Furniture Books

Although I knew the copyright on the book was 2003, I bought the book and went shopping in NC in June 2007. A lot of the retailers are gone. I was looking forward to shopping at Rose and Utility Craft and both were closed for business. Blacks has moved. Furnitureland South has 1 million sq. feet of furniture and a good place to look, but prices were better at Blacks. Also be careful because a lot of the furniture is not from NC, but from Asia. This book was probably helpful years ago, but now is very outdated.

I used this book to shop for furniture in the High Point area. It was useful in locating stores and in knowing what product lines each store offered. There are two main problems I have; (1) I think the savings are overstated - it is probably more in the area of 20 percent off, and (2) I think the author was uninformed or else very soft on rating the customer service side of things. The salespeople treat you like family (as stated in this book) when they are trying to make the sale, but for me, that was where the good customer service ended. I bought almost all of my furniture at Rose Furniture. They were very helpful and responsive until after some items arrived damaged. That is where all the competence and responsiveness ended. If you read Ms. Shapiro's review of Rose Furniture, she only talks about how wonderful the sales people are - she offers no information about treatment after the sale. I think this is a huge oversight. What you want in a furniture retailer is good service - this is all they do. They don't build furniture, they service the customer. I waited 5 months for my order to be delivered - Rose estimates an 8 to 10 week delivery timeframe. Rose Furniture would consistently tell me something that just wasn't true. After waiting 5 months for my items, one of the items would not even function properly and was covered with some dark, gummy substance - all over the finish. I refused delivery and I'm seeking a refund. Rose Furniture has a condescending way of dealing with people that is very aggravating. They have a pleasant exterior appearance while all the time they could care less.

I agree with a couple of previous reviewers that this book is a bit dated now and to check specifics before making the trip. I used this book before my first trip to shop High Point, and have made two subsequent trips. I agree that the savings are not that great, and if you have to ship, plus now pay tax, you will probably not save over your local retailer. I priced a Henredon bed and dresser at Boyle's, and my local store quoted the exact same price. In the end, Boyle's offered a 10% discount, free shipping (as they should on the amount I was spending) and no tax, so I saved a bit over my local store who would not offer a 10% reduction, but it was probably a wash after the trip expenses. You may save more if you live in an extremely price-inflated area. On the flip-side, you can indeed look, touch, and feel an incredibly wide variety of furniture in one day. Sitting on that couch that you are spending a couple of grand on cannot replace ordering it from your local retailer's catalog sight unseen. Second, if you live in a more rural area like I do - we have only one good furniture store - you get a much better idea of what is available to you. This book gives you some good basic information on the stores and the lines they carry. I agree with other reviewers that the service is not that great at most stores. I have never been able to get anyone to give me "design help" and the sales staff at most places will clearly size you up based on appearance, so if you want serious help, dress like you have some money to spend. Otherwise they are just order-takers. Be sure to visit manufacturer websites before you go to narrow down what you are looking for.

My wife and I decided to make a trip to NC for our 10th wedding anniversary. Figured since we were going to spend the money to go someplace anyway, we'd go figure out the NC furniture mysteries. This book was a great guide to helping us plan the trip. As for the contents, it is everything you need. But, make sure to update the store hours via the web or phone calls before you travel. Many of the stores had changed hours/days. In fact, one location that is prominantly mentioned as a cluster of many retailers, a good one stop shop, is almost out of business. Most retailers have left.

As for whether you save money shopping in NC, I really don't believe it. Before we left, we had found some furniture groups we liked here locally. We called several of the stores in this book for competitive quotes. The actual per piece price was about the same. Some were cheaper, some were more expensive, so the group price was about the same. Then you have to add on shipping. BTW, NC is collecting sales tax for most states now, so you won't save that, either. It would have cost more to buy in NC.

So we took the trip. Even writing off the entire cost of the trip, which is not insignificant, but since we were going to spend it to go someplace anyway, we didn't count it, we didn't see where you could save money if you have to have the furniture shipped. At best the savings were $50-$100 per peice. The liquidation outlets are something of a joke. We saw two women get into a fight over who could buy something that was damaged. We saw a bedroom suite "on clearance" that was within $100 as a group of what we saw it new for in a showroom earlier that morning. You might get lucky in a clearance center, but having seen what we did, I'd never go back. The Thomasville factory outlet was OK, but the selection was extraordinarily limited, and if you wanted a group, you were out of luck. But, it is the only way to get Thomasville cheaper than your local store.

