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.

2 comments about Ultimate Guide to Masonry & Concrete: Design, Build, Maintain (Ultimate Guide).

1. This book covers all aspects of masonry work, from new construction through repair. As a carpenter, I have previous experience with some of the basics of the topics covered, and I would feel confident following the procedures in the book to complete any of the projects listed.
   
   As with any work of this nature, there's a reason why some people do this professionally -- there's a lot that takes experience to learn. But, if you know a few basics you'll probably be glad to have this book as a reference.



2. I really like this book. It lists materials and techniques that I had not really considered before. Although it did not answer all my questions it gave me a really good preview of what is out there and what it takes to use it. I think this will be a good book to have around for years to come. I am glad I bought it.

3 comments about The Blacksmith's Craft: A Primer of Tools & Methods.

1. If you are interested in blacksmithing,
   have no metal working experience and
   are short on funds, I cannot recommend
   this book enough.
   
   Originally entitled "Country Blacksmithing",
   when it was first published in the early 80's
   Charles McRaven:
   
   http://www.charlesmcraven.com/index.html
   
   has revised (slightly) and reissued this
   book as "The Blacksmith's Craft A Primer
   of Tools and Methods." The author is an
   expert in building with stone and timber
   framing. Finding himself in need of tools,
   he decided to make his own and so learned
   blacksmithing in a way which combines
   19th techniques with 20th century
   materials "recycling".
   
   I discovered the first edition
   and immediately coveted it because McRaven
   writes WELL! He is lucid and the photographs
   are plentiful. Reading this is almost like
   having a conversation with an experienced
   "Country" or farm yard blacksmith as it is
   clear and concise and colorful.
   
   It's not what you would call comprehensive,
   with respect to the subject, but there
   is more than enough here to get a backyard
   toolsmith started making his own tools.
   If you are serious about banging on iron,
   this should not be your only metal working
   tome, but it is an excellent start
   IMHO and in fact might be about the only
   book you need.



2. 
   Very few titles go into much depth on the vanishing art of blacksmithing as does Charles McRaven's The Blacksmith's Craft: A Primer Of Tools And Methods - which is why any would-be blacksmith will want to see this on a reference shelf and even in a home collection. From setting up your own forge and making common items to using recycled materials, learning and acquiring the basic tools, and using blacksmithing skills to restore homes, The Blacksmith's Craft is a 'must' for any rural resident or student craftsman thinking of taking up the art of blacksmithing for fun or profit.



3. A very introductory book on the craft of blacksmithing. Unfortunately, he only hints at how to do some of the difficult projects. "The Complete Modern Blacksmith" by Alexander Weygers has alot more projects and "The Skills of a Balcksmith" by Mark Aspery is the best introductory book.

4 comments about Making Heirloom Toys.

1. The book provides scale drawings of several projects. But in order to use them you first have to photocopy the plans at the appropriate (and provided) zoom level. This was difficult, especially since the paper size needed to be larger than standard copier sizes. In order to save pages, it seemed as if many steps were eliminated from the cutting and assembly instructions.

   I made the dump truck and airplane for my 2yr old nephew. They're his favorite toys and he plays with them all the time.




2. I used this book to make a little dump truck, a jet plane, and a tugboat, soon to be given to my grandson. I did not find the fact that not all plans were full-sized a problem This is common and the %enlargement (if needed) is given The instructions were clear. (However, if you are making the little truck, check the width of 2" hinges available before gluing down the hinge block!) The designs are classic, and range from simple (the ones I made) to complex (the truck on the cover is said to take 40 hours.) There are a couple of educational toys included.

   Many of the toys' parts are made out of fine woods, but you can substitute available wood in most cases. Makowicki is concerned with toy safety, e.g., the crane uses a magnet to lift barrels, not a hook, and he specifies child-safe finishes - references in appendix. He also gives many ideas for jigs for cutting angles on the table saw. (If you aren't going to produce for sale, in many cases you can use a band saw with a narrow blade or a scroll saw and sand smooth, instead of making the jig.)

   I made the toys while taking a shop course, so I learned the safe way to operate power tools at the same time.

   I also purchased Tarjany's "30 Toy Vehicles Made from Wood". It has cruder designs, but look there for semis, flatbeds, bulldozers, etc. (I made the long-hood semi with a gravel trailer.) His airplanes suffer by comparison with Makowicki's.

