Instruction Books

Elizabeth Tolley's "Oil Painter's Solution Book" was particularily helpful with information on the use of resin mediums and odorless mineral spirits. As an "old fashioned painter" using the traditional stand oil, damar varnish, and turpentine medium, this was an easy-to-understand and useful source.

The sprial bound book was so much better than the usual paper back or standard bound books. It opens flat for easier use when painting.

I would recommend this book for painters that are somewhat better than beginners or for "holiday painters" looking for information to help improve their work.

Seasoned painters may not find the book very useful, unless they are looking for specific information or the lovely images of Tolley's work.

Excellent and comprehensive. The author covers all of the basics you need to know as an artist and explains things in wonderful detail with illustrations. I can see that I will continue to use this book as a resource when I am trying to resolve an issue or just learn new ways of doing things. I would highly recommend for beginning painters. Experienced painters woould also treasure this book.

I was very pleased with this oil painter's solution book. It gave very clear and helpful answers to many of my questions about landscape painting, and the paintings themselves were quite beautiful.

I started painting with oils only a few months ago and have aquired several books regardihg oil painting in an effort to examine several points of view on the subject. This book, while it may not be the most helpful to me at this stage in my development, it is simply an excellent source of information for old and new artists alike. I would recommend adding this to any library of anyone just beginning a very complex hobby.

Of the 63 art books in my library, this is the best I've run into. It's to the point with skilled illustrations. By isolating one principle at a time and giving examples, it makes it easy for the reader to grasp the issue. It also isn't full of self-serving comments. Too many art books go into the soul searching and emotional aspect of painting. But not all people the same feelings, and this makes the verbiage unnecessary.

Another plus is the binding. The ring binding means you don't have to crack the book spine to keep it open.

This book is perfect for the artist who wants to-the-point instruction that includes problem solving. I'm recommending it to the students in my classes. Frankly, it's the best I've seen.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what I would take from Tristan Taormino's new book Opening Up - A Guide to Creating and Sustaining Open Relationships. That's not to say that I wasn't excited about reading it - I'm fascinated by how people navigate different relationships and don't think monogamy is always the best choice. However, I am in a monogamous relationship, because that's what works for us. I assumed that I would learn more about different kinds of open relationships, but didn't think Taormino's wisdom would be applicable to my life.

The good news is, I was wrong. Taormino has really outdone herself and created a resource that will be many things to many different people. Within this one book, the author offers the reader a brief history of non-monogamy, details the numerous types of open relationships, and offers advice for dealing with everything from coming out to raising children to legal problems. Whether you're trying to work the kinks out of your own open relationship, contemplating non-monogamy, or simply trying to better understand how other people live, you're sure to find help in this exhaustive guide.

Besides being packed full of information, Taormino's accessible style of writing makes this an enjoyable read. She also interviewed over 100 people who are non-monogamous. Their personal stories give an inside view into the ups and downs of open relationships, which sound often similar to those I've experienced in monogamy. By offering a glimpse into the lives of people who choose to have multiple partners, it's easy to see the similarities and relate.

I was also surprised to find our choice of monogamy completely validated in a book that is about healthy open relationships. It makes sense that core principles like trust, communication, and respect would be the foundation of any relationship and in her discussion of these things I found a lot of validation. In fact, about a quarter of the way through this book I had a sneaking suspicion that I was not only reading, but enjoying, a self-help book.

While non-monogamy isn't for everyone, as Taormino point out throughout, the author has written a guide that offers honest advice on sustaining fulfilling relationships. I highly recommend it to anyone who's the least bit curious!

This book was JUST what our new realtionship needed! It is clear, not pushy, and very open to the fact that people are diffrent, with diffrent wants and needs.If ou are an old pro, new hopeful, or just want to get you feet wet, this is the book for you. It helped us to talk over our needs, and find athe compromise for all 3 of us

I was impressed by the amount of research which is presented in Opening Up. The history of the open relationship is well detailed as is the variety of practices which fall under the open relationship umbrella. I was particularly impressed with the questionnaire section which truly encourages a reader to consider whether an open relationship will work for them. The issues of safety and boundaries are well covered and the reader is encouraged to have an open dialog with their partner(s) to be sure that everyone is on the same page. The section on legal issues was well researched and I believe beneficial to the reader in that these issues are important issues that tend to be ignored. Opening Up takes an honest look at the open relationship and details it in a well organized and thoughtful manner.

