Review of Can't Find My Way Home: America in the Great Stoned Age, 1945-2000 (Paperback)

An excellent and very detailed history of drugs and its impact on our society.The book is thoroughly researched.It's entertaining and very readable. It's not only a review of the history of drugs in American society but also covers a number of individuals and the effect narcotics had on them.I found it fascinating and scary.Having lived through those turbulent times it brought back many memories.
Pictures and a summary of the cast of characters would have enhanced the book.All in all a good read.



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Review of How to Start a Home-Based Day-Care Business, 4th (Home-Based Business Series) (Paperback)

This was a great look into starting a family day care.It covers a lot of information, and goes into depth about a lot of issues caregivers run into.This book is a great buy for anyone thinking of opening their own family day care!

Product Description
This guide tells readers what it takes to start a home-based day-care business, including information on getting licensed, setting policies, and managing cash flow.




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Review of The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse: An All-Natural, At-Home Flush to Purify and Rejuvenate Your Body (Paperback)

I love this book, as it really helped me to figure out why certain fats (soybean oil) gave me problems after eating.It is easy enough to follow, and the amount of problems that can be solved by cleansing are immense.Not for the squeamish or those that care for western medicine.Thank-you Andreas Moritz!

Product Description
Without realizing it, most adults have hundreds, if not thousands, of gallstones (mainly composed of hardened bile) blocking the bile ducts of their liver. This bookillustrateshow to recognize stone buildup and provides do-it-yourself instructions for painlessly flushing them out of the body. The author thoroughly explains what causes gallstones in the liver and gallbladder and gives practical guidelines on how to prevent new ones from being formed. He clearly details how gallstones congesting the liver impair proper liver function, which in turn canlead to poor general health and contribute to serious illness. However, the core of the book is the easy-to-follow, all-natural cleanse that has helped thousands of people gain the benefits of a clean, revitalized liver. This preventative health approach promises the reader improved health now, as well as a reduced chance of needing invasive gallstone surgery in the future.

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Review of Home Theater Hacks: 100 Industrial-Strength Tips & Tools (Paperback)

Sometimes the Hacks books go a little too far. The iPod book for example spent eighteen pages on how to mold a new iPod console for your car. It would have been very easy for this book to go over that edge but it keeps it's focus and stays well within the realm of practical advice to enhance your home theater.

The sections on how to enhance your projection TV is excellent and very practical. There is good coverage of speaker calibration, system maintenance, and TiVo. There is also good material on acoustic tremblers which will bring the experience really close to home.

A must buy book for home theater enthusiasts. There is lots of material here that you can find on the web, but it's better organized, illustrated and explained here.

Product Description
It might be the long lines at the theater, the $4.00 for a small bag of popcorn, or the cutting-edge technology that's now so readily available to the home market.Whatever the reason, the home theater market today is booming like the soundtrack to Star Wars!Want proof?A Google search forhome theaterreveals over three million results.Yikes!

It's simply undeniable: More and more people prefer watching their favorite movies, television shows, and videos from the comfort of their own sofas and couches.What's also undeniable is the inexperience of most people who choose to install or upgradetheir home theaters.

Until now, the knowledge, technique, and experiences of those who've encountered similar conditions to yours could only be accessed through laborious web searches, stacks of magazines, and water cooler conversations.Home Theater Hacks from O'Reilly is the perfect remedy for this group.

A smart collection of insider tips and tricks, Home Theater Hacks covers home theater installation from start to finish, purchase to experience.Just imagine: no frustrating trial-and-error process and better yet, no expensive appointments with installation experts.Home Theater Hacks prevents both by imparting down-and-dirty technique not found anywhere else.

The book begins with a quick glossary of terms so you can speak the lingo when you go shopping, and then dives right into hush-hush,insidertricks.It's all covered where to find the right audio and video components, how to deal with speakers and wiring, understanding cable connectivity, mastering remote controls, how to fully grasp TiVo, and so much more.And to top it off, each of these insider tips is presented in a concise yet delightfully entertaining style.Bringing the Jurassic Park dinosaurs into your living room has never been so easy!

A seasoned veteran with numerous O'Reilly titles under his belt, author Brett McLaughlin leaves no stone unturned in helping you customize your home theater experience to your own personal environment.

About the Author
McLaughlin has been working in computers since the Logo days. He currently specializes in building application infrastructure using Java and Java-related technologies.

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Review of Homeopathic Medicine for Children and Infants (Paperback)

In a simple way it tells you all the caracteristics of your child and his needs. The book is divided in specific ailments, like fevers, bruises, ear infections (the real reason why I bought it), diaper rashes, etc. and gives you all the homeopathic medicine that would suit your child depending on his behaviour. Then there are all the medicines listed in alfabethical order where it explains what they are and they are for. An A++++ for Dana Ullmann . I'm looking forward to purchasing the book for the whole family !Thanks !!! P.S.: By the way my Daughter has improved so much, she is almost a new child , no more whinning and crying. Ear infections FREE !!!!

Product Description
Homeopathic remedies are increasingly being used to treat common childhood ailments. They are safe, have no side effects or allergic reactions, are inexpensive and, above all, effective. In this guide, Dana Ullman explains what homeopathy is, how it works and how you can use it correctly to enhance your child's health. He recommends remedies for more than 75 physical and emotional conditions, including: allergies, grief, anxiety, headaches, asthma, measles, bedwetting, nappy rash, bites and stings, shock, burns, sunburn, colic, teething, coughs and colds and travel sickness.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Review of The Homeowner's Handbook to Energy Efficiency: A Guide to Big and Small Improvements (Paperback)

With the way the economy is these days, saving money takes new importance. One of the ways to do that is by making smart choices about energy efficient appliances and making your home more energy efficient. This book, designed for homeowners aims to just that and argues that any home can be improved from an energy standpoint.

After a two page introduction that touts the benefits of making your home more energy efficient, the book opens with the idea that you need to develop an energy use plan for your home. Chapter One discusses the differences between energy consumption and carbon emissions, the energy costs in the building materials, and how both big and small changes/fixes are important.Everything adds up and adding it all up is the key to determining how much energy you are using whether it is electrical, gas, propane or oil. Basic math is illustrated along with a couple of case studies before ten obvious choices are briefly discussed such as installing programmable thermostats, changing appliances, adding insulation, upgrading windows and doors ,etc.

Chapter Two is all about "Lighting and Appliances" and delves into the topic by explaining what the "Energy Star" program really means, different types of lighting, what you can do with appliances up to and including replacing them. Along with the text, there are plenty of small sidebar tips and illustrations.

"Water Heating" is the theme of Chapter Three which explains different basic terms as well as how to adjust your habits as well as your water heater. Along with what to look for if you want to replace your water heater, how to insulate the tank and/or water lines is covered along with replacing shower heads and how to go about creating a solar water heating system.

"Heating and Cooling First Steps" is the title of Chapter Four. The basics of airflow, humidity, temperature, comfort zones, etc is covered along with the uses of programmable thermostats, ceiling fans, natural ventilation and whole house fans. Also mentioned are solar screens, reflective films, Venetian blinds and how to improve your roof reflectivity among other topics. Illustrations in black and white are included in this chapter as well as throughout the book along with various relevant tables.

Chapter Five, "Landscaping" moves the focus to what you can do with plants and trees.Beyond knowing what your general climate is you need to know your own home's personal microclimate. Which side gets afternoon sun, which side gets that bone breaking north wind in winter, etc. Once you know that, they suggest various ways to create shade, wind breaks, etc. Along with explaining the basic tree forms (columnar, pyramidal, spreading, among others) as well as how to plant and mulch the book guides readers as to the types of plants and trees might fit best in your particular microclimate. The book does not make specific tree recommendations at all and instead gives you the tools to consider what type of tree you need or want before heading down to your local nursery or landscape center to talk specifics.

