1 comments about The Well-Appointed Bath: Authentic Plans and Fixtures from the 1900's (Landmark Reprint Series).

1. If you are remodeling or designing a period or period-inspired bathroom from the 1900s or 1930s, this book is a must-have. It features 2 catalogs, a 1914 Mott's Plumbing & a 1935 Standard, reprinted in full plus an informative commentary from the author on the evolution of indoor plumbing & the modern bathroom. One thing I found interesting is the fact that the Mott's catalog shows several rooms obviously affordable by only those with a lot of money, such as massive, highly decorative rooms with multiple fixtures & showers with full body sprays-in 1914! By the mid-1930s bathrooms had become available to "the masses" not just the rich so the catalog features more options for homes with limited space, i.e. the neo-angle tub allowing for inexpensive remodeling. The Standard catalog shows glossy, streamlined Deco fixtures in a rainbow of colors like "Ming Green" & "Clair de Lune Blue." Both catalogs are highly representative of their eras. This is a well-chosen compilation of primary resources, invaluable to anyone attempting a period remodel or just interested in period interiors.

2 comments about The Healthy House Answer Book: Answers to the 133 Most Commonly Asked Questions.

1. It is an extremely interesting volume... of iummense use... to Built-Design professionals as well as amateurs. But personally speaking, it is not the amateurs, but the professional built-design professionals, who have to be bull-dozed into accepting green architecture. Wish something more can be done about it. H K Verma Editor Interiors Today - India's only Magazine for Built Design professionals Bombay interior@bol.net.in



2. The Healthy House Answer Book is a tiny volume that packs a huge punch. Although small in stature, this book has much to offer on an extremely important subject. It reads well -- very well indeed! -- and offers simple, accurate explanations of many complicated topics.

   In the Healthy House Answer Book, the authors -- healthy home experts, John and Lynn Bower -- tackle 133 commonly asked questions. Don't be fooled by this book's brevity, though. If you're new to the subject, this book should be a fantastic resource. I know, I read it early in my research on healthy homes for my books on natural homes and passive solar heating and cooling and felt that it brought me up to speed on the topic quite rapidly.

   I especially liked the question-answer format and found it to be a delightful respite from the typical book style. The authors get right to the point. No wasted words!

   Unless you're looking for an encyclopedic treatment of the subject, you should find this book to be a goldmine of valuable information. If you want a more encyclopedic treatment, the Bowers offer that option, too, in some of their other books.

1 comments about Plumbing Practice Test Exam (Exam Preparation).

1. Found it to be very helpful in preparing for the contractors exam. I was given an extremely short prep time before taking the exam and the practice exam gave me the heads up on what to expect. I'm pleased to say I passed the exam on my first attempt.

3 comments about Plumbing Design and Installation.

1. This is an excellent book! It covers all the questions most of us have about the trade. I have purchased several books on the subject and this one is by far the best.



2. I first read and used this book in the US Navy Seabee training unit I was an instructor at in 1996. Being based on the Minnesota plumbing code, which is by far the most stringent in the country, it was a very good reference from which to learn and to teach. The company I work for now issues that same book to all new plumbers and I even keep a copy in the truck as a reference in the field. The companion workbook is a great tool also. If you're looking for a layman's breakdown of the MN code, this is it.



3. I use this book often in the shop/classroom. I think it is an excellent teaching aid when used in conjunction with the associated workbook. My only problem is converting some of the Minn. code into Massachusetts code where I teach. Several of the chapters deal specifically with plumbing traps, materials and plumbing fixtures, which I like. The workbook does a great job of using many different testing methods including True/False, multiple choice, essay questions, math and isometric sketching. In future editions I would love to see more info on the history of the trade, drawings/drafting and heating appliances. All in all, this is the best teaching book out there and I have looked through them all!

4 comments about Builder's Guide to Wells and Septic Systems.

1. I am looking for a reference book to help me design a septic system and well for a new home project. I thought from the title that this book was appropriate (there was no table of contents available). It is not. Much of the book is geared towards helping general contractors avoid getting ripped off by well or septic subcontractors. If that is what you need, this is probably a reasonable choice. If you actually want to design and build your own well and septic systems, then pass on this title.

   I'm still looking for a good design/reference text for septic and well systems...