Tristan Taormino has done an excellent job of providing a real-world guide to everyday polyamory. She's incorportated a wide diversity of voices and experiences, and presented us with a hopeful and visionary view of modern day multiple-loving that is firmly rooted in reality. It should appeal to a wide variety of readers, from those just exploring and interest in the poly life to those who have been in poly relationships for years. There's a lot to learn, explore, and reflect upon in this book.

Tristan Taormino is an over-achiever, a multifaceted woman with an impressive breadth of expertise and talent. To her long list of accomplishments she now adds this latest book on open relationships. At almost 350 pages, it leaves nothing out.

This is a book of amazing diversity with personal stories of people from a wide range of sexual orientations, lifestyles, and styles of open relationship. It was thoroughly researched and includes references to a significant number of well-known alternative relationships experts, sociologists, anthropologists, researchers, therapists and communications and relationship skills experts.

Far from a dry technical manual, throughout the book Taormino includes compelling quotes from and the personal stories of many of the 126 people she interviewed. These lend a valuable perspective by which the reader can identify and connect with the information and advice offered. She includes checklists and questions for negotiating the terms of open relationship and explains terminology to help people who are new to open relationships get a handle on what kind of open relationship they want.

Chapters that particularly impress me are the chapters on compersion (which is the most comprehensive I've seen on that topic), coming out, raising children in open relationships, safer sex (also excellent) and legal and practical matters.

The book is thoroughly annotated and includes statistics about the age, locale, gender, sexual orientation, etc., of the interviewees. There is a comprehensive and up-to-date resource guide that includes a lengthy book list, (I have the impression that she's read everyone of them!), a list of conferences and events, GLBT/queer resources, local, regional and national and international organizations, online groups, listservs and communities, professional directories, resources on research and activism, spirituality resources, and so on.

Opening Up will quickly become a mainstay for those learning how to successfully conduct their open relationships.

This is a great and comprehensive resource for any orchestra librarian or administrator! A Must Have!

Daniel's Orchestral Music is an amazing resource. As a music librarian, I find it indespensible. It is huge time saver, with loads of information all in one convenient package. I particularly like the updated instrumentation format, which is easier to understand and gives more complete information.

This is my bible! Could not live without it. Far surpasses all previous editions.

This book is a necessity for any conductor, orchestra librarian, or artistic director as it is an invaluable resource. It is significantly more comprehensive than the previous edition but nonetheless is a work in progress, missing many great, but obscure composers. The inclusion of the various appendixes with catagorization by duration, composer nationality, etc. are extremely useful. All being said, it is an essential part of any serious musician's library and will serve you well.

The fourth edition of Daniels' handbook is a must for anyone involved in selecting repertoire for the symphony orchestra. The appendices are extremely helpful, the precise instrumentation for percussion and auxilary instruments is valuable, and the listing of nationality, birth/death dates and places for the composers is useful. This handbook is truly a time-saving and informative reference work.

Janet Arnold is the preemminent clothing historian of our day. As with all of her books she has provided a concise reference to the garments of the period in question, listing the fabrics, colors and cuts that are appropriate for the given garments. Also typical of Arnold books is the scale patterns for the given garments in the back of each text, so, with an understanding of pattern drafting one can easily reproduce the garments from the book as well as size the garment for a particular wearer. As with many of Ms. Arnold books she draws examples from extant examples taken from trunks and in some cases the casket. Another exceptional book by Janet Arnold for the clothing historian or the obsessive compulsive costumer.

I was a bit disappointed in this book. Especially as compared with the book that precedes this one in time period. The Elizabethan period book has all sorts of YUMMY details (photographs) of actual garments. Those details more accurately illustrate how a technique was carried out, and should look when finished. This book has exactly TWO photos! And both are of finished modern replicas. ALL the illustrations are line drawings. Exceptionally done line drawing. Very well executed. But nothing holds a candle to a photograph.
The greatest covered fashion period in this book, is about 1750-1800. It is nearly bereft of 17th century examples. And there is only a handful of Victorian era (1830s-1860) examples. That was refreshing, as there are enough other books that cover Victorian decades.
All that being said, it is still a VERY INFORMATIVE and well illustrated book. You could certainly learn a lot about construction techniques and cut.

