1 comments about Lautner, 1911-1994: Disappearing Space (Basic Art).

1. Most books on Lautner (my father) are out of print and expensive. This one is a great small book that makes a terrific gift or handy guide. Some new pictures, some different buildings from Campbell-Lange's other Lautner book.

4 comments about Richard Neutra, 1892-1970: Survival Through Design (Taschen Basic Architecture).

1. I agree with all of the other reviewers in that this is a very high quality book in general. Very nice photos and high quality printing. But, there are NO floorplans or blueprints in this book. There are only tiny thumbnail size floorplan drawings of each home that have no details--they don't label the different rooms or show any built-in furniture or closet spaces. The kitchens are not notated nor are any kitchen cabinets shown. The drawings only show walls and windows and don't even show the standard architectural symbols for swinging doors. You are left to guess what rooms are bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms ect!
   
   So if you want to study a Neutra house by examining the floorplan or blueprint, you cannot do so with this book! How can you you have a book about an architect and exclude architectural drawings? This book is nothing but a small format coffee table book for people who are not interested in really studying what made Neutra homes unique and interesting.
   
   If you are interested in getting a book with drawings of Neutra homes, then this is NOT the book for you. The thumbnail drawings are virtually useless.
   
   I would not recommend this book.



2. For a very thin book, very informative, lots of photos, though most interior shots are black and white. Barbara Lamprecht provides insight into one of the pre-eminent Modernist visionaries whose work still captures the imagination today.



3. The German Publishing Company, Taschen has recently introduced a series of paperback monographs covering the lives and works of the Twentieth Century's greatest architects.
   
   The series follows a standardized format. The books are 96 pages long and begin with an introductory biographical chapter. The book then moves onto brief chapters highlighting the master architect's most iconic buildings. The book is very well written and his covered head to toe with beautiful photographs. The book is of the high quality that one generally associates with Taschen publishing.
   
   Richard Neutra, an Austrian immigrant helped introduce the United States to European "modernism". His early works shows the clear influence of Bauhuas. What made Neutra one of the great architects is that he took modernist ideas and gave them a uniquely American character. We are currently experiencing a mid century modern revival and Richard Neutra was one of creators of that style. This book is a wonderful introduction to the works of this great architect. Taschen hits another home run! A great value. Highly recommended.



4. I have written two research papers on Richard Neutra and therefore have read lots and lots of books about the architect and his evocative buildings. This book, while admittedly just a quick look at Neutra's major works, is well-written (even lyric at times), packed with information, and interesting. She discusses his background and influences, theories of biorealism and technology, and characteristic stylistic language. The quality of the photographs is excellent--they are crisp and clear and literally pop out of the page, alive with contrast and color. I bought this book on a whim thinking that it would be just "fun" compared to longer, more involved texts, but it has become my favorite!!

2 comments about Curb Appeal Idea Book (Taunton Home Idea Books).

1. Someone else said it was not great or original, but I disagree.
   Maybe because I do not have the other Taunton home books,
   so these images are all new to me. I am a designer and this has
   been an excellent resource for me. I use it a lot. I love the
   ideas and I turn to this book over and over for inspiration. I
   highly recommend it if you're looking for ideas to rejeuvinate your
   home's exterior or if you are sharing design ideas with your cleints,
   as a real estate agent or architectural design consultant.



2. The Taunton Press has published some excellent books - I especially like "Built-Ins". But this books seems to have been thrown together with little thought or integrity. Featured are numerous pictures that can been seen in their other books; this recycling of images is an affront to the reader - I never forget a photograph, and feel ripped-off when I recognize it from a different book.
   The Taunton Press should re-think its strategy; re-hashing previous publications and slapping on a new title is lazy, unoriginal, and insulting to its readership.

5 comments about PMP Exam Prep (4th Edition).

