5 comments about What Color Is Your Swimming Pool? A Homeowner's Guide to Troublefree Pool, Spa & HotTub Maintenance.

1. This updated third edition provides a fine homeowner's guide to maintaining a trouble-free pool, spa or hot tub. The updated edition has been completely revised and covers everything from water safety and treatment options to solar heating. Spas and hot tubs are also included in this edition, making it an excellent, practical owner's guide.



2. I own a home with a large spa in the basement. When I purchased the home, the spa was not filled with water, and since I had no experience maintaining pools or spas, I read this book to give me some general operating tips. Although the book is not written to explain details concerning all complex pool and spa maintenance procedures, it is an excellent introduction for the novice pool or spa owner.
   
   It is true that the author sometimes refers the reader to a trained pool professional, but I think that is appropriate given the range of possible complications. He also recommends getting a periodic professional water analysis (most pool shops will do this free or at very reasonable cost) as the chemical sticks are good for only fairly basic information. One of the strengths of the book is the explanation of the basic applied chemistry involved in pool maintenance.
   
   After reading this book and getting a water analysis, I have been confidently enjoying the hot tub. Overall, I recommend this book for all pool and spa owners, especially novices. People with a lot of experience with pools may desire a more advanced text, but I think this one works great for probably 99 percent of the pool and spa owners out there.



3. This book was written in layman's terms. Everything was explained in easy to follow step by step directions. I feel much more in control of my pool after reading this book. I will definitely keep it around as a reference book.



4. Middle of the road. I preferred the Ultimate pool guide, but as a newcomer to pools this book also helped me understand a lot.



5. This book quickly answered some vexing questions I have had for some time concerning the correction of imbalances in my pool water. It clearly explains what steps are needed to put things right. Good value for money!

5 comments about Find More Time: How to Get Things Done at Home, Organize Your Life, and Feel Great About It.

1. I have two of her productivity books, and recently saw her speak. I can only say this- she knows her stuff! Her systems are lifesavers and best of all she lives by the systems she teaches. Her books are the most fun read of any 'organizer'type books I have found (I have shelves of them that I started but never finished because they bored me or made no sense).
   
   Recently I had the opportunity to be at a training where Laura spoke on organization and finding more time, I attended two of her sessions and they were incredible. She has a terrific sense of humor and so many great examples. And unlike those speakers who spend their time selling their merchandise or systems, you really know she is there because she wants to help people enhance their ability to get organized. I highly reccomend her as a speaker for any event you have.



2. Today, with both members of many households working, organization at home is a must if we are to have any leisure time at all to enjoy. Laura's tips for getting things done at home and organizing your life are to the point, practical, and, most importantly, easy to remember and easy to implement. Laura has provided numerous articles for OfficeOurs magazine, all of which have been very popular with our office manager and office worker readers. There is good reason she is in such demand as a speaker and we are looking forward to her keynote presentation at our annual office manager conference and future articles and books.



3. Organization is a breeze with these great tips. Best of all, they are very easy to implement in your own home.



4. We always have the excuse by saying, "I will do this tomorrow!" This book will help you how to get your life back together. Recommended.



5. This book focusses more on getting the home managed, but it is like alot of others that I have read. Unless you put into practice the lessons in these books they do no good. So just get up and do it. Try [...] this is a good time managing site. It works for homes as well as for offices. Teaching you how to form routines and good habbits.

2 comments about Graphic Guide to Site Construction: Over 325 Details for Builders and Designers.

1. i am so thankful to the authors of this book! they explained everything with such clarity and attention to detail. i am recommending this book to a lot of fellow landscape designers. this book has clear and well drawn details on a lot of landcape structures. it is far far better than a lot of text books on the same subject, and it's worth ten times more than its price.



2. What an excellent little book! As a landscape designer (who provides the aethetic overview for the contractor to install), this book has proven extremely helpful in answering my never-ending questions, "how will ____ be built?" As such, it is invaluable in the design process as well.
   
