1 comments about Frank Lloyd Wrights House on Kentuck Knob.

1. Don Hoffman's book gives and accurate description of how this magnificent home came into being from its inception to completion. It discusses how the sketches evolved due to the environmental considerations of the landscape showing how Kentuck Knob was build to coordinate the house and the hill upon which it was built into one organic structure.

   It explains Wright's architectural philosophy as to why he makes the decisions he did when building this house.

   Visually the book itself is elegantly designed with excellent photographs giving a true feel for the nature of the house and providing some insignt to the wise, artistically minded people whom conceived of and lived in Kentuck Knob so happily and with such a great respect for the environment which the house occupies.

   As a child I spent a great deal of time in this house, being close family friends with the original owners, so I would know if there were any inconsistancies with the book and reality and find it most accurately written.

   This would be a great gift for anyone interested in architecture, environmnetalism or whom is a particular fan of Frank Llyod Wright's architecture. Also it is so beautifully done that it would just be a pretty coffee table book to keep for yourself or for in a guest room.

4 comments about Deck Planner: 120 Outstanding Decks You Can Build.

1. I needed to see more options before accepting a professional landscape designer's proposal. It would have cost hundreds of dollars to have him draw up more ideas, but by consulting the Deck Planner I was able to suggest ideas I wanted him to persue.



2. This book is completely useless. The renderings are basic, they don't offer anything interesting or imaginative. Then you have to pay more money to gets plans for decks you wouldn't build anyway.
   
   Totally Worthless!!!



3. This book is the BEST! My husband has read and reread several chapters. Even our city planner person wanted a copy of it. They wanted to know where to find it so they could tell others about it. This is the most comprehensive book of any I looked at - by far, with great drawings and pictures, and the "Pro Tips" are absolutely wonderful to end up with a beautifully finished project.



4. I purchased this book after finding out they were tied to a large company that provide detailed plans as well.
   
   Later, I find that the plans you are sent for the ADDITIONAL $75.00 are complete junk. The company the book also refers to, is out of business, and all the out of spec/code/date plans are from another company.
   
   The book is absolutely USELESS to anyone that wants to look and pick out building plans. It belongs in the recycle bucket.

2 comments about Restaurants by Design.

1. This book is pretty much over the top. If you are using it for ideas for a small to mid-range restaurant, it won't do you any good. These are million dollar plus restaurant designs of which an experienced interior designer specializing in restaurants can create. I was only looking for some practical ideas and would not have ordered the book had it been discribed better. If you want a coffee-table book, this one fills the bill - otherwise, don't waste your money.



2. The designs of restaurants is non-trivial. Not only must the design be pleasing to the eye and attractive to the customers, but the flow of the workers, the food, and the dirty dishes must work well. The result says this book is that a restaurant must be considered as a theater where the food is the show.
   
   This book illustrates twenty one of the most striking and original designs of recent years. Most of the featured restaurants are in the United States, but all over the US from New York to Las Vegas, to Portland, Oregon. But there are also restaurants from Japan, The Netherlands, France, and Mexico.
   
   Basically this is an idea book that can provide new thoughts on the restaurant you are designing or buying. There is very little description, it is mostly photographs to show what was done in these sites. The pictures and the printing are both excellent and show the state of the art as it exhists in restaurant design.

5 comments about Damanhur: Temples of Humankind.

1. Damanhur: The Temples of Humankind (DTOK) is first and foremost for people with an interest in the intentional community Damanhur (in Northern Italy, since the mid 1970's) and what they have achieved with the construction of The Temples of Humankind. Perhaps you have been there and want a way to to show other people not only what you saw but to show them in a way that almost astounds as much as being in The Temples astounded you. Perhaps you simply know about this place and would like to own and view a splendid production of photos and information on what has been created there. Or maybe you know someone who went there, in which case this book would make a great gift which I am sure they'd be happy to own (if they don't already have it!)
   
   Yet having said that, DTOK is for more than just people who already know about Damanhur and these Temples. Anyone with an interest in art and creativity will most certainly marvel at the incredible creativity documented within DTOH. People with an interest in spirituality and human consciousness will likely find DTOH equally compelling. I am sure, that many who read this book will feel inspired to actually visit Damanhur and see them first-hand, and I couldn't recommend that more. So be warned, this might cost you more than just the price of Damanhur: The Temples of Humankind.
   
   Having visited Damanhur for a month and spent many hours in The Temples I can say that this book does a wonderful job of accurately and beatifically presenting what is hidden in those otherwise normal looking mountains. In all honesty I think many of the images look even more splendid that the real thing when it comes to the actual detail of the artistic works, simply because photos (well composed ones) have a way of hiding the fact that some of these artistic works are in need of some repair and attention. I don't see this as a negative, but rather positive in that it enables the reader to gain a taste of the magnificence one can ultimately only experience by walking in these chambers and temples in person. What the book lacks in size and scale (the Temples are quite huge when you're actually there), it makes up for by capturing these artworks at their very best.
   
   Enjoy this book, and if you feel moved to visit Damanhur and you have the means to do so, then go for it.
   
