1 comments about Shanghai: The Architecture of China's Great Urban Center.

1. After my trip to Shanghai I put my photo album together. I searched and searched for names for the many buildings in Pudong that I'd photographed from the Bund and river cruise. I could only find a few. Then I got the great idea to get a book!
   This book is just what I was looking for. I was able to identify virtually all of the skyscrapers I had photographed and was able to include biographical data as well. I am thrilled. This book is exactly what I expected and more.
   Thank you.

3 comments about Turn-of-the-Century House Designs: With Floor Plans, Elevations and Interior Details of 24 Residences.

1. A reprint of Comstock's 1893 publication SUBURBAN AND COUNTRY HOMES, 24 architect-designed houses are shown with drawings showing plans and at least a general perspective view. Sometimes additional exterior elevations are shown as well as an ocassional interior detail view. A short text accompanies each along with an estimate of the cost to construct, usually around $5,000. Perhaps to keep construction costs down, most of the houses are all-wood. Influences of the movement that came to be known as the Shingle Style are indicated along with the influences of the Arts & Crafts style, and the Colonial Revival. Although the intent might have been to showcase the work of the architects, the book could also have been used as a jumping-off-point for speculative builders and contractors who took the minimal design information and went on from there (just like home plan magazines of today). Manhattan architects are William A. Lambert, E.G.W. Dietrich, Manly N. Cutter, George Martin Huss, Frank W. Beall, Creighton Withers, A.L.C. Marsh, Stanley S. Covert, John Brower Jr, and E.R. Tilton. Brooklyn architects are E.L. Messenger and Otto J. Gette. Also included are Newark, NJ, architect Charles P. Baldwin, and Montclair, NJ, architect Theo. Hopping. Other areas of the country are represented by architects A.W. Cobb of Winthrop Highlands, MA, L.S. Buffington of Minneapolis, MN, McCurdy & Pulis of Denver, CO, and John Calvin Stevens of Portland, ME.
   
   This book also includes two articles with home-building advice. "Suggestions On House Building" by A.W. Cobb follows the manner by which an architect would advise his client during the process of designing a house, interesting as well as largely applicable today. "How to Plumb a Surburban House" by Leonard D. Hosford is more interesting from a historic point of view.
   
   As each of the houses was actually built, it would have been most interesting to follow up with photographs both period and current (if still extant) and to have a bio on each of the architects. Perhaps these comments would inspire Volume II. But as is, this book is a handy and economical reference for preservationists looking for documentation of home building during this period.



2. Well illustrated and well written guide on the houses of this subject. Some even provide info on Attics and basement. A treat for those interested in the houses of this period.
   
   Beutifully done work this one.



3. Although the title says "Turn of the Century", this book reprints an 1893 book and is more typical of 19th century than 20th century architecture books. The distinguishing features of this book:

   - Nineteen different architects contributed the various designs, so the book showcases a wide variety of styles. Even the presentation varies from one design to another. Each architect gives an elaborate description, pointing out the specific advantages and features of his design, sometimes even telling a story about its history.

   - There's a sixteen-page primer entitled "Suggestions On House Building" that describes 19th century house design and construction in remarkable detail. It gives the rationale for the placement of every fixture, including gas outlets and electric lighting, and even debates specific construction techniques like plastering and sheathing.

   - The book is bound sideways, so that it must be held with the binding at the top instead of at the side. This makes the book rather inconvenient to browse.

No comments about Luxury Dream Homes, Third Edition.

5 comments about The Not So Big House: A Blueprint for the Way We Really Live.

1. I ordered this book after reading great reviews since I was in the middle of trying to work out the purchase of a turn of the century home where space was the size of just that, turn of the century. The Amazon review picked all the best photo's in the book and the only pages worth reading in it, so I bought it. I was extremely disappointed to receive a book that had too many 1980 - 1990's dated, uninspiring interiors and not so much in the way of smart architectural choices to think about, as was advertised.



2. First of all, I bought this book used and it was not in very good condition. A page that I really wanted to read was missing, for one thing. Unfortunately, I can't recall the seller's name now but I left a bad review when I received no response to my concern.
   
   But anyway, the book itself was very good. My husband and I are remodeling a house built in 1949 which used every nook and cranny for some function. It doesn't fit the modern concept of lots of empty space, so we are working on creating a little more empty space while using some of Susanka's ideas for making certain areas more compact. We are expanding our kitchen into a porch, but the ceiling in the porch is lower and this book gave us the idea to just keep it as it is because lowered ceilings add character and are something Frank Lloyd Wright used. I also like her recommendations for wood trim and moulding to warm up rooms and use many windows to bring the outside in. As my title implies, some of the details are pretty outdated such as any picture involving a computer and the kitchen chairs, but that can be overlooked since the overall ideas are still very usable.



