3 comments about Restaurant Planning, Design, and Construction: A Survival Manual for Owners, Operators, and Developers.

1. Great book, but if anyone is seriously going to invest a good deal of capital on their restaurant, you should go with a contractor that has been doing it for years. My brother used Certified Construction for his business, and it worked out great. I hope this helps...
   certifiedconstruction.com



2. The manual has been helpful to me in figuring out where to start and the best order in which to proceed. Although it can be a bit dry at times, being a textbook manual, I have very little complaints. Very useful just for the start-up cost list alone. Katz really leaves no stone unturned, I have been carrying this around and making notes left and right. Also, has been helpful in bolstering my confidence before heading into the foray of contractors, plumbers and designers. I will be curious to see how I feel about this book in a year from now, but at this time in the planning stages, it is very reassuring and insightful.



3. I strongly recommend this book for those who tend to open up a restaurant with a little Food & Beverage / Administration experience and have many ideas but has difficulties in putting things together and most importantly; who are under the influence of friends, family, etc.

   This book theoratically teaches you how you should plan and who you should really listen to and take into consideration of what they are saying ! As a Food & Beverage person in the industry, I have made many Restaurant openings and in some parts of the book, I reminisced those typical mistakes we all face when we were amateurs. Despite it has a high purchase price, it is value for the money.

3 comments about Castles Of Scotland (Thistle Guide).

1. Want to find the ancient ruins of your family's Scottish history? Then arm yourself with a copy of this book by Martin Coventry and a map from the local Ordinance Surveys and you are on your way to discovering real history that you can see, hear, feel, touch...Martin is constantly updating his information; receptive to additions and changes from all sources to his unique work. A real treasure of information; I would not be without one as I recently wrote a first of three books on the medieval Douglas Clan. A fine research tool for the professional or amateur castle "buff."



2. This book is an excellent guide to Scottish castles and certainly the most comprehensive book I have seen on this subject. It goes into great detail about 2500 sites of castles and fortified houses going back down the centuries. It gives lots of information about each site including a description , location , history of ownership and opening times . Most castles in Scotland are either owned by Historic Scotland , the National Trust or private individuals. There is probably a lot more in this book than you could ever imagine about Scottish castles. I have some pictures of 20 Scottish castles on my website http://www.castlepictures.com but the scope of this book is way beyond that .



3. This is the finest and most accurate book on Castles in Scotland you will find. Complete with photographs and illustrations, Martin Coventry gives the reader an accurate historical-to-present story, complete with over 290 pages of locations and contacts, of almost every Castle in Scotland. Mr Coventry is considered by many as Scotlands foremost authority on anything to do with Castles in Scotland. As the producer and paranormal investigator for the Adventures Beyond series, I had the opportunity to meet and interview Mr. Coventry in person. It was partly due to his recommendation that we decided on investigating what is reported to be the most Haunted and evil castle in all of Europe, Hermitage Castle. Mr. Coventry prides himself on being as accurate as possible and has done immense research on every Castle he lists in his books. This book is an excellent informational tool as well as an indepth guide book.

   Anyone interested in Castles in Europe or planning a visit to Scotland needs to get a copy of this book. Mr. Coventry also puts out a smaller handbook of Haunted Castles and locations called, 'A WEE GUIDE to The Haunted Castles of Scotland', which deals specifically with those castles reported as being Haunted. This book is a must for those interested in the medieval fortresses which are rich in history and shrouded in legend and mystery. This book provided Adventures Beyond with accurate hard to find historical and factual background information on both of the Castles we investigated in our documentaries, Threave Castle, in Castle Douglas and Hermitage Castle in the South of Scotland. Well worth it at twice the price.

4 comments about Restoring, Tuning & Using Classic Woodworking Tools.

1. This is an excellent reference for anyone interested in the woodworking craft. The author has captured an incredible amount of valuable and practical knowledge between this book's covers!



2. After searching for books in this subject, I was very pleased to finally find a book that went into the depth of not only restoring, but plane and other tool usage. This book was intended for the antique tool collector who chooses to use their tools not place them on a display shelf and accept them "as is." If you are looking for old tools needing repair for many more years of use, then this is the book for you. Michael Dunbar has done an excellent job putting his knowledge on paper for the reader's benefit.



3. Dunbar's book is one of the best when it comes to repairing just about any antique tool. He patiently and thoroughly describes how to repair most any hand tools you'll come across. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to learn how to restore antique hand tools. It should be noted that Dunbar now uses a different method to sharpen plane and chisel irons, etc. However, this is widely available in magazines. Highly recommended.



4. I only recieved this book this morning, I began reading and can now thouroughly recommend this book to anyone who, for example has ever seen Norm Abram at work and thought 'Hey that's not fair. He's got $10,000 worth of power tools at least' Well this has to be the guide for those who wish to find, restore, and use old tools. I grew up with quality handtools around me and can tell this guy knows what he's talking about. The majority of this book is dedicated to planes - but I never realised just how many kinds there are! A must for anyone you know who heads for the 'rusty tool box' at flea markets and yard sales. I'd love to know what you think about this book too. Happy reading!