   I am going to purchase Makowicki's "Marvelous Transforming Toys" next.




3. This book has very creative and quality toys to build. It has excellent plans, instructions, drawings and full color pictures. I recommend it highly. I have built the truck fleet and they are the talk of our family and friends.



4. Brought for my father who is retired and lies to make wooden things for grandkids. He reported he loved the book and got some really good ideas.

2 comments about Helping Your Angry Child: Worksheets, Fun Puzzles, and Engaging Games to Help You Communicate Better : A Workbook for You and Your Family.

1. THis book helped not only me understand my child more, but understand myself and my ex-husband more. Me and my ex-husbands girlfriend got together for my 8 yr old daughter's well-being and are starting a family out-speak night with this book. I can't wait to see how it goes! I've already used some of the techniques in the book and THEY WORK!!! If you have a child that is acting out...This is the bok to buy!
   Lisa D 38 yr old single mother of 2
   South Jersey



2. While the activities in this book may work for some people, I myself was put off by the often patronizing and otherwise corny tone. The focus of the book is on the entire family, which may be helpful for people with more dysfunctional family relationships. Even though I consider our family to have its share of "dysfunction," I couldn't relate our family to the six types of FAT or "Family Affective Themes," which sounded interesting to begin with but found nothing seemed to match up with the stated results or really make any sense as far as our family is concerned, therefore I questioned the validity of whether these categories are theoretical or oversimplified and whether they work in reality. If you believe your child's angry outbursts are the result of imitating behaviors learned at home then this book might be a good choice. As for our family, where the anger in one of our children seemed really "out of left field," the book that helped us is The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross W. Greene, which takes the perspective that angry explosive outbursts are triggered by an inability to handle changes and a tendency to become easily frustrated, comparing the deficit in these skills to more commonly understood "lags" in abilities such as reading or athletics. We also liked the workbook A Volcano in My Tummy: Helping Children to Handle Anger : A Resource Book for Parents, Caregivers and Teachers by Eliane Whitehouse and Warwick Pudney, which offers simple anger-related activities and advice for parents and teachers in a more straightforward and less condescending way.

5 comments about Bungalows: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building New (Updating Classic America).

1. This book is called UPDATING Bungalows! Amazon is a wonderful resource because you can browse pages before you buy. This book should not be a disappointment for those who are paying attention.
   
   I am now the proud owner of a 1922 California Bungalow. I have no illusions that this was the tract home of its day (I have found 4 others exactly like it in my neighborhood). This book embraces the ideals of the bungalow and the intent of the lifestyle completely. Not all of us can live in rarified homes in Pasadena or Chicago, and a strict period restoration with Stickley furnishings may not be practical for our lives in the 21st century. This book is about UPDATING what you have to balance the traditional Craftsman aesthetic with modern sensibilities.
   
   For those who are hard core Craftsman enthusiasts bent on a period correct restoration, this is not the book for you. If you live in the modern world but respect the ideals of the era, check this out. There are plenty of good ideas, and a few photos of loving restorations too.



2. The authors confess early on in this beautifully illustrated book that they are themselves bungalow-owners and -dwellers, which makes them automatically sympathetic to the situation of the novice who finds himself with a fixer-upper or a house that needs a new kitchen, more storage, or just more space. And they tell, in a very practical way, how to go about creating what you need. Quite apart from the many beautiful full-color photos, they offer plenty of really vital information. "With the right architect, a radical overhaul can be sensitively done...[integrating] many of the interior details that people love about their bungalows," they say. "A potential side benefit of [renovating one's attic] is that [its slanted knee walls] may mean [it] isn't legally a room at all and therefore not taxed as a bedroom. Check to see if your local ordinance states that if more than a certain percentage of a room's walls are sloping, it is exempt from full taxation." (This is something that would never have occurred to me!) "As real estate values escalate, you may find that the lot is more valuable than the house itself. That, in turn, can make it difficult to get a mortgage on a 900-sq.-ft. house. But if you apply for a loan with a proposal to add on, you may have a better chance of getting financing...Look at the local ordinances covering setback and height requirements and limits on the percentage of the site that can be built on...You also have a chance to address any shortcomings your lot [yard] may have..." Team this volume with Treena Crochet's Bungalow Style: Creating Classic Interiors in Your Arts and Crafts Homeand Diane Maddex's Bungalow Nation (see my reviews) and you'll have a core shelf that will help you understand, appreciate, and sensitively update your bungalow.



