Richards Books

A definitive work on the phenomenon of petrified wood. Ancient Forrests focuses on the science of petrified wood. It has an amazing wealth of photographs. Many focus on the grain patterns and the amazing detail that can be found in the many different species of petrified wood. There are also many whole specimens and overviews of famous wood collections such as the Murphy collection at the Rice Museum in Portland Oregon. If you are at all interested in Petrified wood, this is a must-have book, Beautiful!

This is a magnificently produced book with splendid photography of petrified wood. It is like the earlier book, but more so (it has a narrower focus, on wood only, and is a lot bigger). Essentially this is a coffee table book on a grand scale.

It does include information on wood identification, but of present day wood only.

This is a great book for information on petrified wood. We found it very valuable in identifying several of our specimens.

This is a wonderful book. A photographic and scientific masterpiece. The print quality is excellent.

American Forests and his earlier book Petrified Wood are amazingly beautiful books. I have seen a few of the petrified wood samples in museums which are shown in these books, and the photoimages correspond to the authentic samples. I have two other petrified wood photo books that I have loaned out but I don't remember their titles (mostly chapters by German authors). Daniels two books are the very best. Howard McPherson

This is the only book that I have ever read that has made the sacrifice of Jesus so real. Actually seeing His supreme sacrifice through the eyes of actual eyewitnesses, makes the event more personal. Because I've read about these characters through the gospels, I know they are every day people like you and me. But I have rarely taken time to think of how they must have thought of or personally saw the events accuring before them. The true heart felt emotions of seeing, not only a person they loved and adored being sacrificed in innocense. But a stranger you don't know, but had the priviledge to see, being killed in your place. The book is awesome. I will be giving this away for Christmas to all of my loved ones.

An accounting of the last days in the life of our Lord. These accounts are written as if they were true. While reading them you are drawn into the time of the real events; you feel the wonder, pain, confusion and love that the Lord generates during His passion. The explanations in the back help to explain those things that perhaps slip past you. It is a book that totally draws you in; you can't put it down.

This book brings the crucifixion alive. I learned things about the death of Christ that I never learned growing up in my Church...it deepened my perspective on the death of our Savior. I would love to share this book with anyone that would take time to read it.

My husband and I read Richard Exley's And Then He Called My Name last year for the first time just before Easter. We read one chapter a night outloud together and finished it just in time to celebrate Easter Sunday. If you're feeling like we did that the real meaning was being lost by the commercialism of a giant Bunny Rabbit, please read this book.

This book made me experience the emotional impact of all those who were in contact with Jesus at the time of his walk up Calvary Hill for our sins,people such as Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Barabbas, and even our Heavenly Father himself. I couldn't finish a single chapter without tears streaming from my eyes. It made me see how much I truly loved Jesus and what a price he paid for my sins.

Thank you, Richard Exley, for bringing the true meaning of Easter to our family. It's now a family tradition to read And Then He Called My Name every year at Easter to bring the love of our Savior closer to our hearts.

One of the most profound books I've ever read. If I wasn't saved I would have committed my life half-way through the book. Mr. Exley took me to Calvary vicariously, I experienced the feeling of every person involved with Christ.

I cried with Mary, being a parent of a son I envisioned this was my son and how I would feel. As my tears flowed I thanked God that he loved me enough to send his son to a dying world, I could never do that.

Anyone who reads this book will have an exprience of a lifetime, nothing will get you closer to Calvary than, AND THEN HE CALLED MY NAME.

I have allowed others to enjoy this novel, unfortunately I have not received it back. However, I will purchase another because there are others I feel could benefit from this book.

This is a must read for every Christian, and then they should share it with any non-believeing friend. It is a true witnessing tool.

No matter how many books you read, don't let this one pass you by. Praise God for Richard Exley

This book surprised me greatly. I was familiar with the first edition of the book. When I bought the book I expected improvements in this second edition, but to my surprise the improvements were a lot more than I had expected. I highly recommend the book for any trainer or trainee.

this book came really quickly and was in GREAT conditions!!

The book easily explains different methods for teaching English Language learners. I recommend the book for TESOL instructors.

