5 comments about Building An Affordable House: A Smart Guide to High-Value, Low-Cost Construction.

1. This book presents a wide range of cost-saving options on the foundation, framing, insulation, and other components of a new house. You have to pick and choose the ones that work for you. For example, if you have a beautiful view and a mild climate, you may not want to cut costs by reducing the number of windows.
   Instead, you can (for example) avoid a costly over-built foundation that is designed for more demanding climates.
   
   The author does not advocate building a "cheap" (sub-standard) house. In fact, in some parts of the book he recommends avoiding choices that would reduce up-front costs (for instance, by laying polyester carpet over an inexpensive foam pad, or by installing an electrical panel with room for fewer breakers).
   
   Many of his suggestions simply challenge conventional practices that have no engineering rationale (spacing studs 16" oc instead of 24", using 3-stud corners) or alternative products (such as Insulating Concrete Forms) that are not necessarily cost-effective.
   
   I think this is a very helpful book. If nothing else, it can alert you to the kinds of details that periodically need re-thinking when you follow one construction practice over another. Then if you want to put more money into an extravagant staircase or other detail, you'll have some ideas about how to pay for it without going over budget or cutting dangerous corners.



2. Both beginners and experienced professionals should feel the contents very easy to understand. It is filled with lots of illustrations and as the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words".
   
   A big bonus is all the illustrations in color that bring alive various arguments made by the author. I may not agree with all the suggestions from the author 100% but I can say that I would have been "flying blind" without this book.
   
   In about 200 pages, this book pretty much summarizes what you need to do control your budget and to catch the low-hanging fruit first.



3. If you are planning on building your own home, reading this book is a must! This book goes beyond the typical how to be your own contractor. You will find very valuable information on how to get the most house for your money. Unlike many other books, it gives information on specific building products and lists the pros and cons. I have read many books on this subject and this was by far the most useful.
   
   The only item I completely disagree with in this book is the portion in which the author recommends using a "Wood Foundation". If you every lived in a home that had termites, the last thing you want is wood touching dirt.
   
   The author writes the book from a builder's perspective. His intent appears to be helping other builders find a niche in building a high quality home at the lowest possible price. If you want information on the most luxurious products and home plans, you will not find it in here. Regardless of the book's focus on value, it contains copious amounts of useful information for all people who are considering building their own house or having a home built for them.



4. I bought this book and "The Owner Builder Book" before I started building my own house. "The Owner Builder Book" was a very useful tool while this book mainly served to warn me about building techniques used by some contractors to save money, barely meeting minimum building codes. I'd recommend looking at this book in a library before buying to see some of the house pictures. If they look like things you'd be happy with (uncased doors and windows, carpeted stairs, closets without doors, wire closet shelves, stairs with knee walls instead of balustrade, laminate counters and fewer doors and windows to save money), then buy it. It could save you some money.



5. I came about this title from a seminar with SMA Consulting Group in Utah. Working in the residental sector, I feel it is imperative to understand and grasp the concepts outlined in this book. From prelim all the way through, having the mindset up front to reduce costs and refine construction should be a must for anyone in any type of market, custom to production. Many of the items dicussed are currently in use with some of the larger builders in the nation and the returns from those practices are proof that this elements can used and applied across the board. Even if you think your business must design and build inefficient homes in order to make the sell, you are missing the point and potential. Any market can do this, it just requires you to be creative within a framework. Reducing material waste and labor costs can be done by using some of these simple and common sense practices. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to increase their margins and reduce their costs. If your designer cannot work within these ideas and concepts, maybe it's time for a new designer!

1 comments about Ultimate Outdoor Kitchens.

1. This book was enjoyable, and the offerings were very nice. I would have liked a little more detail description for planning.

5 comments about Earthship: How to Build Your Own, Vol. 1.

