House

Home Improvement books tend to be either too verbose or deal with multiple subjects that are just too vague and off the subject. This is one of the exceptions. All common interior painting techniques are discussed, along with great pictures. The book doesn't stray from the subject at hand by showing you the author's home remodeling project.

In addition, there is a discussion of color and what it does to a space with a great sequence of photographs of the same room in different shades.

Having purchased many books on home improvement, this one gets top honors.

The book really goes into details on how to get quality of a painting surface. It tells how to prepare the surface, different types of walls, different types of paints, tips from professional painters and even some decorative painting techniques.

If a person has never done any painting on his/her own, this is the book you definitely need. Even if you've painted before and you are not satisfied or you did a sloppy job, this book will tell you about your mistakes.

This book will really teach you how to get best quality of a paint job that you can match it up with a paint job done by a professional painter. I will highly recommend this book if you are thinking of starting a painting business or even doing a home project on your own. But for a business along with this book you'll need "Painting Contractor's Handbook".

I always want to do my house painting. This book provide the best information I need to start with and not paying much for it.

Rybczynski has written a book that is part social history, part art history, and part travelogue, as he describes his journey through Northern Italy visiting and discovering the remaining country villas created by the great architect Andrea Palladio.

Rybczynski manages to write about the "art" side of the architecture in a way that is both scholarly and accessible; however, the best feature of this book, from my perspective, is the insight he brings to architecture and the role of the architect in creating spaces for living. How did the Pisani family live in its villa? How did Palladio integrate the main house of the Villa Badoer with its farm buildings? How did Palladio himself interact with his clients? Above all, what did it feel like to live in buildings that were both magnificent designs and truly "home" to their owners?

The book is so vibrant and Rybczynski's passion for his subject so profound you will want to jump on a plane tomorrow to see what he has seen!

Witold Rybczynski is the best contemporary writer on architecture as a mundane philosophy, and the genius of this quiet book is to merge travelogue and andecdotal memoir with the more monumental history of art and place in which studies of Palladio usually traffic. Rybczynski's dilatory and patient, witty and earthy prose is, in my view, the writerly equivalent of the best buildings architecture has to offer. Like the best buildings, his writing creates a "comfort zone" we as readers would gladly inhabit. I encourage anyone to read this book who has an interest in--but vague suspicion or fear of--architecture as a discipline. Through a subtle yet finally forceful style, Rybczynski demonstrates how the demotic and practical dimension of the architectural "science" always trumps the obscurantist and elitist postures of those who make--as well as those who can actually afford to buy--a designer building.

Excellent prose. Fantastic selection of villas. It would be helpful if subsequent editions had more illustrations. I found myself constantly flipping back to try to determine what the author was mentioning. All in all, though, a worthwhile read.

I'm an American slang bug and that's why I'm just chafing at the bit to browse next volumes of this undoubtedly the very best and most comprehensive and authoritative complete on-going dictionary of slang. A lot has been already said and written 'bout this work hence I'm lost for new words of appreciation. On the other hand, however, dear editors, mercy on us, you can't just now dump this big project halfway thru editing thus leaving us, all American slang lovers throughout the English-speaking world in the lurch. There's a glitter of hope, as I heard, to cooperate with Oxford University Press. OK! Go ahead and good luck then but let these words be soon followed by real actions. Sincerely Alex

Spectacular work, but....It is now 7 years that I have been waiting for this dictionary to be completed. I am now hearing that the third and last volume may not see light at all. The mere thought that Random House has brought its customers into a stupid situation like this is shocking. Not only it's a huge disappointment to its customers, but it's also a great loss to American lexicography. Does Random House think that this fiasco can me mended in the not too distant future? May we readers and customers expect a reply from Random House? What the hell.

