No comments about Figure Painting In Watercolor.

No comments about Material Architecture: emergent materials for innovative buildings and ecological construction.

No comments about Nothing Less than Literal: Architecture after Minimalism.

4 comments about New Strawbale Home, The.

1. This book had some good pictures of different SB structures. But, to me that is all there was.



2. For your money you'll be getting what amounts to a picture book with several different types of strawbale homes across the US and Canada. There is a small starter section, with pictures, on general construction details.
   For each house there will be at least two, sometimes four or five, pages of text and pictures about the owners homes and how they were built. Don't buy this book thinking it's a build it manual, that isn't the case as the information is more of an idea book type presentation. You'll get a little on costs, size and other things including square feet both inside and outside the walls (along with small floor plans of each home) and several very well done photographs.
   I found these photos to be the best part of the book as they will either give you some ideas for your own home or at least they'll show you what's out there. Some of the ideas had a Santa Fe look but some had a sharp edged box with lots of glass look (and not much straw either). Most of the homes were not displayed from all angles, just from selected views.
   If you're on a strict budget you won't want this book unless you can find a cheap used copy, it's much more of an idea book.



3. Beautiful book with much needed info..a real treat for the eyes..the best is it gives the cost of contruction for almost all the houses shown...if you want to build a strawbale than this book is one you will want to include in your library..does not give alot of hands on constrution but it does gives you visual ideas of what others have done with their houses..



4. This is the first "coffee table" book that shows how exquisitely beautiful straw bale homes can be. It also gives good information on how much they cost, various energy savings you can recieve from a straw bale home and other information on how the various owners and builders built and paid for their homes.

   Most of the homes are in the higher-end spectrum and I was disappointed that I didn't see less expensive (but maybe not as fancy) homes included. However I did like the coverage of the co-housing communities who use straw bale building.

   Overall, a lovely book that you will drool over if you like straw bale or any other natural building.

No comments about 3 Steel Houses: Barton Myers Associates----House Design Series II (House Design).

3 comments about A Chicago Tradition: Marshall Field's Food And Fashion (Chicago Cultural Center Foundation).

1. First of all the format is way, way too small, what was there was nice but I wanted to see more of everything, more recipes, more historical photos, more contemporary photos of the interiors, some advertising and graphic design would have been nice, I came away unsatisfied. Perhaps the author didn't have access to alot of the archival materials since it was going to be sold off to FDS. BOO!



2. This book not only has recipes from Marshall Field's Restaurants, but also beautiful pictures and a history of the store itself. I was very pleased with this book, I bought three of them, one for myself and one for each of my daughters as a remembrance of all the wonderful times we've spent at Marshall Field's. We all intend to make the recipe for the Walnut Room's famous Chicken Pot Pie!



3. This is the one of the neatest little books on Chicago that I have ever seen. Recently, I was on a business trip to the windy city and purchased two little books by Joan Greene that were done as a series for the Chicago Cultural Center Foundation.
   
   The one on Marshall Field's is great -- wonderful photos -- old and new and a good tribute to a Chicago institution that will be changing it's name next year. Growing up near Chicago, Marshall Field's Walnut Room Restaurant was always a treat at Christmas time and I love that the books has several recipes included. What I did not know and the book talks about is the number of retail first that began at Marshall Field's. If you like shopping or history or Chicago, this little easy-read is a must. I am ordering one for my sister to enjoy over Christmas.
   
   P. S. The Chicken Potpie recipe from Field's is included. I remember my mother ordering that when I was a child. The book made me want to stop by Field's for a meal the next time I am in town.

5 comments about Dogs In Their Gardens.

1. This book is a visual delight. The photographs are charming and well taken; it's such a stress reliever, it's almost as good as actually having a dog.



2. I LOVE this bright glossy book of 135 photos of British dogs in their 23 exceptional gardens from all over the world; 96pp; Jack Russell Terriers, Norfolk Terriers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Mastiffs, Aussies, Tibetan Terriers, Welsh Corgis and more--Yay!



3. Page Dickey is not one to favor animal types. Known as an authority on gardens, she has selected gardens of homes across the country to photograph - gardens that just happen to be the homes of a wide variety of Dogs! (Her other similar book gives the position of honor to Cats). In this series of garden vistas Dickey focuses on a wide assortment of garden styles while keeping her photographer's eye attuned to the resident dog of each garden. The combination of running commentary about the plants and trees, paths and resting places, with observations about how dogs can enhance a garden's atmosphere makes for a readable and visually delightful little book. A fine gift for those who love either gardens, or dogs, or hopefully who love the combination! Grady Harp, November 2004



4. This is definitely a picture book. The photographs are lovely and the write up for photographs are also great. However, I was not expecting a picture book. I was expecting a book listing or detailing dog friendly gardens. This book was not it, however the photos are appeasing.



5. "Dogs in the Gardens of the Rich and Famous" is probably a more descriptive title for this little book, but that's a minor distraction; the dogs are the stars of this book. The photos are without exception excellent and the accompanying text is good, especially when it focuses on the dogs. It was comforting to see the odd mutt featured in these pages, many adopted from Humane Societies. The passages about the pleasures of being with dogs while in the garden, particularly the ones pertaining to a dog named "May", make this book special. The book is printed on quality stock in a pleasing layout.

1 comments about Architectural Details and Measured Drawings of Houses of the Twenties (Dover Pictorial Archives).

1. This book is a replica of ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS FOR EVERY TYPE OF BUILDING: A PRACTICAL DRAFTING ROOM GUIDE FOR CONTRACTORS, BUILDERS, LUMBER DEALERS, MILLMEN, DRAFTSMEN, AND ARCHITECTS published in 1921. The original title is an appropriate one, as it was not intended for the general public looking for house plans or ideas for details but more for the building professional. Today, however, it provides a great reference resource for those interested in restoring or improving an early twentieth century building. For houses, there are some complete working drawing sets in addition to various details for stairs, fireplaces, bookcases, and even fences, among many others. Also included are drawings for an Ice House, a Modern Photo Play House (movie theater), and various Barns. It is highly recommended for those who enjoy technical information.

No comments about The Living Landscape, Second Edition: An Ecological Approach to Landscape Planning.

No comments about Dot Dot Dot 15 (Dot Dot Dot).