1 comments about Fences, Gates and Bridges: And How to Build Them.

1. We do a lot of family stuff. We read together, hike, vacation; we even eat our meals together. But being a close emotional foursome [mom, dad, son age 12 and daughter age 10] we are always looking for a new way to share our time.

   Pick up this book and pick a project. We started with a new gate to the pool but decided it was too easy. What is great about this book is that it not only gives great construction guidelines it is a building block (no pun intended) to other projects.

   We finally decided to build a bridge across Ash Brook which passes through our property about 100 yards behind the house. At first we thought we could span 30 feet, but later decided 15 was a better idea. Well, the bridge in the book and our final product did not resemble each other. Who cares. The basics were supplied and we went our own way.

   Great ideas and pictures. Use it as a guide or a technical manual. It doesn't matter. Everything works.

2 comments about Spa Design.

1. This book was delivered within the time frame given and it was in perfect condition. I was very satisfied.



2. Gone are the days when the Spa was a bare utilitarian swimming pool or perhaps a fitness center with rows of equipment designed by the Spanish Inquisition. This is a book showing the untimate in today's Spa's from all over Europe, all over the US, and from selected locations in India, Thailand, Japan and other countries.
   
   To be sure, the Spa is still very water oriented. Here are the pools you'd expect, the hot tubs, thermal baths, but also reflecting pools, fountains -- And yes, even some of the inquisition equipment.
   
   More important though, here are the most advanced building designs, artistic but still waterproof, lighting that is a part of the design, all arranged to create an ambiance that serves to relax and invigorate the visitor. All of this is depicted with supurb photography, high quality printing on heavy weight paper, and traditional sewn binding with headbands. This is an idea book based on today's most advanced designs.

No comments about Design Hotels Yearbook 2007.

2 comments about Church of The Holy Sepulchre.

1. Every Christian with a sense of the sacred and also historical sense--and that should be every Christian--would benefit from this book. It is even better than I expected. The photos are as beautiful and moving as advertised. Especially good are the essays showing the continuity of understanding about the historicity of the site of Christ's tomb. The text also explains the various positions of the Christian churches with possession or rights within the Sepulchre/Resurrection complex. The book also does not shy from the embarrassing fact that ancient divisions within orthodox Christianity continue to this day. How wonderful it would be if these divisions could be put aside, especially in light of the current cultural and religious onslaught against Christians. I recommend that the book be ordered through Daedalus books (beware--Daedalus the book catalog, not the kinky publisher) because Daedalus has it in stock at a much reduced price.



2. Some day I should like very much to visit Jerusalem. Until I do, I'll probably wear this book out.

   This is a history of Christendom's holiest shrine, the church built over what was believed to be the site of Jesus' burial and resurrection. This book contains the church's complete history along with some of the most spectacular photography of the church, its various communities, and its ceremonies that I've ever seen.

   Pricey, but I've never seen a better one. If you don't think you'll ever make a Jerusalem pilgramage, click on "Add to Shopping Cart" right now.

1 comments about Door Design.

1. Kinda dissapointed....
   
   You don't feel the idea that unifies all projects selected. Some of the door chosen are almost banal.

2 comments about American Covered Bridges.

1. A great book on Covered Bridges except for the inclusion of one Canadian Bridge, the 45 river bridge in NB Canada. Its not in the US, LOL One mistake in an otherwise good book on historic covered bridges.



2. I AM A COVERED BRIDGE FANATIC AND I HAD THIS BOOK INTER-LIBRARY LOANED FROM MY LOCAL LIBRARY AND I AM GLAD THAT I HAD THE CHANCE TO READ IT! IT HAS BEAUTIFUL PHOTO'S AND NICE STORIES TO GO ALONG WITH THE PHOTO'S ! PLUS UNDER EACH PHOTO THEY TELL YOU WHERE EACH BRIDGE IS LOCATED SO IF YOU ARE LIKE I AM WHO TRAVELS AND TRY'S TO FIND BRIDGES THIS IS VERY HELPFUL!! SO I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ALL COVERED BRIDGE FANATICS!!! READ AND ENJOY!!

3 comments about 500 Small Houses of the Twenties.

1. Architects featured most frequently are George W. Repp, Frederick L. Ackerman, Whitman S. Wick, William Carver, Charles F. White, Jr., George H. Schwan, and R.C. Hunter & Bro.; designs also contributed by Verna Cook Salomonsky (the only woman architect represented at the 1939 New York World's Fair's World of Tomorrow), African-American architect Paul Williams, Claude Bragdon, James Dwight Baum, and others noted below.
   
   Perspective drawings, floor plans, and descriptions of principal features of outstanding 1920s designs, many by leading architects of the period.
   Reprinted from the major 1923 architectural publication, The Books of a Thousand Homes. Includes perspective drawings, floor plans and descriptions of the principal features of outstanding 1920's small homes, many by leading architects of the period, most inspired by colonial architecture and the bungalow concept.
   
