Reviews (19)

We Should All Be 1/4th John Semour
The book is everything you could wish to know from beginning to end.The ONLY criticism I have with the book is that is seems to be for one specific climate in England.I'm not quite sure how to translate a lot of it over to a New England (USA)Winter setting. Regardless of that, it's a miracle to have such a book in this day and age.

Great Book
I have read this book twice now. I was amazed at the amount of topics and the detail of each. I would highly recommend this book to people who are looking to start out, or who are only able to read about it.

This was my favorite all time book!
What a wonderful guide on living! This book shows you how to survive and thrive with simple, back-to-basics skills and instructions on how to do almost anything you'd ever need to know to live. Beautiful illustrations and a easy to use index. Everybody should own a copy of this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Agriculture    2. Agriculture - General    3. Country life    4. Gardening    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Organic    8. Self-Help    9. Techniques    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Gardening / Organic   

Reviews (6)

Usefulness
As a practicing L.A., I have bought several McGraw-Hill Construction Books.I get a similar result each time:They seem on first look to fulfill the promise, but I found they don't well serve the need in real life.I get far better use out of Architectural Graphic Standards, and I'm looking forward to Wiley's Landscape Architectural Graphic Standards.

buy the book, forget the CD-ROM version
I've got the book and was hoping the CD-ROM would enhance using the book, but it doesn't.The content is very slim compared to the book, and the CAD drawings that are included are also of very limited use.Don't bother with the CD-ROM version of TSSLA.

This book is a must!!!!
A great book to have. It was a required text for my site technology classes. Kept referring to it. Lots of information. It should be on everyone's bookcase if you're a Landscape Architect student or already in the profession. I highly recommend it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building    3. Construction industry    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Landscape    6. Landscape Architecture And Design    7. Landscape architecture    8. Standards    9. Architecture / Landscape    10. Landscape art & architecture    11. Reference works   

Reviews (22)

burnt out on hash
I bought this today and i am quite stoked on the reviews. 5 stars on the reviewsbeeeyotch

Marijuana Horticulture The indoor/outdoor Medical growers Bible
This a a must read book even for the pro it has so much information that is updated if you read Jorges last book it even blows it away so much useful info great pictures everyone should read this book!

I bought it...
I bought this when it just got out, and i started my grow just a while after. This book got me working better and the last grow is my most successful grow ever, by far.
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Subjects:  1. Gardening / Reference    2. Gardening / Techniques    3. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    4. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    5. Reference    6. Cannabis    7. Greenhouses    8. Horticulture    9. Hydroponics    10. Indoor gardening    11. Marijuana (Pharmacological Aspects)    12. Therapeutic use   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (53)

Not bad, but not great
This was my first book on wine.I've read numerous books on beer, so that was my background coming into the book.
A Terrific Primer
This book is very easy to read and is a good introduction to the world of wine.The tear-out card in the front of the book is easy to carry with you to help with choosing the right wine for your meal at a restaurant.The glossary explains unfamiliar terms and the chapter headings are logically organized. Without being patronizing, the book explains the basics of wine making, flavor characteristics, and food pairings.

Good for a beginner, could use a bit more organization
For someone who's a complete novice to wine (I qualify), the book will start out very enjoyably, especially if you are interested in the wine making process.It gives you a good understanding of the types of wines, and what the names on the labels mean.
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Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Gardening    5. Regional - General    6. Wine Buying Guides    7. Wine and wine making    8. Cooking / Wine & Spirits    9. Wines   

Editorial Review

Collecting contributions from 100 distinguishedhorticulturists, the handsome and lavishly illustrated Read more

Reviews (58)

The absolute must-have plant bible
I've been coveting this book at a gardening friend's house for several months and just received my own copy as a gift.It's got everything: Every plant and variety imaginable, color photos, tips and techniques, heat and temperature maps... The latter are specific to the U.S., but international buyers would likely still find the plant and tree information exhaustive and very useful.This is the ultimate reference book, with the added bonus of being glossy and beautiful enough to leave out on the coffee table.

