Builder

Lisicky's Famous Builder is one book that can be judged by its cover which is beautiful, precise, subtle,and nuanced. Hemingway noted that "writing is architecture, not interior decoration," and in this startling collection of essays and memoirettes that trace Lisicky's emotional development while they simultaneously recreate, re-invent and reevaluate the South Jersey towns he loved and moved away from, Lisicky builds a lasting work of art. Sentence for sentence there is nothing frivolous or expendable in Famous Builder. Its emotional range is astonishing. A must read for anyone who has looked closely (or longs to look closely) at the worlds around and inside him. One of the more cohesive, unusual and engaging collections of essays to come along in recent years. It deserves serious attention. Lisicky is a fresh and innovative architect of the form.

I love this book. Paul Lisicky's exploration of his youthful obsessions is sometimes hilarious, sometimes poignant, sometimes both at the same time. It's as animated as anything I've read in years. If you're at all interested in innovations in creative nonfiction, this book is for you. Every sentence sparkles on the page. It deserves to be sung.

Sweet. Irreverent. Warm. A little crazed. And still these adjectives don't do justice to the accomplishment of this lovely book.

Firstly a bit of history behind the story.....This narrative told of an ancient civilisation of Cahokia and the surrounding villages. Simply, they belonged to what was known as the "Mound Builder" settlements, so called because the people in the settlements built burial mounds to honour their dead. The Mound Builder culture, of which Cahokia was a part, had its beginnings 3,000 years ago, when groups of early Americans settled along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. These people were known as the Adena people. Cahokia was believed to be the capital city of that culture having up to 20 000 inhabitants in that area. It was also believed that Cahokia was led by a religious chieftainship, called the "Great Sun." He was thought to be the brother of the sun and his commands were unquestionably followed. His family and close relatives formed an elite ruling class. Warriors were present to guard the food crops (corn) and the villages. They had permanent positions as were depicted in the story.

For those who have read the story and who know some American history, one can see the attention to detail the authors have put into this. We have the mad omnipotent Sun Chief, Theron, and the Warrior leader Badgertail, who obeys his commands even though he disagrees with them. The descriptions of the land make the book a good read. The many different threads that make up the story; disgruntled villages rebelling against the Sun Chief over tributes that need to be paid (main plot), the love between Badgertail and Locust, the dilemma of Badgertail with obeying Theron and doing what he believes is right, the relationship between Lichen and Wanderer, the growth of Lichen spiritually to become a powerful dreamer (subplots) and the way each are connected to one another makes the book interesting.

However, it is disappointing in the lack of character detail. (The landscape detail is excellent and so are the plot and subplots). Of all the characters in the book, only Badgertail is described somewhat fully. The reader cannot predict how a character will behave because not enough character traits are given. Because of this lack of detail, the reader cannot fully engage in the story. Some examples of fantasy novels that will pull the reader into the story are Robert Jordan's "Wheel of Time" series, George RR Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series and Stephen Donaldson's "Chronicles of Thomas Covenant". True all these novels are much longer than "People of the River", but nevertherless are much better reads because of the added detail. An example of a great short novel is the war story " All Quiet on the Western Front" written by Erich Maria Remarque which is much shorter than this novel but is more descriptive of its characters. A similar kind of story (historical fiction) to "People of the River" is written by Jean Auel in the "Earth's Children" series but with the character analysis far surpassing this.

Nevertheless, if all you are after is a book to fill up time, this book is not a bad one to pick. However if you want a great book, go for one of the ones I have listed. They are much more enthralling novels.

This is one of the best books I've ever read (along with all the other books of the people series). It was a tale of love, and dispute, and surprising turns. What can I say... it can capture any reader with it's plot. Everything in this book ties into the end. I would DEFINATELY recommend this book.