Overall, the book is good, and it would be valuable to give you a few numbers to call to check your local retailer's prices. I am one of those people who research for a year before buying anything, and it is a good resource. However, unless you live in an increcibly inflated area such as New England/DC/NY area, you are going to end up spending the same or more by shopping NC. About the only advantage of going there in person is you can make one stop in Highpoint, by Furnitureland South, and in one day you can basically see every single piece of furniture currently made between the 6 stores clustered right there.

I just returned from a trip to NC for furniture having purchased this book as a guide. As it turned out, the book was not very helpful and I wasted a lot of time by relying on its recommendations. For starters, it's very outdated and the author's website for updates is no longer online. Many of the recommendations are based on the author's personal opinions without explanations that readers could use to judge for themselves. She lists her favorite stores and downplays others without providing a basis for her reasoning. Much of the information provided on the various dealers is straight out of the stores' marketing materials. There are a few useful tips scattered through the book but overall it wasn't very helpful.
As far as whether NC is worth the trip- it IS, but only if you are already looking to buy very high quality name brand furniture (pieces that typically are special ordered in your pick of fabrics and finishes). NC is not a great place to go if you're shopping primarily based on budget. You aren't going to find very low priced furniture, but if you were already prepared to pay $4000 for a leather Natuzzi couch from a local retailer, it's worth the trip to save 40% on it. If budget is your most important criteria, you're better off at IKEA or a local retailer that carries lesser known manufacturers catering to a lower price point. Just from personal experience, we did great at Furnitureland South- AMAZING selection and service in one stop. This author had little good to say about FLS but her hands-down favorite- Rose Furniture- was a total bomb- rotten service, cramped showroom and so-so selection.

This is the dictionary used in my childrens' school. The definitions are child-friendly and the words included are ones on many spelling lists. So far my kids have used it through third grade.

I purchased this for my 8 year old Daughter. Instead of her asking me how to spell this and that word, I showed her how to find it herself in the dictionary. It is very colorful and has beautiful pictures.

My review is based on the 2003 version. This version must be vastly improved over earlier reviews, as earlier reviews said it had no pronunciation guide. This version is great! It has blue text for the word. Short, concise definitions and a pronunciation guide at the end.

I feel this is a great "real" 1st dictionary for kids. I picked it for it's readability, suitability/content, and concise definitions. And, as some reviewers said, it may not have "every" word, but I found this version to be the easiest to start with and "entice" them into using the dictionary. I really like the DK/Merrian version, but alas, it's really hard for me and my little guys (1st and 2nd) to decipher through all the blah text, symbols, and more complex definitions. I want them to be excited about reading. My plan is to use this one now until the kids seem to outgrow it, and then I'll upgrade to an "older dictionary". Maybe by then DK/Merriam will have an easier format in a few years. In the interim, I'll use the dictionary.com or merriam-webster online for the missing vocab words. Multiple resources are great.

In closing, I did sit in Barnes and Noble for 20 minutes comparing between the Scholastic, DK/merriam, New World Webster, and American Heritage. I still think for a first children's dictionary that this is a great solution. I would have thought Scholastic would have done a better job. The New World Webster was good with definitions, but the artwork consisted of drawings that were not as "good" and the readability was not quite as good.

Hope this helps all in the market.

I am a homeschooling Mom and we use it every day! Great pictures. Only slight drawback is that not every word we need is listed in it - most are though. Althogether a good investment.

There are many things I love about this dictionary. Number one is the way it is put together; easy to read text, plenty of eye-catching pictures and artwork, guidewords conspicuously typeset to make locating entries easier, homographs, inflected forms, and example sentences that show use in context.

Even my SLD students are able to use this book. It has been an excellent source in helping them to learn how to use a dictionary as it is less intimidating that the old black and white texts.

As a source of ideas on building Japanese lanterns, this book is fantastic. I had to take some points off on the instructions, though. I built the Morning Glory table lantern, and the instructions didn't quite match the picture of the finished piece, although I spotted it right off and was able to correct for it to match it to the picture.

If you're a novice woodworker, you WILL be able to build these pieces if you have the tools. However, you'll need to be careful with the measurements and read the instructions thoroughly beforehand to figure out where they're wrong.

