5 comments about Building Construction Illustrated.

1. 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.



2. Great book. Lots of good building info and the images help you really visualise the building process.



3. I got this to help with some of the harder construction code requirements. Handy book to have if you get a building code book and need a bit more explanation. For instance, I was looking at foundations - it illustrated different types of foundation systems, support systems, footings, walls, foundations on different kinds of grades, etc. If you are a visual learner, definitely a must.



4. I thought the book was the 4th edition as the thumbnail( cover illustration). I was made me misunderstood. When i got a book I was so upset because it turned out different edition. I got 2nd edition.
   
   I am so disappoint for buy stuff online. If you are not sure about the cover book's illustration, please write which edition is it.



5. I bought this as required text book for my Architectural Course at College, it has been very useful converting my UK Construction industry terminology into USA terminology, easily understood and so many illustrations, recommended !

5 comments about Keys to Drawing.

1. The best drawing book out there! I recommend this one to all of my adult and teen students.



2. Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R27B82B4AIGAX3 Here's a pretty good book for anyone who's thinking of picking up drawing. Bert Dodson has written it in a crisp straightforward manner. The are 55 keys of drawing, introduced at a very comfortable pace. Alongside are 48 easy-to-follow lessons.
   
   The examples are all sketches from Bert Dodson, his students and selected pieces old art masters. They are all pretty sketchy but this book isn't about techniques on realistic drawings. It's also not about specific technical rendering techniques, although some are briefly introduced.
   
   This book is really about the approach to drawing, which aims at helping students tackle any subjects confidently.
   
   The principles are very similar to The New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain: A Course in Enhancing Creativity and Artistic Confidence. I prefer this book as the lessons are shorter but effective, and the book can be picked up at anytime after reading for some inspiration.
   
   This book is recommended to beginner artists.
   
   (More pictures are available on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.)



3. I have purchased this book enthusiastically reading all the excellent reviews, and it is with mixed feelings that I write this review, since I was fooled by the good reviews which all lacked a neutral point of view. One thing that is crucial is do I want my drawing to be artistic, similar to painting, or do I want it to be illustrative, as in comic books? It is the difference between art and illustration. This is a book for illustrators, there is no doubt about it, and the author is an illustrator. This does not mean that the book is bad, but the book is a bad choice if you try to be an artist in the classical sense--it lacks information of the drawing's decomposition, upon making correct lines on the first try, detailed analysis on the changing of angles and on drawing the change, and it lacks the detailed discussion of the scope of the drawing tools, as would be needed for academic drawing. On the other hand, the author does not try to hide that this is a book on illustrating, and moreover that is a book mainly for beginners, so in a way my criticism is a bit unfair, since the ones to blame for the ill purchase I made of this book is not the author, but the reviewers.
   
   Anyone who draws for some time know not only how to draw with an HB and a 4B pencil, but also how to draw with a songle pencil on any surface, but this could be a better subject than simple perspectives.
   
   Or better to say, a book dealing with the analysis of the traces made by Escher or Kokoschka, i.e. what pencils did they use and how on which drawing would be more in the line of what I was looking for, and what the title suggested-- keys to drawing in my mind means tips on drawing, not drawing for beginners.
   
   This book offers none of that. In my opinion, a better title would be ''Illustration for beginners'' or something similar, and in that case I would give it five stars, but the title is too badly misleading,and most of the reviews do nothing to correct the wrong impression one could have, so my final verdict is three stars: one star down for the misleading title and one star down for taking in account only the illustration part of drawing



4. This book, is probably the best drawing book i've ever read. Not only does he cover so much, but Bert Dodson also goes into detail with out boring the reader to sleep (unlike drawing on the right side of the brain)
   If you used amazon.com's online reader and see some drawings that look childish inside, don't let those discourage you. I was discouraged by those and immediately saw a new light when I actually READ the book. Many books that have fanciful pictures haven't covered NEARLY as much as Bert Dodson's book. I am ordering his other book, Keys to Drawing with Imagination: Strategies and Exercises for Gaining Confidence and Enhancing Your Creativity
   
   Keys To drawing covers things like drawing what you See NOT WHAT YOU KNOW. Drawing from your mind or knowledge tends to be the problem with most people, it is not that they necessarily know that they are doing this because that is how the human mind is. It is by that, that we as humans think we can't draw. Because our minds dont take in as much information and detail about the subject as we think it does.
   It also covers things like restating, self critiquing, analyzing, the power of squinting to flatten objects around you, mapping, light sources, shadows, negative space, merging shapes, proportion and so on (all of which I thought weren't going to help me the least bit, but were actually the mistakes i made in drawing.
   
