5 comments about The Book of Masonry Stoves: Rediscovering an Old Way of Warming.

1. As mentioned, the book is not a modern day catalog, but a historical look at masonry stoves dating back to the first harvesting of fire by humans. Fascinating look at the historical developments, especially around the middle ages
   to the nineteenth centtury. Also includes many examples from non-western cultures. Many informative diagrams and photos portraying the myriad styles. Appropriate for the uninitiated.
   Not an overly technical review.



2. I wouldn't have thought a book about stoves would be such interesting reading, but this really is a good book. I bought it in hopes that I'd be able to attempt to build a stove myself. That did not happen, in fact I'm not even sure what type of stove I'd like. However, the book has increased my faith in a wood stove keeping my home comfortable, and be environmentally sound. I liked the writing style, which is pretty rare for a book of this type. There were times when I couldn't put it down. Honestly, I was on this page again to sell my book, but now I find I'm not ready to let it go, so I'm writing a review instead.
   
   While it is old and could probably be updated, the art of the wood stove is also old, so much of the most valuable information may be old as well. Certainly, history has a lot of lessons to teach us about masonry stoves. Also, the book talks about past mistakes of masonry stoves, so if you're thinking about building your own, this would be good reading.



3. great refrence book, it goes back to the beginning of the use of fire indoor as heat, then goes into masonry heaters. lots of nice pictures also.



4. This is an outstanding and comprehensive book on a timely subject which is gaining renewed interest. Even though it's a bit out of date on the calendar the information is still right on target.



5. When I started flipping through this book, I became excited -- very excited. This is not a Black & Decker complete guide to masonry stoves. There are no step-by-step instructions on how to build a masonry stove. You cannot walk into the Home Depot and buy a masonry stove or a masonry stove kit. But this book is an absolute treasure trove of theory and diagrams (many historical, but we learn from the past, right?) which, with a little imagination and chatting with your local building inspector, can potentially yield results in the form of energy-efficient, high quality heating for your home -- and, depending on your execution, much more aesthetically pleasing than the forced-air beast currently occupying your basement.

1 comments about Complete Tiling (Stanley Complete).

1. I have done ceramic tiling in our home off and on for forty years. Bathrooms, kitchen backsplash, Shower stalls, etc. but I am about to cover 300 sq. ft. of floor with 14 inch square tile which is quite different from my other projects. I needed a book to boost my skills in this area and after looking at several, I felt that the Stanley book offered the most detailed practical help with a plethora of photos. On receiving and reading it I was not dissapointed. I recomment this book to beginners and semi-skilled DYIs like me. It offers the basics and some very useful tips.

5 comments about Structural Concrete: Theory and Design.

1. I just have finished a course of Fundamentals of Reinforced Concrete and this book helped me to understand far more than I expected.First I borrowed it from library then I bought a copy of it.It is full of examples and well organized.All I want to say if you have a problem mastering Fundamentals of Reinforced concrete design you should look at this book.



2. While struggling to understand fundamental concepts during concrete design, this textbook came through like a hero. One classmate bought the book, then four other students (the "brightest")in the class bought it. Let's just say, it really is that good.
   
   The examples were clear and logical. The book works well enough to self-teach.



3. I'm a graduate engineer, struggling with the reality of the world of work. Luckly I came across this book in the company's library and in no time I was designing to the satisfaction of my supervisors. Indeed this book has helped me alot. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is similar to me. I also recommend this to all undergraduates who need help in understanding reinforced concrete design. It would be very helpful and time saving when doing those design projects. .



4. Good book for the money, but be sure to check the website for all the typos in the book.



5. If you are a Graduate Student or a Practicing Engineer this text is the way to go... Has many great design examples and has a broad range of topics. However, I must advise that there is very limited amount of information for Strut-and-Tie Design. Besides that, great book.

4 comments about Building Stone Walls: Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin A-217 (Storey Country Wisdom Bulletin, a-217).

1. Very good resource for a bulletin sized book. Great tips on basic safety as well as mixing mortar, obtaining stone, etc.



2. This is just a summary of McRaven's larger book. Not really worth the energy as you can get the full book for a few dollars and it certainly IS worth reading and owning. Both items lack a discussion of lime mortar for building and preservation. McRaven believes (at least from what I read) that a Portland based mortar perhaps type K or O is vastly superior to a Lime mortar also called type L (no Portland) I think the issue is more complicated and one must take into account the masonry units used in building and there relationship with the mortar. Certain stone may be fine for Portland cement (... the material described in this book) but other stones (sand stone or handmade brick in particular) will suffer from the rigidity of the stiff mortar. READ lots before you repair or build. This book in its full size is great background information



3. This is a tiny pamphlet that contains readily common knowledge which could be found in a magazine or internet article. Not really worth the trouble.