Also, a suggestion based on my experiences: although you can get shoji paper with a higher percentage of synthetic materials to make it stronger, that paper may have less shrinkage when you spray it to get the "tight" look that is associated with shoji screens. You can still use the partly synthetic shoji paper, just make sure you fit it well when you glue it to the framework of the lamp as it won't shrink as much as you may think.

This book is full of beautiful projects, but beware. It is also full of errors and inconsistencies. Be sure to read the instructions fully to make sure everything makes sense and that instructions at different points agree. Example: on one project it tells you to use half inch wood, but the assembly instructions call for 3/4 inch wood. In another place a drawing shows a part to be 8 inches, but when you extrapolate it makes the project 7 feet wide.
I expect to build several projects, but I now know to proceed with caution.

This is a beautiful looking book describing some wonderfully nice looking and creatively constructed lamps. The photographs of the lamps are high quality, and the book is like the works illustrated, clean and simple in presentation. I was going to give it 4 stars based on a gut feeling, but felt I was stretching to find something negative, thus I've given it the benefit of the doubt. I can see that others note where some measurements are off in places, but the presentation and style and beauty of the final product made me go for the higher rating in the end. Just be wary during construction, you will be fine.

The 18 designs are amply distributed around various types and themes. You will need a reasonably well equipped workshop to complete many of them or a willingness to work the wood in various ways otherwise (including the optional use of Japanese hand tools). I bought the book mostly for inspiration as to ideas for my own lamps, and as to that, the book fit the bill fine. One could extrapolate the designs in this book and enlarge them to make some really wild house/room lighting. So if you lean toward this kind of style, you will probably find this book to your liking. You must follow the guidelines for lamp distance and temperatures if using the paper approach here. I'd consider substituting an approppriate plastic or glass where possible, and when it wouldn't impact the artistic presentation of the lamp.

All in all, when considering the content and potential for reward even if building only one, you will find that this book is likely going to represent money well spent. I look forward to any sequel.

haven't make anything yet but the book was fun to read was in mint condition. will make a couple for gifts very soon. easy instructions. every one should have one. great projects to involve those teens that are making you pull out your hair. they will want to make more.try this book you won't be sorry

This book is an excellent resource and presents many beautiful shoji lamp styles and accommpanying plans to make them. Reading it has resulted in our having now completed 8 lamps, 6 for our own home and 2 for friends. We recommend the book!

Very pleased with this book, it covers many aspects of stonework. Nice photos, lots of step by step projects with stone such as paths, walls, steps, waterfalls, pools, etc. Good early section on types of stone and the tools needed to work with stone.

When I started a stone-project at our farm in the Catskills -- re-cycling some old, fallen-down stone walls into a new retaining wall -- I bought a half-dozen books, including David Reed's Stonescaping. Although Reed's book was not the best one for my particular project, as a good how-to book, it is very good and as an idea book, it is excellent.

On the plus side, Reed provides details and plenty of full-color pictures for everything from tools to stone varieties to uses for stone. He expands far beyond free-standing and retaining walls to benches, paving stones, terraces and even sculpture. After reading this book, I realized that I can use the stone I have at hand in quite a few ways besides walls.

The main negative is the book is just too pretty to drag outdoor where I'm working. Of course, the easy solution to that is to photocopy the appropriate pages and take them to my worksite.

It is a great book for anyone interested in adding stone texture to the garden, lawn, or general landscape.

This book is full of beautiful photos and ideas for stonescaping. It includes stone paths, patios, steps, retaining walls, and even how to make an impressive stone waterfall. However, it's not only the wonderful photography that makes this book great, but it also includes information about how to accomplish these things. I would have to say this is a great "how-to" book that disguises itself as a beautiful coffee table book.

This is a decent book for the novice to overcome any initial trepidation about building drystone features. It is well illustrated, and comprehensive enough to get you started. However, with a few exceptions, the stonework illustrated is of average quality. For a true photo reference on the art of drystone, I would recommend Dan Snow's "In the Company of Stone" over Reed's book any day. Combine it with John Vivians "Building Stone Walls", and you will have everything you need to enter the world of drystone work: quality pictures of excellent stonework for reference, and solid, no nonesense text to guide you.

