2 comments about Fire and Memory: On Architecture and Energy (Writing Architecture).

1. A very dense and stimulating read. One-third of the book is footnotes & references, so it takes a while to grasp just an entire paragraph. But if you like to be ultimately challenged, pick this book up. From caveman to modern man, this book explains how energy (Fire) has evolved through architecture & influenced the way we perceive & use that space (Memory). Also-using two of the most prominent architects: FLW & Corbu, it compares & contrasts the internal & external energy of architecture. Utilizing the laws of thermodynamics, it speaks about architecture alongside an inevitable process of the universe: entropy.



2. This is a welcomed variant in the MIT series "Writing Architecture" whose other tomes are, for the most part, examples of postmodernistic self-emphatuated drivel! Fernandez-Galiano instead takes up the theme of Energy and Entropy in Architecture and he does so with considerable skill and rare insight. His choice of illustrations alone is worth the price of the book!
   However his grasp of Physics and its History is quite sophomoric and hampered by his reliance on secondary, contentious and dubious sources, such as Morin, Rifkin and Georgescu-Roentgen. His recounting of Thermodynamics as an ideological contest between "mechanistic and organismic" schools mascarades the actual facts of this interesting history which he largely
   mishandles (he should read Maxwell, Helmholtz, Gibbs and Planck instead. And Boltzmann too, of whom he only mentions the suicide)! Much of his references to the interesting ideas of Prigogine is also marginal at best! On the side of architecture proper he misses the very crucial appraisals by authors such as Mumford, Giedion, Tuan and Mitchell which cover much of his territory. Yet this is a book stll makes better reading than about anything on this subject, (mostly because there is so little written on this worthy subject)!

3 comments about Facility Piping Systems Handbook.

1. Excellent resource for MEP, plumbing and piping engineers. Provides thorough descriptions of pressure losses, treatments, correct valve uses and lots more. This book, when coupled with a CAD pipe library (such as Hercule Design's ANSI one), has all a designer needs. The inclusion of metric formulae is also most welcome.



2. All the basic information on pumps, compressors, piping, plumbing, and any kind of specialty equipment used for any facility you could imagine.
   
   There is everything from piping connection and configuration of an underground gasoline tank to details on the design of animal laboratories. The book is full of charts and solid recommendations on materials and methods.
   
   Even if you think you know a chapter's subject extremely well, this book will have new and useful information that will extend your knowledge considerably.
   
   If you do mechanical/piping design for commercial, industrial, or healthcare facilities this book is an incredible buy.



3. This is one of the finest books about facilities systems I have ever found. It's rather banal title is misleading, because this book covers every aspect of the very complicated piping systems that serve institutional, industrial and even residential buildings. To give you an example, the chapter on compressed gas systems explains the working mechanisms of 10 types of compressor motors, and then goes on to explain silencers, aftercoolers, filters (and how to select filters) air dryers (with explanations and diagrams of the verious types), lubricators, air compressor drives, pressure regulation, cooling water, hose and fittings. Then in the same chapter it explains specialized features of compressed gas for light industrial uses, laboratories, and hospitals. And this is just one chapter. There are another 18 chapters with similar levels of detail and comprehensiveness, including vacuum systems, site utilities, general plumbing, waste, even animal care facility systems. This is a terrific book.

No comments about English Stained Glass.

3 comments about Wine Country Architecture and Interiors.

1. I have spent many weekends in Napa Valley and did not feel that this book captured the many beautiful homes and wineries it has to offer. The book was uninspiring and I have not picked up the book once since I first looked at it.



2. Just like all the other books in Whitesides' books, this one is artistic, beautiful, and unique. A Fabulous Book!!



3. We are in the process of building a home and have wanted to incorporate the architecture of Napa Valley in our home. I have purchased several books and this is by far the best depiction of Napa Style!! I highly recommend!!

1 comments about Italian Splendor.

1. Italian Splendor is simply splendid, and much more than just a coffee table show-off. It is a beautifully produced book, dominated (as it should be) by the wonderful photography of Roberto Schezen.

   The descriptions by art expert Ralph Toledano are succinct and respectful and contain some interesting anecdotes. Best of all, they are short enough to just whet the appetite for the photographs.

   This book takes you into the fabulous homes of the rich and aristocratic families of Italy and Sicily. From the exquisitely simple La Rocca Pisana, Lonigo to the amazingly rich Palazzo Doria Pamphilij in Rome, each house is different and interesting. Some are astonishing, like the Palazzo, Panza di Biumo, which has a peculiar mixture of ancient frescoes and abstract modern art that works in an odd sort of way. Many are private homes not open to the public, and therefore not able to be viewed in any other way except through this book. Unless you happen to be royalty yourself, of course!