   1,135 b/w line illustrations, 262 b/w photographs and tone drawings.
   Vast treasury of floor plans, descriptions, and perspective drawings and photographs. Bungalows, colonials, semi-bungalows, other styles presented. Concise descriptions outline special features of each house, details of construction, siting, materials, more. Also, essays with practical advice on house building. Architects, architectural and social historians, students and enthusiasts of architecture and design will find in these pages a rich selection of small-home concepts that once set the standard for a new era in American home design, and that still form an integral part of our landscape many decades after their first inspiration.
   
   Henry Atterbury Smith's compilation provides an accurate and intriguing reference to the historical development of the modern suburban environment. This book represents a set of ideals aspired to by the Arts and Crafts movement, ideals which should be appreciated and emulated by the architects and builders of the twenty-first century.



2. If you like old houses, (or at least early 20th Century houses) or you want to get a feel for some of the social history of the period, this is a wonderful book. I think it complements nicely the other house catalog reprints from Dover. While the illustrations and plans are smaller than those in some of the other books such as the Sears 1926 house catalog or the Aladdin built in a day catalog, it does show 500 houses. It also has some interesting articles concerning the state of domestic architecture circa 1925 or so.



3. Did you ever find yourself stopping your car to oggle and old brick or stucco bungalow, now a bit run down but free from "modernization"? Ever wonder how they were designed or what kind of floor plan they might have? For the amateur or the professional architect, Henry Atterbury Smith's compilation provides an accurate and intriguing reference to the historical developement of the modern suburban environment. For those of us who enjoy dreaming of one day designing and building our own bungalows, this book is pure delight. The house plans are displayed with the information which would have been available at the time of their initial distribution which can be quite amusing as well as historically informative. This book represents a set of ideals aspired to by the Arts and Crafts movement, ideals which should be appreciated and emulated by the architects and builders of the twenty-first century. Do plan on a long, leisurely perusal of this book if you enjoy history, architecture and craftsmanship as much as I do!

1 comments about Stickley's Craftsman Home: Plans, Drawings and Photographs.

1. This book is a dream if you love Stickley's homes. This book has all of Stickley's plans, and I found it a fascinating read. I really loved dreaming while reading, and the pictures and info were wonderful.

5 comments about Decks 1-2-3 (Home Depot ... 1-2-3).

1. This book was so-so and I was glad I didn't pay full price for it. I don't think it covers the topic completely, as I was hoping for something that gave more examples and provided more pictures, descriptions of the different materials available, and a detailed discussion of estimated costs of building a deck, DIY or through a contractor.



2. This is quite simply an excellent book on deck building. I have read many, and overall I think it is the best. It is probably best for those of intermediate skill level (those they call "handy" in their 3-level self-rating scale) because my guess is that people with absolutely no construction or design knowledge probably won't find enough information to really understand what the structural issues are. For example, the joist/beam/post spacing tables are rather sparse: enough information to do the calculations if you know what you're doing, but probably difficult to figure out if you don't.
   
   However, for many of us, it's just the thing. One of my favorite parts is all the Work Smart hints scattered throughout the book. These are tips from pro builders giving ideas and information that us non-pro wouldn't know. There are even tips in there about what to do if you make a mistake in building.
   
   The pictures are great too, better than any other deck building book I've used. This is where the book really shines. They give you step-by-step instructions with full pictures of several different decks under construction. The concrete pouring sequence alone is worth the price of the book.
   
   Despite all the tools they list that are mentioned in a previous review, it seems pretty honest to me: for example, they tell you, under mixing your own concrete: Pros don't mix their own concrete, they get trucks to deliver it. Pretty good, considering that Home Depot sells concrete mix and all the tools required to mix it yourself!
   
   The only major thing I can think of that it doesn't cover is composite decking materials. These are all the rage nowadays, of course, but they require some changes in design. It would be nice to have information on these changes, and hopefully future editions will have this information.
   
   Overall, an excellent book, and well worth its price.



3. If you only buy one book, buy 'Decks 1-2-3' from the Home Depot series. This book tells you darn near everything you will need to know to build a deck. Their attempts to sell you every tool imaginable are pretty transparent -- there are several pages devoted to listing the "essential" tools, all of which are conveniently available for purchase at your nearest Home Depot. However, the technical descriptions of the construction tasks are clearly illustrated and explained, and that's really what matters.

   I recently built a wooden deck in my backyard. For other suggestions and review, check out my 'So you'd like to...' guide.




4. Wonderful reference book. I had little experience building anything, and I built myself a deck with this book. I learned as much from studying the photographs as from the text. Hihgly recommended.



5. This book describes in a complete step by step process how to build a deck. All the information you need to know is contained within.

1 comments about Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: Your Ultimate Guide to the Region's Historic Lighthouses (Pictorial Discovery Guide).

1. Lighthouses Of The Great Lakes is a simply fantastic showcase of historic lighthouses of the Great Lakes region. Full color photographs by Daniel E. Dempster of virtually every structure combined with Todd R. Berger's informative text revealing remarkable true stories behind each fill this amazing tour through history. A treat for lighthouse aficionados, and a joy to page through for virtually everyone else, Lighthouses Of The Great Lakes is the next best thing to driving for hours to see each great, life-saving lighthouse personally.