2 comments about Golf Architecture (Classics of Golf).

1. If you say you are a golfer and a connoiseur of fine golf courses and you haven't read this book, you stand corrected. Mackenzie was a pure genius.



2. If you didn't like the recent reprint of "Spirit of St. Andrews," take heart; this book is the one that was published during Dr. MacKenzie's lifetime for a reason.

   The book is well organized, and Dr. MacKenzie obviously used a good editor to help him. I wouldn't purchase both books, and I would choose this one rather than the over-hyped "Spirit"

No comments about Contemporary Native American Architecture.

5 comments about Little Boxes: The Architecture Of A Classic Midcentury Suburb.

1. I stumbled upon this book by accident and am SO glad I did. The book is a stunner. Eye candy for mid-century architect lovers. Like the taste of a dark chocolate bar, but a coffee table book! Sure to to be a hit, and a great conversation starter for even non-architectural peeps, sitting in your living room, as you entertain. Page after page shouts forth with unrepentant glee. The history of the Westlake neighborhood is enthralling as well as the many old, astounding photos. Something to look at over and over and drool. A must for any library!



2. A friend bought the book for me and gave it to me as I arrived for our 40th high school reunion from Westmoor High School. It is a great recounting of how Westlake developed and makes a great gift for any family who has lived in the area.



3. my parents bought it new for $13,000. it was close enough to the city to get to the haight after westmoor high school let out. when my parents sold it in 1968 i thought my world had ended and now, looking back at it again, i think i may have been right. i'd give anything to be back there again, but i don't have three-quarters of a mill.



4. I'm an avid collector of midcentury dishware, glassware and kitchenware, and an enthusiast of midcentury architecture. I always pictured myself living in a northern California Eichler someday and am a charter subscriber to "Atomic Ranch". Yet, when my partner and I decided to move back to his home town in California from Washington, DC, last year, I knew next to nothing about Daly City or Westlake. I knew only that we'd be living in the home in which Jeff had lived as a boy, and I hoped that I'd at least like the place.
   
   A short article in Atomic Ranch about Westlake first whetted my appetite, and my first time seeing the house--while interviewing out here, just a month before the move--I fell in love with it and Westlake's bright colors, quirky architecture, and midcentury aesthetics (e.g., our yellow-tiled kitchen and pink-tiled bathroom, both with chrome accents; the original metal kitchen cabinets; and the gorgeous flagcrete fireplace that dominates one wall of our living room).
   
   The author of "Little Boxes," Rob Keil, saw a posting on Jeff's blog about the house and wrote to us before the move, and a few months after we arrived we went to hear him speak at the Doelger Senior Center about the history of Westlake. Rob really is passionate about these homes and this suburb, and infectiously so. I've become a huge fan of and evangelist for the neighborhood, and for the book, and in the bargain have made some wonderful new friends out here, including Rob and his fiancee. The book was clearly a labor of love, but the product was well worth the labor pains.
   
   It really is a gorgeous book--the era-appropriate color scheme and typefaces, the incredible photography (most of it Rob's, and showing that we're not always fogged in here and just how wonderful it is when the sun shines), and the art design are spot-on. We bought a copy not just for our own coffee table, but another for Jeff's mom--since this is the house in which she brought him up--and one for my own mom back in Virginia, so she can get a sense of where I am now, and Jeff even bought a copy for his torus-shaped Mario Ciampi-designed elementary school, also featured in the book.
   
   Oh, and that Eichler I pictured myself living in someday? I still think those homes are pretty cool, too, but I honestly can't see leaving Westlake, our friends here, or one of these charming little boxes.



5. More than a half century since its inception,American suburbia regularly takes its knocks, so it's nice to hear the other side once in a while. Keil's book is less a general rebuttal than a spirited defense for a specific case: in this case, the huge Westlake subdivision built south of San Francisco in the post-war years. It's an affectionate, well-researched book that, while of particular interest to those who grew up in the Bay Area, should be read by anyone with any interest in mid-century architecture and culture. The story's well told, beautifully laid out and, though it's a valentine, it doesn't stray from exposing warts (like the neighborhood association's long-standing ban on African Americans). Great design, Space Age googie style and '50s/'60s American optimism shine through its pages.

5 comments about House Framing.

1. This was the only framing book we used for building our house. My only previous framing experience was some volunteer work a few years ago. The book was fun for daydreaming before we started building, and helped us to eventually work up the courage to build. Our daughter and son-in-law helped us put up some of the heavier framing sections, and some other friends helped us insall the sheathing and sheetrock. Basically this was an owner-built house with no contractor involvement. Our building inspector is known for being very strict, and the house passed the framing inspection with compliments.



2. book is ok but lacks the detail and flow of say Graphic Guide to Framing ...or Journal of Light Construction guides. If your a reader and not really a hands on learner then the book may be a better fit for you. If however like me you learn by seeing a detailed picture and prefer to skip the long winded stuff..then this book is not a good fit. Also note the book does not give a lot of options...they show you one way to complete you project (except for the dormer plan)...were as say Graphic Guide gives you every way; plus a detailed drawing ie: say for a facia board trim out or venting options on a facia. As a guy that does this for a living I say your much better having all your options explained so that you can choose the best option for your situation.



3. I'm getting ready to build a small addition on my house. This was the perfect book for me. The book is well organized and it covers just about every question I had about how to frame my addition. The text is easy to understand, with lots of pictures, and the author defines all of the terms he uses that the general public might not be familiar with. There is also a glossary in the back.
   
   In addition to "how to frame", the book goes over what kind of lumber, nails, and screws you should use, and has charts to tell you how large joists, etc., should be.



4. House Framing: Plan, Design, Build by housing construction expert John Wagner clearly and coherently lays out illustrated construction techniques that will enable any do-it-yourself enthusiast to built a room addition, install windows and doors, finish a basement, create a shed, or construct a garage. More than 55 detailed step-by-step construction techniques are enhanced with more than 750 photos and illustrations that guide the reader through every layout and framing process. In addition to framing techniques for building floors, walls, and roofs, as well as "how to" information on steel framing, stairs, windows, and doors, the reader is provided with up-to-date information on the best tools and materials for their building project. House Framing is a welcome and invaluable addition to any personal or community library Architecture, Design & Construction reference collection.



5. You can learn how to frame an entire house with this book. The basics are all in there. Of course you'll be lacking some serious, somewhat required, experience if you just read this book and try to build a 3 bdrm, 2 story house. But it really helped clear things up for me.
   
   I'm using many of the techniques addressed in this book for my tree house. I'm also using the techniques to build a separate utility shed. The book makes it easy to refer back to something you've already read. I do this constantly since I seriously lack framing experience.
   
   The structural materials and engineering chapters were the most helpful to me. Combine this book with "Working Along" by John Carroll and you'll be dangerous in no time.
   
   aloha,
   -Brent
   [...]

No comments about Contemporary Church Architecture.

No comments about Palm Springs Living.

No comments about Country Homes: 165 Plans with Rural Character (American Collection) (American Collection).

1 comments about Practical Problems in Mathematics for Carpenters.

1. I am a carpentry teacher at whittier reg.tech.H.S.

1 comments about National Plumbing Codes Handbook.

1. THIS HANDBOOK IS VERY USEFULL FOR STUDENTS TO BE AQUAINTED TO THEIR REAL LIFE AND TO IMPLEMNET THEIR THERORETICAL STUDIES TO REAL LIFE AND REQUIREMENTS

1 comments about Black & Decker Building Porches & Patios (Black & Decker).

1. I never got to build a porch, but this has everything you need to know to do it yourself! Love it!