revised in 2001
   This book offers well-researched insights into disaster preparedness. Topics include water, food, heating/cooking, light, power, communications, medical, sanitation, and security. Those subjects are well done. However, much of the book reads like a bit of doomsday prediction, with many pages devoted to scaring the heck out of the reader... focusing on missile attacks, chemical dangers, nuclear war, radiation, decontamination, communist threat, etc. For me personally, I would have like to see more pages devoted to likely threats (e.g. hurricanes, floods, earthquake, blackout, fire, etc.). Also note that Amazon may not carry the latest version (updated in 2001), so you may want to buy directly from the author.
   
   Overall, if you can only purchase three books, I would recommend Book 5, Book 6, and either Book 1, 2 or 7. With those three, you should have a balanced look at common sense organizing, food storage, and emergency items to have on hand. If you can buy only one book, I recommend Book 1.
   
   I've created a useful disaster preparedness list for your automobile on my Amazon author blog (just click on my name above the review). Also, you'll find a link to purchase a fully assembled auto kit.
   
   Written by Arthur Bradley, author of "Process of Elimination" - an intense thriller in which a martial artist, a greedy corporate attorney, and a conspiracy theorist try to stop a world-class sniper out to shape the next Presidential election.
   
   Please be kind enough to indicate if reviews are helpful.



4. This book puts it all together very nicely. It helps you organize and understand everything from emergency preparedness to long term stoage. If you had to pick one resource to rely in such matters, this would be it.



5. I bought this book because I am interested in long-term food storage, and most of it is about food, but it is not necessarily about food storage. There are a lot of recipes in here. Why I don't know. The thing that puzzled me was if you are reading the book to prepare for some emergency, how is it helpful to have all kinds of recipes for things where specific cooking temperatures are required, like bake at 350F for 30 minutes? I could see putting in recipes if they were for things you could throw together on a camp stove. But from what I could see, these were regular recipes. If I had known how many there were, I would not have bought this book.
   
   A good part of the book is composed of urls to sites that could easily be found on Google. They are for shopping for your Y2K supplies. I kind of wonder how much of survivalism is really just shopping, only for guys. The book contains glossy color ads for companies that were obviously selling a lot of freeze-dried meals to people scared about Y2K in 1997. It is weird to look at them.
   
   Some of the recommendations seem kind of foolish, like getting a Coleman lantern or socking away lots of batteries when you can get crank lamps and such. Others were I thought good, like to stock up on charcoal and get a hibachi.
   
   Generally a mixed bag, more mixed than I would have preferred.

2 comments about Construction Project Administration (8th Edition).

1. the book covers most of the issues related to project management. Some topics are very informative even for soemone with experience in project management. overall a very good book on this subject.



2. One would have thought that after so many editions, the thick book would have been far less wordy and better structured. The main problem is not structuring according to project life cycle, resulting in many repetitions and unnecessary topics such as how to use a camera on site! Construction projects must be managed in a simple and efficient manner so that milestones can be tracked and problems are quickly resolved. Having unnecessary details divert attention from such basic principles.

5 comments about Working with Concrete.

1. This is the better book on pouring concrete forms that Taunton Press offers.
   When I bought the book I was a complete novice. Now after 1 1/2 years and several large projects I am starting to learn what is missing. The book does not talk about the design of the forms. For example concrete exerts 150lb/sqft for ever foot of height. At the bottom of a 2ft wall the pressure is 300lbs but at the bottom of a 8ft wall the pressure is 1200lb/sqft. The plywood, 2x4 bracing, and ties need to be set for the height of a wall.
   You can lessen the number of ties in a wall by using stronger ties but then you have to make sure the grid spacing of the 2x4's will support the plywood.
   The pressure on the plywood can also lessened if the pour is slowed down or done in two stages but if it is a small job that will take less than a hour to do the forms will get the full pressure.
   With the first form sys I rented there was nothing telling me how much pressure the forms would take. Trying to save some money I set everything up with ties on a 4'x 2' grid pattern this is O.K for say a 3ft wall but (lucky for me the guy that was going to pump the concrete told me)not strong enough for a 7ft wall.
   There are many different types of form sys if the one that is shown in the book is not available in your area you will need to do more research.
   If you are using a small inline pumper truck you need to order the concrete with small rock.
   Bracing the wall is also very important you are dealing with tons of weight so make sure the bracing holding the wall vertical/straight is done well.
   
