5 comments about The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry : Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library).

1. This book doesn't include any text about stairs. I guess most complete homes don't need stairs. I find this book more of a coffee table book than a book I can count on for howto information.



2. Had to give 1 star to off set the other reviews. My problem with most of these carpentry books is their lack of conviction to a topic. I have been a carpenter for way longer than 4 years (the accepted journeyman level). In truth it takes a lifetime to keep up with new practices and master traditional techniques. If you need to read 93 PAGES OF 277 on what a particular tool is or how to set up a saw then you really are not ready for complete carpentry. You need to develop your understanding of the tools.
   
   Taunton Press is my recommendation for high quality information. Most of their publications assume you know how to use your tools. I would like to see quality books on specific skills. The complete all in one would have to be text book size and come in volumes. One good example is Lewis Vogt Carpentry 3rd edition. Used in construction management courses.
   
   This book is just fluff. A weekend warrior might find some good info to improve his garage or better use his tools.



3. I bought this book for a garage project of mine and the decent reviews it had. I must say the reviews are well deserved. This book offers plenty of photos and well explained "how-to" guide lines. Detailed explanation with photos of all the tools you'll need for your project. I can now do my projects with confidence considering I am a novice at carpentry. Excellent choice for the novist.



4. received book in a timely manner and in excellent condition



5. The Complete Guide to Home Carpentry : Carpentry Skills & Projects for Homeowners (Black & Decker Home Improvement Library) Item appears to be very thorough; great illustrations!

5 comments about The Boy Mechanic: 200 Classic Things to Build.

1. My hubby requested this book for his 55th birthday and really enjoys it.As soon as he's done with his current remodeling project,he'll probably start on a project from this book.



2. I found a lot of interesting things in this book. I think it is a great reference for any parent that has boys and enjoys spending time with them with projects that capture their attention and curiosity.



3. This is an interesting read if you enjoy old books and are a do-it-yourself type person, but it's not good if you are hoping for some old type projects to do. The articles don't seem to be quite detailed enough to actually build most of the items and a lot of the projects are simply lame. No "boy mechanic" would be interested in doing a lot of these today. I guess some people were more easily entertained back then.



4. As a kid my dad gave am Popular Mechanics compilation from the 30's. They had projects that were amazing and challenging. My dad and I a ball building stuff out of this old book. This is the same sort of book.



5. If you are looking for a book of small projects to do with kids, find something else!!! The copyright says 2006, but maybe it should be 1906. It is certainly not what I expected. While most projects have a diagram to help you out, the instructions are a little sketchy. We were looking more for small projects a kid and his dad could build together, not "safety chopping block", "self-closing gate","attachment for glasses aids marksman", or "webfoot attachment for swimmers". I'm NOT joking...it's in the book! I do recomment "101 Activities for kids in tight spaces". It's a little less crafty, but quite creative.

5 comments about I Don't Know How to Cook Book: 300 Great Recipes You Can't Mess Up.

1. Really great book for my daughter who is a college student and does not know how to cook at all. It was a xmas gift for her and she has already made two dishes out of it and is very proud of herself.



2. My Wife and were stuck cooking the same things over and over again until we got this cook book. Reciepes are easy to follow and they wonderful.



3. This cookbook is excellent! Inexpensive meals that are perfect for my two sons that are away at college. Easy and clear instructions help them to fix meals that only take a few minutes to prepare. Makes a perfect gift!



4. This book is laid out well, with a straightforward approach to directions for each recipe that will appeal to the tentative beginner. The recipes are geared for the beginner's palate, with no exotic ingredients or trendy food combinations. The recipes' ingredients are readily available and recipes each call for just a few ingredients. (Even advanced cooks can be overwhelmed by recipes with dozens of ingredients.) There is also some handy information at the back of the book, including a glossary of cooking terms.
   This book will appeal to young adults who have recently gone out on their own, but have evolved to a level where top ramen is not purchased by the case. And, along with a care package of recipe ingredients or kitchen utensils, it would make an excellent gift for your 20-something relative or friend. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother



5. I hate to cook, love to eat. Follow the directions, yummy stuff. Has enough to chose from for any taste bud.

5 comments about Designer's Guide to Furniture Styles (2nd Edition).

1. I found the book to be a good overall reference and extremely
   useful in explaining period furniture to my design clients. I would like to have seen more coverage of Mid-century Modern, especially the work of Edward Wormley and DUNBAR.

   Definitely worth the money - should be all designers reference
   libraries...




2. This book has brief history lessons on furniture from the begining of time! It's a great reference when you need an answer about a design period- quick! A must for every Interior Designer!



3. I was not impressed when I received this book, with the quality of the paper or the overall presentation. I thought some of the photography left much to be desired quality-wise. However, it is quite a comprehensive book and I leaned on it considerably in my studies of furniture and design. So don't let me put you off. I just think that, with all the research and hard work involved, and considering the price, a better quality might have been forthcoming.



