House

I have spent a lot of time researching passive solar designs using books from the library & information on the internet. A lot of books on solar designs are from the 70's & 80's and the designs lead to overheating of homes by overglazing (too many windows). Some of the more current books on solar design gave more vague information, and didn't thoroughly describe concepts and materials.

This book has it all! Very good information on all the design elements, such as direction of home, foundation designs, window ratios, as well as recommendations for particular products. The book had in-depth information on all the available heating systems including solar heating, heat pumps, & radiant floor heating. At the end of the description for each heating system, there was a pro/con list that talked about the energy effiency, cost, & performance of each heating system over others . There was a helpful chart on hot water heaters with payback periods for different fuels (solar, electric, gas, propane) so you could compare the costs associated with the fuel. In all of my research, this was the first such chart that really spelled out the benefits of certain fuels over others. The book was written in 2002, so it is very up-to-date with the most current products & concepts.

The Solar House by Dan Chiras is a masterpiece. Chiras' inimitable style shows through on every page. Like his other books, the writing is clear and engaging. The book is well organized and full of useful information. It is an absolute delight to read.

Most books on passive solar tend to ignore or give superficial treatment to several vital subjects, for example, passive cooling, region-specific design, indoor air quality, and back-up heating systems. And many books still propagate some pretty bad designs. Not this one!

The Solar House covers passive solar design and construction in great detail, drawing on modern science and architecture, yet is easy to read and understand. Not only will you find just about everything you need to know about designing an energy-efficient solar home, you will learn about common mistakes still being made by some designers -- and ways to avoid them! It could save you a fortune on construction and heating and cooling costs.

This book is useful to architects and owner-builders. Even if you have read other books on the subject, you owe it to yourself to add this book to your library. It's worth its weight in gold.

The Solar House: Passive Heating And Cooling by global environmental issues expert Daniel D. Chiras is an "user friendly" architectural guide to choosing and implementing an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly backup heating system, and thereby making any dwelling both cost-effective and naturally heated and/or air conditioned. Black-and-white sketches clearly illustrate the detailed walk-throughs about the basics of passive solar heating, passive cooling, assessing the performance of one's energy system and much more. An excellent guide for embracing ecology-friendly living, The Solar House is especially recommended as a do-it-yourself home reference for the non-specialist general reader with an interest in making their personal home as comfortable and environmentally friendly as possible.

Finally, someone has published a guide to dealing with my backyard foes. For years, master gardners, nursery workers, etc. have told me there was absolutely nothing I could do to protect my flowerbeds and bird feeders from squirrels, pesky birds and roaming cats. After reading this book, I know what works and what doesn't. This book not only tells me what to do, I now have some good insight into what's going on in the minds of those little critters (I wish more authors would do this). Yeah!!

My only complaint: the title is a little misleading. I got this book so I could deal with squirrels. This book covers many more backyard critters than squirrels such as cats, crows, deer, raccoons, and so on.

An invaluable book for any homeowner who's ever had problems with squirrels (enemy number one), rabbits, racoons, skunks, possums, deer, cats, rats, dogs, even birds, etc. Each section is dedicated to solving a problem with your animal of choice. And that's just it. It could have easily been called "skunk wars" or any other "animal wars" mentioned in this book. I guess he chose squirrels because they seem to be the most persistant animals to invade our backyard. They are truly clever. However, there's another "Squirrel Wars" book that deals with squirrels only, written in 1996, and the author's attempt to outwit them from raiding his birdfeeders. It's funny and serious. I highly recommend both Squirrel Wars. Enjoy while learning.

Many favorite wildlife species wreck havoc on backyard gardens: Squirrel Wars tells how to solve a range of problems, from birds which raid bird feeders and squirrels which are geniuses at food to creatures which nest in chimneys and dig holes in lawns. Deer, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits, skunks and opossums are covered, with some remedies more effective than others.

Years after reading the other Green Knowe books, I found this in a school library. I think it ranks with the best earlier volumes (Children and Treasure, in my opinion) and deserves to be available for the general reader, not just the collector. The images of loss from medieval times to the present are almost too much to bear ...

I'm a little concerned that the previous five books in the "Green Knowe" series all seem to be back in print whilst "The Stones of Green Knowe", the sixth and final book (an essential part of the collection) has apparently been neglected. If you are tracking down Lucy Boston's fantastic series of books, then don't stop at "A Stranger at Green Knowe" - there is one more book to be read, though it is obviously not as well-known as the others.