This book provides a great overview of all of the major, and some of the minor, approaches to language teaching. This book is laid out into three major sections. In the first section the authors deal with major trends in twentieth century language teaching. This gives an excellent historical look at where language teaching has come from and the thought process that accompanied such trends. The second sections deals with alternative approaches and methods. These include TPR, suggesopedia, whole language, etc. These methods are not commonly used on their own anymore, but used in small ways in overall teaching. The last section is current communicative approach. This is a great chapter on the origin of communicative teaching and how it has changed over the last 20 years.

What is really useful in this book is its layout. Each method is titled in the table of contents for easy access. Then once you are at the appropriate chapter it is subtitled with such useful headings as: approach, method, design, teacher's role, student's role, and types of activities. This really made each method easy to understand and see how it would work in the classroom.

Unlike some books on English language teaching, "Approaches and Methods" by Richards and Rodgers is a logically organised, relatively jargon-free and easily grasped book. It is almost certain you will not be diving for the headache tablets after this book.

Covering a large range of the historical and current second language teaching methodologies, the book discusses methods in a logical format that is the same throughout. They discuss three broad areas: Approach, (the theories and ideas underpinning the method), Design, (roles, materials and so on), and Procedure, (what happens in the classroom). This makes each chapter exceptionally well-organised.

The book covers a lot of different methods, including those that are less in favour these days, as well as some that are more recent. However, some very recent developments are not included, such as the controversial Dogme of Thornbury and Medding. What *is* in the book includes Suggestopaedia, TPR, NLP, Natural Way, Multiple Intelligences and more. All of them come with a brief discussion on the background that they came from.

This is an incredibly valuable book for a run down on the methodologies that have come and gone, (some still on the way out). It is an excellent resource that serves well as a reference, or something to be read from cover-to-cover. Or both.

My wife bought a used copy of this book for me.....she wasn't sure if I would like it but since it was related to architecture, she thought she would take a chance...She was right on. It has a fresh take on a lot of the issues in the design and construction world. The author is not afraid to take on all disciplines and he is very successful. Some are a little "Far-Side-ish" but there is a lot of insight in the humor. And the drawings are really well done. I loved it. If you aren't sure this is for you, the author has an [...] website you can use for a test drive. My recommendation: This is a good book to have.

Great illustrations, Great Wit. Nicely packaged. The "Architect's Dream Sequence" cartoons resonated with me too. I didn't buy it but I would now- (It was a summer party gift to all employees from one of the principals in my office.)

I laughed and laughed! These cartoons are histerical! Every person who has ever built or designed a home or constructed any building whatsoever will enjoy this book! Its unique size and cover makes a great socking stuffer for all my "construction clients."

I think it is great that a professional can make fun of his profession and make other people laugh. It is all done in a very "non-bashing" way and should be read by all architects and design workers. They will learn a few things about their profession from Archi-Toons that they did not know.

What a delightful and humorus approach by an architect about his own profession. I am sure that everyone in the architectual and design profession or anyone in a family associated with someone in this profession will enjoy the humor in these delightful cartoons.

THE ARK is one of the best books ever written. It has a gentle power to it that makes me glow when I read it and re-read it. It is a story of rebuilding, of finding a new home and a new place to belong. Hope is what this book is. Hope for the future. The Lechows make the best of less than desirable circumstances, finding goodness everywhere they can. The characters are well-developed and real. They take you with them on their emotional journeys and they stay with you after you read the final page. This is a book that deeply touched me. Simply put, it is just Beautiful.

This gently-paced novel is a bit of a sleeper, but charming in its homespun simplicity. The first portion of the book describes the difficult and painful existence of displaced German families--unwelcome refugees in their own country. THE ARK was written to enlighten American youth about the horrors of homelessness, separated families and unreasonable prejudice. This book contains no battle memories or war atrocities, but proves that German burocracy is second to none.

