1 comments about Appalachian Folkways (Creating the North American Landscape).

1. Appalachian Folkways by John B. Rehder (Professor of Geography, University of Tennessee) is an informed and informative account of the regional culture Southern Appalachia. Drawing upon more than 30 years of study, Professor Rehder provides the reader with a definitive depiction of a people and their history which began with the settlement by Europeans that was to include successive waves of Melungeon, Scotch-Irish, English, and Germans. Influenced by culture shaping environment, Appalachian Folkways showcases architecture and landscape designs, as well as the culinary traditions, folk remedies, and belief systems of the area. Of special merit is the presentation of Appalachian dialect, music, art, and the folk festivals that are being eroded as a way of life quickly disappears under the pressures of the broader American mass culture. Appalachian Folkways is a welcome and seminal contribution to American regional history collections.

No comments about Solar Architecture in Cool Climates.

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

5 comments about Brick: A World History.

1. Purchased this for my father's, who is a retired brick mason, 67th birthday. The quality of the book, pictures, and writing are all excellent. Upon receiving it, my father immediately began reading and studying the book which is a real testament to its ability to capture and maintain ones interest.



2. A powerful and original book. Wonderfully rich and beautiful photographs accompany a lucid text.



3. This is, simply, an outstanding book. While Campbell delivers in taking an unlikely subject (brick? who would have thought?) and making it interesting to the general reader, the real draw of this book is its breathtaking photographs. Suffused with light, stunning in composition, masterful in perspective they practically glow as one turns the page. Will Pryce is clearly one to watch. This is a book that will delight general audiences and architectural historians alike. Buy it!



4. The author writes easily, seems to know everything, and has a completely unpretentious style. He also chose his subjects well, with many less-well-known examples and only a few icons. As a historian, he occasionaly suffers from their tendency to document, say, the names and ruling periods of the Middle Ages Persian kings before getting to the interesting parts about the use of brick in that era. The photographs are all similar to the one on the cover--deep colors and bright sunlight--and their consistency adds a nice touch. The organization of the book was good too, presenting the subject in manageable bites.



5. After reading favourable reviews by architectural critics, I was pleased to find that this book exceeded my expectations. The book is an authoritative history of the use of world's oldest building material. Despite its massive size, it is easy to read and covers a lot of ground, from the origins of the brick in mud-bricks in the Near East to the modern day. The clearly written text is complemented by sumptuous colour photographs. For these reasons, it stands out.

   This book certainly opened my eyes to the variety of buildings in which brick has been used and introduced many that I would like to visit myself. It makes you look at the world in a whole new way. It not only covers the shows the wide range of design possibilities but also the practical aspects of building in brick. For the serious student, there is an illustrated glossary at the end. A fascinating book for both students and laymen alike.

No comments about Blueprint Reading for Construction (2nd Edition).

No comments about Workbook for Tonality and Design in Music Theory, Volume I.

5 comments about Big Sur Inn: The Deetjen Legacy.

1. The Big Sur Inn needed an historian and got one. The historian needed an editor and didn't. Some interesting stories and photos but the whole doesn't hang together. Buy it for the memories, especially if you have ever stayed at the Inn, but don't expect great writing.



2. This is a lovely exploration of a favorite getaway in Big Sur



3. In the late 50s, early 60s...I had the good fortune to stumble into this Simple Inn.... Poppa Deetjen and Ed quietly made all travelers welcome. It truly is one of those very unique places where time literally stands still. Nothing changes, if anything, it gets better, each time you visit.
   Anita Alan has captured the very essance of of ALL that the Inn is about, she has stimulated my senses so, that I can taste, feel and re-experience my past times.... Her writing will most definetly stimulate you into to visiting, an enjoying your own experience..I GAR-RON-TEE ! !



4. 
   The book is excellent. For all of us who have had the good
   fortune to experience Deetjen -the book is a must.
   
   linda c.



5. What a wonderful view into the past of a famous landmark! Ms. Alan's poetry and prose made me feel as if I were a witness to each event. I can't wait to vist the inn on my next trip to Big Sur.

No comments about Japan Living: Form and Function at the Cutting-Edge.

No comments about The Creative City: A Toolkit for Urban Innovators.

2 comments about Affordable Home Design: Innovations and Renovations.

1. This book says almost nothing about affordable home design. In fact, it says almost nothing at all. Most of the book is dedicated to large photos, some of which are grainy in quality. The written descriptions of the houses include, at most, a sentence or two about some "affordable" feature, while most of the noteworthy features of the houses look quite expensive. It's as if the publisher decided to make another book about mostly modern houses, then put the word "affordable" in the title just to sell more books. If you want a book on this subject, buy another one instead.



2. Affordable Home Design; Innovations And Renovations is packed with solutions to appeal to designers on a budget who want to keep quality without high expense. Here are projects which focus on budget-saving ideas and sustainable designs, covering both new construction and renovation projects from single family homes to apartments. Energy saving ideas are a big part of Affordable Home Design, with discussions revolving around originally commissioned idea versus finished project considerations. Martha Torres received a degree in architecture in Venezuela and has coordinated a number of design projects: her expertise lends to a fine set of ideas.