"The Stones of Green Knowe" completes Boston's series, and aptly takes us right back to the beginning of Green Knowe: to its original construction in 1120 A.D. The very first of the Green Knowe children is Roger, the grandson of a Norman Earl, who is excited beyond words at the building of a two-storied stone house, complete with windows. Roger's days are spent watching the flocks and exploring the construction site, with as much attention given to historical accuracy and detail as one would expect from Rosemary Sutcliffe. Like all the previous young protagonists, he is surrounded both by semi-mysterious characters sympathetic to his situation (such as the Viking Olaf Olafson, who gifts him with a magical knife, and another kindly grandmother reminiscent of the not-yet-born Grandmother Oldknow), and characters that make his life a little bit more difficult - such as a snobbish mother, not the first one to appear in Boston's books, leading me to believe that the author knew one personally.

Yet despite being surrounded by all this excitement, Roger becomes captivated by the talk of the workers, who mention among themselves two mysterious stones out on the hills: "Surely you've heard of them? Very old, they were. Two of them standing out alone on a grassy hill at twilight, it gave you the jumps to see them." Roger, along with his horse Viking and his dog Watchet, seek them out, and by clearing away some brush, discovers the King and Queen Stones: the source of the magic of Green Knowe.

From there the real adventures begin, as Roger discovers what later generations have yet to do: time travel back and forth to discover the other children of Green Knowe, and the fate of his beloved home. In true Lucy Boston style, there is added in little notes of Roger's discomfort at the environmental destruction of the forest, but it never overshadows what we are really interested in: his meetings with Toby, Alexander and Linnet, with Susan and Jacob, and with Tolly, all living in the same house at different times. Marvelling at the differences they all face, the reader is eventually rewarded with a beautiful scene of all the children gathered together under the beech tree...joined by yet another unexpected child, who gives Roger a special keepsake.

After six books in the series, I was very sad to see its end, as with all great literature, I had grown quite attacted to Green Knowe and its inhabitants. It was a touch of genius to have the final book take place at 'the beginning' as it were, as we finally can understand where St Christopher came from, how Green Knowe got its name, and how the time travelling was made possible in the first place: through the Stones, whose origins remain an eternal mystery. If there was one fault, it was that Ping, Ida and Oskar were completely absent - in the final book, surely it would have been the right time to bring ALL the children together, but it seems Boston wanted to keep only the children of Roger's bloodline in for simplicity's sake.

"The Stones of Green Knowe" is the perfect ending to a stunning series of somewhat unknown books, leaving us with the major theme of the books: the ongoing battle to protect that which is natural and beautiful. I found it extremely fitting that the book ended with one last enigma concerning the fate of the Stones, and what appears to be the end of the time-travelling, for the last sentence of this last book took my breath away in its sadness and potency.

Odd that some of these are out of print and some aren't, but any public library with a collection dating back to the sixties should have a copy.

Stones is indeed about Roger, son of the Norman lord who built Green Knowe, and the building of Green Knowe. Like all of the series, mysterious and imaginative and full of historical detail.

Like the best books of this type, the series creates a world of which the books merely touch the surface.

Highly recommended.

Someone gave me this book when it first came out in 1991. My first sunflower house failed but I tried again and was rewarded with a delightful garden retreat. I had no idea flowers could be so high -- and so sturdy. Then I tried the flower clock and that was an immense success. The rainbow garden worked, too, and by that time I was running out of space. I've never considered myself much of a gardener; certainly everything I try to grow indoors curls up its leaves in abject rejection and withers away! But the projects here worked for me.

This little book is great reading, too. I didn't want to try the Giant's Garden but it sure was fun reading about it. Imagine the largest tomato -- a 6 lbs 8 oz "Delicious" -- or a pumpkin big enough to ride in. The "Cinderella" pumpkin has reached 500 lbs. "Some people pick off all but one ear of corn or one pumpkin," Lovejoy writes, "in order to allow all the growth to go to one, special vegetable."

She has a good word for bugs,"Hosting a healthy population of these friendly critters can make your garden a thriving, pest-free environment."

Plant a kinder-garden, she suggests, and lists plants whose names match each letter: A for aster, B for bachelor's buttons, C for cockscomb, D for daisy......all the way to Z for zinnia.

There's a garden of greens and a butterfly garden and there are faeries and sand castles and even secret notes to be found. In all I'd say this is a book for anyone who's willing to let go a little and enjoy the outdoors in new and luscious ways.

im only 14 yrs old, and emediatly fell in love with this book when i began to read my little sisters teachers copy. i love the ideas about the playhouse made from sunflowers (which i am allowed to make next spring) and the notes about fairies and the flowers. i believe in fairies and im going to buy some of the flowers they say fairies use for hats and plates etc. for my ever growing fairies house. i love flowers and a wild garden with exotic colours and feelings. i garden is the key to happiness and tranquility. this is a marvelous book that anyone could learn to love and cherish forever and ever. thank you.