The long review referring to the Mask of Many Colored Crow is not actually about People of the River. It's about People of the Lakes, my favorite book. However, People of the River is extremely excellent as well. This story especially touched me, a young reader, because of its heroine Lichen, who is only ten. I was twelve when I first read this book. It DOES contain mature subject matter probably unsuitable for kids, but if you appreciate excellent writing, you have to read this

This is the best book I've read for C++ Builder to this date, I have all of them with the exception of the "For Dummies" intro book. Charlie Calvert has improved this book so much from the previous version. He is able to explain difficult topics with ease and short examples. Database, Internet, ActiveX, DCOM and other interesting topics are explained with clarity so you really can test what he is explaining by yourself. This is not an introductory book, you must have some basic knowledge with C++ Builder 3 before reading it. It worths the invested money in it. Thumbs up, thanks Charlie

This book covers just about everything that a C++ Builder programmer is ever likely need.

It starts off with the simpler stuff but the chapters I was particularly interested in covered the creation of components. I was not disappointed; indeed, the information on Property Editors literally rescued my project.

The book is massive, with extra chapters on CD ROM. However, it is written in such a way that each chapter is self contained and you don't have to read it all to benefit from it.

This book should is likely to become the C++ Builder Bible.

A great book that really covers Builder. An excellent source for database and active x development within builder. Examples are clear, clean, and to the point. I recommend this book to all users of builder.

It is always a pleasure to get comments from readers, but I'm afraid that Rick Burner is a mite confused. The Elements Of Boat Strength was specifically written to make it not only possible to determine the scantlings for any boat (from a coasting schooner to a skiff) but to make the calculations required relatively easy. For some reason, Rick's review indicates that Boat Strength doesn't provide you with the information needed calculate the scantlings for traditional boats such as those in books by, say, Howard Chapelle or John Gardner. In fact, Boat Strength provides exactly this information. What's more, you can not only calculate the scantlings for the original construction method but for any modern variant and/or for any other material, from FRP to aluminum.

Elements of Boat Strengh is the most comprehensive and easy to use collection of rules for figuring the size and strength of all type of boats I've seen. It covers almost every boatbuilding material, traditional and modern. The chapters explaining the use of specific materials and methods are worth the cost alone. This is a must read for anyone interested in boats. Highly recommended.

Well orginized and written. The title says the rest.

Far from being just another book about ways to buy real estate, Rob Roy's book 'Mortgage-Free' encompasses an entire way of life that can set you free from the oppressive, credit induced, treadmill existence that ever-increasingly dominates & enslaves people to debt & by doing so greatly decreases their quality & enjoyment of life. Rob combines Thoreauvian based economics & plain old down-to-earth common sense with wisdom gained from his many successful years of Mortgage-Free living. He offers hope, inspiration & practical, proven techniques to those who would dare to actually take charge of their own lives & realize that there are alternatives to huge indebtedness. Filled with genuinely useful information & examples, Rob reveals not only his own personal triumphs, but also mistakes he has made along his own Mortgage-Free journey & he does this in a very readable, entertaining, as well as enlightening fashion. Buy a copy or use one of Rob's own money saving techniques if you must & check with your local library- Either way I think you truly owe it to yourself to read this book before you set out on your own personal home-ownership journey. Good Luck to you all!

HERE IT IS FOLKS! America 101...

To say this book is radical in a negative sense would be an insult to the backbone of this country. The author Rob Roy "REMINDS" us that we have two strong hands----to accomplish anything we desire!

Ahhhh...America..."land of the free and home of the brave"

Yeah right! Most of us are sissy-babies! We cannot handle a book like this. That's right, I said sissy-baby! The thought of NO MORTGAGE scares the hell of most people. WHY!?!?! Because it GOES AGAINST THE MASSES! That's why. We are an image conscious nation - when we should be a character-conscious people!

I read this book one night in Borders. It disturbed me and moved me very much. I realized that at least for my "line of thought" regarding a home - I had settled. That night I made a decision at 30 years old to follow the principles in this book.

I am married and have been renting for 3.5 years. My wife and I purchased 2.1 Acres and have been living in a tent for two months now. I have no running water - but designed a hot shower system. I have a firepit, a toilet (which I bought for $9.99 at a hunting store), and my wife is as happy as ever!