According to a fascinating article in the Wall Street Journal by Jennifer Ordonez (Sept 7, 2000), this dictionary may never get beyond the letter O. Random House have stopped work on the editing because of the cost, and linguist J E Lighter has stopped delivering the text because of a row over royalties. Ambitious dictionaries don't make a profit for publishers, and Random House says it only commissioned a one volume work originally, way back in 1984. But it has made some money. The article points out that the cult best-seller "The F-Word" is in fact an extraction of a single entry from volume 1 - published under project editor Jesse Sheidlower's name after Lighter refused to have his name used. One of the reasons Lighter has stopped giving material to Random House, says the article, is that he's worried they'll try and do the same thing with "the S-Word" and he doesn't want to be remembered as the F and S guy. You can read the whole article at wsj.com if you have a subscription.

What I enjoyed most about this book is the insight that it gave into the lives and homes of real people. The author insists that each person should spend time exploring what they like personally, and developing decor around it. Home is where the heart is, and this book gives each of us inspiration to follow our hearts.

I loved the book because it gave me permission to follow my own instinct. There is a great deal of versatility to what works for each person. It's apparent from the assortment of homes - from small cottages to a beautiful chateau that no matter what the size of your home, each individual should follow their own style.
Thank you for affirming my choices in decorating by knowing that I have surrounded myself with what makes ME feel serene!

The Serene Home was a treat to read. The pictures are lovely and all the tips and hints were especially helpful. This is one of the best decorating books that I have seen in a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to accomplish a serene feeling in any room.

A truely awesome book. I came upon it when I looked through Angel Lee's review list and ordered it. I am indebted to her! I have been making my own fountains since I bought my 1st home 6 years ago, and wanted new ideas. These are wonderful. Some of the simpler dish-type gardens will make lovely Christmas gifts, and I look forward to starting them. For the more adventurous, there are more complex and larger fountains/ponds, all truely picturesque, which would be great fun for anyone with a reasonable sized yard. A friend has created one on his terraced front lawn, and it captures the attention of by passers, making his neighborhood The Place to visit of late. For the truely enthused, there are directions for casting subjects in ceramics, for designing cement fountains or basins, and even for making masks of living persons. Although many items can be collected from the "saved" materials everyone seems to store away in garages or from yard and garage sales, those like pumps, tubing, and other hardware items can be found at nurseries and hardward stores. There is also a very useful list of addresses where other types of supplies may be found. I can hardly wait to get started! Thanks again Angel.

This is a wonderful book for constructing beautiful & impressive looking fountains. The fountains here are unexpectedly easy to construct & cost far less than commercial ones. It is filled with ideas that allow the maker to add his own unique touch.

The materials selection is varied. Almost any watertight vessel can be the basis of a small fountain. Other materials include bamboo, wood, ceramic, concrete, stone & metal. Pump selection & mechanical requirements are also covered.

Projects range from small table-top fountains to elaborate outdoor units. There are even instructions for a 3' high tiered waterfall. All have clear construction diagrams & color photos of the finished work.

Helpful extras include lists of suitable plants to use with the fountains, suggestions for finding materials, & a list of mail order suppliers. This is the book to get if you want to know the joy of building a fountain of your own creation.

I knew the minute I saw the cover of Simple Fountains for Indoors and Outdoors that it was exactly what I was looking for. The cover photograph is an appealing table fountain. Inside the book is a well thought out plan designed to help the novice achieve success making tabletop or other indoor/outdoor fountains.

Every conceivable problem is addressed with buying information,pictures,diagrams and trouble shooting.

I know I can create a beautiful water fountain from the information presented in Ms.Adkins' book. I recommend it highly.

This is a fine starter book for the first time home owner. In the first few pages, I had the answers to the three major problems I had been dealing with! Nice and straightforward catch-all book on working over existing stuff or putting in new.

I picked up this book in Home Depot back in 1997. At a glance I found out how to take out a load bearing wall, something I needed to do. I bought the book, and with it I had the confidence to take on a major remodel of my house. The book has everything, from framing an addition to fixing a leaky faucet. I consult it often. Right now (03/2002) I'm using it to build a shed. The language is clear and concise and the book doesn't waste words. I recommend it highly.