   Forms are also called Falsework.
   
   With rebar in the form it is just about impossible to spray the form release on without getting it on the re-bar. It is better to spray the form boards before setting them up or ...
   Make sure you strip the forms 1 - 2 days after the pour then you don't need form release. Any spilt concrete be easy to break up.
   
   Added Dec. 10 2007
   
   Rent a concrete vibrator and hit the sides of the forms with a hammer to get rid of the air. Don't over vibrate the concrete or you will make big air bubbles.
   
   For form stripping buy a 5ft wrecking bar with a 90 degree end not a crow bar with a hook. The 5ft bar cut the stripping time in half.
   
   Hitachi makes a rebar bender/cutter I have rented several times it is great tool.



2. It gave a lot of great information for bigger jobs with concrete. We were initially looking for something on a much smaller scale, but we are going to be doing our driveway soon, and this book had much needed information on how to do it yourself.



3. Covered many areas and ideas that were new to me (like rebar chairs and footing brackets), but I wish more coverage had been shown on dealing with hydronic tubing in slabs. Even the hydronic books lack specificity on how to maintain tubing at uniform location in slab so as not to be too deep, yet not so close to surface to prevent damage by saw-cut control joints. Would have also like to have seen more discussion on powered trowels for flatwork, and finishing stairs so as not to see formwork impressions on riser (says to leave formwork on for several days, but that means no texturing options for the risers.)



4. Minimal coverage of additives, finishing, and concrete mix variations. Good coverage
   of form building and setting. Not as complete as the title implies; really another formwork book.



5. comprehensive book on concrete - just what I was looking for before building my own house.

5 comments about Country Living Cottage Style (Country Living).

1. I really like this book. I enjoy looking at it over and over. There are a few homes pictured that aren't my taste ( red plaid wallpaper, etc.) but most are lovely.



2. This is a really gorgeous book. I love it! There are many different styles represented here but always faithful to the idea (which I hold), that cottage homes should be cozy and informal, a place to relax by a fire, sip cocoa, and read a good book. These are such homes. The cottages are uniformly charming and with emphasis on light, airy rooms. I like that. The photography is also beautifully done. A great choice for anyone who loves the small cottage lifestyle.



3. This is a beautiful book, full of good ideas that I am anxious to try.



4. If you like this decorating style, this book wont disapoint you. Full of pictures of quite normal homes - not the grand and luxurius ones. Good ideas and detail pictures.



5. I love just about everything in this book, though I will admit there are a few pictures I'm just not loving the colors they used in the rooms. But, what I do like in this book very much outweighs the rooms I don't love. I very much recommend this book, because when they get it right, they really get it right. It is full of lots of pictures of beautiful rooms and only a few that are so so.

5 comments about Organizing Plain and Simple: A Ready Reference Guide with Hundreds of Solutions to Your Everyday Clutter Challenges.

1. Donna Smallin's book delivers ! Organizing Plain and Simple, offers people a reasonable and concrete way to dig out from under the chaos. First, you declutter. Her excellent suggestions on how to finally accomplish this daunting task gives one hope that it can be done. No organizing cliches here, instead, yellow panels of ideas and actions targeted to specific problems appear among the text as quick, handy action steps to move you forward in your efforts.
   She tells you what to write on labels, how to select storage options, ( disorganized people rarely measure, that's a problem), what to do if you can't seem to discard a particular item and reminds you that what you really want is to be surrounded by what you love. You learn how to keep what is left so you can find it everytime, and not spend money to replace "lost" items.
   Donna Smallin is the sensible friend, who knows you and wants you to succeed, and she is guiding you to be able to do it yourself and to understand why and how.
   You even get a reward at the end...the organized life you deeply desire...that now has room for better things, personal confidence, career success, pleasant surroundings and the time and ability to share your hospitality with others.
   READ THIS SMART, INTELLIGENTLY WRITTEN BOOK AND RELEASE YOURSELF FROM CHAOS, CONFUSION AND CLUTTER FOREVER ! You deserve that joy.



2. In addition to the valuable information in this book, it is filled with tips and checklists that are well put together. The book begins by talking about organizing in general and then focuses on specific rooms, finances, time, home life, and transitions.