We have chosen a design and will build in the spring. It will probably take us about 18 months to finish. After reading this book I realize that not everyone will choose to be mortgage-free - but ANYONE could be MORTGAGE FREE.

REMEMBER, DON"T FOLLOW THE MASSES - It will make you POOR!

Thanks Rob for your book and your vision!

Adam Edwards

First off, this book is not for the typical American Consumer. If you can't wait for anything you want (but have to have it NOW), if you spend hours staring blankly at the Idiot Box, if you tend to accept ideas simply because everybody else accepts them, then you probably will indeed find the contents of this book to be "radical".

On the other hand, if you are independent minded, don't mind waiting for something worthwhile, can handle some discomfort, enjoy doing things with your own hands, and are completely repulsed by the idea of spending the rest of your life paying the bank for a cookie-cutter tract house, you need to read this book.

Rob Roy has long been a familiar name in the world of alternative construction methods, yet the ideas presented in this book are applicable to any style of construction, from stick-framing to whatever you can imagine. This is a distillation of Mr. Roy's many years of mortgage-free building projects. Not exactly a how-to book in the sense of the actual building itself, it is, as the title suggests, a series of strategies on how to save money and keep the bank out of your project, from finding and buying land, to building a temporary shelter, to designing & building the house itself. The second half of the book tells the stories of various folks who have actually pursued these strategies, and the various successes and pitfalls they encountered.

THIS IS A VERY EMPOWERING BOOK. While reading it you will begin to feel a rising sense of excitement as it dawns on you that YOU ACTUALLY CAN DO THIS. Visit www.cordwoodmasonry.com to order the book direct.

This is a great book for the amateur artisan baker and it fulfills its two primary goals admirably. For the artisan baker, it provides the stoichiometry behind baking naturally-leavened bread - allowing one to adapt the basic formula and create new recipes that work! For those of you who, like me, try to recreate that hearth-baked bread flavor and texture in a conventional oven (only to fail), this book provides detailed plans and step-by-step instructions on constructing your own masonry oven! I have many bread cookbooks but this one is a real treasure! Buy it now!

I've been a serious amateur bread baker for more than thirty-five years. In that time, I have learned that magnificient bread can be made of the simplest of ingredients. Often, I have found it difficult to convey to friends that wonderful bread is "built" (to use the term in the book's title) upon the subtleties of technique rather than on the complexities of recipes.

Dan Wing and Alan Scott have provided bakers with a wonderful book that teaches these techniques and the principles that contribute to their success.

In addition, they provide detailed information about building that masonry oven I've been dreaming about for years. I think that it will soon become a reality.

Rarely have I felt so appreciative of a new book.

I offer these highly skilled authors my sincere thanks.

If you want to know how to make sourdough bread, this is THE book to get. It not only tells you how, but equally importantly (at least for me) why. My sourdough bread has turned from a heavy, unappetising brick, to a loaf that my friends and family are actually enjoying. Even better than the bread, if you want to know how to build a wood-fired oven, then look no further - this book has nearly everything you need. With discussions on fundamental design guidelines, required tools, materials and one set of plans in the book, anyone with a little "handyman" experience should be able to build a robust and reliable oven. But don't expect everything to be laid out in the form of fool-proof instructions - YOU will have to do a bit of work in figuring out what size you want the oven, (dome height, door width, floor height), exactly how things will fit together and how many bricks, how much cement, aggregate, etc. you will need. But for me, doing this was part of the challenge, even if I did spend 6 months reworking my plan a dozen times or so. The only thing I'd change in this book is to add just one example of how you could do a chimney - this caused me considerable torment, although what I've done seems to work just fine. So if you want a wood-fired oven, and are thinking of building one - don't hesitate, just build it ...

[Summary: I really wanted to like "Sheds" a lot. The book has an excellent beginning and the first project has good attention to detail. It's unfortunate that most of the book, including the project featured prominently on the cover, has a much lower quality level; the author frequently omits mention of some or all the materials, hardware, and tools needed for the various projects. "Sheds" includes a wide range of construction types, and is an excellent book for shed IDEAS. But as a shed construction manual it's pretty frustrating.]

