5 comments about Building Construction Illustrated.

1. Excellent condition for a used item and for the price too. The books from Francis Ching are always very pleasent to read and to have.



2. This book includes details for virtually every imaginable situation in architecture. It is not only useful for creating details for your own project, but will also help you decipher the details in other people's projects. A necessary supplement to any Materials and Methods course.



3. awesome book with everything one could need to get a well rounded idea of how structures are put together. this book was recommended by many of my professors and is especially useful when trying to understand and draw interior and exterior details. it is a must have in any interior designer or architects library!!!



4. From my title, one would assume that I mean that this book has few illustrations. Quite the contrary, it has many illustrations, some of which are important, but the problem is that the book does a fairly poor job of giving enough detail, both in illustration and writing, on any given aspect of building anything.
   
   The whole book reads more like a survey class at college where one learns that all these things exist but couldn't for the life of themselves describe any one thing in any useful detail. For those of you who've been to college I think you know what I mean. I purchased this book in the hope that it would help me better understand the scope of some larger projects I may have coming at mid-summer, but I was astonished to find that most of the information was so elementary that it was worthless.
   
   This book will not tell you how to really truly build a building. If you are clever there is enough information that you could do the job right, but it says nothing about the real-world situation of a project. There is not nearly enough information about how and when an electrician or plumber should come in, or a finish carpenter, and how they would best be helped to improve communication and timing of the project. There are some key things that can be gleaned, but by the title of the book one would not be far off in thinking that it was a book about building. It is not. This book is about the General Ideas behind construction of residential and commercial sites. Think about it. There would need to be double the pages to cover both!
   
   I'm sure for something down the road I will be able to get something useful out of the book, but for now it is mainly on my shelf for show. The price should come down to about $20 as well because there is nothing in here that cannot be found out online or elsewhere. Its just a summary of the ideas of others.
   
   Finally, there was some chatter about the new materials that are used in modern construction; where? Where in this book does it tell us of any specific types of these "new" "green" products or techniques? Name one?
   
   Before buying please realize this book is for future project managers that are half the age of their wiser employee's. This information is for 18 year old college kids.



5. Smooth transaction and great price. The packaging, however, is a little too much. I am not really sure why a used book was shipped in a big box filled with bits and pieces of styro foams. It's a little messy.

5 comments about Meggs' History of Graphic Design.

1. SUPER FAST SHIPPING!! book looks brand new not a single scratch or mark on it!!



2. This is a good textbook for giving you the bald facts. When reading it I felt much the same as I felt reading all of my textbooks in college: Bored as hell but just interested enough to keep reading. I did learn quite a bit from this textbook, however. I will say one thing, this text book is an explosion of example pictures. I don't think I would have learned nearly as much had these not been an integral part of the layout. It makes sense when discussing the history of graphic design to use photos to back up your descriptions, but I've definitely read some textbooks that rely heavily on text and not enough on reference pictures and other visual material. That's part of what keeps me going when trying to dredge though textbooks like these. Overall I'd say this ranks higher than most textbooks I've been subjected to.



3. I purchased this for the kindle app on the iPad and was extremely disappointed in the sample images that are included throughout the ebook. They're low resolution, the image where timeline is showed, the text is barely readable.



4. I am using this book for my online classes. It has all the material and references needed for the course.



5. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1FLAD999FRUP4 This book is a must have if you are taking any graphic design courses. If you are already a graphic designer this book is also a must have. My class is long over and I wont sell this book, that says something considering I am a starving student, well maybe not starving.
   
   I bought this for a class and I ended up reading it just because the information presented is both interesting and also very digestible to the average reader. It is a very interesting book that you can keep long after the class is over. One thing is it makes a fantastic coffee table book. It would not be out of place in the lobby of your design firm.
   
   Content (+)
   The content of this book covers from our earliest designs all the way to modern design and the impact it has on our lives. The content of this book does not shy away from the controversial to the mundane.
   
   Images (+)
   I made the video clip so you could see the great artwork in this book. Many full color images are wonderful references that can be used when you are designing. "Good artists copy, great artists steal", Pablo Picasso
   
   Text (+)
   As I was saying this is not just boring text droning on and on. It, in fact is very interesting to those that are into graphic design or art. Any art is graphic design, and all graphic design is art. You really get that feeling after reading this book.
   
   Overall this book is a great value at what I paid for it which is twice what it cost now. Get this BRAND NEW and you will have this book for many years.

5 comments about Architectural Graphics.

1. All of the man-made architectural wonders that we see around us began their lives as just seeds of ideas. Before being built, these seeds must be crystallized and nurtured through drawings. Architects depend on drawing to bring their ideas to life.
   