I prefer Sunset's Western Garden Book for SoCal gardening
I've had this book for almost 3 yrs, and used it as reference while planting a large from-scratch, drought tolerant garden in Southern California.
Gardening info by Committee

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Subjects:  1. Encyclopedias    2. Gardening    3. Gardening / Horticulture    4. Gardening/Plants    5. Ornamental Plants    6. Plants, Ornamental    7. Reference    8. Gardening / Reference   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture / Landscape    3. General    4. Landscape Architecture And Design    5. Landscape    6. Landscape architecture    7. Landscape design   

Reviews (4)

Great Site Design Reference
I was a bit tentative when I started to use this text. The book has some minor editing problems, but if your desire is to really understand site design with an emphasis on drainage and grading plan design this text does the trick and does it well. I would recommend this book to any Jr. land development designer/engineer as a must have reference.

Great reference book!
This is a great book to have on your shelf. Kept referring to it for my Site Technology classes and I know I'll be referring to it in the future. I found it very helpful and clearly written. Would highly recommend it.

Thorough but Poorly Organized
Puchased this text to help review for the LARE exam.The text has all of the necessary information but is not layed out well.Illustrations are not located on pages where they are referenced in the text making it so that you have to flip back and forth across several pages to understand the text in relation to the examples.Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Building sites    3. Engineering - Civil    4. Landscape    5. Landscape architecture    6. Landscape construction    7. Architecture / Landscape   

Reviews (22)

Northeast Weed Bible
This book is absolutely the best on weeds of the Northeast. This is a must forthe library of every gardener or landscaper. It is easily readable, yet has the depth for those who need greater information about the subject. Easily, the most practical format, and it has a detailed index for cross referencing between the common and taxonomic. It also includes a chart on grasses.

Usefull reference book for weeds
I am a member of the Master Gardeners of Harford Co. Maryland.
Answers to "what's this? what's that?" but not all of them
I love this book!I had to have my own copy after seeing one in use at the Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener booth at last year's 4-H Fair.It doesn't ID everything that I find growing around my property, of course, and I definitely agree with S.C. Watson's wishes for information on edibility and invasiveness.Still, this is a terrific book.
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Subjects:  1. Canada, Eastern    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Identification    5. Life Sciences - Botany    6. Nature    7. Northeastern States    8. Plants - General    9. Regional - General    10. Weeds    11. Horticulture    12. Northeastern & North Atlantic states    13. Pest control   

Reviews (10)

You can learn a lot if you don't fall asleep first.
I am currently enrolled in a floral design program using this book as text.Yes, it is a very imformative book, but Ms. Hunter goes into far to much detail and uses far to many words to get her point across.Maybe it's just me and I am a far more visually oriented person, but trying to learn floral design through the use of a text book so far is not my cup of tea...I think it's a good reference book but that's about it.

Excellent Textbook
I have referred to this textbook throughout the five years since I took my first floral design class.I am now a seasoned designer and sometimes refresh my memory by re-reading chapters.Well-written and illustrated.

Definitely worth buying.
This is a great textbook.Not for casual reading.It has so much information about floral design and care and handling of fresh flowers and foliage.It gives good design illustrations that you can copy and make for your home or for friends and family.I'll be referring to this book for information long after my classes are over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Counseling - Vocational Guidance    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Design - Decorative    5. Floral Arts    6. Flower Arranging    7. Flower arrangement    8. Hobbies/Crafts    9. Technology / Agriculture & Animal Husbandry   

Reviews (3)