The author is up-front in saying that this isn't a book for novices; here's the last paragraph of the Introduction:

"SHEDS is written for creative, hands-on homeowners with do-it-yourself experience in weekend projects and basic home repair. You should have at least a few building and repair projects under your tool belt, be ready to tackle medium-sized, challenging projects and be willing to stretch your carpentry skills for worthwhile accomplishments."

The first three chapters of this book are very good, covering design, a general shed construction primer, and a basic 8'x10' shed with step-by-step instructions. After that, though, there are six more chapters that aren't up to the same level of quality.

The first project (the basic 8'x10' shed) is quite thorough. It has blueprint drawings (one plan and two sections). There are lists of materials, hardware, and tools needed. There's a construction schedule (8 days' worth). The step-by-step instructions are accompanied by 26 drawings to show construction details. This is an excellent start.

The very next chapter is a letdown, and the book never comes back to the level of quality set in the first project. For instance there's a section that tells you how to install Plexiglas windows, with a figure insert showing one of the screws holding the Plexiglas to the stud. But there's no mention of what size screw you need in either the text or the illustrations. Also in this chapter is a plan for a simple garden shed, with a list of materials -- but no list of hardware. The text tells you to nail the pieces together, but doesn't say what type of nails or what quantity is required.

The "Irish Garden Shed" project is quite inventive, featuring walls constructed of locust logs set in mortar. This is the project prominently featured on the book's cover, and you would (mistakenly) expect it to be covered in loving detail. But you get one plan and two section drawings, and not much more. The are no lists of materials, hardware, or tools required for the project. The text includes many instructions that just don't have enough attention to detail. An example paragraph:

"In a mortar pail, combine 6 parts sand, 6 parts sawdust, 3 parts Portland cement and 2 parts lime. Measuring accurately is critical."

It would have been easy for the author to write whether he meant parts by weight or parts by volume; if by volume, specify whether to compact the sawdust; or give an idea of what size "part" would be appropriate to fit in a mortar pail. But he didn't specify any of these things.

While "Sheds" is hit-or-miss when it comes to construction details, it's really very good when it comes to construction ideas. The foundations covered include pressure-treated skids, posts, poles, and concrete slabs. Wall types include the standard stick-built form, timber frames, and mortared logs. Roofing materials detailed are limited to asphalt and cedar shingles, but the text does mention that you need to use rolled roofing for shallow-pitched roofs. Windows include round and rectangular, either prebuilt or made from scratch. The author is even inventive when it comes to door handles, suggesting using a wooden mason's float -- which I'm using on my own shed project!

We bought this book for ideas to help us build a shed in our own back yard, and chose it because of the "natural" looking shed on the cover. The ideas are wonderful, and the plans and pictures are clear.
The details and descriptions of building techniques are helpful. My husband is an experienced builder and was looking for more variety in the plans than the book actually held.
It is exactly what the title states, a do it yourself guide, not a plan book. Ultimately, we chose a plan from another book.
I would highly recommend this book though to someone who has less building experience and is looking for a more basic to moderate, unique shed to build for themselves.

This book was great, fun to read too. It gave plenty of ideas and advice. It wasn't the only book I used when building my shed but, certainly was the one I used the most. I recommend this book for anyone who's never built a shed before.

Undoubtedly, Mr. McLaughlin did his homework when he prepared to write this book. I enjoy biographies, am very fascinated by Thomas Jefferson, and was intrigued by the creative approach Mr. McLaughlin took to tell us about Jefferson by using Monticello as a "prism through which [we] view [Jefferson's] life ...".

Unfortunately, the execution didn't meet expectations and this is most noticable in the areas related to the editing. I had difficulty getting past the meandering style. The anecdotes hop around chronologically, and are not tied together well. There is unnecessary repetition within the annecdotes. Even the grammar is off. (I'm not an editor, so as soon as I extend criticism I'm opening myself up as a target, but I recognize a few errors that would've made my high school English teacher cringe. Where one does this professionally, a higher standard is expected.)

Mr. McLaughlin's book could have been tightend up considerably, and structured in a less meandering way for me to have found greater benefit from reading this book.