-- Metric conversion chart included.
-- List of source references
-- instructions on altering a modern dress form to work for period
-- Pattern layouts are not modern with PRECISE measurements. They are
period layouts that assume knowledge of drafting and fitting

My Wife is absolutely thrilled with the material in this book ....she has told me several times, in less that a month, that "I've learned something new !!! "

It doesn't get any better than that

thanx

It was with great reverance that I approached my first look at the Patterns of Fashoion. I have heard so many great things that I was almost afraid I would be disappointed. Not so, this book has exceeded my wildest expectations. I own at least a score of books on Tudor/Elizabethan clothing or general costuming and can resolutely say that there is no equal to this book when it comes to detailed exactly how a garment was constructed. Each piece of extant clothing is given multiple pictures and the most detailed descriptions of any book I've seen. While this is not a guide that may interest the average costumer ...if you're serious about period costuming this is your resource.

I was very excited to receive my copy of Patterns of Fashion, Vol I by Janet Arnold. As a Revolutionary War reenactor, my interest in 18th Century clothing is continually deepened by more and more detailed research, and this book is a treasure trove of information. The specific details, such as a discussion of how saque-back gown sleeves were set into the body of a gown, are invaluable insights into garment construction, and equally invaluable how-to aids. Although the book covers a wider range of period garments than just 18th Century clothing, it seems to concentrate on the 18th Century,(at least, that's my perception!) and it's easy to use the book in order to put the Revolutionary War period into perspective in the timeline of fashion. The addition of useful tools such as the metric conversion chart are bonuses.

Even if each garment were not charted on a grid, making it possible to draft a pattern, just the discussion of the details of each garment would make the book a must for every seamstress' or shelf. If you can only afford a few books on historic clothing, this one is a must.

I have recieved my score for the planets suite and this score is just what I wanted. The book is about A4 size and is very easy to hold, read and handle. The print size is fine for studying the score or just scanning while you listen. I am very happy with my score.

What more can be said about Holst's masterpiece "The Planets" which has not already been said been? To be sure, the music is a work of genius; therefore, I wish to comment more about the quality of Dover's printed score. This publication is a quality product. The engraving is primo (a reproduction of the 1921 Goodwin & Tabb Ltd. original); it is easily legible, accurate, and looks wonderful. Obviously, the original engravers were at the top of their game on this one, and Dover has done a terrific job of transferring the plates; it's as clean as one could wish for in an affordable study score. Even in soft-cover, the binding is durable and the pages lay flat. The inclusion of a commentary or brief analysis would have been a welcome addition, but that is a very small gripe against an otherwise fantastic publication. I give it my highest recommendation.

I went through this score several times with multiple recordings and it is to the tee. All the movements are in the book, in concert order, the score was written out in the proper key. If you're trying to find a score for the Planets, This is the one without having to buy the actual performance score.

This Dover score presents everything in a clear and easy-to-read way even though Holst wrote some interesting things that are difficult to notate by ear! The score does open up a new world - listening to it and reading/watching the score are two different things. I was completely unaware of Holst's gigantic forces and his wonderful orchestration that is present in the score.

There's no see through on the pages (and where there is, it is only minimal). Main languages are English and Italian terms. For an 80-year old score, it's pretty impressive and in very good condition. A very good buy I must say for $10 - my friend had to pay close to $70 for her copy (both of which are exactly the same). A great bargain!

Clean, clear, large print, handsome edition of this well known and loved classic. Lists instrumentation on every page (some editions don't list the score instrumentation except for the first page. This often makes score study [especially big orchestral works like this or R. Strauss] very hard to read).

Great price as well.

Excellent book on how to get more power in your swing for hitting great golf shots. Many diagram and suggestions to help hitting the ball longer and straighter.

I liked the techniques on how to hit the ball longer. It helped me add some yardage to my drives. Another book that I also love is the following:
The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide: Key Techniques for Becoming a Zero Handicap Golfer or Better (isbn;1933023090)
This second book helped me so much with hitting the ball with more control with driver, short irons, long irons and the short game. Since using this book, I lowered my handicap about 8 strokes. I now can score in the low 80's with ease. At the rate I'm improving, I know its possible for me to be a scratch golfer by using the techniques from The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide. Power Golf for Women taught me how to hit the ball longer. The Ultimate Golf Instruction Guide taught me how to hit the ball at any target I choose with a much higher degree of accuracy.

I was impressed with this author's book Golf is a Woman's Game, but Power Golf for Women is an absolute gem. Once again as I stated in my review for Golf is a Woman's Game, this book applies to men as well. I do believe this one will end up one of golf's finest books.

