5 comments about Christmas With Southern Living 2007 (Christmas With Southern Living).

1. This is another great cookbook/idea book from Southern Living. I haven't made any of the recipes yet, but I make something every year from the current year's book. They have all been awesome. I get great compliments on my cooking when using Southern Living recipes, especially the cakes.



2. My daughter checked this book out from our local library. I think is so good I am ordering 4 copies, one for myself and one for each of my sister and sisters-in-laws. This book is full of EASY adorable, doable Christmas decorating and presentation ideas. The wrapped boxes are at my front door, and the cookies on a stick were a hit with the children at their Christmas party.



3. I am so, so sad about this book, it's taken me a day to write this. I have come to depend on what I call my 'secret weapon' i.e. Southern Living for surprisingly innovative and always reliable recipes over the years. Their other Christmas editions and even the Homemade Holidays book are my stand bys this time of year.
   
   I can't even believe they put their name on this. For one - where are all the recipes? It seemed decorating (and I'm sorry - I just don't see the need for 200 'tablescape' options...) took precedence over the food this year. And even worse - of the recipes there, two chapters were dedicated to my LEAST favorite topics involving food at this time of year - "Healthy" and "Express." Honestly to see a cake recipe using already made store bought cheesecake almost brought tears (of sorrow, not joy) to my eyes. Any other time of year, maybe (although that's not what I look to Southern Living for) but NOT the holidays! It's the time to dazzle and forget about all our normal worries and restrictions.
   
   I had read the other reviews stating it wasn't up to par, but just couldn't believe them. If only I had... This copy will probably be headed to my local resale shop.



4. Year after year Southern Living produced fantastic Christmas books... until this year. The decorations were gaudy and the Cowboy Christmas section was ghastly.



5. I purchased this edition in late spring 2008, so I received a great, low price on the book. I did the same with the 2006 edition last year and have been pleased with each. There are numerous recipes that are worthwhile and I primarily use the Christmas edition for the baked goods and candy recipes and give them away as gifts. So far no complaints from any recipients!! Decorating tips spark enough interest to try and adapt one or two of the ideas for the holidays. Will continue to purchase yearly.

5 comments about Living with Chickens: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Backyard Flock.

1. This is a great introduction to keeping chickens, and I found it very useful.
   
   The author goes through all the basic info you need to know in order to raise chickens. It is a very easy and entertaining read - the author has a great writing style that is enjoyable. It is full of lovely photos that really add to the book. It is a fast read as well.
   
   It is not terribly complete - you will need another source for information once you get into the chicken care part. I would recommend "A Guide to Raising Chickens" by Gail Damerow as a companion to this book. The Damerow book is *very* complete, but it also has the dryness of a textbook and isn't nearly as fun to read [think "dense" and kinda boring].
   
   So, I would recommend buying this book if you are considering raising some chickens because this book will give you all the information you need to make an educated decision. Then, if you do decide to raise some chickens, get the Damerow book in addition to this one so that you have every single detail you need to know.



2. Excellent for those who wish to have a home flock. Very informative on the subject and the "how to" of keeping a small flock.



3. The recommendations in this book make it a waste of time, especially the nesting box design.
   Save your time and money and befriend someone who has healthy chickens. Learn from them.
   These men are not as well informed as they think they are.
   Frustrating.



4. This book is a nightmare to read: a chapter heading page will have four type faces and five type sizes with text running around a picture and photo captions way too small to read. Yes, the information is all there, but it's like pulling teeth to find it in any organized manner: a page will have so much graphic on it that the type is wandering through the photos like a path through a dark forest. I wanted a handbook; this is an entertainment book which looks like it is aimed at those folks who have raised chickens in the past and have many happy memories to relive. For us newbies, this is not the book. I found Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens much clearer and easier to read.



5. The book was most certainly worth the money. As a newcomer to the world of poultry keeping, it was both easy to read and well laid out for easy reference, detailing everything you could need to know on a husbandry level.
   
   A definite for anyone thinking of taking on the challenge of chicken keeping!!!

5 comments about Hardwood Floors: Laying, Sanding and Finishing.

1. This book is very informative. If you are going to lay flooring then this will be very helpful.



2. I bought the book and the DVD and both provided information very useful for my first DIY install of hardwood flooring.
   
   Like many projects it's the prep work that pays off in the end and it's also true with installing hardwood flooring. A sub-floor that is flat and secured to the joists along with that straight first row goes along way in ensuring a successful install.