Let me be upfront about this. I hate to garden. I hate the dirt. Bugs. And my uncanny ability to kill plants. A friend gave me Lovejoy's "Sunflower Houses" and I found myself transformed. I couldn't wait to go out to the garden. It is truly an inspiration to the gardener...and child in all of us. The artwork is delightful, and the writing magical. It's the closest thing to finding a Spring day in prose...

Susie Coelho's new book provides an exciting, viable, yet simple way to take charge of your own entertaining and liberate the creative vision you didn't know you had! Susie uses her easy style, personal experience, and practical insights to guide both the novice or experienced host to reach for the stars, at a cost that might pleasantly surprise you. Keep this book handy, refer to it the next time you are entertaining, and the payoff could be instantaneous!

As always, Susie shows you how to make the most out of what you've got. I LOVED the magical transformations and can't wait to try some of them out at my next party.

i have followed susie coelho's career since she first started with HGTV. Her latest book STYLING FOR ENTERTAINING is such a great find because it actually gives you step by step advice on how to transform space for entertaining, without breaking your budget....and also how small things can make a big difference in your home.

this book inspired me so much, that i invited friends over for drinks this past weekend and used some of her entertaining ideas
and let me tell you.....they were a big hit.

can't go wrong with this book or with susie coelho.

You should read my grandpa's book. He's the best pool builder in the world.

This book saved me trouble and money. I'm glad I bought it and have recommended it to all my friends.

This is more of a consumer guide for people considering buying a pool. Mr.Garcia explains all the details one must consider before making an investment in a pool. The book is very informative.

This book was a breath of fresh air. I read it cover to cover, then went through it again. You will get furniture layouts, decorating ideas, and information boxes that tackle everything from townhouses to home offices. A pleasure to read and a wonderful reference book.

This was a down to earth decorating book with marvelous pictures. Clearly, the book did not suggest, like many others, that one start from scratch. The colour combinations gave one pause for thought - out of the safe zone on occasions - but marvelous. I have used some of the furniture layout suggestions and the colour combinations of fabrics were especially helpful.

I have a previous book, Dream Rooms for Real People by Carol and it was very good - but this new book is excellent!

Helen Howes

This book covers decorating techniques that can be applied to every lifestyle. With terrific before and after photos, the writer brings you right into the story behind the decorating. I think this book is a must-have for the decorating enthusiast. There just aren't high quality books on decorating out there like this one.

This book isn't quite a 4 star, but I always round up. The story is entertaining enough, but the ending is so heaped with tying up loose threads that it just takes all the fun out of the meandering beginning. The book reminds me of a scrapbook but one that is a combined effort, with a half dozen characters adding their bits. And then, like in all the scrapbooks I've ever seen, rushed to a finish so it can be displayed. Still, all and all, not a bad read. I am taking this to the UK to release "into the wild" as a BookCrossing.com book.

Neagle's style features a clever narration that I've neither encountered nor enjoyed so much in a novel. The friendly voice adds delightful sparks of self-effacing humor, bright wit and gentle wisdom in this healthy, honest, humorous glance into the lives of some CHARACTERS (with capital letters!) and their colorful lives. Neagle's keen eye and ear for just the right details that express the goodness and uniqueness of a person (character) make his fiction believable reality -- especially as I recognize myself and others I know in the events and people of this novel. As I laughed out loud, the almost matter-of-fact innocence of this novel helped me see that when I laugh, I'm laughing at me, --- and it's healthy, because it seems like I'm embracing instead of making fun.

I thoroughly enjoyed this humorous and delightfully colorful story by Mr. Neagle. I'm almost sure the Oak Goddess was in some way responsible for getting it into my hands, at lease I'm sure Duke would think so. Zany, full of fun, and without a doubt the best fiction I've read quite a while!

This book has some especially cool movie stills. I especially love the cover. However, I think they should have included more of the movie in the book.

This book's title is pretty self-explanatory. It contains 16 "punch out" post cards, all of good reproduction. Most post cards are regular sized, but some, like the cover picture of Jango Fett shooting at Obiwan, are larger sized than average.

This book is probably really intended for people who will want to save it intact for sentimental reasons in regard to being a fan of the movie.

I love postcard books. I don't think that many people realize that these are available for many films. I started collecting them with POCAHONTAS. They are a great way to get colorful stills from your favorite films. This set is exceptionally colorful.

My older daughter is 8 and loved receiving the book! It was so helpful in making her feel part of the new baby's life. The pictures are cute and language is perfect for her age and younger/older.

I am a Children's Minister & get this book for the older siblings of any of our new babies that are born! It is an excellent way to assist parents & children in the transition of having a new brother or sister! Check out the "Big Brother" edition of this book as well!

We have found this book to be very helpful in helping our older daughter adjust to her new sister. It is fun, interactive with lots of vibrant and clever art. We will be giving this book to all our friends who have older siblings and are expecting a new baby.