3 comments about Interior Design Portable Handbook : First-Step Rules of Thumb for Interior Architecutre.

1. You ca learn a lot from this book I'm a interior design student and this book it's been very helpful.



2. The handbook provides great information for any drafting classes and more information that you can use out in the field of Design



3. This book is a required textbook for a drafting class I am taking. It is a reference book Designers will always need, therefore, I wanted it new. It was $12 below retail cost at Amazon. It arrived in perfect condition within 2 days of ordering it. I was very happy with this purchase.

5 comments about Raising Children Who Think for Themselves.

1. Dr. Medhus has successfully communicated her great knowledge of raising strong, independent children. This experience is based on real life - with her family - as well as the more traditional doctor's observations.

   I reccomend it to every parent who is trying to raise stong and successful children in these difficult times.




2. The problmes that seem pervasive among youth today, from mindless consumerism and premature sex to school shootings and drug abuse, have raised an uproar on all sides, and the blame for these ills gets bounced around like a ping-pong ball!--TV, video games, lack of religion, rap music, and on and on. But Dr. Medhus, after hundreds of interviews with children from all kids of backgrounds, reaches the conclusion that the problems really all spring from a common source: personalities that react to outside forces rather than their own beliefs and morals. Laying out the difference between "externally directed" people who act according to impulses, peer pressure, and the fear of punishment, and "self-directed" people, who have been taught to think for themselves and follow their own consciences, she goes on to share parenting methods intended to encourage the introspection, empathy, and high self-esteem that gives self-directed children their ability to resist negative influences. The author discusses specific techniques for handling many kinds of situations, with rules and disciplinary measures that help kids understand why bad behavior is wrong, instead of shaming or scaring them into blind submission. Indispensible advice for parents seeking to inspire their kids to self-confidence, adventurousness, independence, competence, and the ability to make positive contributions to the world.--MZ



3. This is a wonderful guide for parents and educators who are searching for techniques to help children avoid the pitfalls of "following the crowd." The author provides many practical strategies and "real life" examples of how to interact with children to prevent inadvertent development of an external locus of control. The suggestions are powerful and helpful to all adults who want to help children become independent thinkers in a world filled with challenges. Following the author's advice will enhance student development and improve parenting skills simultaneously.



4. Page after page all made it clear that Dr. Medus really did her homework in putting together this great book on raising a confident and intrinsically successful child. Being a new father I find it a little daunting in being responsible (at least partially) for the behavioral molding of a human being. This book was a real eye opener is so many ways, from methods of dealing with conflict, to getting your child to accept his/her bedtime. In many instances I would finish reading a certain hypothetical scenario Dr. Medus had invented and think "wow that's exactly how I felt growing up!" Since my daughter is still only 6 months old I plan to reread this book many more times while she is growing up. I'd even recommend those without children to read it as it really hits home on how much our society is "externally directed" rather than internally.



5. This is a GREAT book for parents to help their children grow up with the right tools to help them in their lives. I recommend this book to ANY parents, stepparent, or anyone who is around children on a regular basis.

5 comments about French Country Living.

1. Beautiful book. Inspiring photographs that capture French country style (obviously, note the title). My only complaint about Clifton-Mogg books is that the photos are recycled. I see the same photos is many other books. There are MANY wonderful estates, villas, and country properties out there - - - it would be nice to see more of them instead of these multi-used images. The "recycles photos" are no problem if you just have one of her books - - but if you buy many European decorating books, you may see repeat photos.



2. I bought this book without knowing much about it and I found it very interesting and the pictures are lovely. It's better than I had expected.



3. The pictures in this book are beautiful. It is exactly what I was looking for!



4. Sumptuous photos of sumptuous French provincial houses, with helpful guidelines about what characterizes French country decors (though I agree with one reviewer that not too many French country houses look like this). I particularly like the author's emphasis on how livable the style is, and find this to be true too. Buyer beware however that French country may look a lot different in an American ranch house: a lot of the charm comes from plastered stone walls, old beams and well-worn tile floors.



5. This book was okay but NOT the best by far. I was rather disappointed with its contents and lack of style.

No comments about Haciendas: Spanish Colonial Houses in the U.S. and Mexico.

4 comments about Be Your Own House Contractor.

1. This book contains a lot of great tips and serves as a good resource.



2. This book really opened my eyes as to how much was involved in building/being your own contractor. The author obviously speaks from experience.



3. Very up-to-date publication. Author's web site provides much additional information. I plan to build using ICF's and Geothermal heat source. Good information available through both the book and the web portal. Clearly the best and most current of the 4 similar books purchased at the same time.



4. Be Your Own House Contractor: Save 25% without Lifting a Hammer
   I have read several books on this subject. This one offered the best information for the beginner. I would recommend this book for anyone considering building their own home.

5 comments about Welding Basics.

1. I bought this book for Christmas for my boyfriend. However the book didnt arrive in time but when he got it my boyfriend read it in one day and wants to try and weld together some of the stuff it shown. This is a very good book.