3. Author Don Bollinger stares in, writes, or is quoted in just about every video or book about installing, sanding and finishing hardwood flooring. I came across his video 15yrs ago while researching my first hardwood project. Of the four books I checked out from the library on the topic he was pictured and quoted in all of them. He is a master of his trade and in this book he lays out the very basic and clear steps to a beautiful floor. I read this book again before every flooring project and finely I just bought it. It takes all the uncertainty (but none of the hard work) out of laying and finishing a hardwood floor. Like most do-it-yourself books this one covers the basic principles and standard practices for the first timer as well as instructions and ideas for the adventurous. What sets this book apart from the others is the focus on common and not so common mistakes that will always result in a expensive disappointment. Once you nail down a wood floor you will realize it's never coming up again. That's a bad time to discover you should have read this book first.



4. Overall, this book will give you the information you need to install and finish a new hardwood floor or re-finish an existing hardwood floor as painlessly as possible. The subject is covered thoroughly, from choosing lumber types and patterns to types and methods of finishing. However, I strongly suggest that one hint made by the author be ignored completely. On page 111 and perhaps other pages of the Sanding and Finishing chapter of the 1990 edition of the text, the author proposes the use of a floor buffer to fine screen between coats of finish to take the tops off and help successive coats of finish adhere. What this did for me, even with the finest grit screen available, was leave lots of spider web type scratches in the finish that reflected artificial light in every direction at night, and made what was supposed to be a high gloss polyurethane finish look dull in the daylight. This tip wasted two coats and two days of finish work. My suggestion is to use a drywall pole-type sander with 220 grit or finer sandpaper and always sand in the direction of the grain. This method takes much longer than the buffer method, but won't produce the spider web scratches that the buffer does. One other suggestion the author makes is to mix fine sanding dust with a water-based filler base called Wood Stuff to make perfectly matched filler. I thought that this was a great idea, because you'd get the closest match and you could mix a huge batch of filler right on the floor and trowel the entire space very quickly. I wanted the water-based Wood Stuff because I was using a water-based polyurethane to finish. The problem was that I couldn't find Wood Stuff or any comparable water-based product online or in any hardware or woodworking store. I ended up using several one-pint batches of Famowood filler hole-by-hole, which took days because my salvaged hardwood was full of tack holes. I'm just commenting on the suggested product's availability, here, which is not the author's fault. Maybe the book is a little out of date. Ultimately, with the other information in the book, my floor came out great. I just wish I used the floor buffer for the final wood sanding only (not on the finish).



5. Very practical and useful guide to installing a hardwood floor. I would not have had as great a result without it. If you are installing or thinking about installing a hardwwod floor, get this book. It gives you all of the tips and tricks to do the job properly. Well worth the price.

5 comments about No More Misbehavin': 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them.

1. The title was rather seductive ... but I was disappointed, if validated. I am by no means mom of the year, but I think I already follow most of what the book suggests. This book is likely good for parents who are gobsmacked by newly emerged bad behaviors and recalcitrance, but those of us who have spent any time with the "Spririted," "Explosive" and "Active/Alert" child books will have seen/implemented most of the recommendations already.



2. If you are having problems finding the words or techniques to lovingly and effectively correct your children this IS the book for you.
   
   I became the instant (step)parent of two boys 7 and 9 who are for the most part great children, but at times need to be disciplined. I was at a loss at to how to approach the problem, but this book has given me clear and direct tools to become an effective parent.



3. This book was not very good. It doesn't give enough solutions to behavior problems.



4. This is a simplistic parenting overview -- not a series of solutions for a child's most difficult behaviors. The traits included are very significant and deserve serious treatment, not matter-of-fact tips that can be found in any parenting magazine which is what the book contains.
   For example, the chapter on bossiness - a complex and serious negative behavior trait - gives three overly simplistic tips and then asks the parent to consider a series of questions about why the trait is bothersome. It does a very poor job of explaining the root of bossiness and gives overly simplistic advice, like "raise the child's self-esteem." If I knew how to do that, I wouldn't have had to buy the book!
   Try another resource. This one won't help.



5. Very informative book. I enjoyed reading it and learning new ways to hand my child's behavior.

5 comments about The Boy Mechanic: 200 Classic Things to Build.

1. My hubby requested this book for his 55th birthday and really enjoys it.As soon as he's done with his current remodeling project,he'll probably start on a project from this book.