A good book for anyone interested in landscaping their yard with dry stacked stones. It teaches you much more than just making retaining walls. Learn how to make paths, steps, benches, pools, and how to integrate plants into the stonework. It could have used some more photos of finished projects, but overall it should be enough to help you finish any stonescaping project you take on.

Very helpful book - have really been enjoying this book as I have wanted this book for years, finally got it!

I bought this book to help me determine the value of a collection of high quality dolls that my aunt wants to help her sell. Our of five doll designers, only one of the designers was even listed in her book. This was a waste of my money, for sure!

I am formilair with this book. It is a great book IF you know the name of your doll. If you don't it is not a good one for you.

THE resource for all your doll questions on values and dolls.

Although the Blue Book is the avid doll collectors' favorite price guide, it contains numerous categories that have not been updated for quite a number of years. China, parian, papier mache, and wooden, some of the earliest dolls in existence, have been gaining in popularity for several years now and the market prices, both at auction and online have been rising considerably. The Blue Book has not caught up with this trend.

Also, it would be extremely helpful if there were a comprehensive section that described the methods used in compiling the information as well as the sources of this information. Some of the prices are so far off the mark in actual market prices realized, that it makes the professional wonder if the numbers are merely picked out of blue sky.

The book is well structured and is the easiest to use on a daily basis, of all the price guides, however, serious updating and a description of the price compilation process, would improve it immensely.

I bought this book in 2004 and found it and the video very helpful . In 2004 I paid a total of around $55.00 for both .
Now I need a second copy of the book and find it listed by itself for $52.00.

This is a practical book for working with dry softwood logs. Among others, it has 15 pages on tools, 35 p. on some basics (joinery, finishes...) and 50 p. on various projects. However this includes some big pictures and a lot of white space, or wasted space (e.g. a check list covering 4 pages, with only 15 items /page, and looking useless and stupid to me, pp. 37-40), so that in the end there is not much text per page in average. Although some traditional tools are exposed, everything in the book is meant to be made with power tools (but one could also use traditional tools).

This book does contain some real, practical teaching to help you build things (unlike a book with a deceptive title, Daniel Mac's Making Rustic Furniture). However, as it has so much white space and so little text, I think that it is definitely not worth its price (maybe it should be sold for about 10 dollars?).
If you want to get something for your money, buy instead Drew Langsner's Green Woodworking.

This book spends very little print space dealing with "how to", and a large amount of space promoting Minwax products, the wide array of power tools required, and how to market your product once it is made. I am a very experienced woodworker. I have all of the recommended tools, and with all of those Minwax sealers, stains and oils. But I am at the same place as a novice as to the fundamentals of selecting wood, debarking, drying, making tenons, drilling accurate mortices, etc. This book was no help whatsoever.

Inspiring ideas for tools and furniture for someone in the coppicing industry in United Kingdom.

There are few reference works available in this category. Fortunately, this one is a useful, helpful, and clear guide to the art of making log furniture. We have yet to faithfully follow any of the authors' detailed step-by-step plans. The text and pictures were clear enough to enable us to start right off making our own derivative designs. Thanks, guys!

I enjoy making woodworking projects and in particular like the Arts & Crafts style. I own his book and quite a few more on the subject.

I decided to make one of the Morris chairs from the book. The plans are very inadequate. There are many missing measurments. You can calculate almost all of them but you have to take the time to do so and then take even more time to make sure they are right and even more time to make sure that they fit in with other parts of the plan.

For example, the drawings do not give the width of the back but do give you the distance between the back posts. Well that is simple to calculate, just add the width of the posts. But if you add the thickness of the washers to the back, the width of the back plus the washers is greater than the opening and so the back won't fit. In addition, the directions are not clear whether or not the arm overhangs the legs. If the arm overhangs the leg, the width of the back needs to be less and the width of the washers needs to be thicker.

The end result is that it takes a lot longer to make the piece than if the drawings were better because you have to not only figgure how to make the piece you are working on, you have to think through the following steps to make sure everything else will fit. The really sad thing is that the plans would only need to be 10% better to be a huge amount better.

I am currently working on the bookcase that the previous reviewer had so much trouble with. I couldn't agree more--the "top back" piece is missing entirely from the cut list and the description, with no indication on how it was joined. The drawing is inconsistent with the cut list. Nothing wrong with this, so long as you treat the book as a guide and inspiration rather than a detailed step-by-step manual. Problem is, it pretends to be the latter rather than the former. You wind up having to double-check the author's work and thinking out the design before making any cuts.

