No comments about Trillion Dollar Women: Use Your Power to Make Buying & Remodeling Decisions.

3 comments about Flooring Projects & Techniques (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library).

1. This book will help you from the begining stages of your design to the wonderful professional looking finished product.



2. Should have known better than to trust anything with Black and Decker's name on it. I bought this book for information on installing hardwood flooring.The only mention of hardwood flooring in the book is to leave it to a qualified professional. Not vey helpful for the do it yourself types. If you have a wood flooring project do not waste your money on this useless book.



3. I felt this book lacked the necessary information a person would be looking for in a book of this type. Although this book had somewhat detailed information on repairing and replacing the subfloor it had little instruction on installing hardwood and laminate flooring. Don't waste your money on it.

3 comments about Healing Sick Houses: Dowsing for Healthy Homes.

1. This is an excellent book. You really learn through the several cases that Roy and Ann explain in this book,I practice in my house with good results.



2. Excellent book,I have very good results in my home, in accordance with this information.



3. I am an experienced paranormal investigator. I have been doing a lot of heavy research into dowsing and geopathic issues in relation to paranormal phenomenon and can honestly say this book is the best thing I've read on geopathic issues ever. It's written in a very friendly, down to earth and concise manner. Roy and Ann share real-life lessons and experiences throughout the book with plenty of illustrations from their own work. Don't expect to learn the basics of dowsing or learn all the ins and outs of working with geopathic stress zones but do expect to get an outstanding overall perspective on dowsing for and correcting geopathic stress. There's even a chapter on discarnate entities (ghosts) and other spirits. I simply can't endorse this book enough. I'm making it required reading for my group!

5 comments about Suzanne Whang's Guide to Happy Home Buying (House Hunters).

1. If you are looking for some help in finding a home - GET THIS BOOK! It is so informative and a really fun read. Who knew that buying a house could be an enjoyable experience? This book makes it possible.



2. such a treat! ms. whang's book is a must for anyone looking for that dream dwelling! this guide is different than most because it reads so easily and has humor (necessary with such a daunting task as picking your house!). i especially loved the fact that ms. whang includes thinking positively throughout the homebuying process, which makes this process what it ultimately should be: FUN. highly recommended!



3. Very well done, whether you are a fan of the show or not.



4. I've always loved Suzanne Whang's perky style of hosting House Hunters, so I was eager to check out her Guide to Happy Home Buying. Unfortunately, now I'm wishing I didn't. While there is helpful information in the book, especially for inexperienced buyers, Ms. Whang does a great disservice to readers by giving her personal opinions way too freely. Her scathing advice on FSBO's, in particular, was completely unfair. And her attempts at humor via her many "Top Ten" lists reflect her obvious bias against all manner of people, neighborhoods, real estate websites, staging techniques and more. And shared personal details such as her initial bad credit rating due to ignoring her creditors didn't inspire me to trust what she had to say about home buying. Although I never thought I would say anything against Suzanne Whang, after reading this book I firmly believe she should stick with acting and hosting television shows, not revealing what she does not know about real estate.



5. This is a completely unhelpful and horrible book. There is no real, specific information- for example, most tips consist of touchy-feely ones such as "it should feel right" and "maintain a positive attitude by taking scented baths"-- are you kidding me? Tips for finding a real estate agent include someone who is "honest, experienced, nice, polite" -duh, thanks for the advice! I have never watched the TV show but really discourage anyone who is serious about learning about the home buying process from purchasing this book. It is targeted for a junior high school audience, if that. There is a reason why there are used copies available starting at 25 cents. I bought mine for $1.50 and regret it. I'm sorry to be harsh, but this is the honestly the worst book I have ever come across. I normally do not write reviews but felt so strongly about this that I had to comment.

5 comments about The Birdhouse Chronicles: Surviving the Joys of Country Life.

1. The first 20 pages dragged and sounded a bit snooty...but I really wanted to like this book and said I'd wait to page 50 to decide. As I read on I ended up getting drawn in and curious. At the end I was disapointed on the quick and simple ending. I would have liked more details about what happened to the home and the author. All in all it was a charming book on country life that most of us would love to live!



2. This book is gorgeously written, funny, self-effacing and poignantly insightful. Ostensibly it's about moving to the country and remodeling a house. But it's really about how we humans try to make lives amidst the swirling, changing facets of nature and humanity. How do we continue on in the face of concerns small and large--from trying to heat our homes in the midst of severe winters, to facing the loss of those we count on and love? Never mawkish or cloying, Miller is an astute, sensitive observer of the human condition.



3. I laughed out loud a few times and overall I enjoyed the book. The reason I didn't give it 5 stars were...#1 an internationally acclaimed author should be able to update her home w/ central air and heat (I got tired of the whining about the furnace)#2 The author kept writing about being alone in the Country and she wasn't alone, she was w/ her Hubby. There were a few other dissapointments but I don't want to give anything else away.