3. The Not So Big House was given me by a craftsman friend who had used it building his new, wonderful home.
   I kept this book through my new addition / remodel project of 7 months, using it as the reference for my decisions.
   The ideas are sound; easy to understand and implement. I recommend The Not So Big House to anyone embarking on a home building project who loves good design and is on a budget.



4. This book was absolutely awesome. Beautifully illustrated, excellent content, and I totally agree with the idea that McMansions are not the way to go. I'd much rather have a smaller home that has been personalized to me and made beautiful than some big, cold half-empty McMansion.



5. I was expecting her projects to downsize to ~1000 square feet. It felt like she was reducing large McMansions to smaller McMansions. Good photographs though!

No comments about Treehouse Living: 50 Innovative Designs.

5 comments about Tiny Houses: or How to Get Away From It All.

1. The book "A Little House of My Own" is the same book, but in color and better designed. And cheaper. Just sayin'.



2. This book has whetted my apetite for building small, tiny homes for years. I highly recommend it.
   
   A great idea is simply to make one of these places in the backyard someplace to keep warm while getting away from it all.
   
   Ben



3. I've owned Walker's book since I picked it up on a sale table eight or nine years ago. It's probably given me more enjoyable fantasy hours than any other book I own. I hope to build my own office/studio in the woods behind my house, and this book has fueled my dreams. I may never get around to building any of these structures, but I've been rewarded many times over by the inspiration of "Tiny, Tiny Houses."



4. Forty small, simple and wonderful homes presented in photos, plans and detail drawings by an architect who is an authority on American vernacular design.



5. Who would think 1987 would look so dated? A few of the "dwellings" are amusing but the hippy look and scrap construction makes me think most photos were from the 60's.

4 comments about Restoring a Home in Italy.

1. Since we live in the southwest, but don't particularly want to decorate SWestern ..I like this book because it uses the same materials found here but in a different way... Wood, stone, tile..flagstone for the patios..
   They use simple uncluttered lines in their decor inside and out..
   There is a type of tranquility built in. Something we look for in this complicated world.



2. What a great book! The author Elizabeth Minchilli has done has superb job in creating this wonderful book. Although she's not Italian, she now lives in Italy after marrying an Italian architect. Her love and passion for Italy is obvious and the wealth of information that she has gathered is priceless to anyone thinking or planning to buy and/or restore a home in Italy. Her informative writing is beautifully coupled with fantastic photos from the well known photographer Simon McBride. The setting of some of these homes is spectacular! There are many books out there on Italy, but this is truly a must for any fan of Italy or old rural architecture. I highly recommend this book even if you don't have any intention in restoring a home in Italy.



3. After our house burned in San Diego county, during the waiting time for the insurance company, the architect, the engineer, and the city approval, we purchansed MANY books on Tuscan design and architecture, as that is the style we want to emulate. Restoring a Home in Italy provided may examples that helped us though the selection process.



4. While this book may look more like a coffee table piece - and it could very well be - I read it cover to cover. The stories were very informative, telling of the beauty and the challenges of restoring one of these fine homes. After each of the functional sections there was a great write up on the details of the topic, such as; roofing, swimming pools, heating, etc. Naturally, you can tell I loved it and would recommend it to anyone interested in fine Italian home. I hope the author reads this and realized what a great job she did. ....

5 comments about House Framing.

1. This was the only framing book we used for building our house. My only previous framing experience was some volunteer work a few years ago. The book was fun for daydreaming before we started building, and helped us to eventually work up the courage to build. Our daughter and son-in-law helped us put up some of the heavier framing sections, and some other friends helped us insall the sheathing and sheetrock. Basically this was an owner-built house with no contractor involvement. Our building inspector is known for being very strict, and the house passed the framing inspection with compliments.



2. book is ok but lacks the detail and flow of say Graphic Guide to Framing ...or Journal of Light Construction guides. If your a reader and not really a hands on learner then the book may be a better fit for you. If however like me you learn by seeing a detailed picture and prefer to skip the long winded stuff..then this book is not a good fit. Also note the book does not give a lot of options...they show you one way to complete you project (except for the dormer plan)...were as say Graphic Guide gives you every way; plus a detailed drawing ie: say for a facia board trim out or venting options on a facia. As a guy that does this for a living I say your much better having all your options explained so that you can choose the best option for your situation.



3. I'm getting ready to build a small addition on my house. This was the perfect book for me. The book is well organized and it covers just about every question I had about how to frame my addition. The text is easy to understand, with lots of pictures, and the author defines all of the terms he uses that the general public might not be familiar with. There is also a glossary in the back.
   
   In addition to "how to frame", the book goes over what kind of lumber, nails, and screws you should use, and has charts to tell you how large joists, etc., should be.



