Buck Books

The only other review of this book posted thus far is actually quite accurate. However, the # of stars awarded does not make sense to me. The book, in 52 colorful pages, quickly shows and tells you how to get your iPod running, and how to do the basic essential tasks (more or less). For $5 it is a true bargain. Yes, there are now at least 1/2 dozen or more very good books to instruct you on how to do most anything on an iPod. But that is not what this little gem purports to do -- and it doesn't. The author explicitly states such right at the beginning of the book. For 5 bucks you get the basics...and guess what? I have 3 of the other much more comprehensive books on iPods and iTunes, yet I still return to this one more than the others...because it is simple and very easy to use/refer back to. My suggestion? Get this book, and then pick up a more comprehensive, thorough one, and as there are so many I will only mention one, "The Rough Guide to iPods and iTunes and Music Online" by Buckley and Clark for $8.99. There are numerous others out there...just check Amazon. But for 5 bucks you can't beat this little book...you will learn the iPod for the 5 bucks that you pay...and for most folks, isn't that what you really want?

This is a small book, about the size of one of the super thin CD cases. It tells you about one cool thing to do per two page spread. It has about 50 pages. Do you get the idea?

It is well suited for someone who wants to go just a tiny bit beyond what the ipod packaging itself tells you. Many of the things it tells you are simply how to turn on or off various options. This is a good book for someone who doesn't want to get involved in doing very much with their ipod, but just wants to know a bit more than what apple tells you.

If you're getting an ipod as a gift for a person who is not experienced with technology, it would be a good choice. However, if you're the type who is using amazon to find an ipod book, you would probably find this book unsatisfying.

Great little guide for the ageing pilgrim. The author has a sense of humor. It was interesting to see where she stayed and where she avoided. Enjoyed the references to the history and the medieval journals.

This book doesn't have enough practical details to serve as any kind of travel guide, nor does it have enough insights and emotional observations to serve as a spiritual/personal growth guide. It doesn't even have much in the way of interesting and well-told anecdotes to make for an entertaining bit of fluff to read.

I learned more about the author and her travel companions in the brief biographies the last 2 pages of this book than she shared about herself in the entire book, it was so impersonal. At the least, by the title of the book, I would have expected more than a few bare mentions of her cause (the Manx Wildlife Fund) if that was really her primary motivation for doing the Camino.

Having walked the Camino myself, I can tell those preparing to walk the Camino that you will meet people like the author. They will keep to themselves, sniffle about the humble food and accommodations, and when the going gets rough (as it does for everyone) they will catch a bus/taxi ahead to the next town and obtain a bed in the pilgrim refuge whereas you may have to spend the night on the floor for having walked all day.

Learning the patience to accept and love pilgrims like this in spite of it all will be a growing experience for you, and I am thankful to the annoying people like this that I met on my pilgrimage who helped me learn these lessons. I only wish for their sake that they had also gained similar insights. How unfortunate for them to have spent so many nights in hotels, they have missed out on some of the best pilgrim experiences.

I am done now.

It would almost seem like the title was trying to help sell the book as having something it didn't: insight to what contractors would benefit knowing in terms of cosmetic aspects of construction. In my opinion, good contractors have knowledge waaaaaay past this book. Chapter on basements starts out by saying they could spend several chapters on the topic and not do it justice. So, they stick to basics. I'd say, why bother if you can't cover things well? They say vinyl flooring and carpet are good choices, with carpet less so if there's a water problem in the basement. Duh! So goes the entire book. Yes, most of us know that floors, walls, and ceilings need finishing, and there are many types available. You're better off going to Lowe's or even Home Depot and getting advice from their interior finish experts.

As example of how the book could have been improved, the issue of water migration through slabs is overlooked by many contractors. This is a point to make. Also, they could have conveyed methods on how to test for moisture migrating up through a slab, in addition to clear cases of water intrusion. As a water intrusion expert, every (every) floor in So Cal I evaluated due to water damage coming up through the slab, didn't have an adequate vapor/water barrier. Sure, some adhesives are rated to serve as vapor barriers as well. There are so many variables involved in a successful application, IMO, contractor-to-contractor, this is one area I'd recommend belt-and-suspender approaches. Now, that is good info for a contrator about cosmetic renovation. Again, in my opinion.

It looks like something that was photo copied back in the 1970's on a machine that should have been retired. Very poor quality. I purchased a used book. I would have been very upset had I paid the new price of $24.95 for it.