4. Based on the reviews of this book I decided to buy it! To my absolute shock, I dont understand who wrote these great reviews??? They were probably written by the publisher or author of this book.
   What a waste of time and money. Being a designer myself, i ve got every possible book on interior design, and furniture styles that are out on the market. Based on the price of this book, and good reveiws, I figured it would be a great addition to my collection of books and references. Its poorly printed, very bad paper quality, no detailed shots of the furniture pieces, and not worth the price whatsoever. I mean if the publisher is charging this price, then the least they could do is print it on good paper and have clearer pictures.
   I am extremely dissapointed and returning the book asap.
   If u enjoy throwing your money away on a small book with poorly printed pictures(aside from the info, which is fine)then this is the book to buy . But if you are looking for details of furniture, including the background and history, and worth every penny, then i suggest you buy (Furniture: World Styles From Classical to Contemporary by Judith Miller )



5. This book is wonderfully educational. It takes you back to the beginning of furniture and walks you through the centuries providing you with the intial inspiration through Modern design. Great pictures too.

5 comments about The Little Book of Whittling: Passing Time on the Trail, on the Porch, and Under the Stars.

1. If you are new to whittling (like me) this was a good book to get started on. Lots of things that you can make right away.



2. I went to a local wood hobby shop and looked at several carving/whittling books. This one looked good so I bought it on ebay and saved some $s.
   I'm a total novice, so this book was perfect. Full of photographs that explain every step. No previous experience necessary. Tip: I've managed to cut myself a few times so I'm wearing gloves until my technique improves. A very relaxing pastime. Highly recommended. If you are wondering which beginners book to buy then buy this.



3. Little Book of Whittling is a good book, with a lot of very helpful information in it. it has some really fun projects in it that were quite simple to make. its a great book!



4. This is a lovely little book and written in a very charming humorous manner. Every page is packed with clear coloured photos. Each project is easy to follow and there are loads of ideas for adapting the basics so that you can make your own stuff. There are lots of little tips about being on the trail and camping too. I love it.



5. Great book! Pictures and written instructions both very helpful. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to get started learning to whittle.

5 comments about The Treehouse Book.

1. This book is just as good as the front cover picture suggests: pie-in-the-sky treehouses. The kind that you dreamed about as a kid? Its obvious from this book that some adults still think about and make their dreams become beautiful structures in reality. If you ever wanted a pictoral book of treehouses representing your wildest imaginations, this is the book for you!



2. This book along with Treehouses of the World are inspirational page after page. If you are a fan of treehouses, this book is a must in your collection.



3. This book has the best pictures and if your looking for ideas
   and inspiration, this is the book to buy.



4. This is the third book from Peter Nelson of Treehouse Workshop. His previous two delved in depth into treehouse construction. This work is more a survey of the many wonderful treehouses to be found throughout the world. It is crammed with quality color photographs and, unlike a previously reviewed work, has a unifying narrative throughout.
   
   Peter starts you off with a very useful section entitled "Choice of Tree". There he briefly touches upon suitability of various tree species to treehouse construction and provides a mini sketch of each tree species with a treehouse. Immediately after comes some very accurate arboriculture advice from Jonathan Fairoaks. It's nice to find a treehouse book that gets this part right for a change.
   
   For me, the real value of this book is in the tour it takes you on of many notable treehouse. I bring this book to meetings with clients so they can see the many incredible things possible. And for those who've never considered it possible that a treehouse could be any more than a small, roughly built box, this book will blow their minds.
   
   What this book lacks is building advice. It's not a "how-to" book. There really is no great "how-to" book out there. Even so, highly recommended.



5. I really liked the whole book, but I especially liked the part about kids treehouses. Some of them were homemade, and some of them were built by an artist. Before I read the book, I was wondering what different treehouses look like. I thought the treehouses with a loft and a ladder would be lots of fun to explore. Some of the treehouses were hotels. One of the treehouses was built by a robber! He had used it as a place to store his disguises. I thought it was a very good book.

5 comments about Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople.

1. I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas never thinking that it would be as big of a hit as it was! He loves dragons and is quite a good artist, so it was perfect. He could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!!



2. I bought this book for tattooing purposes and it really wasn't all that helpful. Good info on the history and legends of dragons but most of the pictures were pretty cheesy. Works good for general art reference though.



3. I bought this book for my 13 yr. old son. He loves to draw, and collects dragons, but never drew any dragons. With this book, he got some info, and some patterns ready for him to trace or to make his own dragon with! He loves this book!



4. This is my favorite addition to my reference Library. It has great dragon patterns from whimsical to fierce looking dragons. Wonderful material to inspire any artist no matter what their mediums.



5. must have for dragon lovers. wonderful art work. many different dragons are shown.

5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Turning (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. Richard Raffan is by far one of the most recognized Master Turners in the world. This book is most likely a compilation of all of the works he has produced and presented in such a way that Turners on every level will gain something beneficial to their own turning. It is well organized and written in such plain language that every turner will have no problem understanding. The illustraions are top notch and very helpful. I would recomend this book to turners of every level.
   Dave Earl



2. All I needed to know, Plus much more.
   Easy way to learn the tips and tricks of turning.
   All turners should have a copy on hand.