1. Wonderful. Easy to read and understand (maybe a little too easy sometimes, but that's OK). We are preparing to build using this book, and we are really excited by the possiblities. I would reccomend this book (and have) to anyone interested in really understanding sustainable living. Great book.



2. This book and the rest of the books in this series are the perfect recipe for living in harmony with the Earth. Reducing our carbon footprint is the challenge for this generation and this book series shows you how to do it - step by step. It's wonderful for the do-it-yourselfer and presents it in an easy-to-follow guide that gives even a novice the confidence that he/she can do it, too! I saw Earthships on several documentaries on Discovery channel and I am impressed by just how little energy they need to sustain themselves and how logical they are designed. I devoured this book and parts II and III as well. I can't recommend this series enough!



3. good topic for discussion around a break room or sitting lounge. not extremely detailed on mechanics of an Earthship house (guess you have to buy a blueprint or get a contractor). well worth it if you want to be more environmentally involved.



4. This book was informative, and it pretty much gave me all the information I wanted to know about how to build an earthship, but the pictures it uses is mostly hand drawn which still leaves a lot to your imagination. I wanted to see color pictures or at least real life black/white pictures that show me different layouts, designs, and other options for building one. Keep the hand drawn ones but add more that show off the idea. Also it seems that for me to even build one requires a lot of money and a lot of paper work with the state. It was a great book but in my mind it didn't make the possibility of me ever owning one for an affordable price any more realistic. I love the idea though.



5. Smart solution of building a house with recycled materials. Though the first printing was in 1990 I think the concept hits the bulls eye in our present day. If you are a teacher, a student in architecture or just want to build your own house I highly would recommend this book.
   
   Regards
   Michael

5 comments about Art of The Stonemason.

1. Another good book on traditional stone masonry. I wish there was some some colour photos in it. It does have some information that is not found in other stone mason books. Add it to your Stone Masonry library.



2. The author provides hard and fast do's and don'ts derived from his experience of many years. If you want to learn how to build a traditional mortared stone wall this is the best book around. With or without the color photos, buy it.



3. As I am the son of the author,and also the stonemason who's work is featured in some of the pictures in the book ,I have to give the book the highest rating possible.I know my father spent at least 10 years drafting , planning and trying to find a publisher, and now that the book is out of print it is astounding to see how much its value has increased.I have the original drawings my father made (all framed of course) and also the original draft and photos that are featured in the book. I am very proud to have been a small part in what was a very succesful publication.Maybe one day I'll write a sequel !! might call it "the craft of the stonemason",but thats something I'll have to sit down and think about.



4. I became interested in the art of stone masonry a couple of years ago. This book is by far the most excellent one I have seen, and I have researched back as far as the 1870's. Mr. Cramb is definitely an artisan beyond compare.
   
   If for aesthetic value alone, this book would be worth every penny.



5. This is an excellent book, a stonemason myself, it really does give a true insight of the art or skill involved in stonemasonary. The illustration are excellent, with several cross sections to show the reader how stone walls are built.

5 comments about Discipline: The Brazelton Way.

1. The advice in this book sounds very nice and gentle and compassionate but the problem is that it works only on children who are obedient and fairly submissive by nature. Lots of kids figure out the game after a while. What if your child refuses to stay in "time out"? What happens when you have taken away all the privileges? (and little kids just don't have that many). What about older kids who just laugh at this kind of approach?You'd better go buy another book because Dr. Brazelton doesn't address real discipline problems.



2. This is the most useful book on parenting I've ever read. It is clear, straightforward, practical, and respectful of children and parents. Thank you.



3. Discipline teaches our children right from wrong and to care about doing right, to think of others before themselves. Too bad we can't raise the current generation of adults all over again. Hopefully today's parents, with the help of this book, will do better.



4. I read the book as soon as I got it home. We were having discipline problems with out almost 4 year old and with a new sibling in the mix we didn't want to make drastic changes again in his life. I often read the book when I'm frustrated by my childrens actions and it helps me to understand their way of thinking and how to make the correct discipline choices to fit the exact situation. Thanks Berry Brazelton!