I bought this book for my husband to read since he is doing the remodeling and renovating of our 100+ year old home. He didn't look at it, and I ended up reading it. The book is well written, and I learned a lot from it. Unfortunately I am not a contractor, so I don't get any use from the information at all. The book is meant for general building contractors who are knew to the business, or maybe want some fresh ideas on how to win a job contract. If that sounds like you, I think you may find this book useful.

Great Book, I am an architect new to hotel design and I found this book filled with lots of valuable information, especially in chapters 2 & 3 where they discuss some awesome projects. Nice photos and diagrams throughout the book.

Sorry, but this isn't much of a book. Only 160 pages without the index and other stuff in the back, mostly self-promotion by a few architects of their own projects -- ok, some nice hotels and good color pictures in the middle -- only a little technical information. Other books have much more content, or more pictures of a wider variety of hotels/resorts. Way too expensive for what you get.

it's ok, but I was disappointed at the lack of real information. alright, there are some good parts, but then I found the Rutes Penner book and it really is full of stuff. A better choice.
--Carrie, Blacksburg, VA

Miss Chastity Cummings and her brother Lord Cummings are holding their annual house party at Chester, their family's estate. Neither of them is looking forward to getting married anytime soon, but they nevertheless uphold their late father's tradition. Chastity is somewhat surprised at learning that a former suitor, Jeffrey Halston, will be attending. But it was many years ago that they were an on-dit, and Jeffrey is widowed now, and no doubt much changed.

Ms. Buck does very well at peopling the house party and the novel--the other brother and his catty wife; the widow who is after Lord Cummings; the widow's poor relation; the assorted friends and acquaintances. Unfortunately, this is to the detriment of the primary characters. We see much of Chastity, but Mr. Halston doesn't even show up until a quarter of the way into the novel. THE CHESTER CHARADE is not so much a romance as the story of one particular house party. In many ways--the lengthy converstations and gossip, the slow pace, the everyday details--this book reminds me of the works of Jane Austen. However, I do not care for any of the characters (except for the poor relation). Their sniping insults, rudeness, and dislike of each other made me set the volume aside many times, finally for good after Chapter 7. For readers who wish to see the not-so-polite side of Regency society, THE CHESTER CHARADE is a good choice. Other readers, however, might wish to try Ms. Buck's FREDERICKA'S FOLLY or TEMPTING SARAH instead, or one of Signet's other regencies.

Kimberly Borrowdale

Chastity Cummings and her brother Henry continue the family tradition of holding a house party at their estate. Among the guests is a former suitor of Chastity's. Somewhat afraid that he will renew his suit of six years ago, she is nonetheless dismayed when he claims that his love was nothing more than an infatuation and that he would like to offer her a marriage of convenience.

This story is primarily the tale of a house party and all of the responsibilities required of a hostess. From that angle, it is quite interesting. What do you do when one of the guests brings along her three pug dogs who proceed to annoy and destroy wherever they go? A sister-in-law whose demanding requests and thoughtlessness cause trouble for the guests and servants alike? An older gentleman who importunes the housemaids? An aunt who reminds Chastity at every turn that she is nearly past her last prayers? A temperamental chef who threatens to quit if his talents are not properly appreciated?

But alas, what this book is NOT is a romance. At no time does Chastity say or even think that she is love with anyone. The romance at the end seems almost tacked onto the rest of the story as an afterthought. The explanation for Chastity's refusal of Jeffrey's proposals six years ago--that she was young and afraid of his passion--just doesn't ring true. Although I like the portrayal of the hero as a faithful admirer and a well-mannered gentleman (not a rake), he just didn't have the kind of appeal that one expects in a romance. I found myself preferring Chastity's brother, Lord Cummings, over him!

The heroine herself seems a bit cold and reserved for a romance novel. Her feelings toward the hero appear only a tad warmer than those toward another attentive guest, whose presence seems to be primarily for the purpose of making the hero jealous.

Not one of Ms. Buck's best efforts.

