3 comments about Building with Masonry: Brick, Block, and Concrete.

1. My title should be self-explanatory.
   I am a rank amateur on this subject. I found this book extremely informative and would recommend it for amateurs. The information is both clear and well presented. A very good read.



2. This book is straight forward and you will learn tips from the pros. I had very little experience when reading this book; afterwards I knew tricks that my friend the brick layer did not know. I then went on to doing my own brick work around the home.



3. This book came in a timely fashion, was in good shape, and was what it was promised to be. I am happy with this purchase.

5 comments about Remodel Plumbing (For Pros by Pros).

1. I am not a professional plumber and am in the midst of a forced renovation. I have read other plumbing books but none addressed retrofit plumbing as this one does. The way he described procedures, such as installing new shut-off valves gave me the confidence to at least undertake such a project. I am better able to see the whole picture of how a repair fits into or affects the overall system. His coverage of Pex pipe made it possible for me to consider replacing the feed to a second storey bathtub; the current copper climbs the wall at a 5 to 10 degree angle making it impossible to correctly fit the faucets to the wall.



2. I bought this book because it is part of the really useful "For Pros by Pros" series. I had high expectations for this book before it arrived and I was not disappointed.
   
   The book covers plumbing in great detail, and gives enough information to let you really understand what is going on. The writing style is relaxed and pleasurable to read.
   
   I would highly recommend both this book, and the whole "For Pros by Pros" series.



3. The book is an easy read, great diagrams and pictures. The author is a pro and his writing is easy to understand. A lot of information on how to do things the right way, often times better than codes or needs require.
   A very handy resource.



4. This has to be the first 5 star review I've ever done. It covers the things that every other plumbing book doesn't cover; except text books for use in trade colleges.
   This is not a book for changing a faucet or unclogging a drain (there are plenty of other books that cover those topics). This is for the guy who's ripping out a tub or shower, adding a toilet, tapping into a supply line or a DWV line, or redoing all the plumbing.
   
   I'm a big fan of This Old House and many times, the plumbers gloss over things or move too quickly. This is the book to look up to see what they did: not everything they do, but much of it.
   The tool guide is great too - especially the part about right angle drills.



5. I give 3 stars because this book has several tips but missing the whole picture. I read all the good reviews and bought the book but I'm a little disappointed.

5 comments about Timber Framing for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Contemporary Post and Beam Construction.

1. The book is very informative and helpful. Rob Roy's writing style makes it easy to follow. Not having any experience in building,(being female, that happens) I could still understand all of it, but a little background (even building a doghouse!) might have helped in truly getting the most out of the material.



2. While this book does cover the general building process, I feel it does not go into enough detail. While talking about timbers and larger pieces of wood, the charts in the end are all for regular 2x wood. There are so many references to other works where info can be found, that the whole read felt like one large advertisement (many for the author's other publications). Needs more detailed sketches, diagrams, and important detail pictures, and less useless pictures taken from too far away to be useful.



3. This book provides information needed by DYI buillders who need the why's as well as the how's. It focuses on durability and practicality rather than elegance and tradition.



4. This is a great reference for how to put the joints together. Not as good of a reference for structural design but if you are not an engineer you should probably consult one anyway so that isn't really a minus. Easy to follow.



5. Mr Roy writes in a very understandable way. His books are both informative and entertaining. My plans for using timber framing in my next house have been finalized after reading this great book. Keep up the good work Mr. Roy.

5 comments about Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean: Second Edition.

1. Have a stain you need to expunge? Pull out this handy dandy reference guide to help you get rid of it using common household products.



2. Maybe it is my fault, but I was hoping for a "book" about how to get my house clean AND NEAT. This is basically 150 recipes for mixing baking soda, vinegar and borax to remove different stains. Useful, but not what I was looking for.



3. How to clean just about anything in your home, using common, inexpensive products like vinegar, baking soda,peroxide, etc. Back to basics! It's well organized, indexed, and covers a lot of territory. An enthusiastic friend got it for me, I recently bought it for my daughter. I keep it handy for easy refernce for everything from mold on leather to a cruddy barbecue grill!



4. Excellent pointers for a wide variety of cleaning challenges. She is very succinct and to the point. One can quickly refer to her information and then quickly go and do it. My only feedback has to do with the blue writing in this new edition of the book. Ms. Cobb I don't know who persuaded you to change color, but the black worked much better. Highly recommend it. Extremely practical and her suggestions work!!



5. Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean: Second Edition is a book that will save you time, money, wasted effort and needless exposure to the dangerous chemicals that are lining the supermarket shelves (and probably the shelves of your own cupboard!)
   
   The Queen of Clean is like that neighbor or relative who knows just about everything there is to know about housework after a lifetime of experience. With the help of the Queen of Clean, you can be the expert!
   
   Wether you read it from cover to cover or just thumb through it for the information that you require at the moment, you'll be sure to agree that Talking Dirty With the Queen of Clean is one of the most useful books you've ever owned.

1 comments about Homemade Contrivances and How to Make Them: 1001 Labor-Saving Devices for Farm, Garden, Dairy, and Workshop.