1. This book is telling the philosophy of the project management and the most definite and short ways to the PMP exam.



2. The books came very well (on time and conditions). I would like suggest for this kind of product that it must be covered with some plastic protection, in this way, the accidents with any kind of liquids dropped over a box can be avoided.



3. The book covers all the subjecy matter in clear and precise ways. It has been very helpful for the test preparation...
   I think it is also critical to obtain its accompanying Test DVD...



4. The book arrived on time and good conditions. This was a cake walk and I will order from this source again.



5. If you are interested in taking the PMP exam, this book is for you.
   The boot-camp PMP courses are 40 hours, Monday to Friday, or one month. It costs $2500 to $10000. One book to pass the PMP exam, definitely saves you plenty of $$$.

2 comments about Typographic Systems of Design.

1. There are many typography and design books out there - but this book is rare in that it actually SHOWS whats its talking about. After all we are in a visual field, how much sense does it make to not get a grasp on how this stuff actually looks. As a graphic design student, this is really the only book my teacher assigned that i actually care at all about.



2. This book examines interesting ideas about alternative type layout and design. It is missing an introductory chapter that examines the traditional grid system and offers guidelines about how to break the rules, but for experienced designers this book offers a solid argument on breaking the grid, backed up with good historical references on how the grid has been broken in the past. It would be nice if Elam had addressed the reasons behind why designers are looking for alternative ways to work with type. This is strictly a reference book, with little or no discussion on the conceptual ideas behind breaking the grid. Tons of interesting illustrations and historic layouts back up the samples, also a nice touch, the tissue overlays that "map" out the different strategies. Overall, a good book for your typographic library and an excellent student reference.

5 comments about Bauhaus 1919-1933 (Taschen 25).

1. If you want a comprehensive historical information as well as tons of full color photos of all sorts of Bauhaus inspired works -from architecture to practical objects - this is the book you should have. Open it and read a single article, think about it and close the book. Or browse through the photos and marvel at the teapots, the furniture, the architectural style.
   
   You can savor this one slowly (and I think you should) rather than trying to read it through all at once. If you do that, you'll start to get a sense of the Bauhaus style and how it fits into the particular period when it came into being - and how it grew and evolved from there.



2. While this book offers an excellent collection of images related to the Bauhaus, it traces the history and the development of the Bauhaus comprehensively as well.
   This book, alongwith Eva Forgacs' Bauhaus Idea and Bauhaus Politics can give you a general idea about what the institution was all about.
   
   Its an amazing read.



3. You can know lots of new details. It helps you to study not only design but art itself.



4. This book has great studies. Lots of new details for me are in it. It helps you to study design and art histry.



5. Bauhaus was one of the most important movements in design-history.
   Magdalena Drosta describes the ideas, the people, the work and the spirit of the Bauhaus. The best thing: It is never boring. The book does not only concentrate on the art taught at the Bauahaus but also describes its political problems.
   A lot of excellent pictures in a good priniting quality (especially in relation to the price) make this a book, you always like to look at.

5 comments about Creating Your Own Japanese Garden.

1. I think this a good book for someone ready to start digging now to create their Japanese garden, someone who knows exactly what they want to do. The beginning of the book was interesting, and provided good information about and reasons for the different elements of a Japanese garden - such as water, stone lanterns, bridges, and plantings.
   I was hoping for a little more inspiration through photographs and seeing more examples of gardens people have created. This book gets down to the step-by-step details of building fences and dry riverbeds for example.
   The book does have a nice materials/plant/planting guide in the back which I took a few notes from. But I'm in a brainstorming phase with my garden not the brass tacks phase, so I did return the book and will look into a book that is more photography-based and example-based, than how-to.



2. After reading this book most of the way through, I thought it provided a lot of good information. My intention was not necessarily to design a true Japanese garden but wanted to create a garden and atmosphere that reflects the feeling and general appearance of a Japanese garden while still maintaining my herb and vegetable garden. The book gave a lot of pictures that were helpful to create that atmosphere in an American environment. Most if not all of the design elements were explained as to why and how they help to create the desired effect. Additionally there was a full chapter that described the history behind Japanese gardens, and I found that very helpful. Since reading that chapter I have picked up and English translation of the books described in that chapter. I felt this book was really helpful and plan to use it to landscape my backyard.
   