4. I found the suggestions about safety, various methods of lifting heavy materials and the general description of rock wall building extremely helpful. In fact, he has some ideas of lifting large (heavy) rocks that I did not find in the other books I purchased and it has been just the right advice. However, when using this book as a guide, if you do not have "perfect" fieldstone or limestone rocks to lay, it leaves you wondering what to do with the rocks you have in YOUR yard. Since I live in the west and we have an abundance of volcanic "not so good" rocks which I wanted to use, this booklet was of limited assistance in helping me figure out how to use the rock I actually have available (and for free too, except for the labor of finding and hauling them). Great slabby rocks are unusual in this part of the country, so a book telling how to lay only nice, flat on-all-sides rock was of limited assistance. Thankfully, a 1976 Building Stone Walls by John Vivian (Garden Way Publishing) helped me figure out how to use what I actually have to build with.

5 comments about Bricklaying.

1. If you are a mason of any background, you will love this book. Really well illustrated, diagrams done nicely. Easy to understand. From beginer type work to extreame arch wk & much more. Last point if you want to build a outside grill out of brick check out the 10 brick grill layouts in this book.
   Good Stuff!



2. A disapointment. Confusing, full of obscure terms and "inside" tips that are useless to the do-it-yourselfer. Seems like a book written by an expert for other experts. After purchasing this book I picked up a used Time-Life book on masonary that had more good info in 10 pages than this 320 page turkey.



3. I checked the book out from the library first to get a feel for it, though the illustrations are good, I found the method of instruction haphazard and very much lacking.

   In addition the author is Australian and many of the terms used are not US specific. No attempt is made to explain many of the techniques

   Go for a time life book, or the following used text "AUDEL'S MASONS AND BUILDERS LIBRARY," by Louis Dezettel (look for volume 2 bricklaying, plastering...) is exceptionally written in regards to detail and very easy to understand.




4. Some reviews claim this isn't a book for a 'do-it-yourselfer'. This may be true if your abilities to think and to build are of a limited capacity. This book has excelent illustrations and explainations that walk you through many forms of building with brick though simple explaination. I would recomend this to the 'able' 'do-it-yourselfer' and I can imagine there are things profesionals could gleam from this book as well.



5. I have done quite a bit of tile work and am not a foreigner to trowel trades. When I decided to put in my first brick hearth and wall I looked for a book to give me the basics. This was not it. I feel it is poorly outlined and organized and lacked some basic information I sought. There are some cool projects in it, but start with another book if you're new to the trade.

5 comments about Walks, Walls & Patios: Plan, Design & Build.

1. This book is pretty good at showing you how to accomplish building well... the title of the book. I find it's best attribute are illustrations and examples.
   
   This stuff is pretty fun to do after you read this book.



2. I love the tons of pictures of samples but most important is that it have a step by step for each projects. Walls, retaining walls, patios, concrete floor, and more. I'm looking for to purchase the other books in this series.



3. I cannot review this book, because it was not received. It may not be the vendor's fault. The item was ordered after we moved to a new address, but it should have been forwarded by the post office. I have never been stiffred by an Amazon vendor. I prefer to think it is the post office that is at fault.



4. I am a 46 yr old female with no prior experience and I laid a beautiful stone walkway over my ugly concrete walkway and it looks GREAT! Suggestion: buy odd shaped flat stones (I used slate)and you may not need to cut them, I didn't! and don't add too much water to the mortar mix. Good Luck!



5. This book is jammed packed full of photos. Whether you're requiring basic information to do it yourself or looking for ideas to share with your landscaper, this book will inspire you. Well organized and easy to follow diagrams make this book a pleasure.

1 comments about Retaining Walls: A Building Guide and Design Gallery.

1. This book contains technical information about how to build a retaining wall, as well as dozens of inspiring photos that will give you idea after idea for your retaining wall. This is probably the only book you'll need if you're thinking about building a retaining wall.

4 comments about Complete Masonry: Building Techniques, Decorative Concrete, Tools and Materials (Sunset).