4. House Framing: Plan, Design, Build by housing construction expert John Wagner clearly and coherently lays out illustrated construction techniques that will enable any do-it-yourself enthusiast to built a room addition, install windows and doors, finish a basement, create a shed, or construct a garage. More than 55 detailed step-by-step construction techniques are enhanced with more than 750 photos and illustrations that guide the reader through every layout and framing process. In addition to framing techniques for building floors, walls, and roofs, as well as "how to" information on steel framing, stairs, windows, and doors, the reader is provided with up-to-date information on the best tools and materials for their building project. House Framing is a welcome and invaluable addition to any personal or community library Architecture, Design & Construction reference collection.



5. You can learn how to frame an entire house with this book. The basics are all in there. Of course you'll be lacking some serious, somewhat required, experience if you just read this book and try to build a 3 bdrm, 2 story house. But it really helped clear things up for me.
   
   I'm using many of the techniques addressed in this book for my tree house. I'm also using the techniques to build a separate utility shed. The book makes it easy to refer back to something you've already read. I do this constantly since I seriously lack framing experience.
   
   The structural materials and engineering chapters were the most helpful to me. Combine this book with "Working Along" by John Carroll and you'll be dangerous in no time.
   
   aloha,
   -Brent
   [...]

5 comments about California Missions (Sunset Pictorial).

1. A beautiful illiustration of Californias most spectactular monuments. As well as, 21 well written chapters describing each individual mission presently and historically. I have visited some of these missions within the last 5 years.
   For anyone who have never seen one of these 21 California Missions personally, this book will make it seem as if they are.



2. I used his book while traveling to the missions with my children. It is an excellent overview of all of the missions. It provided us with a good sense of the history of the missions, and gave a idea as to the extent of restoration and rebuilding that had occured at each mission. It also documents the highlights and special attractions of every mission.

   Each mission is presented individually, and maps show each mission as it was originally built. Many illustrations portray mission life. Period photos and other illustrations show each mission as time and the elements have affected them. The textures, building materials, techniques, and crafts used in the construction and reconstruction of the missions are presented via text, photos, and illustrations.

   There are many books that discuss various missions as separate entities. I bought many along the way. For the money, this book is the best at bringing them all together in one place and discussing the interdependence of the whole mission system. Used as either a mission travel guide or as a jumping off point, you won't be disappointed.




3. Although it's nicely written and photographed, NO book reissued these days as a historical outline or overview has ANY business referring to Native Californians as "simple" or "childlike" or the colors of their artwork as "barbaric."

   As for 90% of these "simple" people with a rich cultural and spiritual life having been wiped out through warfare, culture shock, deicide, and disease, the authors weigh in on the pro-mission anti-mission argument by resorting to this supposedly measured justification:

   "...the treatment of natives by the Spaniards, though open to criticism by modern standards of political morality, was certainly no worse than that practiced in other colonial empires of the time. Slavery was condoned by all the world empires until late in the 19th century...Basically, the conflict of Spaniard vs. Indian was that of two cultures widely separated in style but fated to collide, and the reduction of the weaker by the stronger was inevitable."

   To argue that one form of subjugation is "no worse" than another, or that it was an inevitable result of the meeting of two cultures, is a cynical--no, a despicable hypothesis; and until this racist book is rewritten to eradicate these irresponsible "reasons" for ruthless colonialism, I urge the potential reader not to buy it. You can find nice photos and good commentary in plenty of other books. Let this one wither on the vine just as the missions did before their later restoration.




4. I have visited missions across the country. And each has its attraction. Yet there is something more robust and alive about the California missions. This book attempts to bring it out to you in history, tales, and diagrams. This is a good book to carry as you visit the different missions.

   The only drawback is that the bulk of the pictures are Black and white. It looks like art more than a live place that people are in today. Some of the missions are hard to find but there is no excuse to missing the gardens in San Diego de Alcala. The first mission founded July 16, 1769, and has had many lives since.

   There are 25 chapters and a fact section. You can even find Mission Recipes like Puchero means "a boiled pot".




5. This book describes not only how and why the Missions were established, but also gives a history and brief description of each individual mission in the California system. There are some pictures which could help when making a model (the book "California Missions Projects & Layouts" by Libby Nelson is best for actual model-building). But this book certainly gives enough history to be an excellent resource when writing a report. It is also written so that a 4th-grader can read and understand. A must for any Mission student!

2 comments about Building A Fireplace: Step-by-step Instructions For Contemporary To Classic Styles.

1. If you are an amatur builder and want to size your new firplace, this is not the book for you. The book focuses on the building steps from contractor's or builder's point of view and not designer's point view. You will find many good ideas on custom fireplace construction. However, you will not find how to size your fire chamber, the geometry of the fire chamber, the relationship between the fire chamber and the flue size or chimney hight, and many other specific data necessary for designing the fireplace.



2. Good book for learning to construct your own fireplace with how to instructions