1 comments about Irish Stone Walls.

1. In connection with a construction project at Princeton University I searched hard, with assistance of the University's Library and interlibrary transfers, to identify the BEST resources on traditional masonry construction. IRISH STONE WALLS, and its cohort STONE BUILDINGS by the same author and publisher, are truly outstanding. One should not be distracted by the word Irish in a title. I'm not an art historian, but expect the principles and techniques described apply to any traditional masonry construction with English or Irish (and to some extent any European) cultural heritage. These are NOT field manuals for modern masonry construction using portland cement, steel reinforcing, assemblies and details now in widespread commercial use. Rather McAfee focuses on load bearing stone, dry laid or with lime mortar. Thorough knowledge of these "outdated" materials and techniques are of critical import in conserving and restoring old buildings. But the value of McAfee's work is not exclusively historical. Some of the principles we admire in old stone walls and historical buildings are properly applicable to new construction. McAfee's books will benefit any architect in using (or recognizing) traditional and "vernacular" building styles; to any mason working in stone; to anyone concerned with quality craft in masonry construction; to anyone else who appreciates historical building forms, materials and methods of construction. If bigger, Patrick McAfee's books would qualify as "coffee table" items; they are certainly beautiful enough. For those who are interested they also appear intensely practical, whether or not one is in a position to use the methods elucidated. The author dares to posit (rarely) a few aesthetic judgements, with which a reader might disagree or might find inconsistent with local project considerations. But even these opinions are valuable to anyone who strives to understand, or judge the qualities of, historical structures. Architects, trade craftspersons, preservationists, and all others interested in traditional masonry should have IRISH STONE WALLS, along with its sibling STONE BUILDINGS, in their libraries.

1 comments about Step-by-Step Masonry & Concrete ("Better Homes & Gardens": Step by Step).

1. This book i chose to read speaks about masonry and concrete. Masonry is a part of construction that i was always interested in because it has somthing to do with building. This book helped me out alot because it spoked about the aspects of masonry and concrete. This book will tell you about how to mix mortar and is also known as concrete. Concrete is mixed with water and sand and dry cement. This mixer has to be at a cetain amout of ingredients to be a well mix.When the mix is done then the laying brick proccess can be done. Masons should be able to lay the bricks to the line that they use to keep the bricks straight and leveled.When they are done laying to the line they have to use the modular ruler to make sure that it is levled and that the joints are at a 3/8'.

1 comments about Design Ideas for Decorative Concrete and Stone (Design Ideas).

1. I bought this book looking for decorative concrete ideas. It has very little material on that subject and the ideas are tailored for ultra expensive houses making this book worthless for the average homeowner. Anyone who can afford the ideas in this book would have an interior decorator and thus wouldn't need it. I am returning the book

No comments about Advanced Masonry Skills.

No comments about Tiling: Planning, Layout and Installation (Best of Fine Homebuilding).

1 comments about Building Dry-Stack Stone Walls.

1. Stone walls are a mainstay of landscaping for homes and gardens. Stone walls come in diverse forms of construction with "dry-stack' referring to erecting walls of stone without the use of mortar. In "Building Dry-Stack Stone Walls", Rob Gallagher, Sean Malone and Joe Piazza draw upon their many years of experience and expertise to providing homeowners with illustrated, step-by-step instructions on building dry-stack stone walls that will be stable, attractive, and solid. Three projects using different kinds of stones help to provide examples and inspirations for building walls from inception to completion. Thoroughly 'user friendly' and promoting the essential necessity of having a safe work environment, as well as featuring a gallery of wall images in full color, "Building Dry-Stack Stone Walls" is the ideal 'how to' instruction guide and manual for the novice stone wall builder and a highly recommended addition to personal and community library reference collections.

5 comments about The Art And Craft of Stonescaping: Setting & Stacking Stone.