   One book that has become a trusted source for teaching architects how to do it right is Francis D.K. Ching's //Architectural Graphics//. Now in its fifth edition, it offers the essential drawing tools, principles, and techniques that architects use to communicate their ideas. It expands upon the wealth of illustrations and instructions that have made this book a classic, and guides readers through the subtleties of translating architectural ideas into vivid visual representations.
   
   Readers will learn Ching's renowned methods through: coverage of multiview drawings, paraline drawings, and perspective drawings; techniques for drawing section views of building interiors; strategies for rendering tonal value, enhancing pictorial depth, and conveying the illumination of spatial environments; approaches for developing the layout of architectural presentations; freehand sketching and diagramming; and so much more.
   
   This beautiful fifth edition of //Architectural Graphics//from Francis D.K. Ching clearly represents the complexity of architectural concepts in an intuitive graphic manner that benefits anyone interested in maintaining the highest standard of the profession of architecture.
   
   Reviewed by Dominique James



2. I'm a second year architecture student and I've already collected a dozen or so books on graphics and techniques. Whats good about this book is contains most of Ching's best tips all in one thin desk reference. Very useful. Very Practical.



3. This book is a lot older than I expected, one of the earlier published but all the same it came quickly, thanks :)



4. I'm an architecture student from Brazil and i gotta say i just looove this book. I strongly recommend it for students and professionals as well.



5. I don't know why this book is so popular. It's so hard to follow. The instructions are skimpy (no step by step, just the final product), the verbiage is meant to impress not explain, and it contains the exact same drawings that are in other Ching books, such as Design Drawing. The drawings themselves are complicated, obtuse, and for all the talk of the importance of line weight, they have almost none (making them even harder to read).

5 comments about Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop: Basics of ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo (Getting to Know (ESRI Press)).

1. I have recently purchased ArcGIS at Amazon because chain bookstores in my area did not have it on iventory. The book came on second day delivery schedule and in the condition described in the ad. I am so pleased with the service and I will continue purchasing books on Amazon.



2. I wanted to learn a bit about GIS software and technology. This book had wonderful exercises to familiarize me with the software. The exercises were easy to follow, with plenty of screen shots that made it easy to find the necessary buttons/menus/lists on my screen. I would estimate the exercises in this book can be completed in far fewer than 40 hours by anyone familiar with graphical user interfaces. Naturally it will take more effort to solve similar problems of your own, instead of merely following the examples in this book.



3. I'm only on chapter 7 but so far I love this tutorial book. It is easy to follow and I am learning alot.



4. My job required me to learn ArcGIS which nobody knows this software in my company. I was only given the support phone number and told ESRI didn't provide any print documents to the customers. The documents are only available online. At the beginning, whenever I got stuck, I called the phone support. ESRI outsourced its first line phone support to India. After several calls, I came to the conclusion that these people don't know the software better than a beginner does. Almost all the questions have to pass to the second line support in America. Then I started to look for books in Amazon.com and found this awesome book. If I had used this book from the very beginning, I would have not wasted some many hours on the phone to get my question answered. In my opinion, ESRI should give a copy of this book(published by ESRI anyway) to every one of its customers. Also it should require India support personnel to read this book before taking on support service.



5. I'd highly recommend this book for someone (like myself) who's never used GIS before. I had never used GIS software before and bought this book to try to learn this new skill for work. Since it includes the demo version of the software, I was able to install and learn it at home. I'm about half-way through and the lessons are clear and well thought out.
   
   Unless you need certification with GIS, don't pay the big money for a class, just buy a book like this and teach yourself. If you get stuck, then go hire a student to tutor you for a few hours. The colleges' geography departments have plenty of highly-trained GIS masters who'd be happy to teach you for $20/hour, if you get stuck.

5 comments about Graphic Design: The New Basics.

1. Buying used books makes sense. This book arrived in a timely manner and in good condition at a fraction of the cost.



2. I was very disappointed in this book. Given the title, I expected more cohesive guidelines and analysis on assembling the "New Basics" into my designs. To me, it was primarily a showcase of work done by the authors' students, some of which I enjoyed, but I didn't find it very helpful or insightful. In fact, I returned it for a refund.
   
   Also, I found some of the type so small as to be unreadable, which for experienced designers, I found surprising. Not high on my list, obviously. I expect a title and/or subtitle to deliver on its implied promise. Perhaps I totally misunderstood the intent of the book, but I expected something that would weave these so-called new basics into a whole, provide direction, and help me produce better designs. Maybe that happens over the course of time in class, but I didn't see that happening in the book.
   
   If you're looking for guidance and direction, I don't think this is the book for you. It wasn't for me.



3. This is an excellent text book for beginning design and art students. Easy to read with strong examples this book fills a need in the arts community.



4. It came fast and on time through standard shipping. It was exactly in the condition I ordered it in and was carefully packaged so that no damage occurred during shipping. Thank you so much!! I really prefer buying from Amazon than private sellers.



