3 comments about Architecture Exam Review: Structural Topics, Sixth Edition (Architecture Exam Review).

1. I think this book is excellent. It is written for the engineer kind of thinker. Somebody with mathmatical difficulties may find Kaplan/ALS material more helpful.



2. Disappointingly, this book is full of formula errors. This book must be used in conjunction with a formal Structural Analysis book in order to check and or correct 40% of the formulas given. This book does give you a broad over view of Structural Systems, but do not rely on it to be correct. My firm has both this book and the study series by Kaplan, suffice it to say Kaplan's Structural series is a much better study guide and so far I have found no formula errata. My Structural Engineer Colleagues can not believe That this book by Steven E. O'Hara and David Kent Ballast ever made it through any type of pre-production review with this many errors.



3. A good location to find many different subjects to the topic. Each chapter has sample exam questions for review. A good resource but not the ONLY resource you should use if you are taking the Architectural Registration Exam.

No comments about How to Prosper as an Interior Designer: A Business and Legal Guide.

No comments about Beach Houses.

2 comments about Spectacular Homes of Georgia: An Exclusive Showcase of Georgia's Finest Designers (Spectacular Homes).

1. I purchase a lot of interior design books -- two from this publisher simultaneously. The photographic quality of this book is no different from the other one -- less than desirable. While the book is printed on nice paper and the cover is attractive, many of the pictures inside are out of focus, outdated, and very few of the rooms are "fresh" and inspiring. Most of the photographs, if not all, are from local showcase houses from the 1990's. I frequent many showcase houses in Georgia and have seem many rooms that are truly inspired and looked beautiful and designed by top notch interior designers. These authors missed the mark. The title does not do this book justice. I think the title should have been "Out of date and late in Georgia" or "My high school art project". At best, this was a very disappointing purchase.



2. When you think of 'Spectacular Homes' you tend to think of LA or New York, maybe Aspen or some place like that. You don't think of Georgia, or at least I don't.
   
   This book shows that I should think more about other places. And to be sure, Atlanta is home to some large companies (Coke for instance) that have produced wealthy families. So why not Atlanta.
   
   This book showcases the work of nearly fifty designers that have produced homes easily worth picturing. As one of these architects says, 'what's right is whatever the client wants.' And the homes shown here vary from ultra modern to Gone With The Wind traditional, from formal to casual. Above all else, the rooms shown are 'Spectacular.'
   
   The book is on interior design, so it does not show the exterior of the house and its settings. The rooms may be in the houses of the designer, they may be of clients. The designer picked the house and the room to show off their work. The photography is excellent, including some very tricky views where the sun coming from outside would tend to confuse the camera. After that it was beautifully printed, on high quality paper to show off the photographs.
   
   A good idea book, a good coffee table book.

No comments about Indian Style: Landscapes, Houses, Interiors, Details (Icon (Taschen)).

5 comments about The Curtain Sketchbook 2.

1. This is a valuable resource for any designer or person that sews. I have used sketches from the book for many projects. It provides a wonderful reference for clients to look through as well in order to get a sense of their style.



2. This book of only sketches is a great resource to jumpstart the creative process. I believe it is intentionally black and white so as not to distract with color and pattern. There are a wealth of ideas categorized so that you can mix and match within a particular category. It is a good inspiration piece from which you can proceed to either commission or design and create your own personal window treatment.



3. This book will not teach you how to sew curtains but it will give you loads of ideas for your window treatment.However, it is only ideal for those looking for classical designs since no modern styles are shown.

   It also lacks new creative designs, I always felt that each design is familiar to me.




4. The book contains line drawings of styles for all the various elements of a window treatment as well as ideas for dealing with different kinds of windows. The book decomposes window treatments into pelmets, valences, etc., etc., etc., with pages of line drawings of styles for each element. Then, it pulls the various elements together into a total look.

   I was leant this book, but I found it so helpful I bought my own. It has drawbacks. If you want something simple and/or you plan to make them yourself, this probably isn't the book for you. There are no instructions or measurements of any kind, just the drawings. But if you're working with a decorator who knows a professional, or are a decorator yourself, then this book will help your imagination run wild.




5. This book is really great for any windows. Mostly if you are a interior designer. It gaves you lot of good examples which curtains will good in what rooms with different types of furnitures. This book gaves you something that no one esle has. You will be the first one to have that design in your room before someone esle does

1 comments about From Aztec to High Tech: Architecture and Landscape across the Mexico-United States Border (Creating the North American Landscape).

1. (From Planeta.com Journal) - Subtitled "Architecture and Landscape across the Mexico-United States Border, this book is tour-de-force that gives visual explanations of the great changes at the heart of the US/Mexico Borderlands. The book is expertly illustrated with maps and black-and-white photos, but the majority is space has been crafted by the author. It's a wonderful medley of observations, historical anecdotes and interviews with the architects themselves. Highly recommended.

No comments about Architecture: Residential Drafting and Design.

2 comments about Traffic Flow Fundamentals.

1. The title is no exaggeration: This book is the THE fundamental source of traffic flow theory.
   
   I know no book that is that comprehensive; the extensive coverage of macroscopic and microscopic traffic flow theory is supplemented by traffic demand modeling, intersection planning, traffic simulation...
   
   I am not aware of another publication containing such a broad content. Regardless whether you are scientist in traffic modeling or practitioner, there is no alternative to this book. Although not updated since 1990, most is still valid today. A remarkable exception is the chapter about traffic simulation since the significant progress during the last two decades is not covered (-1 star).
   
   Plus, the physical quality is very low: Soft-cover almost as thin as any page, printed in black & white, weak binding (some pages loose after only a week of careful reading). For approximately $100, I'd expect better. (-1 star).
   
   Regardless of these handicaps, I strongly recommend this book. There is no better. I hope, though, there will be an updated edition one day.



2. This book give wide range of traffic flow fundamental. The context start from explaining the principle of traffic flow theory to explaining the application simulating the traffic flow in real world. The appropriate person for this book should has a background about statistic and claculus.

2 comments about A Constructed View: The Architectural Photography of Julius Shulman.

1. This catalog provides a history and overview of Shulman's work, along with a nice biography of the photographer. The print quality is good, and the selection of photographs convey the breadth and nature of Shulman's career from the 1930's to 1980's. As a whole, Shuman's work illustrates how purpose so often underlies great art.
   
   In addition to the historical and catalog aspects of the book, the narrative provides some excellent instruction in architectural photography. A must for any photography library.



2. Julius Shulman's work is simply amazing and this book is a great tribute to that work. This publication is far better than the Taschen book. A must for any modern architecture/photography fan.