5 comments about ArtisanWelding Projects: 25 Decorative Projects for Hobby Welders.

1. I bought this book for my father as a gift for fatersday. According to him, this book is great! It is full of do-able projects, and the guidelines are easy to understand. The projects are interesting, and practical, and you can use the stuff you make in and around the home. A great gift!



2. This is a good book for ideas. It shows what can be done with lightweight steel stock and a few metal working tools. The pictures are high quality.
   
   However, the projects are poorly done. In a book like this, I expected to see professional looking welds with nice regular beads. Instead they look like pigeon droppings - the sort of thing one might expect from a rank beginner. Nor is this just a matter of appearance, some of the welds just look unsound with poor penetration and fusion. There is no attempt to design the projects so that the welds are out of sight and these are not the kind of projects where the look of the welds adds to the overall appearance, especially since they are so poorly executed. Some of the projects involve scrolled flat stock. The scrolls are not done well. Curves are misshapen, the ends have flat spots from the bender and matched pairs are glaringly assymetric. All these problems could have been corrected by taking a just little more time with the work. Many of the projects leave sharp corners in positions where they could cause a nasty gash if one were to bump into them.
   
   I am left wondering if the author actually knows how to weld and whether she would have any of these items in her own home.



3. The nice thing about this book is it shows tricks and tips to make the metal shapes without having to have the expensive tools. The projects are layed out nicely and easy to follow. great book!!!!!



4. This book has a wide range of projects from beginning to more advanced. The shipment came promptly and I'm very happy with it.



5. The projects have a high school or technical school feel to them however I felt they were great skill building tasks that once mastered could be leveraged for more difficult projects.

1 comments about Log Cabin Classics.

1. We often romanticize about the small cabin in the woods, by the lake, or atop a mountain- the home that is in tune with nature. ~Robbin Obomsawin
   
   The first time I saw a log cabin it was love at first sight. One of my best gal friends from college is always dreaming of having her brother build her a log cabin. I'm dreaming of visiting her and sipping hot chocolate by a fireplace and catching up on her travels to Russia. The wish to live in a log cabin may be inspired by a romantic weekend or a trip to a friend's house in the woods.
   
   In "Log Cabin Classics" old-world cabins are inspired by nostalgic moments, a desire to be in harmony with nature and local materials.
   
   You will find information on Cabin Fever, Building Small Cabins, Second Homes, Planning Strategies, Risks and Problems, Budgeting and Construction Contracts, Reclaiming Wood and Building with Nature.
   
   The author, Robbin Obomsawin is the construction manager and general contractor for Beaver Creek Log Homes. She has an in-depth knowledge of conventional construction and lives in Westdale, New York.
   
   Robbin displays not only a intricate knowledge of log cabin construction, she is a deft writer who displays a true love of natural surroundings and nature escapes.
   
   If you are looking for decorating ideas, there are quite a few and full-color pictures display various settings. There are house plans complete with ideas for wraparound kitchens and bedroom lofts. I love the cozy bedrooms and rocking chairs placed near fireplaces.
   
   Bonus: You can also order blueprints from Beaver Creek Log Homes. There is also a list of resources to help you plan your building project.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review

2 comments about Working Windows, 3rd: A Guide to the Repair and Restoration of Wood Windows.

1. This book covers the restoration to working condition of various types of windows found in old homes. The information is presented in a clear, easy to follow format. Unlike most books of this type it is written so well that it is fun to read even if you don't want to fix windows. The author has a great sense of humor and I often found myself laughing out loud and learning at the same time.



2. This book was very helpful in showing how to repair old windows. It is geared mostly to windows that have pulleys and weights however. Mine have friction brakes on the side so that part wasn't helpful, but there was a lot of other good info.

5 comments about Guerrilla Learning: How to Give Your Kids a Real Education With or Without School.

1. "This book helped me relax and do less about my kid--less worrying, less trying to cram information into him when he wasn't responding as I wanted him to. Using the approaches recommended by Llewellyn and Silver, I now have fun observing my little boy, guiding him gently, and enjoying his forays into the world as he explores and learns on his own."



2. I am new to the homeschool idea, and my daugther is 15 and hates high school. I found so many useful ideas in this book that I recommend it to anyone considering homeschooling and obtaining a better education for their kids in general.



3. Like someone else said, I read this because we homeschool. I had heard what a great book this was but when I got it I was honestly a little disappointed. I'm sure if my kids were still in public school it would have been more useful but it just wasn't any help to us as homeschoolers/unschoolers.
   