Landscape Lighting 101
The Landscape Lighting book, by Janet Moyer, provides both an academic and practical level of landscaping lighting knowledge. Another good book, if you can find it, is the Ortho's book of How to Design and Install Outdoor Lighting.
The Art and Craft of Landscape Lighting
The second edition of Janet Lennox Moyer's THE LANDSCAPE LIGHTING BOOK is an absolute necessity for everybody who works in landscape lighting or who is seriously interested in creating their own garden lighting. Ms Moyer has greatly revised and expanded the color plates and Chapter 4, "The Design Process - Documenting and Installing Landscape Lighting" as well as writing an entirely new Chapter 5 "Follow-up Work - Record Documents and Project Maintenance." These changes and additions and the many other updates make the new edition well worth the purchase price.
expert opinion
Still the best book for the professional.Invaluable resource for architects, landscape architects and landscape lighting designers.Broad and deep with plenty of technical information.I purchased this book in1992 and I bought it again today (an electrician friend "lost" myoriginal copy).A second edition (if planned) should include betterinformation about transformer regulation (the ability of a low voltagelighting transformer to maintain 12v under load) and voltage drop (thedreaded decrease in voltage through the main supply cable) which arepresented as formulae rather than actual measurements.Great photographsmostly of large scale projects.This book should be in every outdoorlighting designer's library.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Garden lighting    3. Landscape    4. Landscape architecture    5. Optics    6. Architecture / Landscape   

Reviews (9)

Landscaping 101
This is a grand book with homes in differing sites in differing parts of the US.One can glean many ideas from the great photographs and text.Julie Moir Messervy's designs are elegantly simple and reflect her studies in Japan.This book is a real addition to the library of anyone interested in designing their landscape.

Wonderful Book- Susanka is the best!
Susanka is a great architect! Love it all and look forward to generating a whole new look for my entire property!

Many ideas for designing small areas near small houses
(4.5 Stars)I can see from the other reviews that there exist a wide range of opinions about this book.I fall on the high side, I suppose.I enjoyed the large number of photos and ideas for landscaping small areas - spots even - in the yard around a smaller home.
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Subjects:  1. Architecture, Domestic    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. Garden Design    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardens    6. General    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Interior Design    10. Landscape    11. Landscape Architecture And Design    12. Landscape gardening    13. Philosophy    14. House & Home / General   

Reviews (9)

excellant book for the money
Well illustrated, informative,helpful,perfectly priced.I recomend this book to amateurs and veterans of this hobby, this is a beautiful book easily worth the money.

YOU CANNOT GO WRONG WITH THIS ONE
I have been a rather serious birder for well over fifty years now and when I first saw this book (it was a gift) I almost felt insulted...back yard birder indeed!Well, I was wrong...I admit it.I have actually enjoyed this one far more that several of the many hundred or so more technical books on the subject that inhabit my shelves.This is a wonderful quick reference and is quite well organized.I have interested grandchildern and I not when they are here, which is almost daily, they reach for this volume far more than any of the others.Sharing my passion and hobby with them is great and this work is a wonderful help tool.Recommend it highly.

Helps the Average Birdwatcher
"The Audubon Backyard Birdwatcher: Birdfeeders and Bird Gardens" is for the interested, but average birdwatcher. However, it might just inspire the reader to take it a level higher.
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Subjects:  1. Bird feeders    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Garden Design    5. Garden Furnishings    6. Gardening to attract birds    7. Identification    8. Nature    9. North America    10. Science/Mathematics    11. Sale Books   

Reviews (79)

There was never any old school, but if there will be then this will be it
A great book based around debunking everything preached before about growing grass and then shows the results of some good growing. It is no longer just about producing a one in a hundred photograph magazine quality plant, but having lots of them and with the potency to back it up.
Well worth getting if you are thinking about growing
This book does not remind me of anything I have read before. It looks a way more professional than most for these types of books. It has a very workable plan to produce the best results in the smallest of spaces to big basement grows if you want. The strategies are clearly laid out and explained in sufficient detail.Readers can find plenty of pictures, diagrams and illustrations with instructions. It is very motivational. The clear and easy writing style should appeal to anybody. Good luck.