   If this book interests you (and/or you enjoyed it) I think you'll also be pleased to know about:
   Damanhur: The Story of the Extraordinary Italian Artistic And Spiritual Community, which gives a very thorough account of the Damanhur itself and the people living there (now around 1000 in total)



2. What a wonderful book this is! I am a great fan of New York artist Alex Grey's work and he and his friends have made a superb job of this large format hard back book which features marvelous glossy photos from Darmanhur, the artistic and spiritual community near Turin in Italy. It's a must have for your coffe table if you're interested in the power of spiritual vision, artistic expression and intentional communities.
   
   I will treasure this book always. Thank you EBay for delivering it so promptly all the way to Australia!



3. Alex grey brings his clarity to the task of drawing the publics eye onto an unbelievable society that has profound lessons to teach the rest of the world about opening up to the complete truth of who and what we are as sentient beings.



4. What a great book. Visually stunning and very interesting. And published from a great publisher, CoSM.
   
   Support CoSM. They have some other really cool stuff.
   
   "The Temples of Humankind were a secret from even the closest neighbors for the next twenty years as artists, artisans and builders excavated and created the equivalent of a five-story subterranean building."
   
   "Profound appreciation goes to WENDY GRACE and MICHAEL HONACK, and the Tides Foundation, for financial support of the Damanhur book project."
   
   Thank you for your work in helping to illuminate the path...



5. This book is absolutely gorgeous. It contains tons of really interesting information on the temples (not to mention brilliant photography work). Beautiful.

3 comments about Living Big in Small Apartments.

1. Although there are some interesting architectural and design ideas in this book, the apartments aren't small by any stretch of the imagination. All of the design is modern, as well--not enough variety to really provide inspiration.
   
   If you're looking for a book on this topic, try "Living Large in Small Spaces," by Marisa Bartolucci. One look through that book, and I was able to brainstorm a solution for my living room that also has triple duty as a dining room and bedroom for my daughter when she's home from college.



2. This author consistently turns out high-quality books, often related to small-space living. His narrative is very well done as well as the photography: goes beyond pretty pictures (although they are fine too). Mr. Trulove, if you are reading this, keep up the good work!



3. Average book.
   Good pictures. Very few and low quality drawings,
   Not a significant research source for architects...

5 comments about Small Urban Interiors: 500 Solutions for Living.

1. Although the organization of this book takes some getting used to (as you can gather from some of the reviews), it actually has many wonderful ideas for organizing and designing your small space. The book focuses on making structural changes to your small home, like installing built-ins or moving walls, and so is better for home owners. I do enjoy much of the book though even if only for future reference.



2. After reading all the one-star negativity here, I must defend this beautiful and useful book. It is filled with a variety of design ideas that helped me get inspired in redesigning my house. You may not find exactly what you need to accomplish in your space but turning the pages of this beautifully designed book might give you goose bumps (as happened to me) from the sheer excitement that you yourself will create something new. It is not a how-to book. It is a fun, aesthetically pleasing reference that you will return to repeatedly to find a creative inspiration or simply relax with.



3. listen, this book clearly and susinctly establishes a degree a minimalism and clarity in design that most books disregard in order to be "hip" and "modern". ths book relishes in providing ideas that approach the limits of functional simplicity but avoid breaching the realm of practicality. occasionally, the book moves away from the minimalism to appreciate the creativity of working with those materials that are readily available, however, te focal point is the efficient usage of spaces to create modern designs that give proper recognition to the masters who initiated these designs.

   get it and love it.




4. perhaps the book is mistitled. i can't believe anyone would actually buy this book thinking it had home depot how-to "solutions," as some reviewers claim. what it is, is a beautiful, elegant, modern *idea* book. i saw it in the bookstore of a modern art museum and wrote down the title to come home and buy it online. it is a visual documentary of possibilities, powerful in its simplicity and convincing in its aesthetic. as a graphic designer, an architecture student, and a dabbler in interior design, i can say it's one of my favorites.



5. I disagree with reviewers who said the book did not have enough words. My complaint is that the pictures don't say anything new. This book is a waste of money.

4 comments about Louisiana Plantation Homes: A Return to Splendor.

1. A well done book on Louisiana's spectacular plantations. The state is blessed with the best of these old homes and this book captures the essense of these structures quite well. All of the famous plantations are given several images and the text though not indepth is revealing. This is not quite as good as Gleasons book on the same subject, but it is close and makes a great companion book to it. If you have any interest in these singular buildings then i highly recommend this book along with Gleasons.



2. This is a great book for anyone who is interested in plantation homes. It has over 80 wonderful photographs, and tells the story of each home shown. There are even two or three victorian style homes, built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Very interesting and informative. I would recommend this book to anyone, wether your buying it for the information or the photographs!



3. the book has lovely photos and briefly tells about each home. It would have been nice if there were more photos of the interior of homes. But the book has beautiful photography and is overall: GREAT!