   Aimed at residential design, every hardscape element I need is explained and illustrated in a professional, thorough, easy-to-understand way. Examples of what's covered: retaining walls, steps, drainage, railings, irrigation, lighting, septic systems, paving systems, deck structures, built-in fireplaces, built-in kitchens, water, pools, spas....etc, etc, etc.
   Of the more complicated things (built-in kitchens, swimming pools), the authors kept the details simple, describing the overall concepts, so that a designer can show them, but a skilled contractor would need to fill in. Of the things a do-it-yourselfer can do (e.g. fences, simple paving), there is a more thorough covering.
   
   This book is NOT among the comprehensive construction standards references that must (by necessity of their content) be priced in the $100 to $200 range. This one is focused and kept to-the-point as a quick but thorough reference for all manner of outdoor construction used in residential landscapes.
   
   For landscapers, landscape designers, homeowners, artists--anyone needing professional construction information edited down to the essentials-- I highly recommend this book!

5 comments about Bringing Tuscany Home: Sensuous Style From the Heart of Italy.

1. I was so excited when I ordered this book and so let down after getting it and looking it over. The cover is VERY deceptive. This is NOT a style/decorating book. This is the story of a couple renovating a wonderful old home in Tuscany. It is well written and at times charming and warm. It is also often quite boring reading about what stone to pick for the house and who they visited and what wine they drank. It almost seems as if the author were forcing another book out for publication!! There are VERY FEW photos...barely any really in the book. The photos present are of wine, friends, a few of the house and a few of home decor/furniture layout, and food. The photos are very striking and pretty....if you enjoy seeing their friends and not really getting any basic decorating ideas. There are about 30 recipes and photos of the food, as I said above. Some recipes are nice but I really didn't see anything new and inspiring. A good Italian cookbook would be a better investment. As for the cover....it is very deceptive to say the least since it focuses on a very pretty vignette: furniture, art, pottery and style of arrangement. This is most definitely NOT what this book is about. In fact: I found the cover to be the best part of the book. I decided to return it and look for a better book really focusing on design. The author clearly loves Tuscany and if you want a nicely written and warm hearted book to read about hers and her husband's story of renovation, friends and their love of food, wine and Tuscany then you will like this book. It is not a picture book at all but rather a reading book with a story that seems rather forced and often VERY VERY boring and drawn out for the purpose of publication.



2. This a wonderful exploration into Italian design. Loved it. Highly recommended for the designer or homeowner.



3. Francis Mayes does such an incredible job of bringing Tuscany to the rest of the world. This book includes fun recipes and beautiful photos...a joy to read!
   --Vicki Landes, author of "Europe for the Senses - A Photographic Journal"



4. I read this book first, as I have all Frances Mayes books, from the library. Wanting the great ideas and recipes at close-hand, I purchased this as well as her others. I used many suggestions on my trip last Fall to Italy.



5. Mayes's poetic assemblage of words, captures your attention from the moment you open this book. Accompanied with luscious visualization, her words even further embrace the art of Italian living. The colors and textures of the country melt upon the pages of this book, as Frances's emotional connection with the folks of the sun drenched terrain and their joyful heritage and love for family and food, are celebrated in this work.
   
   I purchased this book along with another Your Home A Living Canvas: Create Stunning Faux Finishes & Murals with Paint and was amazed at the similarities of these two books. Though completely different writing styles, Mayes's book "descibes the essence" of Italian lifestyle, while Heuser's actually "captures the rich color and artistic spirit" of the Tuscan home. Both authors suggests unique ways to recreate the warmth and beauty of the Tuscan country home into your personal life - Heuser's "Your Home..." is an actual how to book, giving the reader over 30 step by step, well illustrated projects on how to easily achieve the timeless old-world atmosphere. Like the Italian inspired murals painted in Mayes's home, Heuser shares the secrets to creating "period" styled finishes and mural detailing throughout every room in your home. Both lovely books are accompanied with unbelivable art photography, with Heuser's packed with unimaginable before during and after shots illustrating the transformation of a 1890's historic home into an Italian paradise. I highly reccomend both of these titles, "especially "if you are seeking interior inspiration for creating the authentic Tuscan look and feel in your home decorating!

5 comments about Build Your Own Kitchen Cabinets (Popular Woodworking).