A great reference.
Bravo! Finally a book that not only tells gardeners how to avoid wasting your time chasing bugs but also how to end up with a fine canopy of thick buds.
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Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Crop Science    2. Field Crops    3. Marijuana (Pharmacological Aspects)    4. Pharmacology    5. Pop Arts / Pop Culture    6. Popular Culture - Counter Culture    7. Reference    8. Sociology    9. Technology    10. Gardening: plants   

Subjects:  1. Flowering Plants (Angiospermae)    2. Flowers - Perennials    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Perennials    7. Pruning    8. Techniques    9. Gardening / Techniques    10. Gardening: plants   

Editorial Review

This is the be-all and end-all of mushroom books! Truly an encyclopedia of mushroom facts and lore, lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs, literally everything you need to know about mushrooms, edible or not. Arora has taught mycology for close to twenty years and has hunted and photographed mushrooms across the North American continent. Threaded through the book are his wry and humorous observations and comments, making what could have been a rather dull, "just-the-facts, ma'am" reference book into a really enjoyable read. The stunning photographs of the incredible variety of fungi are fascinating and eye-opening, and while the author gives clear and factual information, the mysterious allure of mushrooms in their countless shapes, sizes and colors is only increased by this huge and delightful book. --Read more

Reviews (29)

A Must Have
I am a biology teacher and own two tracts of woods.I bought two cheaper books thinking, foolishly, that I would then be able to identify most mushrooms.Cheap and thin is easy to carry in the woods, but this is the "mushroom bible" all naturalists should own.Arora handles a jargon rich science exquisitely.His use of humor in a virtual textbook takes away the thick book intimidation factor.Academia could learn a lot from David's style.I wish all the pictures were in color, but that would increase the price and thickness of the volume tremendously.I will add a few other field guides with color pictures for referencing. I now have a hard time believing there are still copies available for sale.I don't know who in their right mind would sell such a volume.I'll have mine until the end.

actually good beginner book
I love this book.
This Book Is Great!
After reading this book, I have a hard time reading other mushroom books.This one is just such fun to read!I subconsciously am looking for other mushroom books to be less dry and as funny as this one, but it just ain't happenin'.I really recommend this book both for the information it contains and the pleasure that you get from reading it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California    2. Gardening / Horticulture    3. General    4. Identification    5. Life Sciences - Bacteriology    6. Mushrooms    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Pacific States    10. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (15)

Amazing book!
I bought this book many years ago and still find myself going back and re-reading it over and over.If you're new to the Permaculture thought process you will be knocked off your horse with the common-sense, integrated approach to gardening and farming systems.I attribute this book and the thoughts provoked by it as the catalyst in seeking integrations and aggregation on many different fronts.This will always be one of the books I will treasure.I wore off the cover and have punched holes in all the pages and keep it in a three-ring binder.

Ignore the Cost
The information presented in this book is worth a semester of agriculture, chemistry, and geography classes.
The Most Important Textbook in the World...
...and probably one of the most fun to read. I read the first 8 chapters while working on a permaculture site on Isla Ometepe in Nicaragua, and ordered it immediately upon returning home.
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Subjects:  1. Agriculture - Agronomy    2. Gardening    3. Gardening/Plants    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Permaculture    6. Reference    7. Technology & Industrial Arts    8. Agricultural science    9. Agriculture & related industries   

Reviews (23)

Great Book. Quick Shipment. Greaat seller.
The book was delivered in a timely manner, well packaged. Would buy from this seller again.

The author enthusiastically shares his passion and experience with grape growing and winemaking
This book is clearly written and easy to read. In addition to the educational aspects, the author effortlessly recounts his own home winemaking experience and shares his passion for it. I found the tables and calculations extremely helpful. A lot of attention is paid to describing the technology and chemistry of the homemade wine. However, the author puts even more emphasis on choosing and correctly growing the right grape at the right place and calls it "your single most important decision". That's why the first chapters on the grape varieties and basic viticulture techniques are especially helpful for beginning grape growers. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it!
WoW what a book !!!!
I have read a lot about this book so I had to have it. I recently bought a small vineyard in Slovakia and I have tons of local books about winemaking. I am a real newbie and after I read these books I had an idea how to make wine, but that was not enough. I always had tons of questions, which I did not know who to ask. Well Jeff Cox answers them. When he describes the wine making process he does that very precisselly that a newbie like me would underestand it. I am looking forward to use his tips this autumn. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beverages - Wine & Spirits    2. Fruit    3. Gardening    4. Gardening / Horticulture    5. Gardening/Plants    6. Organic    7. United States    8. Viticulture    9. Wine and wine making    10. Wine and winemaking    11. COOKING / Beverages / Wine & Spirits    12. Gardening / Fruit    13. Wines   