   The book was researched over 18 months by Jack Basehart, who must be incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know all of these marvellous houses. Thanks for sharing them with us, Jack....

   ...And how about turning this book into a documentary series?

   PS. If you can get hold of it, I think the hardback is well worth the extra money. This is a book you're going to want to keep.

5 comments about Julia Morgan, Architect of Dreams (Lerner Biographies).

1. This is a great little book. It gives insight to Julia Morgan the person more than Julia Morgan the Architect. There seems to be plenty of books covering her work but this is a bit more personal. I really enjoyed it.



2. The book was shorter and smaller than what I expected. After visiting Hearst Castle last year and hearing about this architect, I wanted to learn more. I think that there are better books out there.



3. Wow. I wanted to do a good book for my book report. This book was just the right one. It's about the life of Julia Morgan and what she was like. Now, if you don't like biographies, I don't either. This book waas really good though. I recommend this to anyone that hates biographies. The other reason I think I liked it is that my name is similar to hers! This book is all about the true Julia Morgan.



4. I've been somewhat familiar with Julia Morgan's architecture for many years, so it was interesting to read about her life. This is a nice quick read for an adult, but would really be wonderful as a gift to that niece or nephew who aspires to be an architect. The book does a good job of demonstrating how important Miss Morgan's determination and leadership skills were to her success, in addition to her obvious artistic giftedness.

   As a Berkeley grad I was disappointed to learn that one of my heros, John Galen Howard, who was chief campus architect in the early 20th century (and designer of the Campanile, among many other of the granite buildings), acted in such a petty way towards Miss Morgan, blocking any campus building contracts from going to her because she had the audacity to leave his office to go solo. On the other hand, Bernard Maybeck sounds as though he was as delightful as the Berkeley brown shingles he designed.

   A touching aspect of the book is how it illustrates Miss Morgan's kindness to everyone she came in contact with. She designed a playhouse for the children of the man who chauferred her to and from the Hearst Castle site. When her own mother was getting old and fearful she built an exact replica in San Francisco of the bedroom her mother had lived in for many years in Oakland.




5. I read this book when it first came out to review for our library collection. It has always been one of the books that has stood out in my mind as an unforgettable. It is terrific not just for the youth but also adults. It is an exemplary biography for an exemplary woman. Julia Morgan was one of our countries first women architects. It is an excellent biography for girls and the general public. An excellent comprehensive read of one of our countries finest architects. I highly recommend it for someone looking for an oustanding, informative, inspiring fun read for our youth.

No comments about Industrial Design: Materials and Manufacturing Guide.

No comments about Monuments And Memorials of Washington, D.c..

5 comments about Outhouses by Famous Architects.

1. I found this book both fun and informative. The drawings are excellent and the text really taught me a lot about famous architects. I can highly recommend Steve Schaecher's book.



2. I first found out about this book when he was appeared in a benefit show for my schools fine arts program, since he graduated from it. He gave excerpts from the book and I bought it at intermission. The book is hillarious and offers a unique view into what would happen if famous architects designed outhouses. Each picture is accompanied by a historical and analytical text. This book is a great collection to add to your bathroom reading material.



3. This author and cartoonist is the greatest hidden treasure in the publishing industry. I'm not sure if this guy has made a fortune yet, but if not, somebody better grab him up quick...He's the next Gary Larson, Matt Groenig, Mike Judge! Some of the funniest writing combined with unique hand drawings I've ever seen~ Buy several copies and give to friends. I did.



4. Outhouses by Famous Architects clearly is a fine mixture of cerebral humor. Mr. Schaecher has definitely given someone in the bathroom some new things to ponder. While I agree that I will have plenty of time to view his impressive drawings, I sometimes wonder how many others have considered exactly how their outhouse flows. On a serious note, this is definitely a must buy for someone who has a sense of humor or needs decoration for their outhouse/bathroom.



5. This is a terrific, very funny look at the unseen side of many of the world's greatest architects. (I'm sure that most of them forgot about their secondary, no. 2 efforts.) Mr. Schaecher's wit and understanding of both architecture and basic bodily functions are clearly evident. This book may not quite be suited for the coffee table, but it surely will make a splash in the powder room.

1 comments about Circle Houses: Yurts, Tipis and Benders (House That Jack Built).

1. I thought the book gave an excellent description of yurts and tipis from a historical perspective and present day use. Its gives case studies/examples of people who current live in these types of unique dwellings. We added a couple of yurts to our North Georgia bed and breakfast inn. We have witnessed some of the feelings first hand that our guests have had that were also mentioned in the book by yurt dwellers.