No comments about Fieldwork: Landscape Architecture Europe.

5 comments about Taking Measures Across the American Landscape.

1. Just brilliant.
   
   A series of photographs and related diagrams & montages about the US landscape - every one worth sitting over and considering in detail
   
   A book I come back to time and time again



2. This book is incredible, the essays, photography, map drawings and descriptions really changed the way I looked at the world around me. This book was used as our text book for a Senior Project class in design school.



3. This book will change the way you look at and think about landscape. Technically, it's a landscape architecture book, and the essays that deal with that subject are excellent. James Corner is one of the best landscape architects/theorists around, and his writing is though-provoking, lucid and enjoyable to read. He draws an wonderful comparison between this work and Le Corbusier's sightseeing flights over North Africa in the 1930's. But without a doubt, the reason to buy this book are the photographs that document the unexpected beauty that arises out of the interaction between man and nature. The incongruities of landscape, juxtaposed against the linear certainty of the Land Ordinance Act grid, farm plots and other common interventions make for stunning photography.

   There are also little subplots, such as creative reuses of already built spaces (tennis courts as parking lots & football field yard lines over a baseball diamond), and the similarity of totally unrelated natural forms (who knew that from 7,000 feet, cracked pond ice looks like microscopic images of streptococcal bacteria?).

   There are dozens of other little thoughts I could include, and one of most remarkable things about this book is that the photogrpahs allow the reader to draw on his or her own knowledge to make connections and interpertations. There's no right or wrong way to see these things, which makes it universally rewarding and enjoyable.




4. I always enjoy graphic design, but this one integrates intelligent visual graphic representation and it portraits site/landscape analysis.
   Not your usual blueprint survey, but delightful new way of documentation.



5. Perceptive and conciousness raising while an aesthetic visual pleasure. An unforgettable book.

No comments about Building Outdoor Structures (Build Like A Pro).

2 comments about Outdoor Stonework: 16 Easy-to-Build Projects For Your Yard and Garden.

1. Good beginner book for breaking into this type of homemade garden crafting. An excellent purchase for those interested in this creative art form.



2. If beautifying your world with stone and concrete is your goal, this book is a must.
   The author did a fine job of eliciting interest in a project by showing wonderful color photos of the finished product first. Then he supplies photos and diagrams of each step while describing it in down-to-earth fashion. He adds some photos of historical works to show what can be done and how long a quality job can last.
   I particularly enjoyed the descriptions of building a winding path. Mr. Bridgewater showed each layer of the walk, how to install that layer (tamper, rake, shovel, hose...) and feel that I really could create a viable path for my own home.
   The only nit I have to pick was his measurements for the Japanese lantern's components. Although I could figure it out, he was inconsistent in indicating whether a dimension was length, width, or height.
   Overall, I would purchase this book again.

4 comments about Sunset Landscaping With Stone.

1. I'm glad I bought this book.
   
   In the first part there are lot of pictures about stone use in the garden (stairs, patios, walls, paths...). For someone who needs the ideas or insight of stone landscaping possibilities I would recommend it. Of course the number of examples is limited with the number of pages, but it is in accordance with the price.
   
   In the second part are how to instructions which are also OK. This kind of instructions can be found also in other books, so for me the reason for buying this book would be the first part.



2. You may only need this book on occassion, but when you do you will be very glad you have it. It proved indespensible for me recently!



3. Easy to follow. Beautiful photos. A really nice collection of ideas and stone concepts. Lots of variety.



4. This is a well designed, and obviously recently redone, book. The content is a "hot" subject in the landscaping industry particularly as stonework relates to low water/low maintenance outdoor spaces. Both the sculptural and "connection with nature" qualities of stonework are now in vogue as well. And people don't mind spending the money today to acquire the permancy, strength and beauty of good stonework. This book should get even the passive observer excited about the possiblities.

   As a landscape designer, I'm constantly looking for good references and ideas that might not be common in my geographic area. This book does a very nice job of pictorally displaying dozens of stone-based designs and settings from all over the country (and possibly some internationally). The editorial content and organization of the chapters also contribute to the success of the book.

   If you like to look at a lot of professionally shot pictures of professionally designed, stone-based landscaping (and get decent captioning for each picture) this book should more than satisfy you. The only issue I have is that the type was a bit small and therefor difficult to read. But for the price, this book was a really good investment. I only hope all of Sunset's books have been equally upgraded to more current designs in order to meet and exceed our expectations.

5 comments about How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls: The Complete Guide.

1. The book has great pictures but no real detail about how to build ponds or waterfalls. How disappointed we were when we received the book. We will look for other books but will not purchase them online. We need to be able to see what is inside the cover.



2. In my opinion,this book is a very superficial overview of pond construction. A far better choice is "Ortho's All About Building Waterfalls, Ponds, and Streams", for the same price [or slightly cheaper]. "Ortho's" covers the topic much more thoroughly than this "complete guide".



3. Excellent fundamental instructions for ponds and waterfalls. If you are doing a stream also, you might want to consult another title or two on the same subject. You will also need some more education on plants for your pond. But for basic pond and waterfall, this is the best I have read.



