No comments about Country Traditions: Preserving America's Rich Ethnic Heritage (American Country).

No comments about Electronic Systems Technician: Trainee Guide Level 1.

No comments about Building Type Basics for Justice Facilities (Building Type Basics).

1 comments about Traditional Details: For Building Restoration, Renovation, and Rehabilitation : From the 1932-1951 Editions of Architectural Graphic Standards.

1. If you are a designer, or a student of design, and your teachers recommend that you obtain Architectural Standards, well don't bother. This gathers all the best details from the Standards, and makes them available in a comprehensive paperback. (That is portable in a backpack, and considerably lighter than the Standards, as well as much cheaper, and that's the bottom line, isn't it?) Full of information about the size and shape of everything from a writing desk to a city bus, this work is essential to make accurate designs for the stage. This work leaves out all the less used info in the Standards, and if you are an absolute purist, (Or an architect,) then Architectural stndards is what you want, but for the rest of us, who don't need to know the specifics, but are hung up on the details, then this is an indispensable resource.

1 comments about Drafting House Plans Book One: A Simplified System for Architectural Planning (Simplified design systems series).

1. Great teaching tool for beginning architecture students at the high school level. A little out of date but most information is relevant and the students like the way that it's written. Very good guide for CAD class-drawings don't have to be on the board, but sketching is included for obviuos reasons.

3 comments about House Painting: Inside and Out (Fine Homebuilding).

1. This is my most treasured painting bible.
   My house is a mess. Virtually everything needs serious work. Dixon gives me the confidence to tackle one project after another. His writing style is straightforward, reassuring, inspirational. He tells you everything you need to know to complete a job and be happy with it. Every painstaking stage of prep, helpful tips on additives, priming, carrying out each stage of painting process under every possible circumstance. I borrowed Dixon's book from the library so often that I spent more than the cost of it on overdue fines.
   Now it's mine. All mine.



2. Not much to add to the review below, but the description states that the book is 'color throughout'. In fact, most of the photos are in black and white. However, this does not detract from the information contained. There is a color section showing some house exteriors when discussing color choices. A good choice for the new homeowner who has never painted and wants to know how to do it right. It doesn't take much more effort to do the job right than to do it wrong for lack of knowledge.



3. This is one of those picture books for someone who has never painted anything before. NOT FOR a pro. I ended up skimming some of it. But There were a few points mentioned that would be helpful to someone who has never painted before. So if you are looking to fix up that living room or siding in this tight market and have never painted... try this.

No comments about Leading Residential Landscape Professionals (Perfect Home).

3 comments about Building Diplomacy.

1. The volume lays out in beautify photography the modern architecture of American diplomacy abroad. This is a book is a must have for all those interested in foreign policy and the diplomatic service of the United States. Our embassies are a projection of our nation, its culture and heritage. The creators of these structures clearly recognized their awesome challenge. Their work captures our imagination and our pride as American citizens.



2. This is a magnificent book that reveals to the general public the story of many of our diplomatic and consular posts in spectacular photos and concise text. As a former Foreign Service Officer, I hope the book will be read widely, to give Americans a look at how our country is represented abroad through architecture, in styles ranging from former palaces to modern "fortress" embassies. Elizabeth Gill Lui and Keya Keita have done a superb job.
   
   Since I served in our embassies in Seoul (twice), Tokyo, Rangoon and Manila, I was particularly interested to see how the ambassadors' residences and chanceries (embassy office buildings) in those posts were presented. Overall, Ms. Lui and Ms. Keita did an exceptional job on them. The historic residences in Tokyo and Seoul are beautifully portrayed in some detail, including the original legation building in Seoul (built 1883) which is on the residence grounds and which must be our oldest diplomatic building in Asia. There are fine photos of the residence in Rangoon (aka Yangon), constructed for a great British timber company and acquired by the US circa 1950. There is also a photo of the interesting, though rat-infested, chancery in downtown Rangoon which was built early in the last century for the Armenian banking firm of Balthazar Brothers. Unfortunately, part of that view is marred by the blur of a passing bus. In 1988, the street in front of the chancery was the scene of a massacre, as Burmese soldiers shot down scores, perhaps hundreds, of peaceful pro-democracy demonstrators. Buddhist monks, students and others were saved when Ambassador Burton Levin told the Marine Guards to open the front doors and give refuge to survivors.
   