A pleasant read, but Ms. Buck has some homework to do. First let me mention her command of English, or lack thereof. At times we know what word she meant, even when she apparently does not. Unexceptional, for example, is not the same as unexceptionable, nor is credible, at all the same as creditable. After a few of these, one begins to wonder what she does mean. Then, dear Ms. Buck, allow me to offer a piece of advice: there is no surer route to tedium than to tell everything. The Chester houseparty went on for weeks, but after a few pages detailing who sat beside whom to no apparant purpose, most readers must be willing to pack up and go home. That said, I ought to allow that there is a credible love story here, a young woman has jilted an unexceptionable young man whom, much to her credit, she now comes to regard with quite exceptional tenderness. What I found exceptinable, was the amount of tedium en route.

Too many references to Vol.I for the information. Reads like a childrens story.

I enjoyed this book. It gives insight from raisers of peafowl, and I think that any information is welcome since books on peafowl are rare. This book is best intended for people not terribly familiar with peafowl, however, at times it seems more like a show-and-tell by the authors rather than a purely informational book. Still, I found it interesting and fun.

This book is not so much instructional as it is story telling. Many examples are constant references to other animals the author has (unrelated to the raising of peafowl). The information is also cut short as the author had only limited knowledge of a couple of the breeds. If you are looking for a book on Peafowl husbandry, this falls short. But it is pretty good for a 10 year old to get familiar with peafowl.

I am a fan of the outdoors and nature literature. I bought this audio book hoping it would make for interesting listening during my commute.This tape comprises some very cheesy stories that mostly revolve around stupid men shooting things (with lame sound-effects to boot). One particularly assinine adventure involves a man who is a "photographer" awed by a majestic moose. He brilliantly decides me MUST have a close up photo of the animal, no matter the cost (including the cost of the mooses' life!)The jackass sneaks up on the moose, and the moose charges at him, and then he shoots it to death.
"Ah, yes.. that was quite and adventure, and I got the most spectacular picture as the moose charged. Thankfully, I had a second to grab my rifle." the narrator reads in wise, gravely sounding voice, oblivious to the fact that he just DESTROYED the animal that captivated him. But it'll live on forever in a photo! Ya right.
Avoid this tape if you value intelligent nature stories. If corny sounds and hunting are a passion, then go for it.

I had never read anything by Koenig before, hopefully there is nothing else to read by him. He has taken a very good concept, human actions after most of the earth is destroyed by aliens, and reduced it to an almost incomprehensible story. Here and there in the book he actually made enough sense that you kept reading thinking that he may have finally settled down only to be disappointed a few paragraphs later.

With a title like Buck Fifty & what it stands for this book shoud be Fire but it is not.Dont get it twisted,this book did have it's momemts but for the most part it was a luke warm weak read.Very poor character developement & a weak plot to go with it.A horny oversexed white girl from Connecticut who's into ballers & hustlers flies out to the west coast to get breast & boody implants so she can compete with all the other girls in the hood.When she comes back to the east coast she gets into all kinds of dirt causing her to do a short prison bid.Upon her release from prison she goes right back to running the streets with her girls trying to get that paper.She ups her street game by kidnapping a black baby that she claims as her's,flies back out to the west coast where she pays for the kidnapping by meeting her maker.Dont be fooled by the title & it's meaning because this book does'nt live up to it.The author only gives you about 2 razor slashings.As an avid fan of street literature I have read better & I have read worst.If your looking for a quick read while passing the time away at home or at the airport then pick up this book.But if your looking for a book with more depth and more substance this is not the one,dont waste your time.Hopefully the author will do a better job with Parole Violators.Yo i'm out until my next book review...THE BROOKLYN BOOKWORM

The book is short and covers a lot of topics: The history of fire, its chemistry, how to make a fire, specifics about wood, ethics of building fires, fire for survival purposes, cooking by fire, information about wild fires and finally information about burns.

The chapter about building a fire (26 pages) is pretty well done. A lot of it is common-sense, but there are a few ideas and illustrations to deepen ones understanding of how to make the fire you intend.

Aside from that chapter and the -- in my opinion -- worthless 16 page chapter about cooking over fire, every other chapter is 10 pages or less. This is COUNTING each chapter's header page which consists of the title and a quote relating to the concept. Add in illustrations and the not-particularly-small print size and you blow through 4 chapters before you realize you've learned nothing you didn't already know.

I do find it enlightening to see the ethics of fire covered in this book, but it felt overly repetitious and preachy by the time you get half-way through with the book. Rest assured -- you still get preached to all the way till the end.

If you are interested in fire enough to want to read a book about it, you probably know 90% of what is in this book. I don't want to belabor the negatives, but know this: I have never felt the need to review a book until this one.