4. If you are a beginer in pond building and you need everything explained to details, do not buy this book. I bought it and it's just not good. You can read it under a hour and you'll see only pictures with nothing on them.



5. How to Build Ponds and Waterfalls : The Complete Guide by Jeffrey Reid is an excellent how-to book for wildlife garders.

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.

5 comments about The Lawn: A History of an American Obsession.

1. Anyone interested in how lawns came to be the "norm" and a standard signifier of upward mobility in America will find this book fascinating. For those who would like to encourage a different urban form (less lawns, houses closer to the street, new urbanism or smart growth) the book offers some hope by its demonstration of how something so "natural" was constructed over the last 80-100 years. The roles of technology, science, and gender politics, as well as class issues and environmental concerns are covered in a way that makes the story more entertaining and underscores the numerous fronts through which the lawn aesthetic was reinforced. I found this to be a great contribution to our understanding of how one element of the bigger picture contributes to larger trends affecting human settlement patterns, the ways we interact with each other and experience community, and even our public health. Now I need to read the history "air conditioning in america" to understand the role of that element....most cultural and social histories certainly cite issues like lawns and air conditioning as part of the dynamics, but don't have the time or space to examine the issue in depth-- its great that Jenkins does this, even if it was a dissertation (and heck, that's one of the things dissertations are actually useful for...).



2. This book's title is very appropriate. You will have no questions about how houses all came to be surrounded by lawns after reading this. It explains how agriculture, chemical companies, the garden industry, golfing, housing developments, world wars, etc... and the advent of new inventions have come together to result in an entire lifestyle revolving around 'the lawn.' The writing is smooth and it goes down easy, from cover to cover. Written in language anyone can understand, yet factual enough to hold the interest of those with some existing knowledge. There are about 20 pictures of vintage advertisements for lawn products, which I enjoyed seeing very much. There is also a good bit of detail about what used to grow on the property surrounding most homes before lawns.

   Please also see, "Redesigning the American Lawn; A search for Environmental Harmony," by F. Herbert Bormann, Diana Balmori, Gordon T. Geballe. This book takes up where we leave off. What is the impact of millions of monoculture lawns on the lifestyles and wallets of those who tend them, and on the environment? How can I change my yard to look better, and spend less time and money tending it (and to have less of a negative impact on the environment.)




3. This book describes the history of how lawns were first introduced to American, became popular, and then became a necessity. Jenkins traces the early history of lawns as importations of the English country garden concept, as found in Jefferson's gardens in Monticello. She also explains the influences that garden clubs, the golf industry, and the USDA had on the popularization of lawns. The book is not just about lawns, however. It also provides a very interesting analysis of how advertising was used to create demand for completely unnecessary products, and how those products, such as lawn mowers and weed whackers, later came to be thought of as indispensable. This book will be of interest to historians of landscape architecture as well as to researchers of material culture.



4. I thought Ms. Jenkins' historical research was thorough enough (Would you expect less from a Smithsonian publication?), but her book reads like (and quite possibly is) a doctoral dissertation. Don't let the pink and green cover with the flamingo fool you.

   But if your an American lawn history junkie like me, it's required reading.




5. a fun insightful look at the western fascination with the lawn

5 comments about Geodesic Math and How to Use It.

1. I don't like to spend money on information that I can get for free. I found plenty of free information about geodesics on the web, but not enough.
   
   I'm glad I spent the cash. This book filled in all the gaps.
   
   It is not for people with weak math skills.
   
   The book seems confusing at first, but if you keep reading and studying you will be rewarded with a deeper understanding of geodesics than you can imagine.
   
   This book is a "must have" for anyone who wants to build their own dome, or just learn more about geodesics.
   
   And yes, it's worth learning the math skills to understand this book.



2. To paraphrase Barbara Mandrell, geodesic domes were green when green wasn't cool. I read this book in college and was sorely tempted to steal it out of the university library because it had gone out of print and was just not available new or used anywhere else. I kicked myself later for not yielding to temptation when I went to check it out again and realized that someone else stole it before me! Seriously, give Kenner his rightful due, this is a classic in its field. What is my test for saying so? It has been thirty years since the book's first printing and has yet to see its equal. And there have been many many contenders. I could not recommend any one book higher for hobbyist or even professional reference to geodesic calculation and the practical design of geodesic domes. Though Hugh is no longer with us, five years gone as I am writing this, but the effects of his powerful intellect live on and continue to infect others with his inquisitive spirit by way of such seminal work.



3. Seemed over-technical at 1st, but after about a year has been my reference book on geodesics & making all kinds of geodesic domes... It lists chord factors (lengths of segments before applying radius of dome) on tables to 7 decimals for various domes @ the end of the book if you don't want do calculate w/formulas provided. If your familiar with trigonometry, it will let you jump around chapters that are of more interest.
   