   I'd still recommend it to people who are disenchanted with the public school system but I know now not to recommend it so much to my fellow homeschoolers.



4. As a certified teacher and a Homeschool mom I found this book to be a great work cumlinating many important aspects of Education in general. Many of the suggestions offered to Homeschoolers in the book are attainable and filled with basic common sense. The basic premis of the book is Learning happens naturally every minute of every day (Life is one big school) we as parents and eductors need to remind ourselves and others of this basic fact. For anyone interetsed in the foundations and history of American Education I suggest John Gatto's Book The Underground History of American Education. Knowledge Protects



5. This book provides a good, practical view of children's education and learning, regardless of where this takes place. The authors prompt readers to think about their values regarding education, along with their history, biases, and goals. They are balanced in not advocating for traditional schooling or homeschooling, while speaking plainly about each. They give examples from families who have chosen each option, or have gone back and forth between the two to meet kids' needs at different ages. So good to read something that is not trying to push a particular program or agenda.

5 comments about Emily Post's The Gift of Good Manners: A Parent's Guide to Raising Respectful, Kind, Considerate Children (Emily Post).

1. I ordered these books so I can brush up on today's etiquette. Very good information and will help me with my children. We lost alittle bit of these etiquette and its time to introduce them back into our children.



2. As a parent, I'm really concerned with making sure I raise a well-mannered child. I remember how proud my parents were when someone made a comment on how well-behaved we were as children, and I would love for someone to tell me that I have such well-mannered girls. The behaviours I have seen in some children today are abhorrent and I would NEVER allow my children to act so ungraciously so I checked out this book in hopes that I may start teaching manners to my children early, and not let them develop bad habits. This book is terrific. Its expectations of children and parents are not unreasonable. It's written with a realistic point of view. It's not a stodgy and cold fact book. It is also divided by age groups and it covers infancy (yes, you CAN start this soon) through getting to college. It is a very handy reference tool and it's easy to find what you are looking for, in terms of ettiquette topics (thank you notes, table manners, etc.) I highly recommend it to all parents, and I plan on buying it as well. The main point the Post's are trying to convey in this book is that in order for our children to have good manners that they need us parents to set the good example and this book is a good review for us to brush up on our ettiquette as well.



3. I am a huge Emily Post fan as everyone knows. I got this book to start preparing for our baby that is on the way.
   
   I had hoped for more specific information. For instance there are only two areas that cover grandparents in the book.
   
   There is great information in the book. But, after finishing it I am still searching for another book to give me more direct answers to questions that never got answered in this book.
   
   I want to know how to handle it when my child points out that their grandparents are not following the table manners that we are trying to stick by. I want to know how to handle negative comments about religion. I want to know how to make a child stick to the yes ma'am no ma'am rule even when adults out there say they don't like being called ma'am.
   
   Again, it's a good book. But, if you are looking for a broad range of answers then you may still need to find another book in addition to this one as I am.



4. I ordered this book for my granddaughter as a Christmas gift. She is a teenager now and really wants to learn more about the proper way to do and say things. This little book is extremely informative with all the things young people should already know (but maybe have forgotten) and all the things that we all need more practice on. I would recommend this book to anyone who's social life is growing and wants to be the best they can be. An essential read for all ages.



5. I bought this book not knowing what to expect, especially since I've always associated their books with wedding planning.
   
   I must say that I'm extremely pleased with the content so far. But the readers should also keep in mind that the book covers the first 18 years - from birth to high school graduation. There is so much to cover during each stage. I truly believe that the authors did their best to give great overviews of the child's physical and emotional development, as well as excellent advice on parenting that's age-appropriate. I certainly plan to refer to this book for a long time, given that my son is only 2 years old!

5 comments about The Ultimate Guide to Pool Maintenance, Third Edition.

1. The book was very well written and an excellent resource for someone who needs to understand how the different aspects of a pool or spa work. Certain readers may find some of the information too detailed. However, this reader being a new pool owner and an engineer greatly appreciated the comprehensive explanations that were provided.
   The text includes a plethora of information pertaining to pools, spas, and the support equipment. It provided a basic explanation of construction, repair, replacement, and maintenance of the structure and equipment. There are many pictures and detailed diagrams. In addition, there are numerous quick tips throughout, which are presented in bold fonts and segregated from the main body of the text. Although the information that was provided was thorough, the explanations do not require a doctorate to understand. This reader would recommend the book to any new or existing pool owner with even a slight amount of mechanical understanding.