This book is terrific! If you like this book, I also recommend Golf is a Game of Confidence by Kathryn C. Wilder, Ph.D. et. al.

I received this book for Christmas and it has really helped my swing. I've been working on my swing at an indoor driving range ( I figure winter is the time to get ready for the spring) and my distance has improved about 15 yards with my driver. But most importantly I now understand what I should do. Before I had tried everything from driving my hips, legs, etc. even bought new clubs. Now I understand all that I was working on was actually hurting my distance.

I highly recommend this book and have given a few copies to my friends. I was going to purchase more only it is soldout at the publisher. Looks like more than just me found this book to be helpful. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Finally, an author who validates my own tried and true method for developing strong readers. Reading an interesting book can teach our students more about reading that we ever will. It's time we again dedicated a part of our reading time for reading, not just reading instruction, but we need to help them by offering the best books to select from. "Build it and they will come." A class library full of rich literature that interests middle school students is a huge challenge, and Ms. Atwell provides tons of titles to get you started. She also offers plenty of ideas for record keeping, and student conferences. The book is very inspiring and full of good ideas and advice.You rock Nanci Atwell!

As a teacher of students who are struggling readers at the high school level, I was somewhat disappointed by Nancie Atwell's latest book. Her approach assumes many things that simply not always possible in the public school class room, especially at the high school level. I applaud her devotion to providing students with time and space to read, but she doesn't understand the time and MONEY constraints that most of us have. For example, I have to spend my own money to provide my students with a classroom library and my department can only afford to provide us with $25 per teacher for classroom supplies like chalk and staples. The $250 that the IRS allows for is usually what I spend just to have art supplies, extra pens and pencils available for my students. I have to reach deep into my own pocket to purchase books.

Over all this book left me disappointed, because Nancie Atwell needs to see what it's like for people like me who are just as devoted, but left with little money to supply my students. How are we supposed to do all the great things she reccommends if we can't have the same resources that she is lucky enough to have?

This is an excellent book that shows how students can become great readers when they are given the chance to have independent reading time and be in control of their reading choices. This is a must read for all teachers!

How does a kid learn to read...by reading. Get your students into the Reading Zone. I was sucked into the guided reading, small groups, centers, rotations, strategies method of teaching too. However, my students just were not progressing or developing that "love of reading" that I wanted for them. Within a month of reading this book and changing my approach, almost all my students have jumped into the ZONE. This book will change how you teach. It's the next step in your evolution as a reading teacher. Happy reading!

Another great work by Nancie Atwell. So inspiring and logical. Filled with practical suggestions. I wish my teachers had read this when I was in school. Will challenge all teachers of reading and literature.

Excellent! Great images.

(Although much of the text is very technical and concerned with small and trivial details.)

This book explain a little about Rembrandt technique and some details in his paints. You can understand how could he painted so beutiful arts. But you won't be Rembrandt reading this book. Only the technique is not sufficient to be a master!
But, if you are a Rembrandt fan, you have to read this book!

This book is generous with loads of quality pictures of the masters work and an equal amount of text for the reader of history and the technical , a good buy certainly worth the money , I really enjoyed this and I suggest it to any one with even just a passing interest in Rembrandt and an insight into how he produced his work , they actually found some of his dna in his paintings (i bet that makes you curious). This and the other book " Rembrandt's Eyes by Simon Schama" is another beauty possibly a bit better than this one Schama's book spend the first half talking a about Peter Paul Rubens and the dreams Rembrandt had of being his equal , both are great companions to each other I recommend them together.

There isn't much more I can say, which hasn't already been said to reveal the great merits of this book. However I think the sheer quantity of 5 star ratings speaks volumes. This book is essential for any academic or personal study of Rembrandt, especially so for a painter as I am. On top of all the incredible detailed scientific analysis, the text is written very clearly and is even a pleasure to read. Above all, the detail shots of his paint surface, are breath taking and most instructive for any painter. They utilized different levels of magnification to reveal his work from the entirety of the picture down to the microscopic level. This book has revolutionized my studio practice!