Since Mrs. Lechow, a small seamstress, has four children to house and feed, we are not sure for the first 100 pages which of them is the protagonist, as in modern YA novels. Gradually the activities focus on the older teens, Matthias and Margret, as they are weaned from their two upper rooms in Parsley Street to a farm with real animals and crops. The book particularly chronicles Margret's transformation from gawky teenager (privately mourning the death of her twin brother) into a capable farm woman like her mentor.

Before the War the German Railroad had offered old passengers cars for sale, which Mrs. Almut had purchased but not really used. Now it becomes the perfect place for the Lechow teens and is promptly christened, THE ARK. But how can it become a real home--which Margret is sure she will never have again--with half the family elsewhere--including their father, a POW in Russia? Will Margret learn to live with her personal loss, yet not be scarred for future happiness? This is an introspective gem for those who appreciate the importance of holding on to Family and learning how to release past Tragedy. So relax and savor the slower pace, the quiet humor, the cycles of the seasons for two years, and the ultimate time of harvest for the soul.

I couldn't agree more that this book should be reprinted. I resurrected my childhood copy for my middle-schooler in need of historical fiction for a book report. She says that if you like animals, this is the book for you. The reviews which pre-date mine are all very accurate (although I think the story begins in Oct. 1945, not '46 and the doctor was conscripted in '43 not '44 -- it does take some careful re-reading to pin the details down). The best endorsement of this book is that I have transported it through my various moves in the past 40 years, just recalling that I had made up my mind a long time ago to never part with it, one of a handful of books that attained such status (Mary Poppins another). I read The Ark many times as a youth, and enjoyed it immensely again with my daughter after having set it aside all those years. It is a wonderful teaching tool for Post-WWII Germany because you are forced to open an atlas, and to examine the shifting boundaries of Germany over the period pre-WWI through modern times. Hesse was in the American zone, but some of Mattias' friends originated in the Russian zone. The treatment of the bombing of cities is not too gorey to frighten sensitive young ones, but gets the point across. The Product Description currently indicates a Kindegarten reading level -- this is incorrect. This is 6th - 8th grade material, and enjoyable for adults, too.

"The Ark" has to be one of the three best YA novels ever written about the aftermath of World War II (and Benary-Isbert wrote the other two as well). The Lechow family were never Nazis, but they got they swept up in events beyond their control. The father, a doctor, was apparently drafted in 1943 and sent to the Russian Front, where he was captured and sent to Siberia. The rest of the family has been forced to flee their home in Pomerania--not because the region has been returned to the Poles (Dr. Lechow often treated the poorer citizens of that ethnicity free of charge), but because it has fallen under Russian control and they're of no mind to exchange one totalitarian government for another. So, after nine months of wandering, they have come, in October of 1946, to the province of Hesse, where the Housing Office sends them to live in the attic of Mrs. Verduz's home at No. 13 Parsley Street. Oldest son Matthias, 15 1/2, who yearns to be an astronomer, finds himself working construction--though the job does lead to a firm friendship with musician Dieter and his band, the Cellar Rats. Little Joey, going on seven, has his doubts about the prospect of school, but it brings him a very special friend, the orphan refugee Hans Ulrich, and their "treasure" hunting in the old ruin leads to surprising rewards. Andrea, not yet ten, is the most resilient of the band (except perhaps for their hard-working mother): when she gets a scholarship to the lycee, she's happy. Margret, who will be fourteen in December, is the most deeply affected by all the changes they've endured: she mourns the death of her twin brother Christian and the family Great Dane, Cosi, who were killed by what we assume were plundering Russian soldiers, and the loss of all opportunity to fulfill her dream of becoming a veterinarian. Yet it's her love for animals that not only opens a crack in Mrs. Verduz's defenses but also brings the family to a new life at Mrs. Almut's farm outside the neighboring village of Hellborn. The author sketches each family member and her other major characters--Dieter, Hans Ulrich, Mrs. Verduz, Mrs. Almut, Marri the old "bee-witch"--lightly yet with consummate skill, making each a distinct individual, and portrays vividly and affectingly the hardships, and the underlying revival of hope, in post-War West Germany. It's a crime that this excellent book has been allowed to fall out of print--and that so many libraries are weeding their copies out. Get one for yourself while you can. Like all the finest juveniles, it's equally as enjoyable by adults as by kids.