2. I found a lot of interesting things in this book. I think it is a great reference for any parent that has boys and enjoys spending time with them with projects that capture their attention and curiosity.



3. This is an interesting read if you enjoy old books and are a do-it-yourself type person, but it's not good if you are hoping for some old type projects to do. The articles don't seem to be quite detailed enough to actually build most of the items and a lot of the projects are simply lame. No "boy mechanic" would be interested in doing a lot of these today. I guess some people were more easily entertained back then.



4. As a kid my dad gave am Popular Mechanics compilation from the 30's. They had projects that were amazing and challenging. My dad and I a ball building stuff out of this old book. This is the same sort of book.



5. If you are looking for a book of small projects to do with kids, find something else!!! The copyright says 2006, but maybe it should be 1906. It is certainly not what I expected. While most projects have a diagram to help you out, the instructions are a little sketchy. We were looking more for small projects a kid and his dad could build together, not "safety chopping block", "self-closing gate","attachment for glasses aids marksman", or "webfoot attachment for swimmers". I'm NOT joking...it's in the book! I do recomment "101 Activities for kids in tight spaces". It's a little less crafty, but quite creative.

4 comments about Graphic Guide to Interior Details: For Builders and Designers (Graphic Guide).

1. The Graphic Guide to Interior Details: For Builders and Deigners gives a comprehensive analysis and break down, not only for professionals in the industry, but for the first time home buyer, or for people who are just plain interested in built structures.There are endless details and drawings that are accompanied by current and up to date information that not only complies with modern day building codes and standards,but also has innovative and progressive techniques for the future. I'm a student that has gotten great use and resource out of this book.



2. Here you will find up-to-date information about virtually every material involved in interior construction - common and uncommon, residential and commercial - so you can compare key factors and make the best decisions for all of your projects.
   
   Illustrated with hundreds of clear drawings that can be easily incorporated into architectural plans and show how these materials connect to the structure of a building and to each other. Here is information on everything from drywall to resilient flooring, from raised panelling and colored concrete to banisters, handraios, door trim and cabinet hardware.
   
   Written by a practicing architect with his own firm, the drawings and descriptions have been reviewed for accuracy by independent architects and builders from all over the country. The result is an unrivalled guide to finishing the inside of a house.



3. I purchased this because I was very impressed with the "Graphic Guide to Frame Construction" book. I was much less impressed
   by this book - lighter on the details and less updated.



4. This book is helpful to get a picture of the interior details of building a house. Very informational and good for reference.

5 comments about Pipefitters Handbook.

1. THIS BOOK HAS BEEN AN UNLIMITED SOURCE OF INFORMATION BOTH IN THE FIELD AND THE CLASS ROOM. IT IS FULL OF VERY USEFUL FORMULAS, CHARTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE PLUMBER AND THE PIPEFITTER. I WOULD BE LOST IF I LOST THIS BOOK.



2. Mike (piping designer) - Very informative book, helps out alot with my job. Has absolutely everything in it you need to know for piping design. I would recommend this book to anyone in the piping field.



3. Been plumbing med gas in hospitals for a long time and this book is a must!



4. This book provides lots of information in a compact form that makes it a very valuable tool for anyone involved in crosscountry pipline construction.



5. I purchased this book for my b/f who is a pipefitter with a construction company. It is one of those books that everyone wants to know where to get one. (Those that are in the trade).

5 comments about Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child's Natural Abilities from the Very Start.

1. While the book has some great ideas and questions our assumptions about how we interact with babies, some ideas of this approach seem odd. Such as seeing the act of burping your baby as hitting? Or that rocking your baby is inappropriate? I very much agree with another reviewer who said this book is written in a "know-it-all" tone, too. I only tolerate that tone when there is research to back it up.



2. Very good to get a newer version on the child care examples for which our Center is based upon.



3. Recommended to me by my college Professor a Dr. of Child Development. It was a great way to pull all of the methods we learned in class about positive and developmentally facilitating group care for Infants and Toddlers into my home so I could care for my own child while still encouraging his learning and creating a well adjusted child. Although this book does not talk about the research done on her methods, my class certainly did, and the finding were quite telling. I recommend watching video footage of the infants who have been raised and taught with these methods, IT IS AMAZING to see what a child so small is capable of doing on their own. I am excited to see my own children excel with her methods.....



