No comments about Finding Order in Nature: The Naturalist Tradition from Linnaeus to E. O. Wilson (Johns Hopkins Introductory Studies in the History of Science).

4 comments about Design of Straw Bale Buildings; The State of the Art.

1. Most books of this sort are long on enthusiasm and short on useful information. As a professional engineer I now have just what Ineed to design a straw bale building in an earthquake zone.



2. The information in the book was too detailed for the layman. This book is more for the architect and/or structual engineer or student of engineering and architecture. While I understood the concepts since I have already built a strawbale house as a layman it was way beyond what I would be look for in designing a straw bale house. I would recommend it to an architect who was going to design a straw bale house but not for the layman looking for ideas.



3. An excellent book for anyone interested in the specifics/codes/details of straw bale buildings, with special attention to moisture and structure.
   
   I was a bit dismayed to find an admonishment to avoid designing parapets or "Santa Fe" style buildings, but I understand the advice. However, a web search yielded some suggestions on overcoming the disadvantage of zero-overhang inherit in parapet roofs. As I will be building in Santa Fe and want an adaptation of the parapet style, I will continue research on overcoming this disadvantage (I am not building a full parapet roof, but am using a parapet look to make a 360 degree balcony available to my master bedroom).



4. For architects especially - dealing with technical issues and codes - and serious others as well, this is THE must-own first book to get on the intelligent, competent and wise use of straw bales in building construction. And do not forget the Art along the way. Editor/Engineer Bruce King and his team of top expert contributors make it all accessible, exciting and enticing to any adventurous designer considering use of this stimulating new/old material.

3 comments about The Place of Houses.

1. This is a great book for a college class or coffee table. I was needing something to help me design a home for today. I took the recommendation from an architect but it did not relly give me enough practical info.



2. Ever since its arrival in the mid-1970's as a reference for architecture students and professionals alike, this book has been one of the finest references, also, for budding homeowners as well. It places into beautiful perspective the almost anatomical linkage between large and small scale; neighborhood, house and room. It further discusses, eloquently, the relationship -- the emotional relationship -- between architecture and its users. Moore, et al, uses examples of old American neighborhoods, discussing the evolutionary nature of their success, contrasting it with the tragic results of uneducated development in suburban sprawls. If I sustain one distant criticism, it is that Moore slightly overdid the use of his own design examples which, though helpful, present less variety in style than would have been helpful to the central point of the book. But let there be no doubt, this is quite a little gem for *anyone* interested in what makes for exquisite personal residential lives. It is timeless in its core content.



3. Primarily concerned with the design of residences that are appropriate to their settings. Lots of photos of Moore's houses

3 comments about Anatomy of a Park: Essentials of Recreation Area Planning and Design.

1. This book may be a nice introduction for someone with no design background, but is not appropriate for landscape architects or site planners. The book's content primarily focuses on siting a park's programmatic elements for maximum engagement between users. It doesn't discuss commonly seen typologies or offer any interesting design solutions. Instead, it covers topics like where an amphitheater should be located in relation to a park's paths and roads (and, really? an amphitheater? So corny.). Anyone with experience in site design will likely find the concepts too basic and, even, unsophisticated.



2. This is a carefully crafted update of a classic primer that is essential reading for anyone engaged in park design or administration. The book would be especially useful to the new park commissioner who is looking for ways to add value to his/her park system through good design. The text is highly readable and is augmented by charming illustrations that makes for enjoyable reading of sometimes otherwise dull technical material.
   
   Jerrold Soesbe, FASLA



3. This is a good book for city planners who don't know a lot about park planning, but need to in order to develop well-used parks. Easy reading.

5 comments about J.l.C. Field Guide to Residential Construction, Vol. 1: A Manual of Best Practice.

1. This is great. I recommend getting this and the outdoor Field Guide. The Journal of Light Construction is a mainstay to anyone wanting to do the job right. These books cover just about anything you could run into or need to know.



2. Good resource on a large variety of subjects. It will not let you just go build, but gives the basics you need to know. If you are hiring a contractor it will help you know what they are doing. If you are a contractor, it provides a reference. Well worth the time and money.



3. The book was well worth the money and the TIME IT TOOK TO GET IT.It has got to be one of the best referance books for construction out there.



4. It's a good thing they used a heavy grade of paper with some kind of vinyl cloth cover (the thing feels waterproof). I use this book so often that I would have worn it out if it was constructed otherwise.