1. Sunset has published several books on this subject, 3 of them called "Complete Masonry" with different subtitles and a basic one, possibly others. This is the only one that I've actually gone through cover to cover and it is superb. I have the Black and Decker flavor of Complete Masonry too and this one is far better at 1/2 the price.

   The projects described are quite a bit more appealing than the B&D's plain cookie cutter boring wall and walkway offerings. More importantly this book offers better techniques of design that can be applied to your own unique design.

   Another of my favorites on the subject of concrete that is also applicable to walls, walkways, flooring or whatever else you wish to conjure is a book called "Concrete Countertops: Design, Form, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath" It actually offers much more than what the title leads you to believe and suggests concrete as a very versitle replacement for standard brick and tile uses of the past.




2. 
   I bought Sunset's "Complete Masonry" because I am thinking about using concrete for my next kitchen counter top. I had heard on a radio home improvement program that concrete kitchen counters are popular in some other countries. Complete Masonry has one chapter on concrete counter tops, but the example they give is an outdoor barbecue, not a kitchen. The techniques can be adapted to a kitchen, but it's not the same as having illustrations of specifically what I want to do.
   
   Other than that, Complete Masonry has lots of information for the home gardener or handy person. You get pictures and details for laying out and construction of walks, stairs, patios, walls, ponds, rock gardens and all kinds of decorative and imaginative masonry work around the home. It's aimed at the home improvement market, not for the professional mason, although a professional might get some creative ideas from it's illustrations. Complete Masonry starts with very basic teaching such as "what is a shovel" and works up to include all the details you would need to construct the projects in the book. Like a lot of Sunset books it's full of ideas and examples of very elaborate projects, though the projects appear to have been done by skilled professionals. Even so, with a little practice you could probably finish any of the projects if you have a little construction skill and are willing to do the work. It's a good idea book, and a practical how-to home improvement book.



3. I was looking for a book on how to build a brick mailbox. This did'nt help much. Thanks anyway.



4. This is a very well done book, and I enjoyed it very much. It has nice projetcs that you really can do by yourself. The pictures are wonderfull, and full of great ideas and details. The instructions are so clear, so anybody can understand easly.

5 comments about Foundations and Concrete Work (For Pros by Pros).

1. I have a couple of other books in the "for pros by pros" series and they are great. I was disappointed in this one, however.

   Rather than a guide that started at the beginning and followed a logical progression, it was merely a compilation of articles from Fine Homebuilding. They were each good, but several mentioned that "space limitation prevent me from expounding on..." While this is true in a magazine, it shouldn't be the case in the book.

   Also, with so many authors, there was a lot of contradictory information. In one "chapter" the author showed exactly how to (and how not to) use rebar. In a subsequent "chapter" another author was shown using rebar in precisely the way the first author said was incorrect. This went on throughout the book. How do you know who is right?

   And while the book was published in 2003, some of the articles were from the early 80's. I was hoping for a chapter on laser layout, but there was no mention of a laser anywhere in the book. (But plenty of instructions to use water levels and transits.) It wasn't a bad book, just not what I was expecting after the Plumbing and Electrical books were so good. A better use of money would be to purchase a one year subscription to the Fine Homebuilding online archives - it's a great resource. It has everything in this book, along with thousands of other articles.




2. This book lacks the details for someone who is looking to actually do the work themselves. As mentioned in one of the other reviews - this book is just a composite of magazine article. Typical of magazine articles - shallow with little substance.



3. I bought this without reading the reviews, it was a mistake. I am designing an addition and need a clear guide from forms to finishing. This isn't it. As meantioned, it is a collection of articles. While informative, there are major gaps in coverage and I am no more ready to design my foundation than before. There is more useful info on foundations in the framing books I purchased.



4. This is good for even advanced people as it gives little trade sercerts for stronger walls. Its a good book and a must if you are doing concrete work yourself.



5. This is one of two books I purchased with the expectation of finding some detail on rebar design for monolithic slabs. Both books fall short in writing or displaying even the most basic design for rebar in a slab (see my other review on a similar book on working with concrete). This book does a little better job in showing how to make and use concrete forms.

2 comments about Construction Manual: Concrete and Formwork.

1. When I first bought this book I wondered if it would be out-of-date. It wasn't. Although there were many tricks I've learned that weren't in the book, I did catch many new formwork techniques from this book. I'd recommend it to anyone learning to set forms on a residential or light commercial construction site.



2. Amzon as always has provided me with excellent service.....
   
   I feel the information in this book is very outdated..