Richard T Scott
Joelle-Scott Gallery

This book is not easy to evaluate, at a first sight is a very irregular book, amazing in many passages but extremely boring in many others, a whole chapter dedicated to the canvas support !?, with a great mass of technical information about thread density and weave, I think it is too much, a very important Rembrandt's trick like "glazing and sweeping" (that it is supossed he created this technique) is just overviewed when it is perhaps one of the constituents for the most amazing passages in many of his paintings.
My conclusion is that despite of Rembrandt's Project and a lot of scholars studying his masterpieces is very, but very little what we know. How he commited his works is an enigma like in Vermeer's case, so there are a lot of books about them but very little valuable information

Should be required reading for all begining private pilots and some old pros could use it too.
Clear and to the point. This will take you beyond just simple communication etiquette. I found the glossary alone to be worth the price of Bob Gardner's book.
Communicating clearly makes all of us better and safer pilots.

This book is the best way to learn the lingo expected of you, once in an aircraft. It will inform and educate you on all aspects of talking with towers, ground crews and the likes. As an aspiring pilot, I wouldn't have tried figuring it all out in the plane. Great read, and great instruction.

I've been working with _Say Again, Please_ while studying for my US private pilot certificate, and it's been great. I live in a rural area, and there are no towered fields nearby for frequent radio practice. The book makes the different types of radio interaction much easier to understand.

Gardner breaks down communications by airspace class, which seems pretty sensible. One thing I liked was its discussion of how to interact with Flight Watch, restricted areas, Military Operations Areas, etc. It has a chapter on IFR communications, though I'm not ready for it yet.

The book explains clearly the reasons for saying things a particular way, and gives examples of correct practice. It's easy to understand, and well worth the price.

I bought this book to prepare myself for my first flight to Class Charlie in years. I wrote a script from the information Bob has in the book. The communications with SPI went perfect. Low cost and high content make this a slam dunk.

Excellent book but it does require that the student pilot have some stick and radio time. Otherwise there will be information that simply doesn't make much sense.

My one early beef with the book is that he doesn't talk about the essential mnemonic for radio communication with a tower: 1) Who are you calling? 2) Who are you? 3) Where are you? 4) What do you want? and, possibly, if you're taxiing, or inbound for landing 5) what ATIS information do you have?

He does address these issues in a piecemeal fashion but I found the above memory device from my instructor extremely helpful.

Buy this book with confidence if you are just starting out in sewing or an experienced seamstress. Good overview of tools, terms and all other sewing related items, especially if you did not grow up with a sewer in the house. If you already know how to sew, it is still a good reference book to have your sewing library. Beginners with absolutely no sewing experience will not need more than just this book. It has great coverage of sewing tools and terminology. Also includes sewing patterns for a range of sewing projects. Pants, Tshirt, Dress and box cushion. Enjoy!

This book has some helpful hints but it isn't what I expected. It hasmore to do about genteral sewing than about serging.

My mother taught me to sew and I really enjoyed spending that time with her. Now my daughter wants to learn to sew and she is a thousand mailes away from me and I can't be there to teach her. When she was younger she had no interest in sewing. Sewing was "uncool". Now it seems sewing is the "In" thing, with shows like project runway and books like Sew On, sewing is being reinvented. Since I can't teach my daughter to sew, I wanted to giver her the best sewing books I could find. Both the Sew Fast Sew Easy book and Sew On book are great beginner to intermediate sewing books. The patterns that come with both books are easy to follow and the illustrations are clear. I trust these books and am excited to see my daughter learn a life long skill that she can pass down to her children. I know she will benefit from this book. I hope you have the same good fortune and experience.

Sew Fast Sew Easy is a fabulous beginner sewing book but this new Sew On book is amazing! The illustrations and instructions are just as easy to understand but the projects are much more stylized for beginners to intermediate sewers. I bought the Sew Fast Sew Easy book as a beginner sewer and learned a lot from that book. The new Sew On book repeats some of that information and extends on projects with serger/overlock machines. This is really a great overall sewing book. A beginner and intermediate sewer can enjoy the projects from this book. I'm really happy that I ordered their new book. If your looking for a new forward thinking sewing book. Get this book!

I had to buy this new Sew On book. I have both Ript It! and Sew Fast Sew Easy. I taught my daughter to sew with these books and with Sew On, I'm teaching myself to use my overlock machine. The patterns are more diverse than the Sew Fast Sew Easy book and still just as easy to use. With the TShirt and pant pattern, I'm able to make my own work out clothes and play clothes for my kids. Love these patterns! The pictures and illustrations really make this book standout. The instructions are very clear. Great follow up book.