This classic children's book uses The Odyssey and post-World War II Germany as its basis. The Lechow family (Mother and four kids) have been forced from their family farm with the return of German land to Poland after World War II. With their father still lost in camps in Russia and the death of a fifth child still fresh in their minds, the Lechows have finally found a place to call a temporary home. They are sent to an elderly woman's home to take two rooms and at first fear that the older woman will not accept four children in their house. Luckily she grudgingly lets them stay the first night and never quite makes it to the housing office to force them out, eventually coming to love them. The family needs to find work or schooling for all, Margaret needs to find a place for herself alone now that her twin is dead, and Matthias aches to become an astronomer one day. The children's love for their parents and each other comes through clearly but without a lot of sentimentality.

we have all seen the finished products of any artist but knowing what goes through their mind is fascinating at times. It shows us the human side of the artist which makes him more complete as a person - very nicely done

This is a useful book for anyone who is intersested in Richard Avedon's work "In The American West" and should be considered as a companion volume to Avedon's book. It gives a lot of background, both to individual images and to the "In the West" project as a whole: how subjects were found, how the images were photographed, a sense of the time and effort involved, Avedon's method of work, some comments on particular subjects that particularly struck the crew. My only real complaint about the book is that could have contained more information and would have been more interesting as a result. For example, almost no precise technical information is given. Even so, it does help one to understand Avedon's "In the West project", which I consider a significant piece of work.

After seeing the show at the Amon Carter in Ft. Worth, and listening to an incredible talk given by a most knowlegable man there, I ordered three copies of the book. What appears at first to be simple shots of working people, becomes an insightful slice of peoples lives in the American west.

I think this book is amazing. The stories really gives you a deeper understanding of why Richard Avendon picked his subjects. Laura Wilson does a great job documenting the step by step shoots of Richard subjects "In the American West". I really felt after reading the stories and looking at the pictures again, it meant so much more. These pictures showed the truth and some of the people in the photos agreed that "It's how I feel".

I recommended this book to anyone, who is looking to find a sence of meaning to their craft as a artist. This book makes to think about yourself, and what you can do to give depth to your work.

I wish other art book would explain the process of their work. Then more people would enjoy what they see instead of brush it to the side.

The book is a gem. Not only sheds a bit of light into Avedon's technique and working methods, but also brings to life the often sad stories behind the powerful images. Highly recommended. Now, if they would only re-issue the original monograph..

I found this book The Awakening to be one of the best books I have ever read. As a social worker, we are trained to analyze people's problems, challenge them, utilize theories such as cognitive behavioral or family systems. In fact, during job interviews, many ask what theory I belong to. If I said, " Witness Transformation" and listening to my thoughts, they would never in a million years understand. Dr. Waller takes the time to explain, educate, and make sense of how our brain reacts to certain situations. This is a must read book by any clinician and a must read book for anyone suffering from what I call "inner demons" It's not something that transforms right away because our brain has been conditioned to fall into what Dr. Waller refers to as the drama of our life's problems. This does take practice, but this book was excepetional because I could always turn back to it and remember what I was supposed to be doing, instead of fighting the drama.

Amazing book for this layperson to come across.It clarifies many of my notions of meditation for one and at the sametime helps with ISSUES/Patterns of relating to family,friends,work and sense of self.The reading of this book has inspired a renewal of the possible,with a blend of theory ,case examples and exercises it is a grok-able read.One does need to take their time reading thou.Thank You

The book is worth buying and reading in my opinion, and that's all the 4.5 billion of us have is opinions, although there were two aspects of it I found rather puzzling and problematic. In one breath the author liberally uses quotes from the Scriptures and Buddhist Philosophy, and in the next breath he slams Buddhism and says "I'm not particularly religious". This seems a bit oxymoronic and leaves the reader wondering exactly what his belief system is?