1. This book is a boon for gardeners, farmers, or anyone who likes to tinker in a toolshed. Gates, boats, sheds, fences, tools... you name it, you can learn how to make it. The devices here stem from the early days of American farming, when things were made to last. Charming, practical, and over six hundred pages, this book is a real bargain!

5 comments about Chain Saw Service Manual.

1. I can not provide a comment for this evaluation. I mistakenly thought the book was about how to pull maintenance on chain saws. Not a parts manual.Although the manual does seem to be a handy item to have for a repair shop. Oh well.



2. Reliable, solid information on the subject. The general information is valuable but perhaps too concise. The data on the various makes and models is detailed and very helpful. A truly valuable book for what it covers.



3. Very unhappy with book. Book was reveived in well wrapped box and packaging, although when opened it was badly bent in the middle. It was NOT damaged in shipping since the box was not damaged. It therefore was shipped like that from the warehouse. This is extremely unprofessional since I paid for a new book. Buyers beware, do not buy from this seller!!!



4. Unfortunately I seem to have missed the part about this book only covering chainsaws made through 1998(!!) If you have a chainsaw made in the last 10 years this book isn't for you.



5. Book has good info on lot Chainsaws. I would like more details on each saw.

3 comments about A Glass Act.

1. This is the most beautiful of all of my floral arrangement books. Just awesome photos. Great ideas that are easy to execute.



2. Ron Morgan is an amazing artist with flowers! I have seen him, in person, in a workshop and his talent and personality is reflected beautifully in this book. As extraordinary as these pictures are, you can see how easy it is to duplicate his work. This book is a true inspiration to anyone who would like to create extraordinary arrangements.



3. I really enjoyed this book on flowers arrangement. I'm thinking about purchasing another one by Ron Morgan.

No comments about Shelves, Cabinets & Bookcases.

2 comments about Fire Outdoors: Fireplaces, Fire Pits, Wood Fired Ovens & Cook Centers.

1. If you are looking for inspiration before you start creating your backyard dream, this book is it! Lots of great photos that will give you ideas of what can work in your outdoor space. Fireplaces, wood-burning ovens,outdoor kitchens and much more.



2. Lots of pictures, but none of which are very useful ... kind of "plane Jane" to be politically incorrect. I was hoping to see more creative designs.

5 comments about Stonework: Techniques and Projects.

1. Wonderful black & white pictures of stone walls, stone arches, stone bridges and sundry projects. The author makes much of ancient Scot stone work. There are a lot of nice pen drawings used for 'step by step' construction programs. There are many, many suggestions regarding stone choice and stone placement. These comments are the best feature of the book. Finally, there are a few pages on handling large stones with hydraulic booms, pick-up trucks and front-loaders. These suggestions are not going to be found in many books.
   
   There isn't much said about hand power-tool options, nor stone shaping. There are few 'construction tips'. For example, the details of mixing motar specific to your job are only broadly discussed and there are no aids for determining correct mortar wetness. There are no 'good' and 'bad' stone arrangements to illustrate stone arrangement tricks. If you are looking for a 'first project' guide, the Black & Decker 'Stonework & Masonry projects' book offers more assistance. If you've got a few walls completed and want to take the next step towards being a mason, this is your book.
   
   Table of Contents:
   Intro: Why stone?
   Part 1: Working with stone
   Chapter 1: Types of Stone
   Chapter 2: Sources of Stone
   Chapter 3: Handling Stone
   Chapter 4: Selecting Stone for a Project
   Chapter 5: Cutting and Shaping Stone
   Part 2: Stonework Projects
   Chapter 6: Basic and Inspired (curving) walls
   Chapter 7: Retaining walls
   Chapter 8: Entryways
   Chapter 9: Stone steps
   Chapter 10: Stone Projects for backyard and beyond (bbq, birdbath, sculpture, walkway, etc.)
   Chapter 11: Stone Bridges
   Chapter 12: Stone in Interior Spaces



2. If your looking for a book about stone masonry in general, this will give you a great primer for authentic stone masonry. He details some basic projects and gives you a great detailed how to. I was looking for something a little more advanced but I wished I had a resource like this when I was first starting out. Don't know if I agree with his technique for drystone retaining walls. He says start skinny and step back, I am a hard headed Irishman who believes that your wall should be just as wide at the base as it is tall. I will have to do some more research.
   
   Good read, very useful for beginners



3. Chuck will keep you smiling as your read his books. They contain plenty of humorous stories while they display the stone arts. There are better guides but you should read as many as possible: you'll need it.
   
   Stone work is the hardest task you'll probably ever do in your life. If your project is big, it seems to never end and you'll doubt you'll ever finish. One rock can take 2 hours to lay whereas if all goes well, you can lay 5 in an hour. So, if you are interested in stone work, I'd advise to start small on the first few projects. This book is a good guide to helping you along the way.



4. I really like the detail that this book has, as well as the fabulous pictures. The pictures not only of works in progress, but beautiful, finished works as well, often demonstrating the technique being presented. Thanks for a wonderful resource.



5. this books is a good intro to the fundamentals of stone working. there are a lot of great pictures and illustrated diagrams. it's only drawback in my opinion is that it's all in black and white. If you don't already own it, mcraven's "stone primer" is a wonderful read and superior in production quality.