   Has anyone ever read those get rich quick books that always promise you that they know ways to make YOU rich, but always disappoint you anyway? Those people sell those books to you so that they could make more money, they don't have any wealth of information stored in them. Well, keys to drawing is definitely the opposite. He breaks the stuff down clearly and doesn't encourage you to draw one specific way or clone someone else's style of drawing. Some artists or authors have a hard time explaining themselves but him, oh he definitely knows what he's talking about.
   I'm only thirteen so please excuse the lame review and just hold my word to it. I drew little people who were far from realistic, but with this book, along with Carrie Stuart Parks books (Secrets to Realistic Drawing, Secrets To Drawing Realistic Children, Secrets to Drawing Realistic Faces) I can already see drastic differences. I would also recommend Lifelike Drawing with Lee Hammond. But lifelike drawings with lee hammond probably doesn't break it down as easy and have as much detail as Bert Dodson because she tried to squeeze so much things into the book without putting much detail for each subject.
   
   All in all i wish i could rate the book higher. I can not begin to describe how pleased i am with this book.
   P.S the book is about the size of a textbook with less pages. (REALLY BIG) and I got my own (new book btw) for a really low price because I don't buy from amazon, i buy from the sellers within the amazon website.



5. I love this book so much, that I recommend it to my friend and bought one for my grandkid who loves art.

5 comments about 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School.

1. This book is a quick read. His 101 selections are quick and to the point. Each written page has a visual communication to accompany it, so if you're a visual learner, you will appreciate this.
   
   i.e. He writes, "A good presentation meets the Ten-foot Test. The essential elements of the drawings you pin up for a design studio presentation in particular, labels and titles- should be legible from 10 feet away." On the opposing pages is a sketch of a crowd viewing a presentation and a board of what should be legible from 10 feet.
   
   Is this rocket science? No. But sometimes the most obvious isn't always obvious. It's a fast read. I do about 3 or 4 quick pages every night before bed.



2. this book is perfect for any age architect or architecture student. Both funny and informative. Buy it!



3. A delightful book for an engineering type to buy and read. Practical knowledge with some wisdom... I liked this a lot and personally find it useful.



4. One of the best books I have read.
   You can read it in 30 minutes and you will love it



5. I'm a grad student in architecture and got this book during my second year, but didn't look at it too closely until my thesis project (3rd year). Seriously, this book is like a breath of fresh air in an architecture environment filled by relativism and differing opinions. I have often wondered if there were absolutes in architectural education, and this book sets them out (at least as close to absolutes as you get in our postmodern world). The book mentions that you should initially have a basic parti, or idea, to begin your design; and that parti should inform the whole design. Wow of course, that's so simple and common sense, but rarely heard. This book really breaks it down and gives many little pearls of advice to inspire your thoughts. It helped me get out of a rut I was in with my thesis design. I would definitely recommend this to any architect or architecture student.

5 comments about What Your Contractor Can't Tell You: The Essential Guide to Building and Renovating.

1. For most of us - the investment we make in home renovation is one of the most expensive single investments that we will make -- and it makes sense to be as well prepared as possible for the role we need to play in a renovation venture. This book is a solid overview of the fundamentals of your role as a customer -- a very important role, when you consider your professionals' incentives are not aligned with yours...



2. I borrowed this from the library and decided that it was well worth buying. If you're going to build or renovate the more information you have in advance the better the experience is likely to be both for you and your builder. It really spells out some of the simple things you can do to help your project succeed. My favourite tip is about thinking ahead for the future - e.g if you can't build all the extension in one go what could you do this time to cut the costs next time e.g. framing a door into the room that won't be built for a while and hiding it with drywall.



3. If I had paid $114.00 for this book, it would still be worth every penny. I am going to be a better client for my architect and contractor because of what the author has explained in this book. This book is the best investment we will make in planning our new home.



4. I just want to make a short review which is this book is wonderful by helping everyone out in the construction process because the more you are informed about what is going on, the better your decisions will be not only making you happier, but making the project and experience more successful. I am an architect in which I deal with many people who are not sure of any part of the process from conceptual to realization and it can be a daunting task which there are truly few contractors who don't take advantage when they have the upperhand. This can be frustrating to everyone and very costly to you. If you are on the fence about investing in this book, you will not regret it.



5. I was so impressed with this book I left feedback for the first time. It is very comprehensive, and "levels the playing field" so that one can make intelligent decisions early in the building process and avoid costly mistakes. From site prep to contract types, this is a great read. It will definitely boost one's confidence in an area that few home buyers enter more than once.

5 comments about Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual.