2. I thought this book was worth reading. Yes, I've read the other reviews that said it was too simplified and for idiots but for someone who has never welded, or like me has not welded since high school, it covers the basics. It gives a good comparison of different technologies (Oxy, SMAW, MIG, TIG and plasma) the pros/cons of each. No, this book will not teach you how to weld like a pro but it is a good starting point if you want to learn about the various technologies or trying to decide what type of welder you want or need to get started. The Welder's Handbook (Finch) is also a good beginner's guide.



3. The book provides a basic footing in welding. I simply used the book to develop a working vocabulary before I began learning how to weld.



4. I found this book to have strong basic/beginner information as advertised. Some foggy areas are clearer to me now. The section on welding projects could have been left out and additional instructional materials provided.



5. The book is good for starters. It is a bit vague on the basics but informative. A good starter book.

5 comments about Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople.

1. I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas never thinking that it would be as big of a hit as it was! He loves dragons and is quite a good artist, so it was perfect. He could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!!



2. I bought this book for tattooing purposes and it really wasn't all that helpful. Good info on the history and legends of dragons but most of the pictures were pretty cheesy. Works good for general art reference though.



3. I bought this book for my 13 yr. old son. He loves to draw, and collects dragons, but never drew any dragons. With this book, he got some info, and some patterns ready for him to trace or to make his own dragon with! He loves this book!



4. This is my favorite addition to my reference Library. It has great dragon patterns from whimsical to fierce looking dragons. Wonderful material to inspire any artist no matter what their mediums.



5. must have for dragon lovers. wonderful art work. many different dragons are shown.

5 comments about Running a Successful Construction Company (For Pros by Pros).

1. Although some of the content does not apply directly to Ausralian construction this book has given me a much better understanding of some key business components, in fact it has delivered more than i expected and helped me to focus on systems that i need to implement. It has also made me aware of the fact that some of my priorities needed to be re-aranged. I believe that this book will help my company keep up with the massive growth phase we are currently experiencing.
   David Gration. Director, Home Morph. Pty Ltd.



2. This is a must read for anyone considering going into the construction business. As somebody who was in the business for almost 20 years, I wish this book was around when I first started. It covers all the bases and offers good advice on where to obtain the necessary items you'll need to get up and going.



3. Good solid guide that is informational and to the point, and not overly wordy.



4. This has been a real eye opening book. This book has helped me to organize my accounting system in more stream line manner. I have put a plan together ot implement more of the systems into my business. This book is a must for anyone getting in or already in the construction business. It explains so many aspects of the business that no one tells you about.



5. Most people who start construction companies start out as construction workers who get an opportunity. They are often brilliant at building, but lack training in the business aspect of running a company. My husband and I started a construction firm, he has 15 years experience in construction and I have plenty of business experience. Even with all that we knew between us, there were still huge gray areas in our knowledge base. Because I am an avid reader, I ordered about 15 different books on starting up and running a construction business. Some are wonderful, some are garbage...
   
   This book is helpful in that it really explains the business end of the construction industry. Though this won't tell you how to build a house or a hotel... it will tell you the logistics of bidding, tracking expenses, labor costs, time sheets, draws, and all kinds of other things the those not familiar with the industry might have problems with the first go round. It helps you to figure out all of the little things that you might forget when trying to determine "if I do the job for X will I make any money?" The book is quite colorful and has excellent graphs, drawings and pictures to really bring to light what they are explaining to you.
   
   If you are considering either starting a construction company, or trying to move up in one... I highly recommend this book.

No comments about Bathroom Ideas that Work (Ideas That Work).

5 comments about Rewards for Kids!: Ready-To-Use Charts & Activities for Positive Parenting.

1. As a practicing clinical psychologist and parent of a 6 year old son, I would recommend this book highly. Even with previous training in the field, the book helped me gain a fresh, creative, and positive perspective on common everyday behavior problems. I even gave a copy to my son's teacher, who implemented several of the ideas with great success. It was a really great gift. The ideas in the book are specific (charts and reward coupons included!!), effective and fun.



2. This wonderful book shows parents and teachers alike how to develop reward plans for different situations, what works, what doesn't work, and the book even includes pullouts and printables. I am buying a copy for my children's teachers because we feel this book is good for both the kids and the teachers.



3. There's plenty of space to keep track of our family of four on this calendar. I like the space for "reminders" on each month also. The pocket in the back comes in handy.



4. Bought book based on the title, and once I received it, it was nothing what I expected and didn't even use it. I ended up donating it for a silent auction. It was too complicated and was just way too much work. I wanted a basic but worthwhile reward system for my kids, this wasn't it.



5. I am going nuts having to repeat even the simplest instructions ("brush your teeth") many times before my kids do them. I don't want to spend my evenings shrieking at the kids. This book looks like just what I need--lots of sample charts to pull out and use, and lots of step-by-step instructions for using them. I am feeling calmer already.