There are a lot of books about Jefferson's politics, his religion, his presidency, his time abroad, etc. Even books about Monticello. But this book is unique in that it focuses on how Monticello was actually built. And if you are the least bit interested in Jefferson or early America it is a fascinating read.

It was a revelation to me to learn that Jefferson almost never knew Monticello as we know it today. For nearly his entire life he lived at a construction site -stepping over boards and buckets of plaster, looking through gaping holes in the roof, trying to stay out of the rain, etc.

McLaughlin traces Jefferson's admiration of Palladio (the Italian architect he idolized) and reveals many of the unique problems that had to be overcome during Monticello's construction as well as what was done to overcome them. He also reveals how Jefferson brought skilled craftsmen over from Europe to work on his house, and apprenticed others underneath them to help spread those skills in The United States. These European experts included those skilled in the culinary arts. Many learned to cook alongside his French chef, and Monticello was the first place in The United States where both ice cream and pancakes were prepared.

Two other tidbits that I found fascinating: The first is that Jefferson really gave our country its architectural language. He designed the capitol of Virginia, and our public buildings in Washington D.C. reflect Jefferson's style. In addition, the beautiful mansions of the antebellum South with their columns and porticos were heavily influenced by Jefferson. Monticello was the first building in our country to look that way and subsequent builders followed Jefferson's lead.

The second tidbit is the realization that the bricks used to build Monticello were made from the ground that was dug out for the underground passageways. So, unlike almost any other building Monticello has a unique relationship with the land it sits on.

If you are interested in Jefferson, homebuilding, early America, or especially if you are an architect, you will enjoy this book.

This is a fascinating biography of Thomas Jefferson because, as the author states, "This is not the usual kind of Thomas Jefferson biography; his revolutionary activities, political life, and public career as governor of Virginia, secretary of state, Vice President, and President are only glanced at obliquely. To use an old-fashioned term, it is a domestic life. It attempts to capture a personal and private Jefferson, to detail his relationships with his extended family and friends. The prism through which I view his life is the most most creative artifact of an exceptionally creative man--Monticello."

It goes without saying that Jefferson was an extraordinarily gifted human being, highly creative in many areas, including political thought and architecture. Yet, as this book makes plain, he was also very conventional in many ways. This was particularly true of his attitude towards women: "Like most men of his age, Jefferson believed women's interests were to be confined chiefly to housekeeping and childbearing. ... He also felt strongly that women, plain or fancy, brilliant or dull, had a single purpose in life, marriage and subordination to a husband."

McLaughlin's book shows Jefferson to be an extremely private person, one who for example destroyed all correspondence with his mother and with his wife. Thus any biography of him necessarily requires a great deal of interpretation to fill in the gaps. Although McLaughlin does an admirable job of doing so, his understanding may nevertheless be incomplete. He states, "If there is an identity theme to Jefferson's personality ... it is contained in the Head-Heart letter [to Maria Cosway]. Such a theme might be stated this way: the need for a tight rational control over life's exigencies must be balanced by an ability to feel and express love. It was only within the framework of family relationships--his wife, daughters, and grandchildren--that Jefferson was able to strike this balance." What goes unexamined is Jefferson's relationship with Sally Hemings--was this love? If so, what is is about Jefferson that allowed him to have lasting love only with a much younger woman of color who was also his slave? The record of Jefferson's relationship with Hemings is not revealed in Monticello, and so remains out of McLaughlin's reach. Nevertheless, McLauglin sheds a great deal of light on a most mysterious man.

This is not a how-to-build or remodel book--instead its a why-to-build book; a collection of stories about nine different weekend-builders who decided to take the plunge and improve their own homes. You will see yourself in this book--prepare to laugh and cry, maybe at the same time.