2. Cover all items, and for an engineer and new pool owner like me it covers things I'll probably never need but are interesting to know. It is a heavy read and appears to be for pool builders in places.



3. I found the book to be very helpful for a person with technical background and for the average homeowner. It is very easy to understand and useful. I highly recommend this book for the pool technician as well as the homeowner who wants to know if his pool service company is not ripping him off.



4. This was shipped quickly and promptly. Only problem it reads more like a text book. So take you time reading this.



5. This is really the only spa and pool maintenance reference many people will need. It gives just the right amount of detail without boring the reader with the mundane. I work at a hotel and this is my first spa and pool to maintain. It has made my life far easier.

5 comments about Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids: Practical Ways to Create a Calm and Happy Home.

1. This book stands out among the many of the books I have read on parenting. It is exceptionally well-written, insightful, and sensitive to the needs of parents. I give it my highest recommendation.



2. Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids is one of the "number of points" self-help books that are so popular these days. The opening message that peace in the family begins with peace in the parent clearly moves us in the right direction.Author Naomi Drew has already had a hit along the lines with Learning the Skills of Peacemaking, also aiming Public schools. We can't just place the blame on television, school, other kids, or lack of time, not if we want to actually address the problem. Drew's some of her imagined resolutions are a little too elaborate, she uses concrete, realistic examples. It's important to aim high when you're planning a successful family. Even if you only manage half the book's aims, you'll be much better off. The author breaks the big job of bringing peace to the family down to seventeen points. Parental actions should be guided by love, compassion, fairness, respect, and integrity and nurture these attributes in children. Indeed! Peace is at every doorstep!



3. When I received my copy of the book from Amazon.com, I began applying Naomi Drew's principles to my 3 1/2 year old daughter. She had been having tantrums and talking back. After only two days of following the advice of this book, my daughter's behavior began to change. She actually started using "I messages" and stating her own feelings. My house is more peaceful and I have become more consistent and happy with my children. Excellent, excellent, excellent book for all moms who want to have a more peaceful home!! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!



4. An avid reader, I couldn't manage to plough through the "peaceful household" Zen-like initial portion of the book. Accordingly, I abandoned the book mid-read...an almost unheard of phenomenon for me.
   
   I was hoping, not for advice on deep breathing exercises, but for tangible parenting advice that I could readily employ. And please stop summarizing for me what I just read.
   
   Give this one a pass.



5. This book really makes you stop and think about the type of parent you want to be for your children and your spouse. I found after reading just one chapter and implementing the techniques the results among everyone in the family was wonderful. We are all working on our respect and making time for one on one time among everyone in the family.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Your Real Estate Closing: Answers to All Your Questions - From Opening Escrow, to Negotiating Fees, to Signing the Closing Papers.

1. Gadow does an excellent job of providing a comprehensive view of a California Real Estate Closing. The subject matter is appropriate and well written. The illustrations, tables, charts and forms all useful. The only real problem with a volume like this is that all real estate is essentially LOCAL in nature.
   
   Thus, many of Gadow's points and concepts are inapposite to other parts of the country. I found myself annotating my copy with local exceptions to Gadow's statements (I am a Real Estate Attorney in the Washington, DC metropolitan area). As with any volume with this much information there are certain errors that may have not been caught by the editors. For example, Gadow talks about obtaining multiple termite inspections. "Shopping for a clean termite inspection" and failing to disclose the known existence of termites is a patent violation of the Seller's duty to disclose known defects and could subject the homeseller to serious liability for any resulting damages incurred by the buyer.
   
   Nevertheless, for the layman this book is an essential resource and I wish everyone of my clients would read it before coming to our office for their settlements.



2. ...it's the same book as her previous books - only the title has changed. If there were any minor editing done to the book, I didn't notice. If you've read or purchased one of her previous books don't waste your time or money.



3. Sandy Gadow's real estate closing book explained the part of the buying process which confuses most people, and where most of the costly mistakes can occur. I was able to understand the concepts and explanations which are provided, and felt confident enough to ask questions which I am sure saved me several hundreds of dollars. Before reading Sandy's book, I was intimidated by the professionals involved in a closing: for example, the attorney and closing agent, even the inspector involved. Knowing what questions to ask, I felt comfortable making lists of questions to ask, and which answers I needed. Although real estate laws vary state to state, this book does an excellent job of being all-inclusive for each state. Whether called "escrow", "closing" or "settlement", this book covers the essentials of a real estate deal.
   