Secondly, Dr. Waller should read "The Mind & the Brain", by Dr. Jeffrey M. Schwartz, for a more contemporary view on volition and free will. This book summarizes the latest research and nicely ties together quantum theory, neuroplasticity, and volition. The data presented in this book flies in the face of the 1980ish no- free- will computer model of the brain that Dr. Waller seems to ascribe to. Dr. Schwartz created an effective 4 step process for rewiring the brains of OCD patients called "Relabel, Reattribute, Refocus, Revalue".

Dr. Waller's book is mainly about his practice as a marriage councilor and the chapters alternate between his patient case studies and his theories. If you're in a troubled relationship or have been in one then the book may be helpful. Overall the dialogue he uses in his case studies has an egotistical overtone and his Unicorn/Lion theory is interesting but, narrow and simplistic in the sense that he should have included a shoe horn with the book so the reader could force himself/herself into the either or category.

As far as "Witness Thought Therapy" goes, I'm always amazed at how creative western psychologist, psychiatrist, and philosophers are at coming up with a new catch phrase, in order to sell a book, for knowledge that's been available to humanity for over 2,500 years. If Buddhist used the same tactic of "renaming" they would have been zillionaires centuries ago. If you want to cut to the chase and find out what all these Ph.D.'s of wisdom are up to then read "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" by Thich Nhat Hanh. You could read 100 books on Buddhism and none would speak to you with the clarity which Thich Nhat Hanh is famous for.

This book was a gift, both physically and spiritually! When it came in the mail, I was curious, but skeptical, since my decades of study, had always been with Sages. An Awakened Ph.D.Therapist seemed too good to be true.

I had landed my first job, after graduate school, as a Psychiatric Socialworker, for Probate Court, hospitalizing individuals who were a danger to themselves or others. What I experienced, in those five years, forced me to conclude that most of these illnesses were beyond the understanding of the mental health establishment. I had my own bias, or answers, to the missing link. Medicating is sometimes necessary, but felt it was just placing a bandage on a much bigger problem. That problem being something that had been missed, and I thought would never be recognized: Thought and the Mind, in relationship to what part they played in the holistic scheme of things.

As Mark explains in his book, we should be focusing on the awakening process and Self-realization, beginning with the understanding of the brain functions.

This book is a culmination of his journey as a seeker, leading into the Awakened Therapist he is now, and heralding a new era in this field.

Combining Eastern and Western thought, plus his own experiences of awakening, he sees the transparencies of his patients.

Finding Mark, his books and actual cases of couples and individuals, experiencing what he calls, "witness consciousness" based on watching your thoughts, is, as it has been for me, the bridge to understanding what came before. A better understanding of the often esoteric writings of sages, that may not be understood well enough to put into practice.

With Mark's book, the bridge he builds, is a gift of understanding and hope, that his exercises can give each one of us the chance of experiencing the awakened state, in our lifetimes, and uncovering our true Self!

Mark Waller is a beacon for change within his profession. From therapy to awakening, this cutting edge book is a direct, intimate pointer for those truly ready to awaken and end suffering.
~ Katie Davis, Awake Joy: The Essence of Enlightenment

B-36: Saving the Last Peacemaker chronicles in text and photo format the long-running and contentious effort to preserve and restore the last of these giant propeller-driven bombers to be built. Starting with the return of the aircraft to Ft. Worth, Texas, where all B-36's had been built, the account follows it through years of neglect as a park display, a misguided effort to get it flying once more, and herculean moves to avoid distruction, all motivated by the desire of a small number of dedicated individuals that this aircraft be saved as a permanent monument to the pride and industry of Ft. Worth and a now-vanished era in the history of the Air Force. Supplimentary material includes what is probably the best sound recording available of the sound this massive aircraft made on takeoff. Produced in HTML format, the content is viewable on any PC running current versions of Windows (95-98-NT)and having an up-to-date Web Browser.

This CD does one thing the finest book cannot. It allows you to hear the mighty B-36 both taking off and on a bombing run. Talk about rolling thunder! Thanks to ALL who labored to save this magnificent aircraft for future generations to marvel at!

I had read with interest about the efforts to restore the B-36 which is the subject of this book when I was in High School. Over twenty years later, when I ran across a reference to this CD, I just had to get it.