   This book was originally copyrighted in 1976, but not edited for this 2nd paperback 2003 Edition (glossy color cover). The author, Hugh Kenner (1923-2003), has compiled a very thorough book. Very well written & explained in orderly fashion with excellent general layout & (especially for the time) detailed diagrams plus cross page-references. IMO there is very little that I would change except for replacing current diagrams with modern CAD generated illustrations, that's about it.
   
   Has 172 pages with several blank pages for notes (I note in the wide margins instead) & is 8.7 x 8.7 x 0.5 inches. Not a small book but not a big bulky one either. Makes for a lot of information handy to store just about anywhere...
   ____________________________________________________________________________________
   
   I found many formulas & shortcuts throughout the book. From Chapter 12 I plotted a 16 frequency (# of divisions making total # of triangles) icosahedron (the typical geodesic polyhedron shape) dome with 3880 chords or "struts". Even made them into arcs for a perfectly round sphere. Chapter 12 has "Using the Tables" with a simple symmetric triangle xyz-grid on a spreadsheet. Each chord calculated does not rely on another chord's result, so chance of error is greatly reduced. Chapter 14 "Truncations" has "Truncation by Rotation", which saves time on calculating the rest of the chords in dome, or moving chords by their symmetry.
   
   This "still nicely" bound book after a lot of use covers tension & tensegrities, subdivisions, great circles, symmetry & breakdowns, choosing a polyhedron, spherical coordinate system, ellipses & superellipses, truncations, space frames & many kinds of angles - plus charts & other resources @ the end.
   
   A free program on the web called Windome is useful to 8 decimals, but lacks input parameters like radius... So I use it to verify chord factors. From 2-16v involving about 12,240 chords plotting all verified (to 15 digits) on 1st try. Besides spreadsheets, formulas can be used in programming like "The R Project", formulas & programs are also written for old Hewlett-Packard HP-35, 21 & 45 series calculators & programs filed with the HP-65 library (circa mid-1970's). I guess it also goes to show Hewlett-Packard has a history in the PC & hardware programming business...
   
   One thing - spherical coordinate symbols for Theta & Phi are switched, though referenced in correct order (check Mathworld). Easy to correct, just read "Phi symbol" as Theta & "Theta symbol" as Phi - references & formulas will be in order. This book was written in mid-1970's, guess more? people then used this as convention.
   ____________________________________________________________________________________
   
   There are many good free sources on the web for geodesic domes & math plotting through Cartesian x,y,z and/or spherical Theta, Phi coordinates using basic trigonometry. This book cost me $13.57 shipped free brand new & is WELL worth it, even after searching the web...
   
   
   A final word of caution on building materials for domes in general: if you use wood make sure you take extra fireproofing precautions, unless it's a temporary frame. 2 domes here in town (on same lot) burnt down before fire department got to them - and they were right down the street! The intense heat from both fires left nothing except the slab & melted everything.
   
   So, when they start to burn there is very little time to exit the structure. As energy efficient as they are, the same design allows for a very efficient combustion, especially with wood stud frames & panels. Other problems arise as well with ventilating interior wood frames to help prevent condensation.
   
   There are many other materials that will not burn that could make up the panels (like from American Ingenuity, Inc.), or even a monolithic concrete pour over a temporary plastic covered geodesic wood frame. Another method that doesn't use geodesics is a "monolithic shotcreted airform dome" (from a company called Monolithic Dome Institute).



4. The subject very well presented and in a way that is easy to understand. Gives the underlying math to be able to use our modern computers setting on our desk tops to go far beyond what one person could do 25 years ago.



5. Well, the time has come for the pirates to take a hike. UC Press is reprinting this book. The information I have indicates both hard and softcover bindings...It will be available this year (2003).

   Geodesic Math and How To Use It is an extremely well written book, and with the NASA papers, forms the "canon of applied geodesic math." It is a great book, well written and useful.

3 comments about Radical Landscapes: Reinventing Outdoor Space.

1. There are some good landscape work. Nothing really extraordinary or really radical as you would expect from the title, but still a book with good ideas to inspire.



2. From the Feb. 2002 issue of Gardens Illustrated magazine:
   "...the book is a compelling and beautifully written discussion on contemporary landscape design. A book about any other field of design would probably not include the rather self-conscious word "radical" in the title, but its use here is indicative of the generally reactionary nature of most open space design... there are a few valient souls out there trying to change this state of affairs, and this book chronicles some of the best...Amidon writes, 'Among the creators of radical landscapes it is difficult to find common threads,' but her strategy is broadly successful in organizing this diverse selection of landscape designers and their work."



3. There is nothing 'radical' about any of the projects here. Nice they are, I'll give you that. But only nice. Nothing a professional in the field could not come up with. The picture quality is less than tops, and there are even teeny-weeny unreadable B&W photos that are attached to supposedly famous names. It kind of gives you the impression that the author was either running out of material to fill the book with or had too many friends who wanted a piece of the action.
   If the only thing in common that is supposed to hold all the projects under one roof is that they are all 'radical', well, the author ought to choose another word, even if a more etymological meaning was intended by it (Radix, Latin, root).
   I bought it at full retail price and feel I've been jipped, but at half the price, I suppose it's worth having...It's a CATALOGUE, basically.