5. I ordered this in hopes it was Volume I but knowing it was a gamble. Indeed, I was shipped volume II which deals with Electrical, Plumbing, HVAC, etc. The ISBN which Amazon lists is correct for this volume, so Volume II is what you should expect in spite of a previous reviewers experience.
   
   The book itself, though sealed in plastic was damaged. The book is spiral bound to open flat with tabbed sections. Each tab was creased and folded back into the book. One tab was unbound and loose in the book.
   
   Content wise, I gave the book three stars. The individual chapters are necessarily short and somewhat superficial. There are numerous, helpful tables with pertinent data. But for detailed best practices I found "Wiring a House" by Rex Cauldwell and "Plumbing a House" by Peter Hemp (both from Tautons For Pros by Pros) or "Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction" by Steven Bliss (who used to be on JLC's staff) to be far superior. They have both theory and practical examples that include those really tough situations we encounter in real houses, not the simple, perfectly square, etc. fantasy situations popular on HGTV and introductory guides. The JLC Guide chapter with design information for kitchen and bath has some useful ideas, but again, I'd go with a more detailed guide. "Kitchen Idea Book" by Joanne Bouknight was especially useful in the kitchen remodel I just completed.
   
   All in all, it's an okay guide that made me wanting more detail and back searching Amazon.

No comments about The Job of the Practicing Planner.

5 comments about Jessica McClintock's Simply Romantic Decorating: Creating Elegance and Intimacy Throughout Your Home.

1. I love this book. But then I love the whole monochromatic look. If you love color this book is not for you. This book gives you wonderful ideas. Her home is very soothing and elegant.



2. I received my copy a few days ago and couldn't put it down! This book is sooo inspiring if you like romantic decorating. It is beautifully illustrated and has many helpful how-to directions for both wealthy and budget minded individuals, but what I liked best about the book was the "romanticism" (if that's a word!) of it. Ms. Mcclintock's philosophy seems to be to DREAM and LIVE beautifully, and to express this through decorating. Her home is like a beautiful, daydream that she lives out (on a grand scale!). Although, she also explains how to achieve a similar (sometimes exact) effect while on a budget. I found this to be the best decorating book I've ever purchased, and I probably own about 30-35 books and approx. 90-100 decorating magazines!!



3. I enjoy this book, lots of ideas, great narrative, I seem to see something new each time I look through it. Just what I was looking for.



4. This book has beautiful photos; most of which depict neutral tones of ivory, cream and gold decor. The rooms are of Victorian style. There were too many closeup (detail) photos, in my opinion, but the text and helpful diy sections were a nice addition by the author.



5. Jessica Maclintocks book "Simply Romantic" was a pleaure to read.The lady through the picturesque journey of her home, helps the reader to nurture and grow in the sensibility of their own aesthetics.You can learn and absorb what she is trying to teach or can just enjoy and feel the goodness of this beautiful book.An enriching experience.

3 comments about From Eco-Cities to Living Machines: Principles of Ecological Design.

1. I found the book to be very informative. It was specific enough to understand his work even if you aren't a biologist yet tied together nicely with an holistic paradigm that wasn't overdone. His vision of the ideal future for urban planning seemed reasonable and worth aiming for.



2. While I find Dr. Todd's work inspiring, this time around I was disappointed by this particular book. There isn't much new in it since the 1985 publication of Bioshelters, Ocean Arks, and City Farming: Ecology as the Basis of Design. For example, Eco-Cities lifted at times the same paragraphs and sentences from Bioshelters when describing the Cape Cod Ark, the Margaret Mead sailing boat, the Lindisfarne Hamlet, and rooftop gardens.

   If you haven't read the 1985 book, then I could see how Eco-Cities deserves a throrough reading. If you have read Bioshelters than I would not purchase the new book, Eco-Cities, but take a glance at it at your local library instead.

   I'm currently trying to organize an association in Paris, France to build an apartment complex using the ideas found in both Bioshelters and Eco-Cities. But I'm finding it difficult to gather concrete examples, blueprints, or even contact numbers for architectural firms with the experience to do so. I'd like to encourage the folks at Ocean Arks International to publish a book like Eco-Cities but move past concepts and give us a technological guide for actually creating eco-cities.




3. Dr. Todd presents us with clear, easy and very logical ideas of how we should live and build our cities. This book should be a required reading for most professionals that deal with development. I would like to see a second book with more hands on examples.

No comments about Handbook for Health Care Ethics Committees.

No comments about Mlinaric on Decorating.