   In each chapter are "Tips" and "A Typical Misunderstanding" which lighten the reading and make the subject matter easy to follow along. The chapter on handling Tax-Deferred Exchanges was a welcome addition to the book. I was prompted to buy Sandy's book after watching her on CNN's show, "Open House."
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone buying property, considering entering the escrow profession, or anyone interested in the investment aspect of real estate. I am now a real estate professional and am grateful for Sandy's book. I know the book helped me and I have recommended it to many of my friends and colleagues.



4. This book is an easy to read, step-by-step guide through that 'magical' period called 'Escrow.' Explanations are easy to understand yet thorough. I highly recommend this book.



5. Very good book; could have gone a little deeper into the mechanics of the closing process.

3 comments about Lyn Peterson's Real Life Kitchens.

1. What great timing for me to find this book! I had just begun plans to renovate my kitchen and everything I need to know is in this book! Questions about little details that I knew would trip me up later -- they are all covered. There are so many decisions to be made when renovating a kitchen, it's pretty overwhelming. This book covers all the bases. Nice photos and layout too.



2. This book is like a secret interior designers handbook for all to understand. It answers all questions and gives opinions of the author's own personal style as well as her clients. She projects actual dimensions (such as how much countertop overhang is needed at the kitchen island for a stool) so you know what you are talking about when you meet with the designers that you are going to purchase goods from. I have found this book much more helpful than all the other kitchen books I have combined. Well worth the money.



3. Excellent book which covers all the things you need to know. Not just photos although there are many & they are excellent, but also good solid information which you might not think about on your own.

5 comments about Nurture the Nature: Understanding and Supporting Your Child's Unique Core Personality.

1. As an educator and school administrator for more than three decades and a parent of two college-age children, I wish this book had been available for the past 25 years. In Nurture the Nature, Michael Gurian gives the key to raising healthy and happy children: discovering, appreciating and following each child's basic personality. His suggestions are down to earth and just what parents need to hear in our media-dominated culture that sends many unhealthy messages to children and parents. The clearly presented information is carefully connected to scientific research and provides valuable tips for parenting children of all ages. Unlike most books written for parents, it will not overwhelm the readers with what they may be doing wrong, but instead give them the tools to meet the needs of each of their children. For parents, parents-to-be and anyone who works with children, this is a must read book.



2. As he has done in earlier books and presentations Michael Gurian again exercises his unique ability to communicate the interlocking realities of nurture and nature in the daunting tasks of raising children. He combines experience and insights from his practice of family therapy, his own parenting evolution and the best thoughts of those helping us understand the rapidly increasing knowledge in neuro-science and gender differences. He presents the reader with an extremely accessible sequence of suggestions for helping children grow from pre-natal to young adult.
   
   Using both his gifts as a story-teller and educator Michael entertains and inspires while providing the reader with specific ideas and methods to be explored. Nurture the Nature invites us to action on behalf of our child and children everywhere.
   
   Michael offers a firm but gentle hand to help us surmount the significant hurdles contemporary life-styles provide. He may occasionally jar us from a treasured accepted practice and generally asks us to rethink our over-dependence on social trends as our primary reference but in it all strongly urges us to discover and nurture our individual child's inborn nature.
   
   As a (not-so-great or grand) great-grandfather I am introducing this book to my extended family and all those with whom I work in education and family relationships. Thank you, Michael, for what has come before and now this wonderful addition to your wise counsel!
   
   Larry Hackett



3. Another great book from Michael Gurian. Its is a valuable book in addition to Gurian's other books on single-gender education issues.



4. Encourages that you follow your own instincts with your children and pay attention to their personalities. Following this advice leads to less stress in parenting and happier children.



5. Please run dont walk to the nearest bookstore...or at least the amazon store to get this magnificient gem of a book.
   Mr Gurian is a wise and loving voice in the arena of parenting.
   There exists a golden cord of wisdom within every parent, that connect them to the mind and hearts of their children. But this chord is often forgotten in the constant clanging of the latest Dr Phils telling you what "behaviour" is appropriate or not. The rather unthinking parents fall for this unfortunate trap and thus make their children live in small invisible boxes, left to emotionally and psycologically suffocate.
   Allow Mr Gurian to reveal powerfully to you what you already know about your child in the deepest recesses of your mind and heart.
   How awesome that Mr Gurian is here