I've built several other pieces from the book with no trouble--it may be that the defects in this book are limited to the bookcase. It's too bad--the bookcase is the best looking project in the book.

This book was a gift for Christmas...I'd been looking for Morris Chair plans for a while and this one offers four (one base unit and variations on the plans.) The materials list for the Panel Side Morris chair were good, however, on the "leg pieces" I think the dimensions are switched. It states 28" x 1 1/4" x 2 1/4"...I think it should be 28" x 2 1/4" x 1 1/4". Otherwise the directions and dimensions are great.

The photos are are really nice and I can't wait to start on the settle piece.

For some inexplicable reason my mind sees a parallel between Japanese furniture craftsmanship of the past 1000 years or so and the work coming out of the Arts & Crafts Movement the flourished between 1870 and 1920 in Europe and the USA. Despite the fact that I know full well that they differ in many core esthetic principles. Perhaps it is the preference for simple, geometric lines and grace, or the emphasis on workmanship rather than decoration, or the desire to create beauty in the simplest of things. But there is a connection, and as someone who has become focused on redesigning a home, that connection is all that is needed.

Paul Kemner and Peggy Zdila have written a book designs to satisfy both those interested in the Movement itself, and those who would just as soon be a-building. The first half of this beautifully made paperback discusses the influences of William Morris and Gustav Stickley, both as philosophers, designers, and craftsmen. Full of photographs of some fine representative pieces and quotes. From that point the discussion shifts to the means - tools, techniques, and materials. Last is some 25 projects, large and small, that are opportunities to discover what it is all about first hand.

The writing style is patient and clear. Unfortunately, neither writer is the sort to spellbind a reader. While I found the discussion useful and worthwhile, Kemner and Zdila never quite breathe life into the more esoteric parts of the discussion. As another review has pointed out, the plans are well done, but one must read them thoroughly in order to avoid discovering too late that something got left out of the bill of materials. For the most part, though, all the information needed is present.

A designer with a sense of humor once remarked that more people are interesting in movement Arts & Crafts since its revival than ever were during its heyday. I like to think that this has as much to do with the values expressed by the movement as much as it does with the satisfactions of its beauty. Whatever the reason, this is a fine volume to start up a lasting interest.

If you're competent to read and follow instructions, I think you'll enjoy using this book! I don't think anyone should be using sharp tools if they can't follow instructions! I have successfully completed several projects in this book and read through the rest of them.

On the bookcase plan that the previous reviewer was commenting about, it looks to me like the piece called Top Back got left off of the materials list. But it is clearly shown in the photos, and dimensions are given in the drawings. It is also mentioned in the text directions. I regard a materials list as a "shopping list." It is a guide, not a final check before I cut my wood! Also, I have another comment about a previous review. I know someone with an antique Stickley bookcase just like the one in the plan in this book. It's obvious it never had a partition between the 2 halves.

Many woodworking books have errors, even the touted Bavarro and Mossman one has a serious problem with the grandfather clock plan. I like the way this one is written, though, and I'm looking forward to building more projects from Building Arts and Crafts Furniture, including that bookcase.

Hello, Mr. Barrett and his team have knocked themselves out to train and educate people like me on both the asthetics and craftmanship of high quality bookcases. I am a professional instructional designer who graduated from a top three graduate program in the field (FSU) and I recognize how important it is for the subject matter expert (Mr. Barrett) to logically convey his or her teaching objectives to the reader in ways that the reader will hold fast to and generate good work from. IOW, I know I can follow the instructions while referencing the excellent exploded diagrams and produce handsome bookcases to hold and display my beloved books. My own goal and the instructional goal of Mr. Barrett and his team match cracker jackerly. Thanks for your hard work.

In general I like almost all the books and magazines that I own from Taunton press (such as Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, and some of their other books). In general the their writers are adept at what they do and their editing and illustrations are well done.

This book is no exception. Unlike several of the reviews I have read, I didn't find any glaring errors in any of the plans (I built the maple plywood bookshelf and adapted the beech bookshelf for my own needs). I find the designs and illustrations to be useful. I plan on building the cherry Shaker-style book shelf in the near future (it should be easy enought to adapt to hold my DVD collection).