4. This book is hands-down one of the most beautiful picture books on Louisiana's remaining plantation homes. While most are in exquisite condition, there are a very few which aren't. The short story of each plantation home is interesting and the photographs are gorgeous! It makes one want to go out, find a plantation home, buy it and restore it! The reader will be amazed at the wealth these planters accumulated, manifested in these awesome homes. Not all of the homes are huge antebelllum mansions, though. I personally found the Creole plantations wonderful examples of a simple albeit beautiful home. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves old homes, Southern architecture or photography in general.

No comments about Luxury Dream Homes, Third Edition.

3 comments about Building a Log Cabin Retreat: A Do-It-Yourself Guide.

1. The negative reviews is what convinced me to buy this book. It was exactly what those reviews claimed, which is what I wanted to get from the book. A step by step book on building a better homes and gardens cabin it is not. But as a guide to building a private get away, its great. Id be interested in other books by this author. I read this in one sitting.



2. What a lousy book. I must have been daydreaming when I purchased it and missed the other review stating how utterly useless this book is. Instruction like 'use a chain saw to notch the log so that it matches the other one' is not particularly inspiring or helpful for me. And I too could have done without the government-bashing, build-a-cabin-in-the-woods-to-be-ready-for-WWIII message this person actually paid to publish. I can't believe I spent any money on this thing!



3. The preface and first chapter are a bizarre rant against municipal governments, building departments, and utility providers. I haven't seen so much name-calling since my first marriage. The remaining chapters discuss building techniques, but not in enough detail to be useful for someone attempting to build a cabin. The only valuable information was the final chapter's formulas and tables for engineering larger structures.

   The author has a big chip on his shoulder.

5 comments about Monuments: America's History in Art and Memory.

1. Judith Dupre's book is a keeper, a volume to be read and treasured for generations. It's for those with a relative who fought in World War II, and those who have visited Gettysburg, seen the Liberty Bell and marveled at Mount Rushmore.
   Ms. Dupre infuses major historical events with glowing new life. She fills her pages with interesting facts and profound truths, explaining, for instance, why the triumphant Indian Americans were not commemorated in the first 120 years after the Little Bighorn Battle in Montana. Other battles -- from Gettysburg, World War II, Korea -- yield important cemeteries. Ms. Dupre's presentations range from the familiar (Statue of Liberty) to the unfathomable (Saint-Gaudens's monument to Clover Adams in Washington's Rock Creek Cemetery.) In a book that easily stirs emotions her description of New York City prisoners burying the unclaimed bodies of convicts at Hart Island ("the marginalized are interred by the marginalized with dignity") is especially poignant.
   The book will be valued by those with connections to these sacred sites, but it belongs in the collections of all who are tuned into American history.



2. Bravo! MUCH MORE than a "coffee table" book! Dupré's thoroughly researched and cogently presented text outshines the fascinating graphics. "Monuments" taught me more than I had intended to learn about the subject, and made me realize memorials talk about history in an unique way. I would recommend this book to any and all readers, especially those interested in getting a new and intriguing take on presidential and military history.



3. What impressed me of this work is how well it was researched. It has many side stories. Names and dates are carefully reported. The linkages to similar memorials or concepts are included in shaded boxes as ancillary threads. Was also impressed on the timeline, that reveals how the event that is memorialized eventually came into fruition of an actual memorial.
   
   My only criticism is not clarifying the geographical location of the monument (it assumes the reader knows where it is).
   
   The bonus is including ample space on the mass-conscious inpromptu memorials, such as leaving teddy bears, flowers, notes on the side of a tragedy or catastrophic event. I would add to that the silent and passive solitary memorials left by people along roadsides, memorializing a traffic accident. Or even the placement of a geocache, a box in the woods containing a logbook, such as the one in Western Pennsylvania in remembrance of two teenagers killed ["In Memory Of Clairenda and Loretta" GCQHZP]
   
   On the discussion of people mourning by leaving items at places such as the Vietnam Memorial, Oklahoma City, Columbine, the author however missed to mention that the same people that visit such memorials can actually take an object that is laying there. The items left are considered as abbandoned property by the National Park Service for 30 days, and only thereafter picked up and inventorized into the national museum system. In the meantime, the same item can be picked up by visitors, and the memorial acts as an exchange place. ... very much like a geocache.



4. This fascinating and unusual book is beautifully produced- it would make an excellent gift. It's a kind of treasury of richly detailed visits to a wide variety of different kinds of monuments. Dupre describes each one historically, evoking the powerful emotions behind the monument or memorial so that the original need can be felt and understood. The book gives us access to the people who created these monuments, and for whom they were created. Scholarly and also profoundly intuitive, Judith Dupre understands that a monument is by definition a labor of love, and has given us one.



5. Judith's books are always enjoyable but there is something especially wonderful about this one. It isn't just history or architecture, she finds the heart of why we remember, the purpose of these places. The histories are told with sensitivity and care, and the dozens of people that inhabit the book are portrayed colorfully and with close observation of their humanity, something usual lacking in ordinary history books. Having been to Manzanar several times and wandered over its acres myself, her narrative touched me and brought alive the people and the time.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone with even the slightest interest in the human side of history.