1. I am very satisfied for purchasing this item from Amazon.com .Delivery date was very early than expected. Thanks



2. The book exceeded my expectations. Comprehensive and practical in scope. I'm glad I own it.



3. This is one of the best books for the Design and Installation of Solar Systems.
   
   Easy to understand, with examples and exercises.



4. I have a back ground in electronics and wanted to go off grid. This book is an outstanding reference and has brought me to the point that I can design and install on my own if I wanted. Just as important, I can understand and evaluate solar installers and have the confidence that they are the right people to work with.



5. The Solar PV Design and Review text is an excellent source for detailed information needed for real life work in solar energy. It is well written and organized, with exercises to help test yourself.
   
   As with all written material, it will quickly become dated with respect to references and NEC code. But the basic technical information will remain sound.
   
   This text is frequently used in the NABCEP Certificate of Knowledge training.

5 comments about A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction (Center for Environmental Structure Series).

1. This book provided very valuable insight into the type of home that we wanted to build. We ultimately bought a home that we did not design, but this book helped us to develop values that would assist us in finding a home that would nurture us and our environment.



2. Lent it to a client and of course, never got it back. Bought it originally back in college. Everyone in the design field should be required to read this book.



3. This classic architecture work contains abundant wisdom and practical direction for living for every thinking person. I first read it nearly thirty years ago and used its principles to create a garden that delights to this day. When I found it again, I was eager to read the parts I had skipped over the first time. To my sorrow, the book is no longer relevant to the way most people now live. There is barely any nod to electronic communication or entertainment. If you want to be overwhelmed by how much we have lost, or changed, since this was written, I highly recommend it. I hope that, as with other lost arts, a new generation will be fascinated by the old ways people used to live, and will adopt the good and reinvent human spaces. Big box stores, super highways, multiplex cinemas, malls, security-driven barriers and other structures such as looping airport approaches and chaotic store layout, fractured product placement in retail outlets: all were not thought of in this work. The serenity of the human soul was the overriding value. It is easy to see the world today is organized more like a bandit's trap than a serene living arena. Definitely a deep and thought-provoking read.



4. I love to have this book on hand to refer to when I am thinking about making changes to my living space or when I just want to let my imagine roam. Recently we designed a small cottage and found it invaluable as we worked to create the most livable and economical space.



5. An excellent book to peruse before sleeping, as its great wellspring of clear and concise ideas and examples consistently inspire dreams about how - in concrete, practical terms - we can improve the tenor of our daily lives at home and in community.

5 comments about Water Storage: Tanks, Cisterns, Aquifers, and Ponds for Domestic Supply, Fire and Emergency Use--Includes How to Make Ferrocement Water Tanks.

1. I enjoyed this book, and it had some great ideas. The big expense for all of these is not so much collecting the rain, even in the desert where I live, but storing the rain. The secret to saving water is storage, storage, storage. We are not talking rain barrels here, but as the author points out we need large storage capacity. He has great advice on purchasing tanks, building tanks etc. but even building your own is way out of my price range for now. Still, I really enjoyed the book and can't wait until the day I can build one his ideas.



2. I am not familiar with rain storage and was looking for an intruduction and guide. This book was too detailed for me!



3. Having no prior familiarity with the topic of this book, I read it with the hope of obtaining a general understanding of the process of storing water and in particular for the intent of learning about concrete tanks for residential use. The book is only 119 pages, but is 8.5 x 11 and packs a lot of content into that small space.
   
   Simply stated, this book is about residential water storage. It outlines a variety of ways in which water can be safely stored and then specifies the advantages and disadvantages of each. For my interest, the book was an excellent primer on concrete tanks. I had a general conceptual idea of what I thought I was looking for and this book helped expand the details; such as the design for the cover on the tank, the inlet and outlet, valves, gauges, etc.
   
   If you are looking for a book that is a good general guide on how to do water storage - this book will likely satisfy your needs. The writing style is fluid and easy to follow and there is no technical language requiring any prior knowledge of the field.



4. This is an excellant book on PRACTICLE WAYS OF STORING WATER. FOR THE REALLY HANDY PERSON SIMPLE METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION, EVEN A NOVICE WITH GOOD AMOUNT OF ENTHUSIASUM WOULD BE ABLE TO CONSTRUCT A SMALL VESSEL .. WHICH IS MY CHALLANGE... A SERIES OF SMALL WATER VESSELS EACH A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE LAST SO CAN OVER FLOW DOWN THROUGH THE SYSTEM.



5. I purchased this book mainly due to the picture of the water urn on the cover. The plans for it are included. This book has a lot of information regarding water sources and water collection and containment. Recommend for anyone interested in water collection/conservation. I do wish the pictures inside the book were in color (the are all black and white).

5 comments about Architecture: Form, Space, & Order.