The CD is written in HTML, the "language" of the Internet, and requires web browser software to view it. It came up fine on IE 4.0 running on my 133 MHz PC running Win95, and later on a 450 MHz laptop on IE 5.0 under WIN98.

The book is written in chapter links which can be selected at any time, which I found convenient to use. It was mildly annoying to read so much text (many hours) on a PC screen, but the plethora of pictures helped break up the text, and the sound files were great fun. I scaled the text size up a bit for easier reading.

The history of the aircraft is absolutely first-rate; the book runs logically along its lengthy timeline, from manufacture to its final move to safety. I was fascenated with the many unique photos of the interior, engines being run up, and the various pieces being frantically moved out to avoid being scrapped. It was wonderful to discover the final fate of this big old bomber.

I recommend this CD to any aviation buff who would dream of discovering, restoring and flying an old abandoned military airplane - you will enjoy this story, and learn a whole lot about the practical problems that come along with such a great project.

When I was a high-school kid in the late 1970's I fell in love with an older lady - the massive, marvelous B-36 Peacemaker on display at Amon Carter Field in Fort Worth, Texas.

First designed to attack Nazi Germany from North American bases, the B-36 became America's "Big Stick" at the height of the Cold War. The capabilities of the B-36 provided much of the deterrence that prevented the Soviet Union from attacking America or our NATO allies. B-36J #52-2827 was the last B-36 built, of over 300 produced. In 1958 she made her last flight and was put on display at Amon Carter Field.

When I discovered her in 1977 or so, she was in pretty sad shape. But a bunch of old guys (so they seemed to me) were putting her back together, and they didn't mind me hanging around and helping out. At the time, I was just a teenager crazy about airplanes. I had no idea of the grand scope of the project at the time, much less the incredible efforts of the "old guys" working on the plane.

Now I do. "Saving the Last Peacemaker" not only brought back a lot of fond memories, but gave me a deep appreciation for the amazing accomplishments of the dedicated men who rescued and restored #2827.

Today, the Last Peacemaker has been lovingly restored in painstaking detail and is currently awaiting a new home for permanent public display. Compare the photos of the stripped, vandalized cockpit in the late '70s to the photos of the interior after restoration, and you'll understand the labor of love involved.

Sure, lots of old airplanes have been preserved and restored, and the stories blur together after a while. But "Saving the Last Peacemaker" is no dry technical memoir. It's a cliff-hanger adventure story, complete with government agents, desperate races against the clock, last-minute reprieves, and plot twists.

It's illustrated with dozens of photographs. Model-builders will revel in the close-up photographs of the structure and the interior, revealing details seldom seen before.

If you're an airplane nut - of any age - this is a must-have item.

The Convair B-36 is one of those engineering marvels which one suspects is unknown and disregarded by most Americans. Yet, in its day, this was regarded as America's "Big Stick" and was very well known to all in the land (not to mention many in charge over in the Soviet Union.) Happily there are four of these machines still in existence under roofs in aviation museums. However, the very last B-36 to be manufactured had the most difficult time on its long road to preservation. This CD-ROM format book tells the story in great detail with 219 photos and plenty of descriptive text.

To make it compatible with most computers, the files are in HTML format, and should work with any Internet browser. The text and photos are adequately hyperlinked and there are also some links to websites that contain extra information.

One unexpected treat is the pair of vintage sound files, letting us hear the sound of a B-36 taking off with its ten engines throbbing and roaring away. The only other place to hear (and see) a B-36 in operation is the video release of "Strategic Air Command" starring Jimmy Stewart, and if you like either this book or that movie, you will want to have the other one.

Hey, and think about paying a visit to support this last B-36.

Backyard Grilling - Grill Like A Professional is not alot of hype. This book really delivers! Anything you ever wanted to know about grilling is in this book. For example, I learned so much about rubs and marinating that my food has been terrific since I purchased this book. Any "Dummy" can follow the suggestions and enjoy great food! The recipes are easy to follow, with language that is easy for a beginner to understand. Thanks for such a great guide. Buy it, you'll be glad you did!!!