1. but don't throw out the baby with the bathwater!
   
   The late Danny Proulx was an EXTENSIVE contributor to cabinetry schools and magazines for many years before succumbing to a heart attack at a woodworking convention, but his passion lives on in this wonderfully simple and comprehensive book.
   
   If you want to learn how to build high end custom cabinetry with all the nice details then look at udo schmidt's or jim tolpin's books. If you want to learn the basics to building a solid face frame cabinet with raised panel doors or frameless cabinets, this is an amazing introduction into the world of cabinetry as the author not only describes the steps but also gives you ACTUAL DIMENSIONS for both 5/8" and 3/4" materials for cabinets that are in the standard 3" widths. Not many people realize the merits of proulx's hybrid face frame/frameless cabinet which enable you to save yourself a lot of grief and pain in attaching european hinges and drawer slides to the cabinet sides directly without having to shim out to accomodate the inner lip of the face frame. This is the first book that I've encountered that describes this process. Finally, his section on frameless (or FULL ACCESS) cabinetry is invaluable for folks who don't want to buy a jointer and a planer (both are required) for machining solid wood for face frames. This is also one of the first books to explore this area of cabinetry. Lest you think that european frameless is junk, I recommend poggenpohl or omega cabinets as references.
   
   Yes, the pictures of the cabinets are rather hideous because they utilize low grade plywood slab doors, but you can easily build cabinets that rival those that you see at home depot with SUPERIOR case construction methods but using raised panel doors. I would recommend using pocket screws to attach the face frame to the carcase instead of nails as well as using either confirmat screws, biscuits or assembly screws (NOT drywall screws) for assembling the carcases.
   
   Realize that if you are serious about building your own kitchen cabinets and you want them to turn out good, you are going to need to INVEST some money in good tools including a table saw. You can forgo the slider by building a cheap miter sled but if you're going to be doing this in the future, I would strongly recommend the sliding table attachment by delta or jessem or dewalt or purchasing a guided circular saw rail like eurekazone or festool. Lastly, I would strongly recommend using prefinished material either plywood or melamine as the finishing process for my eleven kitchen cabinets easily consumed just as much time as building them.



2. Overall, this book is of good quality and point you in the right direction to build your own kitchen cabinets.
   
   The title of the book is misleading in the sence that this book only tackle the europen frameless type cabinet build with MPB.
   
   One thing that I didn't like in this book is the fact that I had the feeling to read the same thing over and over and over again for each piece (base, top, corner, etc).



3. I think this is a very good book for a first time cabinet builder. After reading several times I have begun to build our kitchen cabinets using most of the methods in the book. So far everything has turned out great and I expect that to continue. The book is straight forward, gives plenty of good examples with pictures. I especially like the standard cabinet cut lists which takes the guesswork out of the dimensions for most common cabinets. While Mr. Proulx uses particle board to build cabinets I have had many people tell me it is not a good material. After building 6 cabinet cases from 5/8" industrial particle board I feel it is a very acceptable material and I am confindent it will hold up in the long term using this method of construction. I added biscuits to all the cases to help alignment and strength. I recommend this book to all the newbies who want to venture off into cabinet making.



4. If you feel as I do that MDF and such make excellent cabinets, then this book is for you. In my opinion, particle board and MDF will outlast most people, or at least outlast their ability to live with a given style. For those wanting to build their own kitchen cabinets, this is an excellent book. I am more interested in built ins, but this is the book for me. Proulx has a system that works, and he includes cut sheets, cutting lists, and all kinds of stuff to make this an easy process for his readers. It should be pointed out that this book tells you what you need to know and no more, so it is not the first or the last word on the subject, but it may be the only book you will need.



5. Written more as this-is-how-I-do-it book but the ideas definitely make it worth the price of the book and the time to read it.

3 comments about Kid's Places to Play.

1. Book is very informative and give several plans. Also explains how to make your own cargo net (if you can find the materials) and a really cool spider-web climbing net



2. This is a very comprehensive book on children's play structures that begins with lists of what children like to play with by age, what they can do to help build by age (nails, screws, shoveling gravel) and how to involve them in the design.
   