"Finding and Sealing Air Leaks" is the theme of Chapter Six.Finding the leaks and determining how had they are begins the chapter before an explanation of various materials available to seal the leaks. Black and white pictures and illustrations help with the basic as does the text which also looks at various issues in walls, attics, and ductwork.

Chapter Seven delves into "Insulation" using the same format of defining the topic, determining what is needed. Along with tables and helpful information, the black and white illustrations showing the right and wrong way to install insulation and black and white photographs showing different types of insulation in various types of attics.

"Windows and Doors" and what to do about them is the topic of Chapter Eight.They may be the biggest heat and cooling loss from your home as the authors note. After explaining types of windows and window ratings, types of window treatments and if necessary, window replacement they follow the same format in their discussion of doors.

"Cooling Systems" is the theme of Chapter Nine. After cheerfully noting that "air-conditioning Systems are expensive and environmentally destructive to operate" they suggest various ways to improve the efficiency of your current ac system such as having the system professionally serviced, cleaning the coils, making sure your filters are changed and the system is charged correctly and appropriate for the home. Room ac units also discussed along with the installation and use of an evaporative cooler.

Chapter Ten moves the focus to "Heating Systems" and looks at the same basic issues in the same format. Improving your duct work along with having your system professionally serviced as well as possible replacement systems are key components of this chapter.

"Photovoltaic Systems" such as solar cells, a solar array, etc is the theme of Chapter Eleven. Not every home site is suitable for a solar panel, array or system and this chapter walks you through how to determine if it is a good idea and then how to go about having something installed.

Chapter Twelve has the title of "Moisture Management and Ventilation." Basically, you don't want mold or mildew in your home and this chapter tells you all the horrible ways moisture (mold/mildew, etc) can wreck your home and how to avoid it, find it if you have it, and deal with it.

Finally, if you are "Building a New Home" then Chapter Thirteen is for you. It discusses various construction and design methods you can use to make sure your new home is the best it can be from an energy use and emission stand point.

A list of various resources, a list of suggested internet keyword topic searches relating to each chapter and a four page index bring this helpful and informative book to a close.

While color pictures and illustrations would have been nice, this 180 page book published last year more than adequately address the topic. Filled with highly technical information simplified but never dumbed down for the reader, plenty of photographs and illustrations, this book provides a guidepost to helping the environment and saving the homeowner money in the long run. Everything in the book is doable by most people and the ideas presented are practical and worthwhile. This might not be the only book you would ever need on the subject, but it is a very good book.


Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009


Product Description
In The Homeowner's Guide to Energy Efficiency, John Krigger and Chris Dorsi help homeowners set realistic personal goals for reducing their energy consumption. Their methods for making homes more energy efficient will also improve comfort, safety, durability, and resale value. They guide readers through the process of assessing current energy usage and predicting the benefits and estimating the costs of remodeling options. With projects ranging from simple fixes to large-scale renovations, this book offers solutions for the energy-conscious homeowner, regardless of budget, technical ability, or time.

About the Author
John Krigger is a highly respected authority in the field of energy conservation for buildings and the author of several books. He has been a passionate advocate of efficient construction technology for over thirty years. He is now working with other building scientists to develop the next generation of construction techniques for North America.

Chris Dorsi has spent the last thirty years fine-tuning homes across North America. He has founded construction companies, developed real estate projects, and audited thousands of residential buildings. He is a widely acclaimed author and speaker who has motivated and enabled both homeowners and trade professionals to improve the efficiency and minimize the environmental footprint of their buildings.

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Review of When Someone You Love Needs Nursing Home, Assisted Living, or In-Home Care: The Complete Guide (Paperback)

This handbook is a valuable resource for anyone faced with the daunting task of choosing care for an elderly family member. The vast majority of readers most likely have found themselves thrust into an emergency situation with a loved one who needs immediate care. Navigating the uncharted waters of eldercare options can quickly become overwhelming and stressful.

This guide will help readers decide which kind of care is most appropriate with practical information about nursing homes, assisted living arrangements, and in-home care options. As an eldercare executive, I have seen a rapid increase in the number of people searching for care for their loved ones. This guide will help them dispel common myths about long-term care, find the answers to commonly asked questions and explore financial issues.





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Review of A Guide for Nursing Home Social Workers (Paperback)

This is a very practical guide for social workers in this field of practice. It explains, in clear language, everything from the regulatory aspects of social work in a nursing home to appropriate roles and functions. As a former nursing home social worker (now researcher/ educator), I would consider this a "must have" for those in the field.

Product Description
Discusses the function of beginning nursing home social workers and provides information and resources essential for them. Covers assessment, intake and discharge processes, interventions, resource allocation, medication, diagnosis and treatment of depression, dementias, legal and ethical issues, and more. Softcover.



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Review of Second Homes for Dummies (For Dummies (Business & Personal Finance)) (Paperback)

Covers most financial aspects of owning non-primary properties, including second homes, vacation homes, rental properties, and strategizing for retirement property.Tax questions are covered in detail.

Could have used more personal examples to give the book a more homey feeling.Also not a great resource for rural or undeveloped land purchases.

Overall, very useful for anyone considering purchasing investment property, including rental property or renting to tenants part time.

Lisa Merritt
www.lockboxdeals.com

Product Description
Thinking about owning a second home? Whether you want a relaxing getaway spot, a future retirement home, or just a place to rent out for profit, having a second home has always been a good investment. But how will you know where to look, how to invest, and what you need to avoid?

Second Homes For Dummies gives you the tools you need to handle the entire second-home buying process from concept to completion! This book covers the bases and the basics of buying a second home, presenting all information in a logical and modular format so you can find just what you need on the subjects that interest you. You'll find out everything you need to know to:

• Determine whether or not a second home is right for you
• Maximize your options for a second home
• Search for a home and find the money to pay for it
• Rent out your home for profit
• Renovate and maintain it to ensure its growing value
• Make your second home your primary home
• Look for and purchase a home in another country

Also provided are a list of the best places in the world to buy a home, ways to improve your home and make it first rate, and rules that you should talk about with your guests. With Second Homes For Dummies, you can make your dream of having a second home come true!

From the Back Cover
Deal with agents, tenants, mortgages, and more

Let your second home work for you now, and retire to it later

Dreaming of that perfect cottage in the mountains or that beachfront getaway? Can you afford it? How do you find one? Will it make money or cost money? What about upkeep and taxes? Relax! This handy book guides you through every step, from assessing your finances and deciding when to buy, to maintaining and maximizing your investment.

• Choose the right home

• Decide whether to build

• How to pay for it

• Go it alone or use a pro

• Find reliable tenants

• Prepare for the retirement move

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Review of Messies Manual, The: A Complete Guide to Bringing Order & Beauty to Your Home (Paperback)

Ok, I admit, I am a MESSIE... I throw stuff down wherever it lands, I "stuff and shove" in a hurry to make my home presentable, I loose things continuously, I have too much and I am overwhelmed by it all!
I really hate the clutter around me, but haven't known how to change and make it stick.

I've read other books and still hold to much of what I have learned there, but I NEEDED to learn more, more about myself- what makes me tick- and how I can work with my own unique personality (Ok, so not so unique after all!) to not just "clean the house"-- but to kick the messie habits and reform.