As the man of the house, I consider myself a capable griller. Chef McPeake's Backyard Grilling book has elevated me to a new level of outdoor cooking! His very creative recipes have given me a whole new outlook on what I can prepare on the grill. ( Who knew you could do an outstanding Jamabalya on the grill?)

I am an absolute novice at grilling, and not a great cook! BUT, this book is so down to earth and easy to understand that I have been thrilled with the results! I can easily follow the directions, and the steps are not difficult. I can now confidently invite company to enjoy what I do on the grill! Thanks Chef McPeake!

If you have always liked to grill but wanted to take your grilling to the next levels, THIS IS THE BOOK! Diagrams about grills, heat, coals, etc. plus an abundance of dishes. Every single recipe I wanted to try out. I can't wait to have a Clam Bake, grill the best burgers, whip together that incredible bbq sauce, dry rub my steaks, and have a margarita chicken party. These are fun, simple, and will bring anyone to the next level.
Perfect timing for the summer!

Chef Richard McPeake's classes at The Culinary Center of Kansas City are some of our most popular. The students report back often that he is one of the best teachers they have ever experienced. We think it is because he gives loads of clear and concise grilling information to our students and he tells it like it is. No secrets...just solid information. If you want to learn to grill at home the right way then this is the book for you.

This is the do-it-yourself book that got me started on that sweet rite of spring -- making my own maple syrup. The author's emphasis is on how to do it efficiently and very cheaply, using easy-to-find materials you can scrounge yourself. If you have the trees to tap, by all means get this book! (Hint: they don't have to be the sugar maple species. Try other maples as well. I get great syrup from box elders, which I considered "trash trees" until I learned they are in the maple family. Now I treasure them like gold.)

My own sugaring set-up is total simplicity: just some old refrigerator grates set on top of cinder blocks, heated with odd scraps of wood that others have thrown away at construction sites, etc. The sap is boiled down in flat baking pans, then finished off on the stove inside. Except for the initial expense to buy some professional spiles for tapping (you can make those, too, but I'm a failure as a tinsmith), I have spent ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for the 3-4 gallons of syrup we make each year. Not a bad return for a book that I cost me less than ten bucks!

It doesnt matter if never made maple syrup and you are a newbie like me, or you are a pro. These simple techniques will explain to you how and why make excellent maple syrup. Lots and lots of good advice from somebody that really knows the sugarin process in the backyard. This also means that you can make your own syrup without spending a fortune but buying simple little things or reusing everyday use things for the whole process.
Its more of a dialogue of your grandpa teaching you than a guide.

We have a 300+ year old sugar maple in our back yard. For the past few years we have tapped it each spring and boiled down the sap for the best maple syrup! This wonderful little "how-to guide" has given us a lot of pointers and info we were not aware of before. Easy to read and understand too. Just a nice little reference book.

I remember fondly the early Michigan spring from my childhood, helping my father collect sap. This more than anything fueled my desire to make my own syrup. This book, Rink Mann's "Backyard Sugarin'" is an excellent book to get you off without breaking your back or your bank account. The author has a delightful writing style that is thoroughly engrossing. The book is well illustrated, full of ideas and rock solid on exactly when, how and what to tap, and exactly how to process all that sap. I highly recomend this book. Even if you don't live in sugar country you will enjoy this book.

Tioga County is farming country and most farms in these parts used to have a sugar shack. Vermont might get better promotion and produce more, but there's nothing better than Grandma's flapjacks topped with homemade syrup from the farm. If you've a hankering for homemade and want to try making your own, then Backyard Sugarin': A Complete How-To Guide, by Rink Mann will show you how.

This book tells you how you can make maple syrup right in your own back yard without having to build a sap house or buy buckets, holding tanks, and other expensive paraphernalia. Think of it as sugar on a shoestring. The author goes over the basics of selecting your trees, homemade evaporators, the boiling down process and includes tips from small-time sugarers from across the country.

Author of "Hobo Finds A Home" about a barn cat who wanted more out of life and editor "Of A Predatory Heart" outdoor stories that will make you laugh and cry.