   There are water features, sand areas, play houses (from forts to teepees to castles), tree houses, cable rides, bike "roller coaster," climbing walls, skateboard ramp, and other fun things. There are amazing details like a periscope on a tree house, window boxes, steering wheels and a telephone of rubber tubing and funnels.
   
   Don't think you need a huge lot either, as these projects scale well and there is even a tiny yard shown with a water feature, a stage for plays, a circular bike path, and a sand box beside a grassy garden area.
   
   If you build these, they will come.



3. Places to play is what a grandparent wants.
   Ideas are great and easy to understand.

5 comments about Smart Closet Makeovers.

1. Profusely illustrated throughout, Smart Closet Makeovers offers step-by-step instructions on basic shelf building, practical tips on putting together "ready-to-assemble" kits, and shows how to effectively upgrade light fixtures to brighten a closet. There are literally dozens of examples of closet configurations to select from for any weekend do-it-yourself closet makeover project. Readers will also discover new and useful storage products that will increase the capacity, accessibility, and orderliness of any closet. Enhanced with a special bonus section showcasing forty-four organizing ideas applicable to any area of the home, Smart Closet Makeovers is enthusiastically recommended for anyone needing to make their closets more efficient, more elegant, more esthetic, or simply better organized.



2. I can always count on Sunset books for good info, clear photos and good coverage on a topic. This books tells how to get the most from your closet space. I like that this doesn't just tackle the clothes closet, but also covers pantries, utility closets, craft closets and office closets.
   When I hear of people renting storage facilities for their excess things, it makes me realize we need to streamline and organize. The books tells how to get more space in your closets by adding shelves and organizing systems. It also tells how to purge some of the overflow. The projects include step-by-step directions.



3. No holds barred, this closet makeover book is the best! Highly practical in its format, giving solutions for storage for small and large spaces, instructions and ideas are presented in a very clear way. Makeovers range from the extremely simple (adding another shelf) to the complex and everything in between. If this book doesn't inspire you to redesign your closet to suit YOUR needs, nothing will!



4. This book certainly furnishes many different projects. Since I have limited closet space, it was very informative.



5. Great color photos, lots of good info on how to organize and arrange your closets. Not only for clothes closets, but this also gives details on turning a small closet into an office, pantry, etc. Great decorative schemes, and so many ideas you won't know what to do with. I like the before and afters.

5 comments about Caring for Your School Age Child: Ages 5-12 (Child Care).

1. I have found this book to be up-to-date and very helpful. This is not a traditional medical guide -- don't look here for the symptoms of meningitis -- rather, it is a guide to the key developmental and behavioral issues of this age group. The book does NOT endorse an authoritarian approach-- to the contrary, it encourages parents to learn to communicate effectively with their kids, to develop a trusting, supportive relationship. Neither does it reinforce traditional gender roles. It shows the wide range of what is normal, including helpful descriptions of various temperaments, and what kind of behavior parents should consider warning signs that more help is needed. I've found this to be an insightful, compassionate guide to my son's inner (and outer) world, and it has helped my husband and me to be better parents.



2. This book picks up just where the 0-5 book leaves off. I wanted this book for topics about talking to my kids about sex, emotional and behavioral issues and this book meets those needs plus many many more. It still touches on the most common illnesses and injuries (though someone below says it doesn't). Great book. If you liked the 0-5 one you will like this one as well!



3. Every parent should have this book. It covers everything you can think of. The one for birth to age 5 is excellent too. It gives you the facts, pros and cons for every situation. Totally helpful.



4. I was disappointed because the earlier book (Birth to Age 5) had a wealth of Medical Information. This book deals mainly with emotional, developmental and social issues. If you are looking for medical information and guidance when your child is sick, this is not the book.



5. We use both this book and the one for younger ages (Caring for your baby and young child). I consider both books the gold standard for child care. The emergency sections are particularly good. I have never seen so many childhood illnesses and diseases in one place. In a word, excellent.

5 comments about Log Construction Manual: The Ultimate Guide to Building Handcrafted Log Homes.