5. I really liked this approach to discipline in theory, but it just dosen't cut it in the real world. I have a very headstrong toddler and he walked all over me with these approaches. I really like Is it a Big Problem or a Little Problem?, which I am currently reading. It has many more real-life solutions than the Discipline book did.

5 comments about Home Recording Studio: Build it Like the Pros.

1. I've read a number of "build your own home studio" books, and this one has impressed me the most by far. It contains tons of useful and very practical information about how to build a good home studio. The info covers everything - acoustic theory, design of the space, material choices, construction techniques, HVAC, lighting and electrical, safety, etc. etc. He goes in-depth into each of these topics too. Some of the content *is* targeted for big studios on big budgets, but most of it also applies to the do-it-yourselfer, so I don't count that as a minus. For example, I will not be cutting existing concrete slabs and excavating and installing footers under the edges, nor will I be floating a new slab over an existing one...but I like knowing how these things are done for a professional studio. He does reference a number of brand names, but I don't count this as a minus either - brand recommendations (from someone with experience) are useful to someone new to studio construction.
   
   Bottom line, the guy is a former contractor, and it's obvious from reading the book that he knows how these things are not just designed, but actually *built*. He covers everything in more depth than most of the other books put together. This book is money well-spent.



2. This book is a must have for anyone considering building a studio in their house. The focus of the book is most certainly *building* a studio, and not so much quick and easy ways to make the spare bedroom a pro studio. If you are serious about building get this book!



3. Generally this is an informative book, I've found it very valuable and am glad I purchased it...but it does deserve a few dings. Rod assumes at least some familiarity with construction jargon. For construction illiterates like me, some of his explanations leave me wondering what he is saying and it is at least in part due to terminology I'm not familiar with. A glossary would help. I also wish he'd deal a little more with how to work around, or options for improving, existing construction, like an existing window or door you might want to keep.
   
   Overall, this book is well worth the price for the wealth of detail about materials and construction techniques alone. It will be a great reference book.



4. I'm building a basement studio. My starting point was bare concrete walls and open ceiling with joists from the floor above. In my case this book was invaluable. Even though there is a wealth of information (and much of it very good) on-line in regard to studio construction, understanding the general concepts, and judging whether the information is from a truly knowledgeable source can be quite overwhelming. Rod is highly respected in every aspect of studio construction and his advice is sought after by the big boys. In my project, the high priority items have been 1) Sound isolation - How do I keep sound from entering and leaving the space and 2) Once isolation is achieved, how do I treat the space acoustically so it is conducive to recording and mixing music? The book addresses these issues and others very nicely. It gave me a solid understanding of the principle of these issues, then building on those principles, went into specifics regarding construction and product options for achieving these goals. In my opinion it's important to note that many times Rod would offer multiple options varying from least expensive and reasonably effective, to most expensive and extremely effective. It is written in plain, clear language and includes excellent illustrations, and examples of how particular techniques are used in large studios. In most cases, it provides more information than you need to achieve these goals. I also find myself well educated enough from this information to more easily determine whether information I find on-line may be credible or not. This book is an easy and interesting read, and a wonderful reference applicable for any project similar to mine, or more involved. My copy is becoming worn out from being referred to so often!



5. Best book on the subject I've read (out of 3 or 4). I continue going over the details of the different sections to try to internalize the materials and layout of each piece of the project puzzle.
   
   When I showed this book to a professional acoustician friend who works for a internationally recognized acoustics firm, he agreed that many of the construction materials that were reviewed in the book are in fact the very same ones that they recommend in the building of performance spaces and recording studios. I thought that was the best recommendation of all!

1 comments about Sloop: Restoring My Family's Wooden Sailboat--An Adventure in Old-Fashioned Values.