3 comments about At Nature's Edge: Frank Lloyd Wright's Artist Studio.

1. The historical info in this book is interesting (and it clearly shows what creeps the owners of the home were.) But there is a bit too much fluff the way the text is written, and I really could care less about the authors personal life..... The photos are very nice, however.



2. In this fine book Henry Whiting, the second owner of Wright's Teater studio, gives us the history of this diminutive gem sited in desert terrain high above Idaho's Snake River. The background of noted landscape artist, Archie Boyd Teater, is given along with the the desire of his wife to have Wright design their studio. The difficulties of realizing the dream in this remote locale are given an in depth look. However, after years of parttime use the studio, at the end of the Teaters' lives, lay virtually abandoned and in dire need of a savior. Enter Henry Whiting. The how and why of the restoration and sensitive remodeling of the studio into a full time residence are presented. Wright purists may find some of the alterations made heresy, but the respect with which they were considered and the fine results should ameliorate the concerns of most.
   
   Well illustrated with original plans, presentation drawings and photos we also are given contemporary color photos and plans of the various revised areas. My only, albeit minor, quibble is the lack of side-by-side plans of the original and remodeled layout.
   
   All in all, a must have for the Wright enthusiast.



3. In this book, Henry Whiting explores how Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes for the site and the clients and connected the design to the land, views and the cycles of the sun by using the example of his own well-loved home, a simple artist studio on a cliff orverlooking the Snake River in Idaho. The journey leads you to better understand and appreciate Frank Lloyd Wright's architecture in a way that is perfect as a first introduction or to complete an enthusiast's library. The publisher's design and presentation stands up to the author's thoughtful text.

2 comments about Wineries with Style: Wineries with Style (Mitchell Beazley Drink).

1. There are a few books popping up on this subject and I found this one disappointing. The best photograph appears on the cover but the wineries included inside lean to the more traditional. If you are looking for a coffee-table book, I would suggest Wine By Design which has more extensive photographs, site plans, and drawings.



2. I initially purchased a copy of this book as a Christmas present for a family member with interests in both wine and architecture. These are two subjects I know little about but, despite this, I was so taken with Wineries with Style that I went back and ordered a copy for myself! It's a fascinating book with stunning pictures, well written and beautifully produced. It certainly boosts the culture rating of my coffee table and I would recommend it as welcome and unusual addition to any home's bookshelves. Well done, Mr. Richards!

2 comments about San Francisco Modern: Interiors, Architecture and Design.

1. What a great book packed with pictures. The design is very modern and unconventional (read expensive). This is a very fun book to review. If you can't afford the architecture costs there are many ideas you can incorporate into a more typical home design.



2. Coffee table book showing all the nicest spots in the Bay Area. The spread on the family compound in Sonoma is worth the price alone!

2 comments about The Sistine Chapel: A Glorious Restoration.

1. The huge project of the cleaning and restoration of the Sistine chapel has been completed for more than decade (of course it is continuous and ongoing). It was a huge project that aroused fiery controversy. Even though the ceiling had become almost completely obscured by centuries of smoke and repeated applications of varnish (early attempts to protect the treasured frescoes), some felt strongly that the restoration proposed would ruin the ceiling. In one way, it does make sense that the ceiling that generations had known was the work then on display. The yellowed color scheme and dark views were all that anyone living and the generations previous had known.
   
   This book does not document the ceiling as it was, but does provide wonderful detail of how the process of restoration was decided upon, what was done, what was learned during the process, and page after page of glorious pictures of the frescoes. The articles are by well qualified scholars and discuss quite interesting aspects of the works including the use of assistants by Michelangelo, his colors and their use, those poses and clothing of the characters, the chapel itself, and much more. There is even a foldout section to see the entire ceiling.
   
   This is a fascinating book for anyone interested in understanding the Sistine Chapel as it exists today. You can easily find pictures on the web contrasting how it used to look with how it looks today. To me, it seems obvious how wonderfully the restoration was done and how necessary it was. However, I can see how some would feel a sense of loss that what they had known for generations is now gone.



2. As a student with two jobs I do not have much time for art. Recently I have taken an interest in the classics. I was at a bookstore one day and this book caught my eye:

   The work of Michelangelo is wonderful. This book really brings to life this masters artwork in a way that is beautiful and breathtaking. The part I love most about this book is that before and after pictures are shown of Michelangelo's work (pre and post restoration). It really brings vibrant life and color to work that seems sometimes to be forgotten. Also lots of people think that Michelangelo was not very creative in his color usage, after seeing this book, you will truly see that he is a GENIUS. Even if you are not into art...this book will make you see art and especially Michelangelo in a different way. Get this book. You will not regret it.

No comments about Construction Materials for Architects and Designers.

No comments about Castles in Context: Power, Symbolism and Landscape 1066-1500.

1 comments about Building Contractor's Checklists and Forms.

1. While the lists are comprahensive, the forms are rather simplistic. By scanning the lists, it may help jog your memory to remember a tool or step that may be needed. But as a business tool, it is very poor. The forms are too simplistic to be used in the real world. I would not recommend the book, other than a quick reference if you are planning on building your own forms or lists.