5. This book is very helpful. It has a lot to offer to beginning students or just someone trying on their own. Its not so organized as a text book would be which keeps it fresh and fun to still look at. But it definitely has a lot to offer.

4 comments about Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings.

1. Densely written and way more detailed than we needed for our class in Architecture school. Not easy to read but if you need all the details of HVAC systems including every calculation you need, it's the right book. I've recommended that our prof choose a different book in the future as there are better ones for architecture students who don't need the full mech engineering detail.



2. I am a Resident Engineer and I was looking for one book to cover the MEP systems and equipments to help me cover all the project aspects. I have several books on buildings services but this one is simply my best. It never leaves my office desk. Thanks to Amazon.



3. I have been referencing past editions of this book for years. It's the bible to architects for understanding this subject matter. It covers more then the title suggests including overall design strategy for site and building, passive design for the building environment, acoustics, illumination and day-lighting, water conservations systems, vertical building transportation systems and design, fire protection and suppression design, along with the active mechanical and electrical systems design and equipment technology that the title suggests. It is one of the core reference books for the architect's library and others related to building construction. This new addition updates to the latest technology, and sustainable design practices. Another great book for passive design related to building arrangement and form is Sun, Wind & Light: Architectural Design Strategies, 2nd Edition



4. I needed this book for my ARCH 273 class and it arrived to me in fantastic condition, "like new", as it said. The only aspect I was slightly unsatisfied with was the amount of time it took to get here. It was on the far end of the estimated delivery date that it arrived. Other than that, I had a great experience.

5 comments about Getting to Know ArcGIS Desktop.

1. Book was very used and tattered. CDs enclosed could only be used once by original buyer, thus useless now. Information contained was reasonably current, however the published date was 2001. Good for backup info or for somebody just getting started in GIS. Optimally one does need the cds to complete the exercises and view maps. Book arrived on timely basis and well packaged.



2. This book is a great starter book and has pretty good illustrations with its instructions. ArcView takes a lot of instruction and so a self paced study of ArcGIS is not recommended. Take a class and learn it with a professor. The program still has many bugs and messes up things even though you've done it properly. These problems need to be troubleshooted and the ArcGIS CD only gives you version 9 not 9.3. Anyway, it's a great book, good program but is only a supplemental tool for a classroom setting.



3. This features the software and instruction for 9.2. The newest version is 9.3. I had to return this and get the newer version to keep up with my class.



4. This book was my introduction to the world of GIS and it did so very well. Concise and exact instructions that do not miss a step; explainations and examples go a long way to understand the software product. This is definitely the best book for use in a GIS class.



5. Good book for beginners but the software for 6 months is a great deal even if your not going to look at the book

5 comments about The Architect's Studio Companion: Rules of Thumb for Preliminary Design.

1. This book contains alot of technical information at an easy to understand level for student architects. The information complements my other textbooks very well.



2. This book was very good on the concepts of Architecture and the stages of creating 3D sketches and images as guides before actual drawing of the building.
   Also it helped with building lables and detail sections, elevations.
   
   Thank You
   Talibah Salih



3. I needed this book for a class of mine. It was delivered early and was in great condition. Thanks!



4. I was somewhat dissappointed with this book. The "rules of thumb" tend to go a little further in direction of "design" than "rules of thumb". I was looking for a simpler approach to many of the items based upon similar materials that the author included in another publication. Instead it seems he had second thoughts about, perhaps, careless use of the information and resorted to charts and tables based upon actual design criteria in some cases. For example, a rule of thumb for designing wood floor joist might be "The depth of the joists in inches can be estimated by taking the span in feet and subtracting 4. A 2x8 floor joist can span 12 feet." Instead there are tables based upon formulas. Rules of thumb are handy to make a quick approximation of the geometry of a building in order to prepare a preliminary drawing for engineers to use to begin design. I would have liked more simplification even if it had to include warnings or possible exceptions to the rule.



5. My only problem with this book is I can never find it because all my fellow studio classmates keep borrowing it. This saved hours having to calculate spans and dimensions. Definitely worth the price.

5 comments about Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011.

1. This is the "BEST" Revit book reference for serious or advanced users.
   Plenty of "real world" examples and helpful tips from seasoned architects.
   Note:
   If you are a beginner with Revit, try with another "step by step tutorial style" book.



2. I have all of the books, being self-taught up until recently. But this one is by a far, far distance better than any others. Every time I pick it up (and I actually enjoy reading it) I get something significant from it. Autodesk basically has a scam to get you to pay almost two hundred an hour to their dealers for training because they give you squat for support, and no old-fashioned manual.
   Before I bought this I had hit a wall, paid for about a thousand bucks worth of training with a more reasonable dealer out-of-state, got alot out of it, then this book came along. I would advise both the book and the training, as an advanced user. The key is that the dealers are hungry. The small ones will negotiate. You should be paying less. Try Caddcenters of FL over the net. Really good. BTW I get nothing out of saying that. Period. Just want to save you time.
   But buy the book first!
   Also, if you are using Autocad anymore, you are wasting your time. Or keep doing it, as Revit passes you by at a hundred miles an hour. Just trying to help.



3. Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture is a great resource for the Revit platform. It is full of useful information and best practices for Revit projects. There are also many tips on how to use Revit tools for different purposes to get the job done right. The images and how tos are descriptive and well thought out. It is simply a must for new and advanced users.



4. Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 is an excellent source for those who want to take their Revit skills to a more advanced level. The writing is easy to follow and the diagrams are key for those who learn visually. This is a must read/buy for those who want to master Revit.



5. I was very impressed with the book, I've bought others over the years (never by these authors) and this is by far the best. The setup is great, enough information to get your mind going, and not too detailed to make it boring. The explanations provide understanding of the tools but also get you thinking of what more to do with it. There is so much information packed into it, it isn't just about Revit tools, but about a whole project put together. Plus, you get extras that were unexpected; Revit for fabrication, and film and other great topics, that is a great read, also gets you thinking of many ways to use the program.
   I have to say I am very happy with this book, it shows there was a lot of work put into it, it is very much appreciated. Thank you for putting this book out.

5 comments about Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects.

1. Being an architecture student, I understand the future of architecture is held in sustainable design. I found this textbook to be an extremely reliable source for my Environmental Systems class. When designing, we now put a greater emphasis on sustainable techniques and how future generations are effected by how we design today. Lechner describes a wide variety of methods that can be used in modern architectural design. The textbook covers everything from basic sunlight integration to complex ventilation strategies. He develops these ideas based off precedent studies and historical influence. He goes into great detail when describing how and why past and future methods can be effective. A nice thing that Lechner does is he describes the pros and cons to many sustainable techniques. It's really nice to see what has worked, and what hasn't. He also summarizes each chapter, allowing the reader to pick up on the most essential ideas. Visual diagrams and images also assist the reader in understanding key components. All of the information presented is well thought out and executed to get the important concepts exposed. It's filled with relatively simple yet effective information anyone can understand. I would absolutely recommend this textbook to anyone, especially if they are looking to grasp a firm understanding of sustainable design strategies.



2. I had to use this book in an Environmental Systems course. While it does a good job of listing a lot of good design methods, its EXTREMELY opinionated. Text books are supposed to tell you facts and ideas, not give you opinions. A lot of it is politically motivated, I suspect. Once and a while the author slips into the 1st person (or refers to themselves in the 3rd person) to take a jab at something. Its chapter on electric lighting literally tells you that all the standards should never be used, which is unrealistic for a student, since thats what they use in the working world.
   
   A majority of the time, the text book is trying to convince you that global warming is a huge problem and all of that... which, regardless of your political opinion (even though I generally agree with the guy), doesn't have a place in a design text book. Phrases like "the author thinks that..." are used way too much.
   
   That aside, it also repeats itself a LOT. I was in one of those classes where reading the entire book cover to cover was a necessity, and having done so, I think the book could have been concentrated into about half the size. A lot of the stuff it tells you is also not really possible to do in the real world economically. Things that do apply to the real world are common sense and generally common knowledge (sun makes hot) and have been used for decades, even centuries.
   
   On learning the actual things you need to learn in an environmental systems class... it doesn't really do a good job. It does a good job of ignoring pretty important things that a student will be required to know on his/her exam, or even just on the job, and goes on about things that really only exist in the author's made-up utopian world. As a textbook for a sustainability class, I think it would be acceptable given the content. (and content ONLY). There's definitely a slant to it though, and I would definitely not recommend it.



3. I purchased this book for a course I'm taking on Environmental Design. The course is required for my Master's of Architecture (first professional) program. The book is very comprehensive and provides a great amount of information that can IMMEDIATELY start influencing your designs and make them more sustainable. Great book!



4. So far, just a lot of words to explain a few simple points. Each chapter can be explained in a couple of pages.



5. "Heating, Cooling, Lighting: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects" is a book that I know since the second edition. I've used this book extensively as resource in my lectures for architectural students. It can be very helpful for architects both in practice and in academic research. The book is well illustrated, the writing is straightforward and, at the same time, comprehensive and thoughtful. It embraces roughly everything you want and must know for doing bioclimatic and sustainable design. The case studies and appendices are also helpful and the latter includes some useful tools for architects, such as the angle-finder (for estimating the height of trees) and the heliodon (an apparatus for sun/shadow analysis). If for any reason you have to choose only one book about sustainable and bioclimatic architectural design to buy, no doubt that this is the one you are looking for.