4. A great book for all parents! This book gives an in depth explanation of the RIE philosophies. It is well written and organized. I think it is better written than Magda Gerber's first book Dear Parent: Caring for Infants With Respect (2nd Edition). RIE offers parents a nice structure that helps promote a loving connected relationship between parent and child. Like any parenting philosophy, it is important that parents pick and choose what feels right for your particular family. I recommend this book to any parent that wants to raise a confident baby.
   Dr. Jenn Berman
   [...]
   Author of The A to Z Guide to Raising Happy, Confident Kids



5. What a remarkable book! If you don't have time to read, you should still read this book, whether you're a first time parent or a veteran. We need this book to be an epidemic, so that RIE based child-care facilities open up all over the nation. There's only one educarer in the NJ/NY region! The only principle that I disagree with is holding your child - I have a 2 month old baby and I carry her all the time, practicing "baby-wearing". When I don't hold her, however, I enjoy the advice of the book - in essence, watch and wait. Seeing baby lie flat on her back (which is all a 2 month old can do) and look around, finding her hands, a stream of sunlight, shadows on the wall - this book has made observation a pleasure. Please read it! It states out loud the things your subconscious knows; tell the baby what you're about to do, don't tickle, don't spank, don't interrupt, stop rushing her training.... Please, please buy this book!

5 comments about I Don't Know How to Cook Book: 300 Great Recipes You Can't Mess Up.

1. Really great book for my daughter who is a college student and does not know how to cook at all. It was a xmas gift for her and she has already made two dishes out of it and is very proud of herself.



2. My Wife and were stuck cooking the same things over and over again until we got this cook book. Reciepes are easy to follow and they wonderful.



3. This cookbook is excellent! Inexpensive meals that are perfect for my two sons that are away at college. Easy and clear instructions help them to fix meals that only take a few minutes to prepare. Makes a perfect gift!



4. This book is laid out well, with a straightforward approach to directions for each recipe that will appeal to the tentative beginner. The recipes are geared for the beginner's palate, with no exotic ingredients or trendy food combinations. The recipes' ingredients are readily available and recipes each call for just a few ingredients. (Even advanced cooks can be overwhelmed by recipes with dozens of ingredients.) There is also some handy information at the back of the book, including a glossary of cooking terms.
   This book will appeal to young adults who have recently gone out on their own, but have evolved to a level where top ramen is not purchased by the case. And, along with a care package of recipe ingredients or kitchen utensils, it would make an excellent gift for your 20-something relative or friend. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother



5. I hate to cook, love to eat. Follow the directions, yummy stuff. Has enough to chose from for any taste bud.

2 comments about Joey Green's Fix-It Magic: More than 1,971 Quick-and-Easy Household Solutions Using Brand-Name Products.

1. A very informative read using alot of everyday household items on hand along with being user friendly and eliminating the use of hazardous cleaners...some products use some interesting combinations needless to say but i feel that this book is certainly a worthwhile read and can save you some money overall..



2. I can't believe I actually paid money for this!
   
   First of all, please note that of the "1,971 solutions" many of them are nearly identical solutions, i.e. remove a water ring by rubbing with Johnson's Baby Oil, remove a water ring by rubbing with Star Olive Oil, remove a water ring by rubbing with Wesson Corn Oil, remove a water ring by rubbing with Land O' Lakes Butter, remove a water ring by rubbing with Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, remove a water ring by rubbing with Turtle Wax (there's more but I'll stop there, you get the idea).
   
   Next, some of the statements REALLY stretch the truth, like saying "fix a broken dishwasher with Tang"--when actually Tang will clean soap scum from the tubes and pipes of a dishwasher, but if it's truly broken, well, Tang's not gonna help you much. . .
   
   What I'll say now will give away probably over half the "1,971 solutions" but I'll say it anyway; Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets will repel or remove just about anything! (now wasn't that quicker and easier than reading a hundred or so pages of solutions where the answer is Bounce?)
   
   Have I mentioned that my kids immediately proved some of the statements false? The book says ants will not walk through flour and also won't walk across salt, (so make a line with flour or sprinkle salt where ants are coming in, to keep them out) yet when placed in the middle of a thick ring of salt or flour, our ants walked right over them with no hesitation. . .
   
   Also I have to say I was disappointed with the "strange facts." Many are things such as "The simplist way to prevent an abundance of weeds is to pull weeds before they seed" and "When natural catastrophes strike, the first possessions people take with them are photo albums and pets."
   
   Sorry, but this is NOT a "practical guide" nor a "great gift."