   Embassy Manila did not fare so well in my view. The chancery is an architectural landmark in US-Philippine relations, since it was built for the US High Commissioner to the Philippines in 1940, when the country took a major step toward independence. The building's flag pole still carries scars from the 1945 combat to liberate Manila from Japanese occupation. In 1946, the controversial court-martial of the Japanese commander General Yamashita took place in the embassy's ballroom. For some reason, Ms. Lui chose instead to show the rather non-descript 1960's vintage chancery annex and a photo of the back wall of the chancery compound facing Manila Bay.
   
   Building Diplomacy is a great visual tribute to the outposts of American foreign policy. Elizabeth Gill Lui and Keya Keita do not overlook the price we've sometimes paid for sustaining our overseas presence. They have dedicated the book to the American and Foreign Service National victims of the devastating embassy bombings in Beirut, Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam, and include a photo of the haunting Nairobi memorial. As another measure of the cost of our diplomatic operations, I would add the little known fact that in the last half-century, many more US ambassadors have been killed in the line of duty than US generals.



3. Wow, what an incredible book, the photographs are so sharp and clear. The text is highly informative and every major building is shown inside and out. Many of the buildings are just breathtaking and I was blown away at all the styles represented, though I must confess I will always be partial to the hotel de Rothschild in France, to think my country owns such a treasure. Again, I just can't say enough about the photographs, they are obviously done with a trained eye and a real talent. I have been looking for a book on this subject for some time and just was not impressed with what I had found, that is until I came across this wonderful book. I highly recommend it to anyone who has any interest in architecture or fine photography.

No comments about Construction Site Erosion and Sediment Controls: Planning, Design, and Performance.

5 comments about Seaside Interiors.

1. Elegantly arranged and edited architecture/design book with focus on seaside homes. Very good coverage of each featured home; excellent organization on the page, with text in English, French, German.

   What sets this book apart is its tremendous variety of taste, environment, ideas, style. Locations really run the gamut; the book is divided into continents, so Africa (for example) gets just as much attention as does Asia. The scope is fabulous: non-chic locations like a rustic cottage on the Baltic Sea, a windswept beach house on the English Channel. The north African featured homes are especially interesting. So there is a beautiful array of styles and ideas on how to highlight a special environment.

   Not a source book (no index or listings of architects and products), but an excellent style book. The photos are first-rate, with beautiful balance of detail shots and whole rooms. Quite a lot of landscaping can be seen, even if it's about "interiors", so that's a bonus.

   Need not be decorating a seaside home to be able to love and even use this book.




2. While I purchased this book on vacation in the charming town of Seaside, Florida, I had the good fortune of actually staying nearby in one of the featured homes--Matarangi. The photos in the book don't begin to do justice to the views and architecture, though in superior coffee table book manner, they do try. The book allows one to travel to far off homes and enter their beauty, while never leaving your own home. However, if the opportunity ever arises to enjoy one of these splendidly represented homes, I heartily recommend it. If not, select this book and start enjoyable seaside travel dreaming via your armchair or backyard chaise today.



3. A really beautiful book for architects, interior decorators and people who are interested in decoration. Filled with lovely pictures and not too much words. A ''must have'', collectors book. It gives you nice ideas, makes you want to redecorate your home and makes you dream of having such lovely houses. Just get it and you'll really enjoy it! It's worth every cent!!!



4. In our search for books on this topic, we came across this one, which we love because it's a great dream book. Our other favorite is Second Home, which is great for both daydreaming and planning. Second Home shows a wider variety of homes around the country (all gorgeous) but blends information on choosing a location, decorating, and so on, into the book. Seaside Interiors gives a lovely look at homes with no information on how to make your second home come true. I like both books. If you can only buy one, then I recommend Second Home instead.



5. This is a magnificent book to add to your coffee table, photography collections, decorating books, or just for the sheer pleasure of the absolutely beautiful photos. The book is a journey in itself; of lovely homes...perhaps of more unique architechture than the average home, but offering wonderful ideas on colors and at the same time showing many pictures of day-to-day living...in the most beautiful of seaside locations that one could imagine. Simply wonderful!