3. The authors of this book do a very good job of highlighting the bungalow's unique traits and then showing inspirational bungalow renovations. Early pages give the requisite definitions of what makes a bungalow, but I was most impressed by the middle three chapters: "Remodeling Inside the Walls"; "Beyond the Walls"; and "Brand New Bungalows". It is here that the authors challenge you to update your bungalow without losing any of the home's original character (or build anew with the same overall goal of classic home character).
   
   As any bungalow fan knows, there are three definite "branches" to the bungalow tree: in the Eastern U.S. craftsman bungalows rule, in the Midwest you find prairie styles and simple Chicago bunghalows, and in the west you find mission styles and the Greene and Greene influenced California bungalows. Being from the Midwest, I found this book especially compelling because so many of the example houses illustrated in the book are from my part of the country. Thus if you are from the Midwest I recommend this book with 5 stars, otherwise I give it a 4.5.
   
   Updating Classic American Bungalows is a must read for anyone who owns, lives in, or loves the bungalow style of architecture.
   
   Highly recommended!



4. This book is richly illustrated with plenty of photographs of updated bungalows from several styles ranging from the simple Midwestern houses made to be affordable in their day, to modern, contemporary West Coast bungalows.
   Where I found the book somewhat lacking was in the area of detailing before and after transformations of existing bungalows. Given the title, I would've expected more information about specific remodeling and renovation projects, with plenty of photos detailing "before", "during" and "after" the remodeling phases. There's very, very little of that in this book. The majority of the photos and scant floorplans dwell primarily with the finished project, though there are a very few that indicate what the owner started with. If you're looking for project specific guidance for rennovating or building your bungalow, this may not be the best choice. Still, the finished photos and supplemental text are inspiring. I would recommend this book with caution, based on the idea that it should likely be only one of many books in a modest library on period architecture upfitting.



5. I didn't find the book to be helpful or even enjoyable. Little to no information about transitioning an older Bungalow as I had understood the book would contain.

5 comments about Home Decor Sewing 101: A Beginner's Guide to Sewing for the Home (101).

1. Although I have some sewing experience, it's been awhile ago and I wanted lots of pictures, spiral bound, and no assumptions. This book delivers. I'm ready for Home Decor 201 now! Thanks!



2. I am such a clumsy person. I never imagined sewing something until I found this great book! You can learn how to sew step by step. Each project in the book is fun and practical. The instruction is easy to follow with clear pictures. This book does not intimidate an absolute beginner like myself. Sewing 101 is also a great book, the only difference is it includes both home decor and garment projects. I wanted to sew home decor items only, that is why I picked this one.



3. I always wanted to learn how to sew some nice things for the home. This book tells you the very basics to sewing, so if you can't sew and don't want to sew garments just things for the home this is the right book for you.



4. I recommend this book if you have basic sewing experience. It was just the book I needed to get started on some curtains for my guest bedroom. I enjoyed the step-by-step instructions and the clear and basic pictures of each process. I especially appreciate the glossery of terms which helped me to better understand my pattern. Lastly, the book is spiral bound which means that it can lie flat next to your sewing machine; a simple, yet useful feature.



5. I purchased this book a year ago b/c I hadn't sewn anything since my high school home-ec class (15 yrs ago)and was wanting to make some pillows. This book has very clear instructions and pictures explaining each step. My pillows turned out great and I look forward to using more sewing ideas from this book in the future. It's an excellent book for beginners and those who might be sewing home decor for the first time. I just bought another copy for my sister-in-law (a birthday gift) b/c she just got her first sewing machine and is a beginner sewer, too!

2 comments about Furniture in History: 3000 B.C. - 2000 A.D..

1. The book I ordered arrived on time, in a quickly manner. It was in excellent condition- brand new. I will use this service again.



2. Very helpful and well done text covering the period of study.
   pictures, drawings and details.

5 comments about Kitchens That Work: The Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen.