Of course you will need some good power tools to complete these projects, especailly a good table saw (although I built the maple bookshelf mostly with my circular saw and a good edge guide), a biscuit joiner, jointer and a router. But this is pretty standard fare for any woodworking project.

Bookcases are a reviewer's friend. Or rather, they are until they take over the house. Eventually you realize that you have more invested in cheap assemble-it-yourself furniture than you do in that Volvo in the garage. If you have pretensions at being handy, there will come a time when you start dreaming of nifty cabinets and lawyers bookcases - all make in that shop in the basement. And that's the time to reach for Niall Barrett's book.

Think there's nothing to it? Barrett starts right out with a bit of bookcase theory. Finally you will understand why those shelves keep sagging and how to keep it from happening. The author's style is straightforward, right to-the-point, but it is clear from the beginning that Barrett loves making bookcases, and loves what goes in them as well.

Eleven designs are presented, from a simple, short bookcase to and exotic formal sideboard bookcase. Other than the sideboard, which is a bit over designed for my tastes I found all of the bookcases attractive, graceful, and functional. Barrett pays most of his attention one the details of building with only elementary suggestions about finishing.

As has been mentioned earlier, he uses shop tools to simplify the work. Although there is no reason that some of the simpler designs couldn't be done with basic hand tools or handyman's power tools. Probably a router and a good rotary saw (small table saw or hand tool) are minimum requirements.

I've only tried one project from this book, the Barrister Bookcase. It looked like a great design and was a good opportunity to use my new Tenon Jig and my Biscuit Joiner. I'm an amateur, but have made at least 10 pieces of good quality hardwood furniture. I am urging fellow woodworkers to take care in following the plans, photos, and instructions for this project as there are errors in at least 1 dimension and numerous misleading features of the sketches and photos. Examining everything carefully will allow you to navigate the pitfalls, but don't take anything for granted.
I contacted Mr Barrett, the author, thru Taunton Press. Initially both appeared interested in my input, but when I had more than just one problem to recite, the communication stopped. I've offered to send Taunton a concise list of the problems but they will not answer my e-mails anymore.
It seems a shame when you purchase a rather polished looking instructional book, find problems, and the publisher isn't interested in correcting the problems.

... on the one hand, all the projects are beautiful, will inspire you to want to try them, and will probably appeal to an advanced woodworker.

On the other hand, the title is simply, "Bookcases," rather than "Advanced Bookcases," and none of the projects as I recall were within the level of someone like myself with a simple table saw and simple router, and no biscuit joiner. Even for someone with a biscuit joiner, the author acknowledged that some of the joinery was a bit tricky.

With that said, I did learn some wonderful stuff in the introduction, where Barrett notes two things: 1 -- To always plan your bookcase project by measuring what you are going to put in it, and what it weighs, and 2 -- To always sleep overnight on your plan before doing the cutting.

Voila, he is so correct. I ended up not making any bookcases at all, but installing Rubbermaid wall-mounted white melamine shelves.

I test-fitted all my shelves before attaching them permanently to the standards, moving tall books with tall books and short books with short books, and all the super-high world atlases on one spot.

I made sure to sleep overnight on any design questions involving fitting the wall-mounted shelves around ducts or doorways, or figuring out where to make short, well-supported spans for heavy books. It all came out great, so that is an unintended consequence of Niall Barrett's book. The introduction really is quite good on how to plan a way to store a library, and has nice photos of various fasteners and standards.

Check this book out and maybe use it to plan something simpler -- that's my advice.

A good book with some interesting history about the Adirondack chair. Simple and easy to understand.

I'm a programmer not a woodworker but even I was able to produce a beautiful piece. I did the bench but gave it away, now I need to build some pieces for myself.

I broke down an bought a table saw. I had always used tools that I borrowed from friends. Be careful, you don't know where this book will lead you.

I followed this book cover to cover and have built 2 chairs and 2 footrests - The table and bench are next :)

I enjoyed the history at the beginning of the book, then got stuck in to the process of building.

The work had already been done to come up with the cutting plans, so you don't waste a lot of wood on scrap.

The only mistake I made was that as I couldn't find 5/4 lumber, I used 1x instead - this alters the cutting lengths - be careful!!