1. This book is a must for anyone studying drawing, drafting or architecture. Fantastic detail and examples.



2. By Jewel I mean, it's worth your time and money. Learn the meaning of structures and a little arch history from the author.
   Need to get a quick course in the form and space of architecture. here ya go. Other learning is needed after this. I wanted
   to build 3d set extensions. This book gave me a feel for the forms and how they make people feel.
   
   I recommend.



3. This book is elementary in the true sense of the word, presenting the basic components that create form, space and order in architecture. It is extremely methodical and organized. It actually starts off with the definition of a point before going on to lines, planes and volumes! The result is somewhat dull and often borders on platitudes. For instance, rhythm is defined as «a unifying movement characterized by a patterned repetition».
   
   In fact, the book actually contains very little text but is abundantly illustrated with the author's black and white renderings, some of conceptual notions and the others of actual architectural works.
   
   These are not restricted to the western world but include examples from the Middle East, India, China and Japan. However, no historical or cultural context is provided whatsoever. Also, hardly any 19th century structure is depicted and there is an anachronistically strong bias in favour of Modernism. Many examples are taken from Le Corbusier's (small) production and indeed he is given the final word with a quote from «Towards a New Architecture».
   
   The book is totally impersonal and appears detached from its author, giving the impression of exposing absolute truths. This is insidious since many readers are certainly new to the field and the information provided is far from neutral. Program and context, for example, consistently appear as very secondary facets of architecture.
   
   The CD integrated as a bonus is extremely basic but does include in addition to simple animation two elements absent from the printed book: colour and photographs. This is not devoid of interest but one wonders why the style is so utterly different.
   
   Overall, this book cannot unfortunately be recommended as a worthwhile investment in time and money.



4. Thanks for the book, came in a short amount of time and is how you described it. Very happy



5. Beatifull book with superb pencil drawings. All the aspects for architectural composition are covered with a lot of drawings and historical examples. Perfect for students and a must for architecs as a reminder of all the options available and, also, as an inspiration.

5 comments about The Laws of Simplicity (Simplicity: Design, Technology, Business, Life).

1. The Laws of Simplicity is a concise summary of John Maeda's thoughts on design. I found this book to be an awakening of subconscious design principles we already posses. It was not a text book explanation of esoteric theories from an academic. All of the authors 'laws' were related to real world observations and application. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is involved in product development of any type, and especially for those involved in software.
   
   To quote the author's mentor "Be a lightbulb not a laser beam." Read the book and you'll get an illuminated feeling and a better understanding of your own thoughts on design.



2. I had high hopes for this book, based on my enthusiasm for John and his other books. I guess I found the insights illuminating at times, and a bit thin or frustrating at others. It's also interesting to note that his examples in various cases might have been different had the iPhone been known of at the time (the interface, underlying complexity, cohesiveness of layers of data etc). I think it's a worthwhile read, and I'll probably go back through again to distill it better (NOT an example of simplicity!), but it's brevity just doesn't allow for a full realization of the concepts.



3. I love this book. People may find that the laws described are too trivial. Although they may seem simple they are actually very difficult to master. These laws could be used to improve most of today situations and products. However as I said, these are very difficult to master in your own field. Like Paul Rand said «Design is so simple, that's why it is so complicated».
   Beside, the laws are sometimes in opposition to the western way of doing business and technology, which makes them even more difficult to understand and apply.
   It is a bit like bringing Zen philosophy to business and technology in the western world.



4. It's somewhat interesting to read but definitely not worth the money nor time. The book is VERY short and the 10 chapters reveal truths that everybody knows already. You can just sit down and think for a moment about simplicity and you will come up with the same 10 principles covered in the book. Skip it.



5. Bought this book for a class I am taking online and it was a great read. The laws and keys in the book should be mandatory reading for designers, such simplicity should not be ignored!

5 comments about Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods.

1. please send me a solutions manual for those chapters qestion in the in this book ( fundamentals of building construction ).please spon.



2. I got this text for school, thinking it would be like all other texts and like pulling teeth to read.
   I was very wrong, this is the first readable, detailed and clear Text I've come across.
   The illustrations are on point and the real world like photos are great.
   Although the book is quite large, it goes down rather easily.



3. This is just like a brand new book but it takes while to deliver :)



4. The price was excellent and the comments were accurate. The book is in excellent condition!



5. Dear Sir or Madame,
   
   I'm writing here but I already emailed to the Seller asking for a refund. Never received an answer. I bought the book to be used as a guide or reference during a twenty (20) days project that I already finished so I no longer need it.
   If you could help me with this Seller I'll really appreciate.
   
   Thanks,
   
   Paulo Gomes