1. I bought Kitchens that Work at the same time I bought Great Kitchens, At Home with America's Top Chefs. I love Kitchens That Work, and am disappointed in the one about America's top chefs. If you are wondering what Mario Andretti's garage looks like, it is nothing like you would imagine. Probably more like a GM assembly plant. Top chefs think in terms of production, not beauty. One of the kitchens has bare cinderblock, unfinished on the wall. Very utilitarian with little warmth. Others are better than that, but I did not find anything inspiring in there.
   Kitchens that work on the other hand, has every level of kitchen pictured. Some high end kitchens to dream of, as well as some a little more practical. The important thing as they mention is an intelligent design, that incorporates what you need, rather than the latest trend.
   When I read some of the reviews on Kitchens that Work, I thought it would be lacking something, NOT! It has every consideration covered. Planning, layout, design, considerations when dealing with contractors, things to look out for when opening up walls, like hidden pipes for example, and the list goes on and on.
   All I can say, "Soup to Nuts, This is the Book to Get" You could spend a year pondering all of the considerations they give you. Well done, definitely five stars.



2. This book is a good primer on kitchen design and remodeling. It is one of the few willing to mention some real world issues such as "what's behind those walls" and "making sure doors don't get in the way of each other or traffic patterns" and of course "budgets". It doesn't presume the reader has a huge kitchen or budget to work with. It offers ideas that could help anyone planning a kitchen remodel. Its chock full of real world tips. I only wish they could have expanded on some issues that were simply mentioned: such as examples of using non-kitchen cabinet furniture in a kitchen design, and perhaps given xerox-able example lists of what to try to include in a given kitchen area as a starting point for readers to work with.



3. This book is great for planning, with a lot of details that would prevent a first-time kitchen remodeler from making a lot of mistakes. The authors give details such as standard counter heights that other books skip. The photos are terrific. It doesn't offer much for people who've been through several remodels or planning new kitchens in a custom home. They also omit to mention the tedium of microwaved food for six months, sliding completion dates and escalating costs (muliply time by three and money by two to get a real figure, and I'm not joking), and the reality of washing dishes in the bathtub. Reminder memo to self: you must prevent food scraps from ever reaching the tub drain- there is no garbage disposal.



4. But still an OK good all round resource, albeit woefully short on design ideas. My first reaction was that it's not the book the other reviewers read, but maybe I was too hard on it. This is an edited review, and if I could change the number of stars, I'd give it three, anyway, having set it aside and picked it up again.
   
   I have several other books that cover the subject very well--especially when it comes to function and design--and I've been through a remodeling, so a lot of what's in this one didn't seem new, thorough or insightful the first time I sat down with. Probably the rave reviews by other readers created unreasonable expectations that this would have some fabulous unique insights about designing kitchens that work AS KITCHENS. It doesn't, but it is very comprehensive when it comes to construction, working w/a contractor, avoiding on-site screw-ups, adapting kitchen layout to the spaces that surround it, etc., none of which should be given short shrift. Maybe that's what excited the other reviewers; guess that's the main perspective and expertise of the authors. It would be quite useful for someone who has not spent as many months [years, maybe] studying the subject and been through multiple additions and remodelings.
   
   Don't buy this one for design ideas. It tries, but it's not even the best when it comes to function, though you might have high expectations based on the title. It's really pretty basic in that respect and focuses more on common mistakes that contractors find in designers' work, like 'that door is going to bump into that [wall/cabinet/doorway/etc.]. The most thorough book on my shelf when it comes to kitchen function [i.e., making using it efficient and comfortable] is good old (1980) Build Your Harvest Kitchen (Rodale Press). For creative design ideas, try DK Home Design Workbooks: Kitchen. For innovative, high style ideas, try Terence Conran Kitchens: The Hub of the Home. Another good one is Kitchen Redos, Revamps, Remodels, and Replacements: Without Murder, Suicide, or Divorce; also the New Kitchen Idea Book. I also have and like Joan Kohn's It's Your Kitchen. My current kitchen is based on ideas pulled from everywhere, including pages ripped from obscure magazines and stuff I found on the web. If you're not as inclined as I am to cast a wide net, maybe at least these brief comments will lead you to a book or two that will meet your needs. This might be one of them--if you're handing the contruction details yourself.