I am in the process of "recovery."Cleaning out places that haven't seen the sunlight in 10 years.I am learning (with Sandra's help)- to SIMPLIFY, SORT and STORE- sounds easy doesn't it?NOPE!but easier with her help and tutoring.

This book is part of my journey- not just to a presentable house today, but to a truly peaceful home and lifestyle. I recommend this book to anyone who has tried and failed and is ready to try again.


Product Description
This is the book that started it all! First published twenty-five years ago, The Messies Manual has helped over 350,000 people get rid of their messy habits. Sandra Felton's foolproof advice on organization has made this book a proven best seller that has helped organizers of all ages overcome a lifetime of messy habits. Expanding on the hot, new trend of home improvement television shows, this updated edition includes a new foreword and loads of insightful ideas. Presented in an easy-and fun-to-read format, this practical and perceptive book will help readers-organize activities-pay bills on time-keep a clean house-enjoy spare time without feeling guilty-and much moreFelton's compassion, humor, and practical tips will help anyone make chronic messiness a thing of their past.

From the Back Cover
Do you constantly misplace books, keys, bills, shoes, pets, or . . . children?Are you tired of fighting an avalanche every time you open a closet or cabinet door? Do you never answer the phone because you can't find it? Welcome to the world of a "messie"! Before you run home and apply for a home makeover, let The Organizer Lady™ turn your anxiety into inspiration. Sandra Felton's practical advice will make your dreams of an orderly lifestyle become reality.Whether you are the "messie" or are living with one, The Messies Manual provides loads of resourceful tools that will help you- organize your activities- pay bills on time- keep your house clean- enjoy your spare time without feeling guiltyWith over 350,000 copies sold, The Messies Manual has a new foreword and a wealth of insightful ideas that will help you make chronic messiness a thing of your past!"Sandra expresses powerful ideas in an easy and fun to read format. I laughed and cried as I recognized myself in these pages."-Marsha Sims, president, Sort-It-Out, Inc."Felton has done it again! The Messies Manual is a fun book to read, filled with practical advice and a voice of compassion that rings through in every chapter."-Judith Kolberg, director, National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization



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Review of Organizing from the Inside Out, second edition: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life (Paperback)

If you aren't really fed up with the clutter in your house, or aren'treally tired of buying things over and over again because you've lost theitem 2 or 3 times in your own house, or don't mind being late toeverything.Then don't buy this book. I got fed up.And the book workeda life changing miracle for me.However, I was so pleased with thechanges, I told my mom to read it.Because, I just knew it would just makeher life so much better.But organizing her home isn't a priority for her. So therefore she read it and it didn't appeal to her one bit. So if yousay, "I want an organized home, but I want it to take 15minutes."Then this book is no good for you.And you must go on withthe way things are. If you say, "I have had it, I am ready to light amatch to my house and just start over."Then quick read this book.I actually enjoyed the process of organizing my home.And now when I gointo ANY room or closet, I just want to sit and stare at all the neatlydeliberatly placed items.Everything has a home.Picking up in theevenings takes no time at all and with absolutely no effort.Before I readthis book, I never wanted to go in my bedroom.It was impossible to restin that room, because the piles of clutter was so overwhelming.Now I canfinally use the bedroom for what it was intended:rest and relaxation.



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Review of The Smart Approach to Home Renovation (Paperback)

I like the opening sentence of this book, 'Before you take a single step toward fulfilling your remodeling dreams, do a thorough reality check.' Having been through a serious remodel (after a fire) I can assure you that the advice she gives is well founded. Her ideas on working with contractors are very good, but I'd add one more thing to check - contractors are bonded. Find out how big the bond is. If it's say $20,000 and he defaults on four projects, you're only covered to $5,000, max.

Kitchens, this book, and most other books on remodeling show kitchens that have commercial grade gas stovetops. They're really neat, but wait until you see the price of new ones. However, restaurants go out of business and the stoves last forever, you might get a really good price on a used unit. Or in my kitchen I got one that had been used by the restaurant supply company at a trade show. It wasn't new, but the price was less than half.

Tile floor in the kitchen? It looks great. Don't drop anything. A jar of mayo that falls on a carpet is usually OK. On tile, it's a mess.

All in all, lots of good words here that if heeded can save you a bundle of money, of aggravation.

Product Description
Thinking about remodeling but perhaps a little unsure of what to expect? The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. Included are the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundreds of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to® Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information. An extensive Resource Guide in the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.

Book Description
The Smart Approach to Home Renovation is the latest title in the best-selling series of Smart Approach books. Author Susan Boyle Hillstrom counsels would-be remodelers about the process, from planning and budgeting through completion. She also tells the stories of real-life homeowners and their makeovers that include kitchens, baths, additions, exterior updates, and outdoor living spaces. These "Case Studies" are followed by picture-driven Design Workbooks that illustrate important design features within the projects. In all, the book contains hundred of photographs that include both before and after shots of remodelings, plus plenty of inspirational photos. Like all of the books in this popular series, The Smart Approach to Home Renovation contains Smart Steps in each chapter that take the homeowner through the process of planning and design. Smart Tips throughout provide special condensed but important pieces of information that will prove invaluable to the homeowner.
An extensive Resource Guide at the back of the book offers information regarding related manufacturers and associations.




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Review of Use What You Have Decorating : Transform Your Home in One Hour With Ten Simple Design Principles -- Using the Space You Have, the Things You Like, the Budget You Choose (Paperback)

A better title for this book would have been "How to Rearrange Your Single Purpose Living Room If You Have a Fireplace And Nice Furniture to Create a Comfortable Conversation Area".She talks exclusively about living rooms and 90% of the problems she shows are solved by moving the furniture closer together so people can hold a conversation comfortably.And not just any living room but a certain kind of formal living room.Almost every room she shows has a fireplace and has a very regular geometric shape.How do I create a focal point if my living room is an octagon with windows on almost every wall and no windowless wall is big enough to put a couch under?Only one room she shows has a television in it.How do I create a comfortable conversation area that also lets me (and my guests) watch television?How can the fireplace be the focal point of the room if I also have a television in it?What if I live in a 800 square foot apartment and don't have the space for the strict separation of duties that she seems to advocate?What if I don't have a family room to put the television in?What if I don't like my furniture or want to add to my collection?While I find her low-cost use-what-you-already-have approach a nice alternative to the spend-$20,000-and-change-everything approach, sometimes just rearranging your furniture and art isn't going to cut it.

Instead what we get are 10 basic design guidelines.And I do mean basic.I honestly have to wonder about all of these people who have fireplaces and don't use them as the focal point of the room.While it seems like what she says is just common sense, I suppose there is some good in having it written down.It just seems like it isn't really enough information to fill an entire book and then charge $16 for it.

I didn't find the lack of color as annoying as some other reviewers but that's because Ward's design consists primarily of physical arrangement; the use of color wouldn't have helped make things much clearer but definitely would have added to the cost of the book.Towards the end of the book she gives some lip service to the use of color and in that part of the book color photographs would have been useful.

It is also somewhat surprising that a book published in 1998 (my edition was published in October 1999) doesn't have a single URL to any of the sources she provides at the end of the book.



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Review of Home Is Where We Start From: Essays by a Psychoanalyst (Paperback)

These essays were collected and published posthumously, by Winnicott's widow, Clare, and colleagues. British pediatrician, humanitarian, andground-breaking psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott died in 1971, having made anearly immeasurable contribution to the fields of psychoanalysis and childpsychology. In this volume, as with his other writings, his ideas are deep,reverential and respectful, and often somewhat complex, and at the sametime, his presentation is utterly simple and straightforward. The reader isfully engaged, as a result of Winnicott's incredible knack for connectingwith his audience.