I, recently, purchased this boook (my brother said he had one, and it was great). I flipped through most of the book -- it isn't the kind of book you sit down and read straight through. I've done a fair amount of handyman stuff around the house (I just replaced the motor in my dryer - which wasn't too difficult once I had the right parts). Well, as I flipped through the book, I would stop and read sections which interested me. There are well-written sections on, basically, everything about a house and what is in it. After spending about an hour scanning the book, I said to my wife: "You could build a house with the information that is in here!" It is one of those "I'm glad I bought this book" books. A great book to have if you're looking for stuff to do around the house; it is a real "Home Improvement Encyclopedia."

This book was a good learning book, but still it showed more miracles and wonder, but there's no doubt it's a learning book. Otherwise, I don't know what else to say about this book, and I'm glad because I don't want to spoil a single surprise.

This book was fun. I like it when Jack and Annie go to the Artic. They have to act liked polarbears to get off some thin ice.I liked this book because it was full of adventure.

It's icicle city when the Magic Tree House whisks Jack and Annie to the freezing Arctic tundra. Luckily, a seal hunter on a dogsled (led by huskies) lends them warm clothes and takes them back to his igloo (which in Inuit, means house.) They run out to feed the huskies and Jack accidentally takes masks that the seal hunter made. Annie finds some polar bears and they play tag with them. Jack suggests they go back to the igloo, but Annie and the polar bears lead him down a little hill. Then, unluckily the ice starts to crack. A female polar bear (which happens to be the mother of the polar bears that Jack and Annie found) comes to rescue them. Jack reads in the reasearch guide that even though female polar bears can weigh up to 750 lbs., they can slide on very thin ice. So, the female polar bear takes the cubs and slides on the ice. Jack and Annie put on the masks and slide on the ice, too. When they get up the hill, they see a burst of red, green, and purple in the sky (which happens to be the Northern Lights.) But after Jack read that fact, the lights disappeared. The seal hunter finds them and takes them back to the igloo. Then, Jack and Annie think they've solved the riddle. The riddle is: I cover what's real, and hide what's true. But sometimes I bring out the courage in you. What am I? They think it's a mask, and they're right! But before they can go home, they find another riddle. Soon, they solve it.

Burton was out there. Great book though despite the author being overly enamoured with the subject. Good info and California politics.

This is probably the best political biography I have ever read. Phil Burton was a fascinating man, and Jacobs does a terrific job of profiling him. Whether the reader is liberal or conservative, he will enjoy this book.

The best background piece on California politics. Similarly, a fantastic insight into a legislative master whose personal vices cut short a meteoric rise to power and influence.

For quick "visual" ideas, this book offers creative ideas for the home. With its "seasonal" format, it takes you through the four seasons with imaginative ideas for each phase of the year. What was lacking, in my personal and professional opinion, was detailed accompanying text to describe the how's, and how-to's, of the photos shown.

Seasonal Home teaches the reader to bring the outside in season by season. I agree with a previous reviewer about the lack of hows and whys, but the images certainly make up for it. A great part of the Essential Style Guides series. A+

"Seasonal Home" is beautiful book and really inspired me to make some changes at home. It's full of easy ideas and may help you prepare your home for the so different energies of each season...

The book is perfect and it's seductive, as Nature and its elements... It shows that with some simple changes you can make your house more confortable while the year goes by...

Nice text, beautiful photos and a very beautiful edition too.

WOW! I got lucky and picked up this book as my first book on shotgunning. Now I'm hooked! Brister's easy going presentation is combined with his technically complete analysis of exhaustive research to give anybody mildly interested in the shotgun a series of lessons they will cherish forever. From initial training to gun fitting to shot ballistics to international competition, this book provides it all!

Bob Brister takes into account shot "stringing" and its effects on targets/gamebirds. Although most shotgun patterns are measured by the percentage of pellets striking a 30" circle at a measured distance; all pellets do not arrive at the same instant. Bristers method shows what really happens with a clever system that illustrates the effect of shot when applied to a moving target.Want to shoot better and have a better understanding of why you miss? Buy the book!

This book is probably responsible for more people (including me) taking up shotgun shooting than any other book.It is considered "the bible" of shotgunning. It covers the basics, such as gun fit and learning to shoot,as well as several fascinating, and readily understandable technical sections on chokes, loads, shotstrings, velocities, and much more. If you read this book, you will get hooked by the most fun, challenging, and fascinating sport there is.