   One thing to keep in mind, is this is not a step by step how to book. It is designed mostly to give you an overview and an understanding of what elements to use, and how to use them.



3. Have many books on Japanese gardening - this is the one that finally helped me begin to answer the "but how will I design and situate one in my space?" question. Nicely written, direct, and just enough examples to help you get moving!



4. My daughter was recently proposed marriage to in a japanese garden. They are planning to build a similar garden in their backyard,so this book
   was a Christmas present.
   She was thrilled and we went thru the book as she mentioned several
   items in the book that were relevant.
   It has alot of very nice illustrations and "how-tos",more than some that I looked at.This author was careful to include all aspects of the japanese garden. Plenty of detail.Very happy with my purchase.



5. This book provides useful guidance in planning a Japanese Garden with well written text and beautiful photographs. It inspires one to find a way to incorporate the concepts into Western style homes.

5 comments about Designer's Guide to Furniture Styles (2nd Edition).

1. This book is wonderfully educational. It takes you back to the beginning of furniture and walks you through the centuries providing you with the intial inspiration through Modern design. Great pictures too.



2. Based on the reviews of this book I decided to buy it! To my absolute shock, I dont understand who wrote these great reviews??? They were probably written by the publisher or author of this book.
   What a waste of time and money. Being a designer myself, i ve got every possible book on interior design, and furniture styles that are out on the market. Based on the price of this book, and good reveiws, I figured it would be a great addition to my collection of books and references. Its poorly printed, very bad paper quality, no detailed shots of the furniture pieces, and not worth the price whatsoever. I mean if the publisher is charging this price, then the least they could do is print it on good paper and have clearer pictures.
   I am extremely dissapointed and returning the book asap.
   If u enjoy throwing your money away on a small book with poorly printed pictures(aside from the info, which is fine)then this is the book to buy . But if you are looking for details of furniture, including the background and history, and worth every penny, then i suggest you buy (Furniture: World Styles From Classical to Contemporary by Judith Miller )



3. I was not impressed when I received this book, with the quality of the paper or the overall presentation. I thought some of the photography left much to be desired quality-wise. However, it is quite a comprehensive book and I leaned on it considerably in my studies of furniture and design. So don't let me put you off. I just think that, with all the research and hard work involved, and considering the price, a better quality might have been forthcoming.



4. This book has brief history lessons on furniture from the begining of time! It's a great reference when you need an answer about a design period- quick! A must for every Interior Designer!



5. I found the book to be a good overall reference and extremely
   useful in explaining period furniture to my design clients. I would like to have seen more coverage of Mid-century Modern, especially the work of Edward Wormley and DUNBAR.

   Definitely worth the money - should be all designers reference
   libraries...

No comments about Beyond Bawa: Modern Masterworks of Monsoon Asia.

1 comments about Casa Adobe, pb.

1. "Earth was used to create farmhouses in France, cottages in England, castles in Germany, and missions in California and Arizona. Eighteenth- and nineteenth-century adobe buildings still stand today in New York, Boston, Virginia, and South Carolina." ~ pg. 35
   
   The cover picture is a picture of Mision de Sol, a resort and spa with vibrant colors, dramatic waterfalls and beautiful adobe walls. Throughout the pages we are introduced to textures, interiors, surroundings, traditional adobes, modern adobes, adobe escapes and building materials needed to create a rugged home with romantic appeal.
   
   The decorative iron sconces with glowing candles are inspiring and the use of reflective pools and lush plantings adds artistic appeal. I loved the bookshelves in a room with a chandelier, table with a vase of lilies and rough terra tiled floor covered with a beautifully textured red carpet.
   
   ~The Rebecca Review