The lively and interesting papers comprising thisutterly accessible collection were written over a wide span of time - threedecades or more. The selections are varied, and have been separated forreaderly convenience into several sections: "Health and Illness,""The Family," and, finally, "Reflections on Society."Some were written in order to be presented at meetings of the medicaland/or psychoanalytic community; others, to various civic, political, andother groups (The Progressive League, The Liberal Magazine, The BorstalAssistant Governors' Conference, etc.)

The collection is various andinteresting for its content but also for - not in spite of - its grab-bagfeel. Winnicott was comfortable with his listeners, and never afraid tospeak simply, clearly, and with his trademark empathy intact. In fact, thatempathy was at the core of his work. There's a great variety in it, too."The Price of Disregarding Psychoanalytic Research," a talk givenin 1965, details the importance of his philosophy. ("The link betweenpoetic truth and scientific truth is surely in the person, in you andme.") Essays such as the 1963 "The Value of Depression"("Always, depression implies ego strength...") and the 1967"Delinquency as a Sign of Hope" ("the antisocial tendency islinked inherently with deprivation" ) show Winnicott at his very best.And the playful and kind 1969 "The Pill and the Moon" - writtenfor an address to the Progressive League in the 1960's - iswonderful.

Some of these hopeful and kindhearted essays show their age,but in a welcome and lovely way, and therefore each is well worth readingand thinking about.

Product Description
One of the most gifted and creative psychoanalysts of his generation, D. W. Winnicott made lasting contributions to our understanding of the minds of children.His ideas have influenced the diverse psychoanalytic schools of Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, and Hans Kohut. But his reach extends far beyond professional circles: his talks to general audiences over the years won him enormous numbers of followers among parents and teachers who have found his observations rich in penetrating insight.

This collection brings together many of Winnicott's most important pieces, including previously unpublished talks and several essays from books and journals now difficult to obtain. They range widely in topic—from "The Concept of a Healthy Individual" and "The Value of Depression" to "Delinquency as a Sign of Hope"—and elucidate some of Winnicott's seminal ideas, such as the "transitional object" and the concept of false self. All convey Winnicott's vision of the ways in which the developing self interacts with the family and the larger society. .



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Review of Tales From Rhapsody Home : Or, What They Don't Tell You About Senior Living (Hardcover)

Odds are this is the best book by a nonagenarian you are likely to read this year. Gould, a Down East Yankee and columnist for the Christian Science Monitor since 1942, offers a collection of short commentaries from an assisted living center. The book isn't simply a humorous indictment of the foibles and peculiarities of life in a retirement home (though there is plenty of that, from comments about food to the saga of the unopenable window and the familiar refrain "There is nothing to be done about it"). The author ranges across all his 92 years to draw on memories of doctors, raising bees with his Grandfather, and the perfect tomato.

This is a great book for reading out loud, my wife and I found -- the sentences tend to be short and simple, belying the emotional nuances and complexity of the thoughts underneath. The author is not a simple, genteel sort, despite the appearance of his prose. There are passages on the joys of farting humor, reproductions of the light verse with which he lampooned the failures of the management (these never survived more than three minutes on the bulletin board because they "offended the staff"), and a truly fierce (but nevertheless funny) indictment of the insurance industry.

Think of this book as Robert Fulghum in a retirement home and you'll be close to it.

Product Description
Down East Yankee John Gould, age ninety-two, has spent most of the last century observing and writing about the human condition. Now he presents a whole new perspective on life as he leads us into the brave new world of the assisted-living facility. Charming, sarcastic, despairing, flip, taciturn, erudite, and altogether wonderful--with a razor sharp wit and a knack for turning a phrase--Mr. Gould is an American original and a perfect tour guide. Whether he's complaining to management about his apartment windows that don't open or socializing with the other "inmates" at happy hour;whether wondering why they put a napkin over the stone-cold bread at dinner or taking comfort in the memories ("making do with the reruns") of his loving and eccentric collection of old friends and colleagues from Maine, Mr. Gould proves that you can write a funny book about a serious subject, namely, how we treat our elderly.



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Review of The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site (Paperback)

`The Home-Based Bookstore' is written by Steve Weber, who solicited this review from me and supplied me with a copy of his book. I expect this will not influence my review, but it is good for you to know this up front.

Before I opened this book, I posed some questions I thought the book should answer. These questions, with the author's response follow:

1. What are the criteria for choosing Amazon.com, eBay, or one's own site for selling a particular title?

The author clearly prefers Amazon over most other options, although he gives some good reasons for setting up your own web page.

2. How do you pick titles to sell? Some obvious examples, such as Stephen King hardcovers are really poor second hand sellers.

The author gives some very general suggestions on which titles to pick and which titles to avoid. I agree with him almost entirely, although I can think of some exceptions to most of his titles to avoid; however, that is based on special knowledge of certain fields such as cookbooks.

3. How do you acquire interesting titles cheaply? Whenever I browse a second hand bookstore, 99 out of 100 titles are pure junk. I have yet to find, for example, an important out of print cookbook at any used bookstore.

The author provides many good sources, including every one I could think of, plus one or two I did not think of.

4. How do you track your stock so you can quickly determine whether or not you have a title OR where you may be able to acquire a title for a book hunter.

The author gives many useful answers to this question, including some new technology options that really surprised me, based on accessing the Internet through your cell phone.

5. What is the best shipping option considering cost versus speed?

The author gives some very good analyses on the advantages and disadvantages of fast versus slow delivery options.

6. Is there any value to branching out to recordings?

The author never once discusses how to apply his suggestions to other merchandise, even though he does go so far as to consider expanding an Internet sales operation to a brick and mortar store.

One of the reasons the author does not deal with other goods is that marketing books through the Internet is so much richer a subject than I imagined, in spite of the fact that I am a major customer of these services. The amount of software written to support this enterprise is staggering.

In a nutshell, Mr. Weber has given us an excellent manual on how to do this very specialized, albeit very popular form of Internet marketing.

The first sure sign that Steve was not pulling the wool over our eyes was when he stated that while this activity can be really rewarding, it is still hard work. The plus side is that you get to keep all the rewards of this hard work.

Since running a bookstore was always one of my secret ambitions, I really appreciated almost everything Weber had to say about this adaptation of the corner bookstore. If I were to point out any one thing where the author was light on his recommendations, it would be with the fact that I think a person who really knows and loves books in the first place will do much better than the average entrepreneur. I suspect that one could get into real estate investing without a good knowledge of law, carpentry, or finance, but unlike houses, books are something which not everyone knows well. One test for an aspiring book merchandising operation would be to name the leading textbook authors in statistics, economics, symbolic logic, and organic chemistry. I cite these because Mr. Weber makes the excellent point that non-fiction books hold their value much better than fiction, especially current popular fiction. The author does not point this out, but a major exception to this rule should be manuals on computer software. No one has any use anymore for a text on Multiplan, dBase III, or Wordpro.

I especially liked Mr. Weber's recommendation that the reader consider specializing in a particular field, such as cookbooks. This is an especially good suggestion as everyone must eat and so everyone needs someone to cook for him or her. It is also a good field as there is a rich bibliography of out of print cookbooks which most foodies would love to have access to, such as English writer Jane Grigson's catalogue.

While Mr. Weber does not deal with any other type of goods, I suggest his suggestions would work almost as well for records, toys, or collectibles in general, as long as you know your subject.