4. As if taking a step back in time, Cathleen Miller and her husband, Kerby, packed up their belongings and moved from San Francisco's upscale lifestyle into the rural community of Zion, Pennsylvania. Leaving behind the fast and competetive world of advertising, the Millers embarked on a journey that would not only prove to be challenging but life affirming. The transformation of themselves and the "Grandma's house" they purchased moves in the cyclic fashion of the seasons. With each new season, new challenges emerged for them as individuals, as a couple and as newcomers to rural life.
   
   Zion is a tiny rural community near Penn State. The Millers actually live on the outskirts of that community. Their purchase of an old farm house located in the middle of Amish farms and families provides the backdrop for an engaging and enjoyable look about how they came to know and love the simpler ways of life.
   
   The author's comfortable writing style allows her readers to feel as though they are right in the middle of the action. She describes tireless hours spent refurbishing the old country home, planting gardens, learning to can the produce from their gardens, and appreciating life's goodness in new ways. The book also brings a sense of familiarity with the Amish neighbors and their unique approaches to life.
   
   Miller introduces us to the trials of learning to live in a home that is not filled with modern conveniences. Early in the book, she relates the story of her quest to learn how to start a fire in the old coal furnace and keep it going. Her readers are transported to a time and place that many have never experienced, and others have forgotten.
   
   The author's passion for nature, her frankness about the rigors of her first months in Zion, and the refreshing style with which she meets her challenges make this a most enjoyable reading experience. She brings to light the unique lifestyle of the Amish from the perspective of a neighbor rather than a true outsider or tourist.
   
   In a day and age when many strive to "have more," this book allows us to observe the meaning of having more of what is truly important--more time to spend nurturing home and relationships, more appreciation of nature's gifts to mankind, more respect for other beliefs and lifestyles, more sense of community, and concern for other members of that community.
   
   For anyone who loves a good "back to the country" tale and for anyone who knows the beauty of the Amish country of Pennsylvania and perhaps longs to be in the midst of it once again as this reviewer does, The Birdhouse Chronicles is a book to be savored.
   
   by Lee Ambrose
   for Story Circle Book Reviews
   reviewing books by, for, and about women



5. This book started really good and I was quickly drawn in. After I got to the middle of the book it was starting to get a bit tedious. At the end I felt like I had wasted my time. Don't get me wrong- it is a decent book, with some funny bits. The author is best when she is describing nature's similarities with human nature. I did get sick of the critical observations she always had about other people tho. As the other reviewers have mentioned, this is the story of two very jaded city slickers who move from sunny San Francisco, California to the unpredictable eastern weather of Zion, Pennsylvania. This book is more than just dealing with cold weather, old coal furnaces, remodeling and money crunching. This book is about Ms. Miller finding herself and coming to terms with her Missouri upbringing after her mother killed herself & contemplating her relationships. This book is at times amusing and at times heartwarming. Ms. Miller writes in a honest (at least to her), humorous and at times critical & harsh way about those around her.
   
   I can see where (as other reviewers mentioned)in the chapter 'Locals' Ms. Miller might come off as a bit cold & prideful when she talks about the local townfolk and about the death of her neighbors (The elder Burds)across the road. In reading the chapter that was my first impression, but, after further reading, I don't believe that Ms. Miller meant to be offensive. She was describing her human condition, good and bad in the same chapter.
   
   Another thing I really didn't like in this book was that Ms. Miller went way overboard with the cursing and foul language. All the taking of God's name in vain and foul language wasn't called for and in my opinion it didn't add anything to Ms. Miller's otherwise decent story.
   
   
   Overall, it's still a humorous story with some truthful points about the human condition (good & bad) in Anywhere, USA. Tho, it's not one I would read again.

2 comments about The Log Home Owners Manual: A Guide to Protecting and Restoring Exterior Wood.

1. this is a good book i bought for a friend. Great information.



2. I own a large log cabin in eastern idaho. This book covers the basics on bugs and a bit on rot but is clearly outdated. I would avoid this book as there are many others out there that have more info and are less expensive. There are a ton of new products on the market that this author could not adreese because they are new products. save you money

No comments about Country Wisdom.

1 comments about The Personal Security Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Protecting Your Home and Family.

1. When I saw the title of this book, I thought it would make me even more scared than I already felt about moving to the big city. My little sister gave me it as a present when I left home to study. But it turns out to be full of useful advice, sensible and well-written. It feels like a good friend talking -- a good friend who just happens to know an awful lot about how to deal with muggers and how break into your home if you lock yourself out. A good friend to have, in fact.

No comments about The New Encyclopedia of Home Designs (Homeplanners).

No comments about Designed to Order: Stylish Solutions to Organize Your Home (House Beautiful).