2. The author is obviously very experienced and skilled in the subjects of wells and septic systems. I found it helpful in my becoming educated about things to look for and avoid when building or contracting either system. On the other side of the coin, the flow of the material is choppy, and bounces around from subject to subject. This makes it difficult for a novice to gain any knowledge about designing and installing any of the systems. As a 3 Star rating, it is a book that alerts the reader to things to look out for. R. Dodge Woodson seems to have put a great deal of himself into this book, and he touches expertly on everything...but it could be better organized. I would hire him as my contractor in a heartbeat...but not as a writer of my How-To book; however,I still keep his book handy and refer to it when the going gets tough! I'd purchase it again.



3. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT TO PURCHASE THIS BOOK IF YOUR LOOKING TO INSTALL A WELL OR SEPTIC, THERE ARE NO REAL INSTRUCTIONS ON DEPTH FOR THE SEPTIC LINES, INFORMATION ON THE DISTRUBUTION BOX ON AND ON. BUT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE GREAT FOR A ENGINEER THAT INSTALLS SYSTEMS. ED HARRIGAN VERMONT



4. Don't bother with this one. The amount of knowledge in this apparently unedited blog of a book about actually building wells and septic systems can fit onto a handful of pages. The rest of the time the author goes back and forth between descriptions of wells and septic systems repeating himself but never going into much depth. He spends much of his time giving advice about how not to get screwed by the person you're building the well for. An example is not to promise anything to the customer since you can't tell if a well will contain water or not. Mhmmm. I would think twice before getting into any business deal with this contractor.

No comments about Ortho's All About Plumbing Basics (All About).

No comments about Black & Decker Plumbing 101: 25 Repairs & Projects You Really Can Do (Black & Decker 101).

1 comments about 20th Century Bathroom Design by Kohler.

1. I bought this book for decorating ideas, and it was really useful. But what I really love most about this book is the old pictures. It's got all these old bathroom ads of what what spiffy in bathroom design way back when. The pastels of the early years. Then the wild avocado green and tiger lily yellow. Outrageous!

5 comments about Home Automation & Wiring.

1. If there ever was a case for false advertising, this book takes it all the way. The back cover claims that after reading you will be able to install some of the most modern systems. This book is nothing more than a brief discussion about some of the things that can be automated in the home. The wiring that is covered in the book is juvenile at best. If I had previewed the book at a book store I most definitely would not have purchased book. Pass on this one.



2. With the pace home automation as been changing, this book should be considered "out of date" and hopefully soon be "out of print." While the author does seek to enlighten readers, the focus of the book is out-of-touch with main stream home automation thinking in 2002. Even the control systems referenced are no-longer near the cutting edge. While references to structured wiring still ring true, the techniques for reaching a total intregated system have changed. I was so disappointed with this book I actually returned to Amazon as I felt it could not enhance my library in any regard. As an alternative I would suggest "Home Automation for Dummies."



3. This was the first book I picked out of the shelf to read about home automation. I found it very useful and informative. I read about 50 pages before I had to leave. I wanted to come back and buy the book. I am not sure why so many people seem to dislike this book. Anyway I consider this a good book. I am going to go back and browse through some of the other books suggested and decide which one to buy.



4. No book, especially dealing with construction topics, can be everything to everybody. This is probably THE best on a fairly recent topic of specialization and competitiveness among the top-quality contractors.
   
   One reviewer below says he got "7 things" out of the book. That is a great value! Even one or two are worth the price, in the commercial world! Some will get more, some less.
   
   We particularly liked the focus of the author: Real Answers Contractors Need, Improve Profit Margins, Building Cutting Edge Security Into Homes, Automated Lighting that is both stunning and efficient, Home Theater, Flat Panel Plasma Displays ....
   
   Includes whole chapters on plumbing, home security, entertainment, and lighting. An appendix on data communications and cable manufacturers... How many other books are out there on these subjects now?
   
   Highly recommended, since it's a small investment in the long run.



5. I'm not very satisfied with this book. It's a very basic and also out of date version of Home Automation techniques. It takes a very basic approach to home automation and does not offer much helpful info about current techniques.

2 comments about Mechanical Systems for Architects.

1. an easy-to-use reference guide, for the practicing architect (or student) who NEEDS to understand the complexities of building systems, without all of the "engineer-speak" we were "taught" at school; invaluable for the design of small projects



2. this practical guidebook will assist all architects, students, and even laypersons -with understanding the complex systems involved with the design and installation of mechanical systems for buildings; concisely written, with lots of graphics/ illustrations, and general information; an asset to your reference library!