I am very happy Mr. Weber provided his book to me for review as it is very unlikely I would have found it on my own, and it is an especially fertile plot of ideas, suggestions, and guidance regarding this enterprise. I am happy for him that he got his work into print when he did.




Product Description
Want to know the most profitable, lowest-risk idea for your home business? It's selling used books online, which is growing 33 percent annually, according to a November 2005 study by U.S. publishers.

Here is the complete text of the most popular book about online bookselling of all time: The Home-Based Bookstore: Start Your Own Business Selling Used Books on Amazon, eBay or Your Own Web Site

Learn how to start your business part-time, then work as little or as much as you want. This step-by-step guide, written by one of the most successful and highly rated sellers on Amazon.com and eBay, includes everything you need to know:

-- Where to find books

Find books in your own neighborhood to resell profitably to a worldwide pool of ready buyers. Get the best sources for valuable used books at low prices.

-- Where to sell Learn

How to list your books to sell at the best price on Amazon.com and eBay, and even your own Web store. -- Which books to buy What to look for in fiction, nonfiction, and collectibles to resell at the highest profits.

-- Grading and pricing your books

How to describe and price your books. Learn what buyers are looking for.

-- Handling customers

Tips on handling online book buyers. See the author's time-tested scripts for responding to customer issues. Learn how you can get and maintain high feedback ratings.

-- Fulfilling orders

Easy-to-use ideas for storing, organizing, and shipping your books and handling returns.

-- Automation tools

Maximize your efficiency with these tips on automating your business. Automatically notify customers about shipments, and print postage to ship your books without leaving home.

-- Taxes and legal requirements

How to register your business to obtain the proper permits and be exempted from paying sales tax on your inventory.

-- Exclusive list of wholesale book distributors

Exclusive profiles and contact info for 32 wholesaledistributors of used and new books. Order inventory at up to 90 percent off retail, shipped right to your door.

About the author:

Steve Weber started his home-based bookstore as a hobby in March 2000. Two months later, he quit his day job to sell used books full-time on Amazon.com and eBay, using his one-bedroom apartment in Virginia as warehouse and shipping depot. In the meantime, he has sold more than $1 million of used books to buyers in all 50 states and 31 foreign countries. In this step-by-step guide, Weber tells you how he took $80 in savings to buy his first batch of books, then invested the profits to build a successful business, and how you can too.
--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

About the Author
Steve Weber started his home-based bookstore as a hobby in 2001. Two months later he quit his "day job" to sell books online full-time. In the meantime, he has sold more than $1 million of used books to buyers in all 50 states and 31 foreign countries, becoming one of the most highly rated sellers on Amazon and eBay.

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Review of The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (Third Editition) (Hardcover)

Book Review:The Well Trained Mind, A Guide to Classical Education at Home, by Jesse Wise. I enjoyed this book for it's curriculum guidelines for homeschooling using the classical style of home education.Written bya homeschooling parent and heradult homeschooled daughter, this book laysout the principles of the Trivium, the three-part process of training themind.She says that this is diametrically opposed to the principles ofunschooling, because here, the parent "supplies the mind with factsand thinking skills." This gives a clue as to the approach. It's notchild-led. It's very structured.

Although I had a little troublewith the idea of teaching very formal academics to a younger child, I likedthe progressive nature of the Trivium, I liked the clear structure of thecurriculum, and the extensive resource lists, and I liked the emphasis onclassical works.The trivium, as she states, is language-based and notimage based, so there is very little hands-on and art and music mentioned. I think the problem with this approach is if you have a child with anothertype of learning style.There is a lot of reading and writing.It may notwork well with all kids.I also note that there is little if anydiscussion on how to teach multiple children,or where to start if youdon't do this from the beginning, and a lack ofdiscussion in buildingloving family relationships.It sounds like 12 years of academics withlittle time for much else.I think if you use this book, you need tosoften the process with good relationship building and family skills.

Theprinciple is this:The first years, grades 1 through 4 are the"grammar" stage where the mind is supplied with facts and images(rules of grammar, math facts, phonics, poems, songs, stories in literatureand history).And I was glad to see that these four years were just anintroduction to facts, not a deep delving.Then, the"logic"stages, in grades 5-8 where the child is given tools to logically organizethose facts (including learning outlining, paragraph constructions,organizing skills and analysis), and the third stage is the"rhetoric" stage, grades 9-12 where the child is equipped toexpress conclusions forcefully.

The other part of this process is therepetition ever four years.The first ,5,th and 9 th grades study theAncienttimes (4000 B.C - 400 AD) and the grades 2, 6, 10 study theMedieval and Early Renaissance (400 AD - 1600 AD) , and thegrades 3, 7,11 study the Late Renaissance and Early Modern (1600-1850)and theModernto Present times is studied in grades 4, 8, 12.The science is dividedalso this way:The first time period is Biology and Human body andClassification (Ancients), the second is Earth Science and Astronomy(Medieval times), the third time is Chemistry (Late Renaissance), and theModern times studies physics and computer science.History is studied withthe same four time periods, as is the literature. Everything in a wholeyear follows the time period.After four years, you repeat the cycle, butwith more emphasis on analysis and logic and creativity.

A couple ofother things she says:she believes that peer socialization should nottake such a precedence in children's lives.That family and neighborsshould come first. She doesn't believe in dating in high school.Shedoes throw her personal ethics in here a lot. She also says that childrencan learn to do more than we think. We can challenge them.She has a lotto say about the literataure and movies that most educators let our kidsuse for academics.She has a section on testing, transcripts, lists ofresources, how to use certain books and resources, complete step by stepideas on developing notebooks, how to prepare the mind to think.I thinkthis book is very good, BUT, like other homeschooling books, it could makeyou feel inadequate as a homeschooling parent.ON the other hand, if youneed some guidance on classical studies, and want someone to lay out a goodcurriculum for you complete with resources, this is a good book to own.



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Review of The Complete Home Learning Source Book: The Essential Resource Guide for Homeschoolers, Parents, and Educators Covering Every Subject from Arithmetic to Zoology (Paperback)

When I borrowed this book from the library I actually read it cover tocover.It is more than just a list of books.Rebecca Rupp has doneexhaustive research.She has given the home schooler (or the parentwishing to augment the education of their kids) a tremendous resource. Rupp has divided the book up into different sections according tosubject-not just the three 'Rs, but also such things as philosophy, art,music...you name it.The age suggestions seem very accurate as well. Since people home school for a lot of different reasons, she also mentionsif a book is religious or Christian, or a purely secular resource.I haveused many of the websites that she lists, as well as sending away for anumber of the catalogs that she lists. As someone relatively new to thehome school scene, I also enjoyed the personal accounts of her three sons'educational experiences.I borrowed the book from our library first, buthave since purchased my very own copy!



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Review of Homeopathic Remedies for the Stages of Life: Infancy, Childhood, and Beyond (Paperback)

In his book Didier Grandgeorge gives an overview of life - from conception to death, and relates the most prominent homeopathic remedies to the developing person during the different phases of life. The text is concise and to the point. Especially the different stages of the life of children are very interesting and a must read for all parents. This is just another gem from Didier Grandgeorge, M.D.

Product Description
(North Atlantic Books) Translation of the French Text, Homeopathie chemin de vie. Explains each of the successive phases of life, referencing common physical and psychological symptoms and their homeopathic remedies. Provides practical and illustrated case histories of former patients, insights into child development, and the workings of the human psyche. Softcover.