3. I got this book from the library originally, and was so motivated and floored by the amount of information covered, I just had to have it. It's one of those books that you like to own so you can hilight sections, make notes, etc. The book is not full of fluff - it's literally full of tidbits and information that covers budgeting, organizing closets, the house in general, decluttering (this is where I needed the most help!), etc. I just can't even begin to tell you how absolutey motivating this book is! I highly recommend it as a must have to help you accomplish your organizational goals at home.



4. I purchased this book because I wanted to organize the spaces in my home (I am terrible about not "finding a home" for new items and letting my mail pile up everywhere). I did find some information to help me in those areas, but this book contains a lot more information that what I was looking for - it is more of a "how to organize your entire life" guide. If that's what you are looking for, I think this is a good book. Here are the main sections:
   
   Getting Started (uncluttering)
   Organizing Room by Room
   Organizing Finances (saving & managing money, reducing debt)
   Organizing Time (stress, work/life balance)
   Organizing Home Life (family schedules, vacations, home safety)
   Organizing Transitions (moving, new baby, new pet, your estate)
   
   Some of the topics covered are items that can encompass an entire book (debt reduction, stress management), so I would consider the information presented as more of a starting point that a complete "how-to" and readers needing lots of help may want to find a book dedicated solely to that subject. However, the information presented is useful and is worth reading before taking on a task (i.e. - reviewing the travel section before taking a trip may ensure you don't forget an important detail)
   
   The book is easy-to-read and contains lots of helpful hints and ideas. The author also includes some good, straight-forward checklists (preparing for taxes, what items you will need for a new baby, list of items for a car emergency kit). I liked those and I also thought she offered some good advice - for example, a list of fun activities your family can do for free if you are trying to save money.
   
   Overall, this book covered more topics that I was looking for, but the information presented was good. I like this book as an overall reference to organizing. For a quick read on organizing your clutter, readers may want to consider Donna's book "The One-Minute Organizer Plain & Simple."



5. I was hesitate about getting this book on all the mixed reviews. Well I am glad I got it. Within 5 minutes of looking through the book I TOTALLY organized my kids mittens/gloves/hats/scarfs and now my foyer looks neat instead of messy. Can't wait to try the other tips I read about!!!!!!!!!

5 comments about The Simple Art of Napkin Folding: 94 Fancy Folds for Every Tabletop Occasion.

1. I like this book. It has a lot of cute folds, it is easy to follow and the book is laid out well. It even has a section on some folds for children. The only thing that could possibly make this book better would be if it was in color.



2. Helpful book has many ideas for those who still like to set a nice table and actually use cloth napkins.



3. I got this book as a Christmas gift last year and I love it. I've made many of the folds in the book, the directions are easy to follow and each fold includes some information about the history of napkin folding that is actually fun to read.



4. Great folds for all occasions. We used this over the holidays and it had great ideas to make every meal extra special.



5. The book looks like fun and I will probably get it for a gift for someone else, as well as one for myself. It was a gift.

No comments about Black & Decker Complete Guide to Plumbing: Expanded 4th Edition - Modern Materials and Current Codes - All New Guide to Working with Gas Pipe (Black & Decker Complete Guide).

5 comments about Parents Do Make a Difference: How to Raise Kids with Solid Character, Strong Minds, and Caring Hearts (The Jossey-Bass Psychology Series).

1. This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.



2. This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.



3. I have bought tons of books over the years many were good some not so much this is one of the only books I have kept and always go back to for advice and ideas. This book is a must have for all parents



4. This is easy to read, well laid out and is packed with useful tips on how to help kids be their best selves. It's a real 'how to' guide, with lots of examples of actual situations & what to say to help your child overcome specific difficulties & be more successful. I like it so much I've ordered another copy to share with friends (gently & tactfully, of course!) Every parent should read this book - it's not about pushing your kids to achieve & driving them to prove what a great parent you are - this book is about nurturing their strengths & helping them believe in themselves & be more confident in who they are, just so they can be happy & enjoy life more.
   
   Definitely worth the money & time spent reading it & putting it into practice. Does what it says on the cover!



5. I consider myself to be a well educated, caring person with a lot of common sense, however this book has been a real eye opener on human nature and how to nurture our children to grow to their greatest potential. I'm only on page 50 but I feel compelled to write a review already!