I bought this book while window-shopping one day, and soon was delighted beyond my expectations. It is apparant that the author has stood on the rooftops of accomplishment, and slithered through the crawlspaces of despair, all while building as an amateur. Seeing what strong feelings came along with building one's own house led him to find the others: many comrades-in-arms that have discovered similar intensities while taking on their own building projects. The book, while particularly meaningful to amateurs who've attempted to do some home remodelling or additions, is lively, fresh and amusing enough to provide a rollicking good read for all. There are crisp renderings of interesting characters who really have nothing in common except a life-changing experience while "do-it-yourselfing". The stories are freshly written and move right along, and include lots of actual quotes, including the colloquial folkchat of the people that were interviewed, which made me feel like I'd really had a conversation with some of them. I don't have much building experience, but I learned about what kinds of virtues are necessary to build on your own. Patience, for one. In a way though, I appreciated this book being compiled so I could experience the chills and thrills of taking on a big project without getting any sawdust on my shoes. And who knows, I may just be inspired enough now to build that porch my wife and I have been imagining for years. I think Mr. Ehrenhaft deserves a big hand for this one. Thanks.

When your back is aching and your thumb is throbbing from that misplaced hammer blow, grab a glass of lemonade and a copy of The Builder's Secret. Settle back and allow your self a few laughs and regain the inspiration to keep you going.

Reading this book bought back to me (vividly!) my days starting out as a carpenter's helper (read: gofer), and the time I was told to go look for a wood stretcher in the carpenters tool box. This is not a book of how-to; it is a collection of stories from those who choose to build or remodel their own homes and in the process built themselves. This struck me as I was reading, and I thought about my own path in the trades. One day it hit me that I could build any thing I put my mind to and I felt such a surge of confidence that I almost danced off the edge of the roof.

Any one who reads this book will learn that there is such satisfaction in building something yourself that you will stand taller then the peak of your home.

I also applauded the way that the author balanced his stories with the struggles and accomplishments of women builders.

Not having used C++Builder for several years, I was looking forward to reading this one to learn the new bits of v6, and pick up some pointers on BDE while getting there. The book was very frustrating to me. There are some people who can explain topics in an easy-to-follow fashion. The author of this book excels at making topics as complex as possible, using multisyllabic words whenever possible, and just generally trying to appear erudite. Opening the book at random, I came across this sample: "A web application module is typically a TWebAppPageModule object or a TWebAppDataModule object. The TWebAppPageModule component should be used if our application is to generate at least one web page; in other words, our application is of page module type. (p307)" I'm not planning on throwing it away, but it's not a book to keep by the computer. For many topics, I can get more useful information from Borland's on-line help.

This book feels like a surface skim of BCB6, with the occasional deep dive with extremely specific examples. I should have figured that at a bit over a third the size of C++Builder 5: A Developers Guide, quite a bit would be missing, particularly with all the cool new components in BCB6. For example, under "Developing custom components", the author states that this is a topic that could occupy an entire book. He then gives two pages of notes and code fragments that did not help me at all. CB5:ADG above, on the other hand, has an entire chapter, 74 pages, and actually provides the information needed for the task. Why bother including this topic if the information is useless?

I also have to admit, I found the fact that the author had to come here and respond to critics with five stars not only amusing, but worth taking one star away from my own review (which otherwise would have been three stars). This is by no means a five star book.

This is not the book to buy on the subject of C++ Builder 6. Save your money on this one and go with Borland's development guide on C++ Builder 6.

I am the author of this book, and I feel I should write a response to this review made by "A Reader" from NY,NY on March 10, 2003, which, in my opinion, is made without going through the book in detail, or even attempting to use the examples.

This book is certainly not on the C++ language; however, it is written for C++Builder developers very carefully to bring out many features not documented in the manuals. Extensive set of example projects are created throughout the book making sure that these programs compile and execute well. Extensive editing has been done by me and the publisher to minimise the possibility of errors. The book is written to be useful for both newcomers and experienced professionals. Obviously every book will not satisfy every need of every individual; however, it does not mean the book is useless. Book reviews are really appreciable when they bring out both the strengths and weakneses of the book in DETAIL rather than just a simple sentence; then only reviews are useful to the potential buyers.

In addition, the book is really handy, without compromising on the quality of contents, and one can carry it easily and read while in travel also, not like the bulky books which are difficult to carry.