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Review of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling a Home, 5th Edition (Paperback)

I got this book because my wife and I are getting ready to buy our first home and I wanted a book to guide me, and thus prevent me from making any major mistakes and to ensure I knew what was going on each step of the way.I read the entire section on buying a house (5/6 of the book) and even half of the section on selling a house just to see the other side of things (the remaining 1/6 of the book).I personally found the book gave just enough details to be frustrating.

The book will go over all the available options, but won't explore them in depth enough to help you make the right decision.For example, the book will tell you to contact multiple lenders and evaluate all the costs involved (the loan fees and if there are pre-pay penalties, not just the interest rate), but won't tell you how to really decide which loan to pick.The book will tell you that you can negotiate for some of the fees you have to pay with a mortgage to be waived by the lender or for some of the fees to be paid by the seller, but won't tell you how to spot these fees from the true, non-negotiable fees.There's a discussion of choosing the different types of homes (e.g. condo, townhouse or traditional home), but no discussion of the economic advantages of one over the other.I've heard townhouses appreciate faster, but I don't know if this is just an old-wives tale of if there is some truth to it.I still don't.Furthermore, the authors do nothing to predict future market trends, which is partly understandable since this is so difficult, but they don't even take a stab at it and the book is very current (2006).

Basically, the authors do a great job reviewing all of your options, but they don't advise you about what the *best* option would be for you.Maybe that is impossible because everyone's situation is totally different, but I'd like to see some situation specific direct advice, even if it resulted in some of the book being useless to me because it wasn't detailing my situation. Everyone's situation may be different but there aren't THAT many different situations (just starting out/family in apt moving to first house/family upgrading house/family downsizing house at retirement or because of unfortunate financial circumstances - that covers 95% of people).This would take more pages but there are pages to spare and that's my biggest gripe.

The book is organized by the steps in home buying (i.e. looking for a home/making an offer/obtaining financing/closing) but if you actually sit down and read it straight through like I did, you'll end up reading the same things over and over again.This makes the book better if you just want to read the chapter you're interested in because the chapters stand up on their own, but make it more frustrating if you read it front to back (you'll constantly be saying "yeah, I know, you told me that already, almost verbatim").Not rehashing things would also free up pages to explore the nitty gritty in greater detail.I even found situations where full page tables were in the book twice in two seperate chapters! Completely unchanged, just printed twice when the authors were once again rehashing things they'd already covered!

In conclusion, I would have rather had concrete advice rather then the overview given here (although I think a better edited book could have had both in the same amount of space).The only other book I read that was even close to this was Suze Orman for the Young, Fabulous and Broke.That book gave very concrete advice and told you exactly what was the best things you could be doing and gave you a priority order to do them (401K then credit card debt then house down payment then Roth IRA).No concrete advice here.The book often passes off giving advice with the disclaimer "talk to your agent."That's good advice, but then why'd I get this book in the first place?Furthermore, I think to give concrete advice you have to really know your topic and I'm not sure the author's understand housing the way Orman understands personal finance.

I've been harsh so far, because that's what stands out to me, but I should say this book isn't a total waste of time, and this review has disproportinately focussed on the negatives.Bottom line, I just don't think there's much info here that you can't get for free somewhere else, like Yahoo Real Estate guides.In addition, online you can plug all your own numbers (like salary and debt burden) right into the online calculators (to tell you the maximum mortgage payment you can afford).So unless you really want the info packaged in book form I wouldn't buy this.

Other minor nit-picks:

1. The first part of the book is useless fluff.It covers stuff like "do you want 3 bedrooms or more" and "do you want a fireplace."I suppose it should be expected, but for me it wasn't necessary.That parts easy.Tell me how to get the best mortgage!Tell me how to get the best price!

2. All of the examples are from Indiana which is where the authors must be from.The authors would often say things like "this is how it's done in Indiana but it might be different in your state so you should check."I brought the book for you to tell me!They should include an appendix for these things telling you how it is for all 50 states instead of saying the sames things 3 times to get the page count up.Furthermore whenever they get into these issues (usually legal issues, such as how much information the seller is required to disclose to potential buyers) they don't even tell you how to find out if you were sufficiently motivated to investigate the matter yourself.

Product Description
The top-selling, most complete buyer's and seller's guide available.

The top-selling book on the subject, this latest edition of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying and Selling a Home focuses on everything to do with the sale and purchase of a house. With updated information on finding good schools and neighborhoods, expanded coverage on home auction sales, and the changing options buyers and sellers have with brokers, this is the best home buyer's and seller's guide on the market.

About the Author
Shelley O'Hara has written more than 30 books. She works closely with real estate agents and specialists in the real estate market.
Nancy D. Lewis is a freelance editor and author of numerous books on lifestyles topics. She is also a multiple home buyer and seller.

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Review of The Stanley Complete Step-by-Step Revised Book of Home Repair and Improvement (Hardcover)

This book is a must-have reference for the novice to the expert do-it-yourselfer.It contains well presented, step by step directions to everything from simple, routine fixes to more advanced around the house projects.The clear photography really helped to clarify the sequence of the work.Would make a great gift.



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Review of The Merck Manual of Medical Information, Second Edition: The World's Most Widely Used Medical Reference - Now In Everyday Language (Hardcover)

This is an excellent guide to health and wellness written for lay people and quite comprehensive in its coverage. This second edition (first comes from 1997) adds about adds 35 chapters and 400 pages to the first edition, with updates throughout the book (e.g., on various drug therapies).It is very well-organized, primarily as 300 plus chpaters written around body systems (e.g.. digestive disorders) or topical areas (children's health, preventative medicine). The book has many short sub-sections within chapters (typically 5to 10 pages) that cover specific topics (skin cancer, glaucoma, family planning) that can readily be found in the table of contents.The book is extremely well written with a very detailed index that makes it easy to find information on specific topic.One nice feature of this book is that it is printed to be about the size of a college dictionary (though with larger print than most dictionaries). It also includes an excellent appendix listing other resources for information by topic, with organizations listed out with their mail addresses and web sites.



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Review of Smart Home Hacks: Tips & Tools for Automating Your House (Paperback)

Technical people are always looking for ways that technology can improve and enrich their lives.Smart homes-or home automation-has always seemed like something more from science fiction than science fact.However, after reading this book, the truth is that creating a smart home is easier and far less technical than most people think.This book provides the reader with 100 tips or things that can be done (some quite easy, some might take longer to complete) to automate your home.

Contrary to what you might think, much of what you can do with home automation doesn't require your home to be re-wired.Instead, much of what you might want to accomplish (like having your computer automatically turning on or off lights in the house while you're on vacation) can be done very easily through X10 modules.X10 modules are relatively inexpensive components which can send signals over power lines.Once you understand X10, many of the more straightforward hacks in this book make a lot of sense.

Other projects you'll find in this book include a home monitoring system, a smart sprinkling system, sending messages of what's happening at home to a cell phone or pager, and even controlling your home from a web browser.While some of these projects may sound a bit Orwellian, they are actually very interesting and can make your home a safer place to live.Instead of becoming a victim when a toilet or washing machine overflows, you can put preemptive measures in place to be alerted before a problem occurs.

This is a very interesting book and a must read if you've ever considered home automation.Not only will this book step you through some projects, but it will give you some excellent ideas for the future.I enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend it.