1. When I started a stone-project at our farm in the Catskills -- re-cycling some old, fallen-down stone walls into a new retaining wall -- I bought a half-dozen books, including David Reed's Stonescaping. Although Reed's book was not the best one for my particular project, as a good how-to book, it is very good and as an idea book, it is excellent.

   On the plus side, Reed provides details and plenty of full-color pictures for everything from tools to stone varieties to uses for stone. He expands far beyond free-standing and retaining walls to benches, paving stones, terraces and even sculpture. After reading this book, I realized that I can use the stone I have at hand in quite a few ways besides walls.

   The main negative is the book is just too pretty to drag outdoor where I'm working. Of course, the easy solution to that is to photocopy the appropriate pages and take them to my worksite.

   It is a great book for anyone interested in adding stone texture to the garden, lawn, or general landscape.




2. A good book for anyone interested in landscaping their yard with dry stacked stones. It teaches you much more than just making retaining walls. Learn how to make paths, steps, benches, pools, and how to integrate plants into the stonework. It could have used some more photos of finished projects, but overall it should be enough to help you finish any stonescaping project you take on.



3. This book is full of beautiful photos and ideas for stonescaping. It includes stone paths, patios, steps, retaining walls, and even how to make an impressive stone waterfall. However, it's not only the wonderful photography that makes this book great, but it also includes information about how to accomplish these things. I would have to say this is a great "how-to" book that disguises itself as a beautiful coffee table book.



4. This is a decent book for the novice to overcome any initial trepidation about building drystone features. It is well illustrated, and comprehensive enough to get you started. However, with a few exceptions, the stonework illustrated is of average quality. For a true photo reference on the art of drystone, I would recommend Dan Snow's "In the Company of Stone" over Reed's book any day. Combine it with John Vivians "Building Stone Walls", and you will have everything you need to enter the world of drystone work: quality pictures of excellent stonework for reference, and solid, no nonesense text to guide you.



5. Very pleased with this book, it covers many aspects of stonework. Nice photos, lots of step by step projects with stone such as paths, walls, steps, waterfalls, pools, etc. Good early section on types of stone and the tools needed to work with stone.

5 comments about Design of Concrete Structures.

1. This book is very good for practitioners who need to look up something they have forgotten. It can be useful for beginning students, but as far as understanding concepts is concerned, MacGregor's is the best. For a beginner, Nilson's book sometimes gets too cluttered. MacGregor's book covers almost everything in Nilson's book, but with greater emphasis on conceptual understanding.



2. i,would like to thank DR. NILSON for his great effort to submit
   concrete design in a very simple and professional way.
   i like this book and i have last four editions .
   i am waiting mor from our great DR NILSON .



3. I read this book with board members of Iranian Concrete Institute and find it useful for students and civil engineers, Arthur H Nilson write this book very friendly, I must say I found this book very interesting for both students and teachers and very good reference for study in academic classes.



4. I actually enjoy reading this text book. The theory is well written, and the examples and derivations are easy to follow and understand. As an Engineering student of Junior standing, I believe this is the best written text book I have ever purchased.



5. The notable thing about this Book by Nilson, Darwin and Dolan is that it covers not only the Design of Concrete Structures but also the the behavior of various elements, an understanding of which is absolutely necessary for the design Engineer. The background of the provisions of ACI 318 code is clearly explained. The examples and homework problems may be quite useful to the students. It also covers emerging topics such as strut-and-tie models, which are useful in situations when the usual beam theories are not valid. The text also presents Earthquake detailing and the various types of structural systems applications, which are of great help to the practising engineers. Hope they will bring out the 14th edition soon, in line with ACI 318-2005.

1 comments about Masonry (Fine Homebuilding Builder's Library).

1. Like most of the Fine Homebuilding series, this isa well illustrated review of various projects the magazine has done over the years. My only objection is that for the most part it is in the Alternative Construction, Hippies in New Mexico style that they so favor. That aside, I have most of the books in this series and look at them often.

No comments about Lowes Complete Tile And Flooring (Complete...).