No comments about Mind Your Manners: An Etiquette Guide for Youth and Young Adults.

No comments about Don Aslett's Clean in a Minute.

1 comments about Segmented Turning: A Complete Guide.

1. Good book with good illustrations, but lacking some of the important basics of segmented turnings such as: Choosing a turning tool, which type of turning tool works best for inside and outside cuts, methods of Flatening your rings, turning a vase type structure where you need to build up and turn the inside as you go. Section on building your own cutting sled needs more illustations and pictures...very vague. It's a good start for a subject that has little printed information up to now though.

No comments about The Father's Book.

2 comments about Remodeling On the Money: 15 Innovative Projects Designed to Add Value to Your Home.

1. I bought this book to find out how best to remodel a house to add value. This book definitely tells you that. But it really helped me because it has basic information that is really useful. For instance, I have on order one of the new tankless hot water heaters. Heavens said you need "modulating temperature control" for consistent temperature. I had no idea if the model I ordered had that. Now I can make sure that it does! Heavens is very thorough about having all the basics without making reading tedious. I need new toilets and I am confused about all the energy-saving alternatives. I found one for $1200!!! installed. Heavens described the alternatives....with prices! Remodeling to help the value of your home is all about not spending too much. This book really helps with pricing of specific projects. It is too easy to "over improve" your house. This book tells you how to do it yourself and keep prices down. It has an extensive website that has lots of helpful in-depth how to's. For people like me who need to hire contractors, it is especially helpful too. For instance, I am about to have a new floor installed. Heavens' book gives a ballpark price for the installation. That is really useful for me. In the back of my mind is a plan to replace my bathtub. Heavens' bathroom chapter told me everything I need to consider!



2. First, the positives. The book is divided into fifteen chapters each describing a room or area to be remodeled. Most chapters give real-life examples of a family's project mixed with the author's professional knowledge about trends, products, and working with a contractor. The author is clearly knowledgeable and experienced but the organization of the book prohibits it from being a truly useful reference tool for homeowners considering a residential overhaul.
   
   The book was most effective where it included good rules of thumb for homeowners to either undertake their own improvements or achieve better results working with a contractor. The first three chapters (bathrooms, kitchens, master bedrooms) contain many more guidelines and product comparisons than the following 12 chapters, which seemed disorganized and hastily-assembled. For example, paragraphs were used to describe the chemical process by which a radon test works and the the actual process of finishing off a basement space to add living area where radon may be a concern was glossed over.
   
   There are eight glossy pages of pictures in the center of the book showing different stages of renovations and factory scenes not corresponding to any topic in the book; it almost seems like the publisher mistakenly inserted another books' pictures! The black/white pictures throughout the text were a grab bag: sometimes helpful views of cited products, sometimes random carpenters operating a Sawzall showing nothing specific, chapters such as insulation topic should have been accompanied by blueprint-type charts demonstrating the cited concepts.
   
   The author could have improved the book tremendously with a summary of general guidelines, best practices, and cost/benefit chart for renovations at the end of each chapter. The anecdotal information was good but needs to be much better planned and organized.

4 comments about Sewing a Travel Wardrobe: Versatile Clothes & Stylish Accessories for Every Adventure.

1. Don't be misled by the title of this book as I was. I was extremely disappointed. The book is filled with plenty of useful information about fabrics and places to travel, but not much on how to sew anything, much less a wardrobe! The book contains several photos of beautiful outfits, with no details on how to make them or even where to buy the pattern! Not worth the money or the effort to read, in my opinion!



2. The fly on the jacket said "this book will be an inspiration and a big help." I found it to be both. Not all of the clothing by the various designers was to my personal taste but I could visualize their ideas with my own interpretation. I thought many of the items including the reversible pull-on pants, reversible jacket, four seasons vest and four-way reversible sleeveless tunic terrific and were alone worth the price of the book. I wish the book had gone even further as I would like to see more ideas for specific climates and both business and leisure travel.



3. This book was nice to look at, but aside from some accessories, there were no instructions other than to use a favorite pattern. Please! The clothes would look nice on some people, but not for most of us, and nowhere does the author address how you keep reversible blouses clean, since you can't very well put underarm shields in them.

   You would be better off getting Sewing Express by Nancy Zieman, or buying some of Jasmine Hubble's books.

   This book needs a deep discount, or be republished with instructions!




4. I have read this book every year since I purchased it in 1999. This year I plan to use the ideas for an at home casual wardrobe, and perhaps for a weekend vacation wardrobe as my husband says I pack too many "just in case" things that take up room but are never worn. There is much information about the choices and decisions that must be made when planning a wardrobe for travel and many of these are covered, including consideration for local customs and standards. There are a few sewing tips and inspirations but this not really a DIY instruction book. Many wardrobes are offered for viewing, and the time, money and frustration saving "six-yard basic wardrobe plan" is inspired.

No comments about Creative Parenting After Separation: A Happier Way Forward.

No comments about Security Systems Simplified: Protecting Your Home, Business, And Car With State-Of-The-Art Burglar Alarms.

No comments about Cushions (Soft Furnishing Workbooks).

No comments about Sewing Stylish Home Projects: Over 30 Accessories for Your Home.