No comments about Discovering Stained Glass (Shire Discovering).

No comments about Construction Details for Commercial Buildings.

No comments about Calke Abbey Derbyshire a Hidden House Revealed (National Trust).

1 comments about Frank Lloyd Wright's Imperial Hotel (Dover Books on Architecture).

1. This book is about the Imperial hotel built by Frank Lloyd Wright in Tokyo during the Meiji era. It has been quite famous after the Kanto Big Earthquake in 1923 because it was not collapsed by the earthquake.

No comments about Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning: HVAC Trainee Guide.

No comments about The Yale Building Project: The First 40 Years.

1 comments about European Dream Homes: 200 French, English and Mediterranean Designs.

1. Based on the title, I was expecting a book full of some "Dream" ideas of features that modern European architects were incorporating into their designs. What I received was a plan book (ALL plans for sale) of "Luxury European" homes designed by mostly American architects with little insight into any European design criteria. The book is basically a catalog of perspective renderings of homes to be built with accompanying floor plans. Written criteria includes a one page introduction to the plan book. Additional written criteria includes a few brief paragraphs written by each architect espousing the unique European features of the "American" architect's design. There are a total of 18 interior home pictures (all captioned) on 9 of the 29 pages of the first chapter titled "Gallery of European Style". The chapter contains mostly pictures of built homes -- all with plans for sale. As a book of plans, I found the designs mostly interesting and the architects' work above average. The book is well worth having if one is looking for a catalog book of expensive "European Style" home designs plans. Nevertheless, the insights I was expecting from the title are going to be much more of a chore to find by reviewing each and every plan -- and, are they really going to be "European"?

5 comments about The President's House (Random House Large Print (Cloth/Paper)).

1. This book by the daughter of President Harry Truman offers a wonderfully insightful and fun-filled look at life inside the most famous home in the United States. Margaret Truman's membership in that exclusive club of former residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has given her the opportunity to extensively research the private historical documents and records pertaining to the White House, as well as unique access to others who have shared those living quarters over the years.
   
   Ms. Truman has a very engaging writing style that is entertaining, humorous and informative. The book is arranged topically into such sections as political history, social customs and events, the importance of the behind-the-scenes employees, the architecture and various pets who have inhabited the White House, just to name a few. Her discussions with many of the Presidents and members of their families, beginning in her memories of her own occupancy and extending through to the current administration, make these stories particularly interesting and full.
   
   She takes a fairly non-partisan and no-holds-barred look at the Presidency of many of these men, and gives a very frank assessment of how some of the issues in their lives and relationships impacted their terms of office. But, throughout the book, the White House itself remains the central character, and Margaret Truman's love for the building and its rich history comes through clearly on each page.
   
   PLEASE NOTE: I am reviewing the HARDBACK version of Mrs. Truman's book. The first time I ordered this book, I got the paperback version, which is an abridged and edited children's edition with very few photos. The hardback version is much more complete and has a lot of pictures!
   
   For people who have an interest in the White House, I would highly recommend this book.



2. I listened to the Audio CD version of this book.
   
   In terms of strong historical value, there is not a lot to this book. It really is pretty fluffy in its tone and approach. Margaret Truman is a credible source however and she does make it very entertaining to listen to.
   
   The organization is interesting. The language is conversational. You'll come away with better knowledge of the White House, its residence and our Nations History.



3. While Margaret Truman isn't on the same level as Ken Burns, Shelby Foote or other historians her books are a fun read. Who better to tell you about the White House than someone whose parents spent seven years in residence (although due to renovations it was not technically seven years - they spent some time at the Blair House).
   
   She crafts a nice balance between telling you little known stories about the former first families while sprinkling in her opinions; much like a chef would throw a dash of spice into a recipe. One of the most pleasant surprises is that she is bi-partisan in her narrative. If she is wry in her observations about some of the first families, it is based more on her observations of character rather than party loyalty. She speaks glowingly of some of the Republican inhabitants - most notably the Coolidges.
   
   I definitely recommend this book for those who love historical trivia. Plus much of the reading material (White House pets for example)can be shared with kids for those times that you'd like bedtime reading to be a little more stimulating than "Captain Underpants" or "The Day my Butt went Psycho"



4. Margaret Truman is, of course, the daughter of President Harry Truman and his wife Bess. She is the most prolific writing child of any American Chief Executiv. Margaret Truman has written several mysteries and histories about life in Washington which are written in a popular style easy to understand and enjoy.
   As Ms. Truman opens the door to our White House she lets us discover the fascinating men and women who have lived at 1600
   Pennyslvania Avenue. She discusses such various topics as:

   1. White House Weddings.
   2. Relations between the Presidents and the Media
   3. The Children of Presidents who have lived in the White House
   4. White House Presidential Pets
   5. The kooks and crazies who have tried (and in some cases been successful) in assasinating our chief executive.
   6. She describes the growth of the White House from its first occupancy by John and Abigal Adams in 1800. The history of the White House building, grounds, gardens and additions are discussed.
   7. How the routine of a White House day changed with every administration-when they awoke to what they liked for dinner!
   Ms. Truman has written in a charmingly simple style which is nevertheless based on her well done historical research. This is a book anyone regardless of age or party affiliation could enjoy.
   I recommend it highly!




5. Former First Daughter Margaret Truman offers the reader an entertaining, anecdotal account of life at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Her focus is on the White House as a home, though its role as a seat of power is not neglected. As a result, you can expect to learn more here about the first wives, children, doormen, Secret Service agents, maids, gardeners, cooks and others who have lived and labored behind these famous walls..although the presidents themselves aren't entirely overlooked.
   
   The exterior the White House presents to the world has changed little in two centuries...but the interior has been undergoing an almost constant process of destruction and renewal. We learn about the 1814 torching of the president's house by invading British troops; the addition of greenhouses, which gave way to the west wing at the beginning of the 20th century; almost constant sprees of redecoration and reconfiguring of the public and family rooms, all of which culminated in the complete reconstruction of the White House during the Truman years.
   
   There are chapters about the rambunctious children, the unusual pets, the glamorous weddings, riotous inaugural balls and other historic events that have enlivened this historic mansion. You will get a sense of the behind-the-scenes preparation that goes into welcoming a visiting head of state or similar dignitary. There are two sections of illustrations, one in color, that further help the reader share in Truman's wonder and appreciation of this historic house.--William C. Hall

No comments about New Babylonians: Contemporary Visions of a Situationist City.

1 comments about Plumbing Practice Test Exam (Exam Preparation).

1. Found it to be very helpful in preparing for the contractors exam. I was given an extremely short prep time before taking the exam and the practice exam gave me the heads up on what to expect. I'm pleased to say I passed the exam on my first attempt.