Product Description
So much of what is commonplace today was once considered impossible, or at least wishful thinking. Laser beams in the operating room, cars with built-in guidance systems, cell phones with email access.There's just no getting around the fact that technology always has, and always will be, very cool.But technology isn't only cool; it's also very smart. That's why one of the hottest technological trends nowadays is the creation ofsmart homes. At an increasing rate, people are turning their homes into state-of-the-art machines, complete with more switches, sensors, and actuators than you can shake a stick at.Whether you want to equip your home with motion detectors for added security, install computer-controlled lights for optimum convenience, or even mount an in-home web cam or two purely for entertainment, the world is now your oyster.Ah, but like anything highly technical, creating a smart home is typically easier said than done.Thankfully, Smart Home Hacks takes the guesswork out of the process.Through a seemingly unending array of valuable tips, tools, and techniques, Smart Home Hacks explains in clear detail how to use Mac, Windows, or Linux to achieve the automated home of your dreams.In no time, you'll learn how to turn a loose collection of sensors and switches into a well-automated and well-functioning home no matter what your technical level may be.Smart Home Hacks covers a litany of stand-alone and integrated smart home solutions designed to enhance safety, comfort, and convenience in new and existing homes.Kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, living rooms, and even bathrooms are all candidates for smart automation and therefore are all addressed in Smart Home Hacks.Intelligently written by engineering guru and George Jetson wannabe, Gordon Meyer, Smart Home Hacks leaves no stone unturned.From what to purchase to how to use your remote control, it's the ultimate guide to understanding and implementing complete or partial home automation.

About the Author
With over 20 years of experience using and programming personal computers, Gordon Meyer is currently an engineering manager for Apple Computer, Inc. He specializes in onscreen help and documentation management tools, and holds three pending patents related to Internet-based help systems.Gordon is a true George Jetson wannabe. His home in Santa Clara, California is Mac OS X-based and equipped with motion detectors, computer-controlled lights, weather monitors, and web cams. Most people find this simultaneously frightening and cool, which pleases him to no end.

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Review of New Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans (Lowe's) (Paperback)

Terrific book full of 97% modern ranch plans.Great use of space with move of the designer/architect plans.House plans are not in order by square footage - which would be a little nicer. I know that it is easy to search through internet house plans - but it is so nice to have a color book with this quality of printed paper.

Cheap price for the quality.Easy to compare the plans you like.

Product Description
Providing a unique combination of full-color photography and illustrations, Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans offers readers 400 plans of the best-selling and stylish home designs available. From convenient ranch homes to traditional cottages, this book offers a wide variety of home styles and sizes to meet the budget of most readers. In addition to the designs, the book offers practical tips and advice to create the home of one's dreams.


Book Description
Providing a unique combination of full-color photography and illustrations, Most-Popular 1-Story Home Plans offers readers 525 plans of the best-selling and stylish home designs available. From convenient ranch homes to traditional cottages, this book offers a wide variety of home styles and sizes to meet the budget of most readers. In addition to the designs, the book offers practical tips and advice to create the home of one's dreams.




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Review of Home Machinists Handbook (Paperback)

The Home Machinist's Handbook is a wonderful first book for anyoneinterested in learning how to create parts in metal at home with small (orlarge) machine tools. The book covers all of the essentials in a clearreadable style and includes plenty of helpful illustrations and photos. Ican't recommend this book highly enough if you're just starting out in thehobby.

Product Description
Here's everything the do-it-yourselfer needs to set up, and operate a handy-man's machine shop. Areas covered range from shop requirements and proper lighting to buying, using, and storing tools.

About the Author
McGraw-Hill authors represent the leading experts in their fields and are dedicated to improving the lives, careers, and interests of readers worldwide

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Review of Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House: Bringing Your Home into Harmony with Nature (Natural Home & Garden) (Paperback)

I am pretty much tearing my hiouse down and rebuilding it. I've been so stuck in reviewing technical aspects of framing construction and the sort that I really got hung up in "styles" and "curb appeal" and lost site of what living in my house really meant to me...being happy in my space and surrondings. I happened to order because it was suggested with another I purcahsed and it changed almost everything I was looking at and thinking of. An example, after working through some of the reading I was reminded during this cold February in Michigan that I love the smell of a coming rain storm and the feel of a breeze through a house. I went back and made some great changes to my technical specs based on the site analysis the book recommeded. I wasn't thinking about prevailing winds and storm directions at all other than the general rules of which way to point a house! Another absolutley great point is that this book is green without an agenda. I'm only half way through but I haven't read anything about building my house out of used bottles or tires yet and at one point the book suggests that a classic green application can have a resource cost point that makes it a disadvantage to the modern contemporary appraoch. Everyone wants to be at least a little green and this book helps. It's a great book and is loaded with excellent, and I stress, EXCELLENT information both technical and not that is delivered in more of an article format that keeps your attention and provides a logical sequence to putting the pieces of the puzzle together. The photos are bright and beautiful. This may turn out to be the best book I bought to remodel my home.

Product Description
This absolutely indispensable and lavishly photographed guide will become a cornerstone work for years to come. It redefines the best way to "go green" and addresses a timely topic in a way designed to appeal to a growing and eager audience. Completely user-friendly and filled with motivational case studies and informative graphics. Every page leads would-be remodellers through the process of understanding their home and surroundings so they'll arrive at the perfect design solution.

From the Publisher
We're pleased to announce that Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green-House has been selected as a finalist for the 2007 Nautilus Book Awards .

The Nautilus Book Award is given for distinguished literary contributions. It recognizes authors and books that contribute to our society's awareness and well-being, and which embrace spiritual and ecological values such as compassion, sustainability, simplicity, and global peace.

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Review of The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remodeling Projects to Help Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit (Paperback)

The Carbon Free home is one of the most useful guides I have ever seen to greening your old white elephant. They give practical advice to city dwellers on how to retrofit your home to make it much less of an energy hog and perhaps even carbon free. There are three dozen realistic DIY projects and hundreds of usable tips and suggestions.
Nanny Nature gives this book four paws and a tail.



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Review of The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day (Paperback)

I love this book! I grew up in a Catholic family and in Catholic schools.However, that did not prepare me for passing along Catholic traditions to my own children and to my converted husband. The fear of offending anyone(especially my non-Catholic relatives) made me a little hesitant to "let religious identity permeate our home".Gould's book encourages and instructs on how to do so.She has specific ideas, traditions, and even recipes for living a richer life within the Church.



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Review of Bridging Cultures Between Home and School: A Guide for Teachers (Paperback)

Every educator should read this book.It is not only well written but hits at the center of how we can work with students and parents of diverse cultures.It is an attempt to give teachers and parents keys to understanding the socialization of different cultures so they can work together for the benefit of their children.As a culturally diverse county becoming more and more diverse, many students are being left out of the so called "American dream" by not getting the tupe of education that the privileged have so that they are left behind.It will take more than the "No Child Left Behind" to mend the fencds of our diverse culture and secure a good education for all children.

Product Description
Bridging Cultures Between Home and School: A Guide for Teachers is intended to stimulate broad thinking about how to meet the challenges of education in a pluralistic society. It is a powerful resource for in-service and preservice multicultural education and professional development. The Guide presents a framework for understanding differences and conflicts that arise in situations where school culture is more individualistic than the value system of the home. It shares what researchers and teachers of the Bridging Cultures Project have learned from the experimentation of teacher-researchers in their own classrooms of largely immigrant Latino students and explores other research on promoting improved home-school relationships across cultures. The framework leads to specific suggestions for supporting teachers to cross-cultural communication; organization parent-teacher conferences that work; use strategies that increase parent involvement in schooling; increase their skills as researchers; and employ ethnographic techniques to learn about home cultures. Although the research underlying the Bridging Cultures Project and this Guide focuses on immigrant Latino families, since this is the primary population with which the framework was originally used, it is a potent tool for learning about other cultures as well because many face similar discrepancies between their own more collectivistic approaches to childrearing and schooling and the more individualistic approach of the dominant culture.