5. This book was a nice start to get the brain going, but I found it failed to address important elements in kitchen design and renovation. As a soon to be owner-builder, I would love to see more in depth information on standard measurements, accessibility, and ergonomics in the kitchen. This book reviews the concept of zoned work spaces(replacing the outdated "work triangle"), but doesn't go into depth on the details of how to make it work, sympathetic zones that will flow into the next, or examples with components. While there are a few examples of improved design layout for renovation(ie: before and after), I would have loved to see many more detailed floor plans of kitchens that work efficiently and well with an explaination of why each does.
   
   This book is a primer for cost analysis and lists some common kitchen features found in basic, intermediate, and gourmet kitchens. It contains general overviews of kitchen theory, and some tips on rennovation. This is a great book for getting started about thinking about kitchen redesign for someone who will be using an architect and general contractor. If you plan to list some ideas on paper and hand it to a professional, this book will help you assess some good ideas and the realistic expectations of the cost involved.
   
   If you want to do your own design and hand it to a professional with the intent of reproducing what you have drawn, this book won't help you. The book, Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way (Real Goods Independent Living Books) is fabulous with in depth coverage of all aspects of home building, but I feel that with the complexity involved, a whole book of similar nature should be devoted to kitchens. Sadly, Kitchens That Work: The Practical Guide to Creating a Great Kitchen isn't it.
   
   ********* EDIT **********
   Many thanks to the previous reviewer who recommended DK Home Design Workbooks: Kitchen. I heartily second the recommendation. Get that book instead of Kitchens that Work. It covers almost everything in this book, plus more comprehensive coverage of the HOW and WHY behind actually DESIGNING a kitchen.
   
   I also second the recommendation of Build Your Harvest Kitchen. The information and pictures are a little dated, but Harvest Kitchen provides plenty of examples of insightful floor plans, why they work, and how you integrate the design into your own. There's quite a bit of information about harvesting your own produce, canning, jam making, and the like, but if you skip that and read the rest, it's definitely worth the read.
   
   The best part? You can buy both Harvest Kitchen AND DK Home Design Workbooks: Kitchen(including shipping on both) for less than the cost of this one and gain much more knowledge and insight about kitchen design than by reading Kitchens That Work.
   
   If you are designing/building a house, splurge on The Independent Builder and A Pattern Language to learn how to create the best design for your homebuilding needs.

5 comments about Brenda Kinsel's Fashion Makeover: 30 Days to Diva Style!.

1. I really wanted to like this book but it was not possible. There really is not a lot of advice about anything that is of any practible benefit, the first chapter says you can do the exercises in a week without ever getting out of your pajamas. Geez, that really has never been one of my goals. Not a word about what items to actually put together to make a comprehensive and fashionable look. Do yourself a favor and buy the much better "How Not to Look Old" by Charla Krupp. You will find you have spent your money to much better purpose.



2. If you're ready to take hours and hours to find your "diva style", this book is for you. I was looking for something that didn't require so much "homework".
   
   The "spa" sections of the book I thought were ridiculous... like hiring a masseuse to come to your home to meet you and your friends for a "spa" day. I can't think of 1 person that has that kind of money to throw away.
   
   There are several "assignments" in the book that really do help you determine your style if you need that kind of help.
   
   The section on cleaning out your closet was a great help to me. Sometimes you just need that kind of kick in the pants.
   
   I didn't care for her writing style. It was a bit too wordy and too "happy" for my taste, but others might enjoy it.
   
   Some of the ideas for working with your body type were great for me, and proved very useful, and for that I am truly thankful. So while I didn't love this book, it was still quite helpful in the long run.



3. The book is for women over 40, but you don't really know it till you start reading.
   It has some interesting points of views on colors and accessories, but most of the advise are for the cooler times and i didn't find anything useful for the hot summer times...



4. I have read quite a few books on cleaning out your closet and developing your personal style, but this one is the BEST by far! Brenda not only takes you through your closet but does some really fabulous advising about accessorising and making an outfit WORK! There is more to making an outfit work than just pulling some things out of your closet - and she shows you just how to get it done with "Beauty Bundles". She also covers color, body type, and age appropriateness of fashion. I would say that it is the very best of 5 or 6 other fashion books all rolled into one. An excellent investment for your personal style building!



5. This book is a lot of fun. It gives permission to ladies who have said no to themselves while saying yes to others. Adaptation of beauty soaks to a more frugal lifestyle and paring down dates to real setting for a country girl was a nice exercise in creativity. I would recommend this book and if you have a BFF or Sister buy two and share the fun!