3. It was really great all Richard Raffan's book are so easy to do the projects as he writes and has photos of the item he is telling you about



4. I am really impressed, what an introduction, great information!
   I am interested in turning wood so I bought this book to research lathe wood working, and it seemingly covered questions that I had and so many others that I had not even thought of yet.
   The illustrations give visualization to understanding of new jargon and concepts. I now feel like I have been properly introduced to a new creative expression in woodworking and am ready to pick up a gouge and try my hand at turning wood.



5. An excellent book for beginning turners. Detailed explanations and lots of pictures.Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Woodworking (Complete Illustrated Guide)

5 comments about Shop Drawings for Craftsman Interiors: Cabinets, Moldings & Built-Ins for Every Room in the Home (Shop Drawings series).

1. This book contains very good drawings of various craftsman details. Everything from front doors to various builtins. The author shows the historic details and how to recreate them with modern construction methods and materials. There are no color photos, but none are need for the type of book it is. I would love to have this author release a book on Craftsman Exteriors!!!!



2. This is a great book for the craftsman wanting to actually build Mission style furniture. While designs for many pieces are not included, the concepts of design and construction can be used to make pretty much any item you can dream up. A craftsman style entertainment center? Stickley would never have dreamed of it. You can combine a few designs and he would be proud of what you conceived.



3. The built-ins shown in this book are just what my old house needs to make it rustically "modern". I've hired a team of Amish carpenters to build them, as I don't trust my skill in that area just yet. Great book!



4. We own a home built in the Craftsman era, and are currently remodeling / restoring it. I have bought several books about home rehab, Craftsman furniture, etc., and was disappointed with every one of them. Then I purchased this book. The level of detail regarding moldings, for example, is incredible. The complete set of dimensions including radius data for the cove are included. Not only are all the major variants of Craftsman design illustrated and specified, the original drawings for cabinets are shown and then separate, updated drawings that conform to modern kitchen design standards are presented. Anyone who is interested in the architectural details of the Craftsman era should own this book. It is a MUST HAVE!



5. If you're looking forward to doing the interior trim of a craftsman or Roycroft style home this is the only book you need. It has page after page of clear shop drawings of all the trim that will need to go in every room of the house, and covers every interior trim eventuality throughout the entire house.
   
   Crown, base, casing, chair and picture rail moldings are shown in detail. Cabinet work for kitchen, bath, dining and living rooms, beams, columns, paneling, and doors are all shown in detail with full construction and assembly drawings.
   
   This book, a few power tools, and access to a lot of oak is all it will take to create comfortable, inviting interiors that look like they're a hundred years old. Even if you aren't finishing off a craftsman house the book is great reading to fully understand the style, and could easily be the impetus for a lot of shop projects.

5 comments about The Joint Book: The Complete Guide to Wood Joinery.

1. This little book is a big surprise. It's small, about the size of a largish Daytimer, almost 7"x8". Every page is filled with diagrams and color drawings illustrating every joint that's used in American woodworking. There are plenty of color photos also.
   
   I'd worried it might be too small to be useful but it's the opposite. Because it's small (feels like a little binder), it doesn't take up much space in the work area and you can also carry it around easily in your glove compartment or tool box. It will be there when you need it. The shiny cover means sawdust slips right off and it stays clean.
   
   The most helpful part is that Noll shows exactly how to set up various tools. Where to put the wood, set up the jigs or cutting guides, even how to proceed safely with your hands. This is a significant aid if you've never done a certain joint with a power tool before.
   
   Highly recommended.



2. Many good illustrations and photos. Reinforced spiral binding allows book to lie flat for easy reference on workbench, etc.
   
   Joint Selector section at back of book shows thumbnail illustrations of all joints in the book, with corresponding page numbers to the detailed instructions. This section makes it easy to visually identify a particular joinery type and then get more info on how to create it, etc.
   
   Also has nice sections on common joinery tools (squares, clamps, etc.), how to select the proper joinery for a particular project, how to properly glue and clamp a joint -- including a comparison chart explaining the different types of wood glues, a discussion of various hardware used in some joinery types, a glossary of terms, and a thorough index. A great little reference book for any woodworker.



3. A very nice book. Shows you all kinds of joinery and when to use them and how to make them.
   I am very pleased with this book.
   
   The book is small but easy to read and has clear diagrams. Since the book is ring bound it will lay flat making it easy to consult while wood working.
   
   I agree with the other reviews that this is a five star book.



4. This is a great little (small in size) reference book for nearly every type of joint you will ever need (and some you never will). No fluff, just reference, instruction and pictures. It should hold up to years of shop abuse as it is spiral bound with a durable cover.



5. What a great book. Highly detailed yet to the point. Great photos and descriptions. Glad I bought it.