1. This book was a gift and I could not put it down. Through a narrative the author draws into question our modern frentic lifestyle and finds folks who are able to find fulfillment doing what they love. The boat would seem to be the focus of the book, but the value is in the relationships with the other characters. I loved the soul searching when faced with the decision to restore the boat to museum quality versus making it functional again. An easy read, this is the first book I've read to completion in a long time.

5 comments about Real Simple: The Organized Home (Real Simple).

1. I bought this book in the store after flipping through it. If you like Real Simple (the magazine), this book is for you. The ideas in the book are perfect for first-timers who are looking to organize all their stuff as they move in to a new place. I love the photos and suggestions - from cleaning products to furniture ideas to color schemes. One wish I have for this book is that they would have shared the best places to buy these things, but a lot of the products, units and furniture seem like they could be purchased in local department stores or stores like Ikea.



2. The book is good for putting things into perspective - as far as organizing room by room. It is easy to read and understand. The pictures are excellent for giving you ideas for your own home. Things you might not have thought of to use - the items are very reasonably priced in retail stores, so it makes for an economical fix to storage problems. Overall: a good book for the unorganized and organized alike.



3. This book is lovely and has some excellent ideas. It you read the magazine, Real simple, most of the suggestions can be found there or on the web site. I wish I had some rooms (i.e.laundry) to organize. There are not many ideas that are adaptable to a smaller house/apartment living



4. I gave the book as a gift and the person loved it and said that the book was very helpful.



5. I was looking for more original ideas, not just basic knowledge. It's a good book for a young person with their first ever apt or flat, but it's really quite basic.

5 comments about How to Start a Faux Painting or Mural Business: A Guide to Making Money in the Decorative Arts.

1. I read and re-read this book then handed it over to my sales and marketing manager. A MUST for a faux business owner.



2. I bought this book for my brother who is an artist and he loves the book.



3. The first thing I learned from this book is that I'm NOT ready to start my own faux/mural painting business!! This book is chuck full of information from someone that has been there. The author really explains scenarios well, and prepares you for, from what I can tell, every situation. In the back of the book she provides sample forms, and check lists, etc. I really feel that this is a true gift for anyone interested in this field. Even people that have been doing it for a few years might get some good tips here. Great job!



4. I have been painting murals and doing faux finishing, decorative paint, etc. for 11 years myself, and this is the first book that isn't laden with pretty pictures...it has the nuts and bolts of a business. When I started out professionally in this business I was 19 and had no idea how to run a successful business. Sure, I could paint anything I was asked, but that's not how you become a success, alone. Understanding the labor and customer service skills required, the marketing techniques and time management, those are the pitfalls of many artists, like myself. I learned the game as I went, but I made many mistakes. Reading this book gave me some clarity on my own business issues, and gave me some insight on how to tackle them. Most of us looking into purchasing this book are talented artists of some sort, usually people like us aren't the type to run a business too well, until you learn the ropes. Ever heard of a starving artist? WIth this book you will no longer be one!



5. Is your question, "After reading this book, will I be able to start and run a successful business doing decorative painting"?
   
   My opinion? This book follows through on what it promises! The focus here is learning how to start a business in Faux Painting/ Murals, and make money in the Decorative Arts Trade. This book gives facts, and proven successful business practices and technique, needed by Right Brainers, Artists, and those blessed with Creative Genius. If you need some help with how to go from being a hobby artist, to making real money with your talent, Rebecca has written your instruction manual. This book will save you time, money, and a ton of first time business owner headaches!
   
   Rebecca's book (manual), puts Art and Business together in an easy to read format. It can springboard the Artist/ budding Business-Person into starting a viable business with their artwork.
   
   I found this book easy to understand, well written, clear, and to the point. It will appeal to Artists who want to take their Art to the next level; start a business, market your art, and make money selling it! Don't we all want to do what we love and have the money follow? This book can make it happen for you!

No comments about The Art of Turned Bowls: Designing Spectacular Bowls with a World-Class Turner.