A fabulous book; clear illustrations; easy to follow text. I built the chair and table, and had great success. Great for the beginning woodworker.

Great book. Clear. Well illustrated. Starts from scratch and brings you all the way through the building process for a number of porjects. Couldn't have asked for more here, in terms of clarity and explicit narrative. Crisp drawings are backed up with instructive photos. I would HIGHLY recommend this book. Great history section too!

Greg Sanders, Atlanta

I really had to work on this one to keep the story straight. I felt like I had ADD most of the time. It is not a bad story and parts of it I really like but it was just too much work.

Kitty the Cutter finally got what she deserved in the last book, which is where this book picks up.

Temple is hired to do PR for a furniture store, which is really a front for a drug smuggling operation. Bad things happen to nice people and Temple investigates the murder of a loved one for an old friend. Windows are shot out, Temple is threatened by a gay motorcycle gang, and there is another murder.

The romantic triangle is back and stronger. Max has other fish to fry and just sort of drops in a time or two in this book. That leaves Temple open to the attentions of Matt who is definitely interested in a relationship with her, and they come VERY close to acting on it. Max had better do more than just feel guilty about neglecting her.

The Fontana brothers are an absolute hoot and I hope we see more of them. We also find out a little more about them in this book. More of Ma Barker and her gang would be welcome, too.

There are some weaknesses. Like an earlier reviewer said, there are too many Jimmy Choo references and shoe talk in general. It is hard to tell who is speaking sometimes (a chronic fault in this series). The part about the pictures used as a signal is weak and not very subtle, even if the plot is built on it. Also, there is one glaring error that neither the writer nor the editor caught: Mozart's "murderous rival" was Salieri, not Solari (Solari was an architect). Antonio Salieri was Mozart's competitor of sorts, not a killer. Why change the name, unless it was an error? Temple put her Jimmy Choo'd foot in it

Overall, it was a good read and I look forward to the next one.

I couldn't get into the story as most of the sentences were gussied up with fancy prepositions and the gratuitous use of "Jimmy Choos." With 380 pages to go, I wrote my $$$ as a loss.

A tad bit slow in the beginning but so worth it when the hook finally sinks in. The characters are as colorful as always and I feel a thrill of delight at each of their witty snaps. I was ably caught up in the relationship troubles of our svelte lady Temple and the visit to Midnight Louie's mother was precious.

For those who haven't read any of the Midnight Louie books before, I'd say start at the beginning but by all means, continue on down to this one. For those who have... of course you must have this for your complete collection!

I'm desperately addicted to these books. While I really enjoy the individual mysteries, and "Orange Twist" is a good 'un, I'm absolutely hooked on the overarcing storyline, laid out in what will, eventually, be 27 chapters (starting with "Catnap" and "Pussyfoot" before the alphabet starts with "Blue Monday"). About the only thing I can't stand is that I'm going to have to wait about eleven years for, oh, say, "Cat in a Zebra Stripe"!

This installment moves the lives of our intrepid cast of characters forward without losing track of the intriguing mystery at hand, murder in a new furniture store. The ever-resiliant Miss Temple Barr tackles her PR duties while sleuthing out who the culprit(s) are with her usual finesse and style, and in the meantime, my favorite golden boy Matt finally makes his move while the nice-but-rarely-there Max is too busy, once again, saving the world from rogue magicians to get in the way. Pardon my lack of impartiality, but good.

Midnight Louie and possible-daughter Midnight Louise round up a cast of cat characters to help save the day and rope in the baddies and, of course, save Louie's beloved Miss Temple! Also nice to see some folks from the "old days" back, including Danny Dove and the flotilla of Fontana Brothers. I also very much appreciated the extremely sensitive and intelligent use of gay characters. Hooray for Ms. Douglas.

All in all, an extremely pleasant read and my favorite of the series since "Cat in an Indigo Mood." It's really tough to have to wait a year between chapters. One fun thing is to read the series rapidly and in order, which, with this volume, is up to 16 chapters and of course has taken over a decade to write, while only about two years of "book time" has passed, which means Las Vegas has swelled, changed, and grown at an awesome rapid pace. Topical events happen in staggeringly rapid session. But no matter. Even with the occasional inconsistency (often a sudden change of hotel or stumble over detail, and just a few little things anyone familiar with Vegas might cringe at), I just can't wait for the next installment.