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Review of Home Buying For Dummies, 3rd edition (Paperback)

I just successfully bought my first house.I shopped Amazon.com and bought half-a-dozen "how to" books for buying a house before I started my search.I was buying this house on my own, and had no one to rely on for hand-holding or expert advice.I also had a lot of qualms about the whole process.Out of all the books I bought, this was the one I kept going back to.It's typical of a "Dummies" book in that it doesn't give you too much unusable knowledge, but--coversely--it also doesn't drill down to the nth degree on any one topic.This is okay, though.With the usual high-quality editing that goes into most "Dummies" books, this one is very easy to read.It talks about who to hire (e.g., real estate agent, mortgage broker, etc.), how to go about hiring them, how to go about getting a mortgage, what are the ins-and-outs of mortgages, how to get a down-payment together, and--I thought--most importantly; how to budget yourself in preparation for homeownership.This part on figuring out what you spend as a renter and what you think you'll spend as a homeowner helps you decide how much of a house you can afford, and, in my experience, this is one of the big mysteries of buying your first house.Overall, the book is comforting, reliable [now that I'm in a house, I can see that the advice was good], and well organized.If you don't know much about how to buy a house, this is a fine start and a trustworthy source of information.

Product Description
Though fun and exciting, buying a home can also be complicated and confusing-and most people learn the hard way that a wrong move can cost dearly. In order to find the perfect home at the best price, you must have skill, foresight, and a little guidance from experienced professionals.

Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition provides just that! Packed with invaluable advice in an objective, down-to-earth style that will have you sitting in your dream home in no time, this friendly guide contains everything you need to know to play the home buying game. It has the tools you need to:

• Improve your credit score and select a mortgage
• Choose a time and place to buy
• Determine the price you want to pay
• Assemble an all-star real estate team
• Make use of the wonderful world of the Internet
• Negotiate your best deal
• Inspect and protect your home
• Handle and become responsible for the title
• Cope with buyer's remorse

Featured in this guide are tips and tricks on things you should do after you seal the deal, as well as things you ought to know about real estate investing. Also included is advice on how to sell your house, as well as a sample real estate purchase contract and a good inspection report. Don't get chewed up by the real estate market-Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition will lead you to the home you want!



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Review of Green from the Ground Up: Sustainable, Healthy, and Energy-Efficient Home Construction (Builder's Guide) (Paperback)

Too many contractors operate on a "if it ain't broken don't fix it" and "I have been successfully doing things (the old way) for 25 years." It is difficult to get the average contractor to think and act green. Johnston & Gibson lay out and walk through the key ideas . . . in plain English with lots of excellent photographs. Every architect, county planning department, planning inspectors and utility district should have this close at hand. This provides the average person what realtors and homes for sale newspaper features don't know and don't get.

Because there is so much hyperbole, many do not know what to accept, reject, believe or move forward with. How do you speak intelligently with an architect for schools, homes, churches and business and clearly communicate what makes up a functional, sustainable, energy conserving and site appropriate structure?

Planning and Design is a whole system, not a one shot effort. This includes siting, aspect, elevation, lighting, landscaping, plumbing, materials, construction techniques, heating and cooling, interior and exterior finishes, decking, roofs and attics and basements."Form follows function," taught in design schools, but too often ignored, permeates every thought. Collective wisdom reaches back to the Anasazi in the Southwest. This explains why you insulate under a foundation, how fly ash makes concrete stronger and takes care of an otherwise waste product requiring less Portland cement for walls and floors. Advanced framing techniques or use of Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs), alternatives to wood steel studs reduce waste and cost and increases thermal efficiency. Tubular sunpipes are shown illuminating interior space (a much superior alternative to leaky skylights).

Whether you are thinking of new construction or a retrofit, this is a key guide. As we enter "Peak Everything: Waking Up to the Century of Declines (Heinberg, 2007)," this is a guide to quality, high expectations and cost effectiveness with emphasis on sustainability and durability. When I look at a building, these are the critical thinking thoughts and questions in my head. This should be close at hand in every home construction and hardware supply store. Superbly written, well laid out, easy to find information.



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Review of Home Safe Home (Paperback)

This is a must book for every home!All areas of potential toxins are covered, and there is a huge index of resources of where to purchase healthy products, with phone numbers addresses and websites!I bought alot of great products that I would never have known about this way, and Iam very greatful for all the practical advice in the book.I never couldpinpoint what was making me sick, but after reading this book, I didn'twonder "why" I had a headache after standing in a newly paintedroom, etc.!

I literally planned my house around the advice given inthis book!On many subjects, different views are given, and you are leftto weigh the pluses and minuses and decide for yourself.This book is easyto read, fascinating, and not at all preaching.The author is also notbound by any predisposition to follow any specific views (i.e. she is notcompletely conventional or completely alternative) and just presents thefacts straightforwardly.

Product Description
Fascinating, affordable, helpful tips on how to keep your home safe from toxics by an expert on home safety!

Home Safe Home is the ultimate reference of its kind, written by the leading authority on eliminating toxics in the home. It offers more than four hundred tips, including do-it-yourself formulas for inexpensive, safe products to replace the harmful substances we are exposed to in our own households. If you suffer from unexplained headaches, fatigue, or depression, or if you worry about the link between increased use of toxic chemicals and the rising rate of cancer, the many suggestions in this book can make your life virtually toxic-free!

Here are some of the many useful facts you'll learn:

- You can make a window cleaner from vinegar and water that is safe, more effective, and less expensive than any product on the market.
- A mineral powder, which costs pennies per use, is the safest way to get whites their whitest.
- Simply changing your type of sheets and pillows may cure insomnia.



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Review of The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Home (Paperback)

This book starts out by suggesting that the reader obtain a pair of work boots and a flannel shirt and go hang out at construction sites so that you can act like a builder and impress your subs. Not to get construction experience, but to know when to spit and how to yell at people properly. What a joke.

The authors' approach to building is very much in that vein. Cut corners in foolish places and cover it all up with drywall later. He advocates things like single-headers on loadbearing walls and butting up 2 sections of joist sistered with plywood (!) over an open span - not on top of the beam. Whatever pocket change is saved by stunts like this is not worth it in light of the structural and code deficiencies you'd be left with.

If you have read a few other books about frame construction, you can spot the patently crazy ideas among the other bits of very sound advice in this book. But if you are starting from scratch, run away from it. You may not spot the difference between the smart and the stupid here. I get the impression that the authors are coming from the perspective of a penny-conscious builder of tract houses who is just trying to move as many Mchouses as fast as possible without much care for quality. Fine from a business point of view, but it is exactly the kind of mindset that most owner-builders are trying to avoid.

Rather than this book, I would suggest picking up 'Build Your Dream Home for Less,' by R. Dodge Woodson. Woodson's book gives you the perspective of a professional builder who has also built homes for himself and walks a fine line between the perspective of the businessman who needs to maintain a healthy margin and a homeowner who doesn't want ot get stuck with a lousy house. The two books are priced about the same and Woodson's is the one you won't regret.

Product Description
This new edition of The Complete Guide to Contracting Your Homegives aspiring homeowners exactly the information they need to manage their own construction project. Full-color illustrations andphotographs with revamped forms and checklists present the material much like a project manual used by professional contractors.--This text refers to the Paperback edition.



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