1. Very good book. Basically made me realise I was biting off more than I could chew - think I'll try a garage first! I kept on hearing from log building forums how cheap it was to build a log house, it was sobering to hear from an expert that this might not necessarily be the case. Made me approach this idea a bit more rationally.



2. I own every book, set of DVD's and video tapes on how to build handcrafted log homes. The information that Robert has put into this book takes all the mystery away that all the others will leave you with. Some say it's too technical, but it really isn't. It is very concise and to the point. It is step by step from start to finish. No other book on log building says very much about sill logs. This is one of those mysteries the other books leave with you. It's a sure bet that you will ruin thousands of dollars worth of logs if you don't have this book by your side. Bottom line is, if you just want a library of books on log building, buy all the others. If you are really building a "Handcrafted Log Home" this book is a must! You'll be sorry without it.



3. I bought this book for my dad for Christmas. He's planning to build his own cabin, so this has tons of information for him in the planning stages.



4. I purchased this book to help me learn about building a log cabin. This is a very comprehensive and detailed book for the do it yourself log home builder. After reading most of this book, we decided not to build a log home because of the work involved. In that respect, it was money well spent. I gave it 5 stars because of the technicality of this book. The author does seem very knowledgeable, and this book would help someone who is hand selecting each log and not using a log home kit.



5. Wether you are restoring an historic log cabin or building a new one from scratch, this wonderfully illustrated book really helps you to understand what is inovoved in log home construction. Understanding the basics can also be helpful in planning restoration of existing log cabins. This book is a must read.

5 comments about Organizing for Dummies.

1. I thought this book was very good and offered several suggestions that were helpful. Some of it is just plain common sense but I would still recommend it.



2. This is a pretty large book, so I can't say I read it 100% yet. I have read the several intro chapters as well as the summary chapters and the time/life management chapters. I also read through specific chapters about organizing a few areas at home. I made a few photocopies of both sides of the 'summary card' in the front for quick reference.
   
   I really like the book's clear layout, 'highlight/target' points, and helpful summaries. It seems like you can always organize things better, but yet you don't want to blow tons of time and you want your system to be flexible and USEFUL rather than just looking great. :)
   
   This book has a lot of good information, some humor, and good insights too. It is entertaining, motivating, and informative. It also helps to get junk out of your house that you don't or can't use anymore! I am making improvement in that area now. Overall, I'm a satisfied reader.



3. The great layout of this book will have you organizing your home in no time. Imagine an organization system that's also functional!



4. I thought the whole approach very common sense ... though my reason for reading it might make one wonder if I had any common sense ... at least now things are organized. If you need (or even just think you need) some help getting organized, I would heartily reccomend it.



5. In my early single days, living in a one room apartment, organization was never a problem: everything had its place, and cleaning turned out to be a daily affair - one room at a time. (one area at a time.) However, once married with children, the task at remaining organized can be difficult as one has other people to contend with...time has passed and living alone can be an advantage: no one else's messes to deal with and one can organize selfishly, as YOU only know where the washing powder is kept. This wonderful little book provides basics for the disorganized individual, and if the tenets are applied, may find life a little easier.
   
   To quote a cliche, it is in the details; less "stuff", material posessions that has a tendency to accumalate until one day you discover your garage resembles the city dump!
   
   What is necessary and what is not?
   
   "No, I can't throw my red, fire engine hat away, it has sentimental value."
   
   Even though it has been laying dormant under a pile of old carpet in the garage and hasn't been seen in three decades...
   
   I've met a few "hoarders" in my time, and the "junk" just gets bigger and bigger...the owner smothering under a pile of trash.
   
   One feels better if one's material surroundings are few and in order...organized, because it free's up the mind and suddenly life becomes a bit smoother.
   
   This book's basic message is "keep it simple".
   
   Clutter is a reflection of the state of one's mind and attitude to life in general. I've always believed this because 9 times out of 10, a messy person or disorganized person, more that likely, reflects in their general behaviour, their direct environment.
   
   Organization for Dummies is a text for people who've had enough, and desire a clean, organized personal and working environment (work is another area) and know that their lives will be better, less stressed, less chaotic.
   than before.
   
   A book to consider.