Reviews (12)

Courtyards: Aesthetic & Function
"Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight" begins with a brief history of courtyards including itemized accounts of such topics as placement within a building, orientation, exposure, and the promotion of temperature conditions within a courtyard.
Couryards: Interacting with nature
I got this book several years ago on an inter-library loan from NDSU.It's a great book.The only problem is that it's relatively expensive -- $60 or so.
Honest Reviews?
Were all the reviews written by the author? Give me a break! The fact that every review sounds the same will keep me from ever purchasing this book. In that case, I guess all the reviews helped! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Architecture And Energy Conservation    3. Architecture And The Environment    4. Architecture and climate    5. Courtyard gardens    6. Courtyard houses    7. Design & Drafting    8. Garden Design    9. General    10. Landscape    11. Architectural structure & design    12. Architecture / Design & Drafting    13. Garden design & planning    14. History of specific subjects   

Reviews (4)

Disappointing
I eagerly anticipated this book, since there is so little published information on the subject, but I was disappointed when it finally arrived.It appears that it was never proofread.I read a lot, and this is the worst job of editing/proofreading I have ever seen in a book.This may sound like nitpicking, but there were places where I could not figure out what information the author was trying to convey it was so garbled.It is FULL of typos, grammatical errors, and garbled sentences.
A wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool
NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS: INSPIRATION FOR HARMONY WITH NATURE offers a wealth of insights and tips on how to construct - and maintain - a natural garden pool. Surprisingly they are less costly to maintain than traditional chemical pools, save on water, and beautify a garden area more than less ecological offerings. Full-page color photos throughout illustrate such pools, surveying a range of designs and options and discussing biological conditioning, ecology, regeneration zones, and construction choice alike. It's the multitude of options and in-depth coverage on these options, paired with the color photo coverage, which makes NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS an extraordinary survey.
Long overdue book on an overdue topic
I have been keenly interested in the topic of natural swimming pools for about 5 years, but have been frustrated by the lack of information in English on the topic (there are several books in German - the homeland of the concept - but only a single manual in English).
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Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Do-It-Yourself    3. House & Home    4. Outdoor & Recreational Areas - General    5. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    6. Swimming pools    7. Water gardens, pools   

Reviews (3)

Perfect for Beginners to Experts
This has been one of the most enjoyable creative books I have purchased in a long time.I orginally got it for my business which is moving into concrete molding and casting.I knew my mom would thoroughly enjoy it and immediately bought and Amazon sent her the gift copy.She LOVES it too and has already played around with some of the ideas in her desert garden.So thinking about it...I decided to buy my own copy!Next summer I plan on doing several of the creative ideas in it, but with my own artistic twist.I can't wait!
Thorough and Inspiring
I am thrilled to have this book. I knew people were doing this type of work, and I have wanted to know how. Other books have provided bits & pieces, but Sherri's book is THOROUGH. Each time I came up with a question in my mind as I was reading, the answer would be on one of the next pages. After reading through her book, I feel confident and inspired to take on projects I had been afraid to tackle. She shows a wide variety of projects -- her instructions are CLEAR and easy to follow. I shared this with my sister (out of state) & her comment was, "I can't believe you let loose of this!" A truly inspiring book!

Both practical and beautiful...
I like this book because it has very detailed "how to" instructions to make concrete ornaments for your garden.The "how to" illustrations are very clear.The photographs of actual designs are beautiful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Concrete    2. Design and construction    3. Do-It-Yourself    4. Do-It-Yourself - Masonry    5. Garden Furnishings    6. Garden ornaments and furniture    7. Home Improvement / Construction    8. House & Home    9. Gardening    10. House & Home / Do-It-Yourself    11. NATURE - ANIMALS TRD HC