Wood Books

I have 25 or more carving books and access to many more. This is easily the best book to own to learn how to carve birds. The author does not hung up on the use of power vs. hand tools. That is left to the student. Each step is clearly explained and shown in clear photos. Buy this book first and jump start your carving hobby.

My husband, Ron, is an excellent carver and has been doing songbirds for about ten years. He brings life to his carvings by burning the feathers in with such detail nearly everyone reaches out to "pet" his birds. This past year he decided to go beyond the "natural" look and asked me to paint a robin so that the gift to our grandson would be from both of us.
I had only worked with watercolors previously and so, having had no experience with acrylic painting, I was still able to follow the instructions in this wonderful book and came out with a robin that looked very real. In fact, when painting one day, I had to answer the door and the guest flinched, thinking I was holding a real robin. Now if I can only come up with her instructions for painting a blue bird and/or a blue herron I would be grateful beyond words.

It just arrived in the mail and I can hardly wait to carve another bird. This book gives the carver just what he needs--patterns from the front and side plus top and bottom views! Lots of black and white photos, but then you get color photos just when you need them--which is when you begin to paint the bird. Plus, I really like the way the birds look. If I can't produce a fine looking bird from this book it will not be from lack of direction. This beats just about any other bird carving book I have, and believe me I have bought a lot of them!

Rosalyn Daisey's book is a suberb example of how to author a "how to" book. It's top notch in patterns, instructions, and illistrations. You can't go wrong with any of her books. I'm impressed enough to own them all.

My husband, Ron, is an excellent carver and has been doing songbirds for about ten years. He brings life to his carvings by burning the feathers in with such detail nearly everyone reaches out to "pet" his birds. This past year he decided to go beyond the "natural" look and asked me to paint a robin so that the gift to our grandson would be from both of us.
I had only worked with watercolors previously and so, having had no experience with acrylic painting, I was still able to follow the instructions in this wonderful book and came out with a robin that looked very real. In fact, when painting one day, I had to answer the door and the guest flinched, thinking I was holding a real robin. Now if I can only come up with her instructions for painting a blue bird and/or a blue herron I would be grateful beyond words.

There are some books you pick up and open where the information on that page is EXACTLY what you need. This is that kind of book. I've read many metaphysical books with exercises at the end of each chapter. This book is about CHANGING YOUR LIFE!

Spiritual Energy Cycles is incredibly straightforward, a clear, step by step guide to an everyday wisdom that has enriched my life. The language is fresh and clear. The voice is not presumptious, but rather friendly, down-homey, and I find that reassuring and refreshing. The book has helped me many times, I have read it again and again, getting both guidance and support from what I have found to be great wisdom in it's pages. I consider it a resource now, for everyday life, and I'm glad to have it!

"Spiritual Energy Cycles" has been one of the greatest gifts in my life. I am new to metaphysical teachings and I consider this book to be my "reference manual" for spiritual growth. I have read it many times and each time it offers just what I need in that moment of my life. I have recently started participating in the "Spiritual Energy Cycles" book discussion group on Jackie's website. The discussions are what I call "REAL LIFE". I have learned something from each and every person in the group and have grown faster than i imagined possible. The moderator of the group has gifted us with sharing, support, understanding and love. I highly recommend the book and the discussion group to anyone who is serious about their spiritual growth. The discussion group can be found at www.jackiewoods.org

I loved reading this book as it holds many spiritual gems straight from the writers heart. Jackie Woods is powerful in her teachings and shows simple steps to work through patterns we've all gathered throughout our lives. The format of Spiritual Energy Cycles makes it easy to apply to any situation.

Since reading the book I have MANY times caught myself wrapped in emotion and stuck in a mental thought and said, 'Now, what's the bottom line here?!' This grounds me and allows me to move through my creation of growth! Then comes the manifestation part of the cycle. That's what it's all about ... it's a cycle! I would reccomend this book to anyone who is on a spiritual growth path. I re-read this book on a regular basis.

The information provided in this book is absolutely amazing. I've been a highly dedicated student of metaphysical teachings since 1984, studying dozens of different teachers, and I THOUGHT I was on a powerful Spiritual path - until I came across the information in this book. That's not to say that I did not have tremendous Spiritual growth before - I did - but anyone who is interested in TURBO-CHARGING their growth will count this book as "mandatory reading". If you liked "Conversations with God" by Neale Donald Walsh, this little 75 page book can take you even further down the path than you imagined. I've had dozens of favorite teachers over the years, from Stuart Wilde to Ram Dass, Deepak Chopra to Wayne Dyer - but the information in this book helped bring about wonderful healings in my physical body that all the other teachings did not accomplish. To be specific, I had cronic rib neuritis - VERY painful - that would go away after 3-4 accupressure sessions, only to fire back up 2-3 months later. The teachings in Spiritual Energy Cycles healed this problem - never to return! In addition, I suffered cronic, perpetual anxiety for over thirty years before coming into the understanding of how to put these teachings into effect in my life. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book - and ESPECIALLY the "companion tape" by Jackie Woods on "Meditation and Needs" - to anyone who is serious about maximizing their Spiritual growth. I noticed in the interview of Jackie Woods that she is writing a new book, so I'll be the first in line!

This is a great how-to book for folks who are afraid of the word "Evangelism." It gives step by step lessons, and brings home the point that evangelism is just sharing one's life/faith story. The lessons are laid out so easily that most anyone could lead the discussions. I highly recommend it.

I highly recommend Talking Faith, especially to mainline congregations who have misplaced their calling to be authentic evangelists for the gospel. The book is quite sensitive to the context of contemporary mainline congregations, and its conversation starters have proved to be excellent and thought-provoking. If led sensitively and enthusiastically, this curriculum has the potential to be relationship-building, faith-building, and confidence-building.

As someone who had moved away from the faith in which I was raised, I found this book to be a wonderful resource for examining my relationship with God and for developing spiritually.

I highly recommend Talking Faith to those searching for the "right" place for living their spiritual lives.

Hoping to see more from Mss. Kirk-Davidoff and Wood Lyczak...

I was so struck by the Words of Introduction describing this curriculum. Who is it for?

I have been serving as Pastor of the same church for ten years. Our journey from a "membership" to a "discipleship" church is underway, although it is challenging inspiring congregants to speak about matters of faith in a refreshing, tolerant and open-minded way. Thanks to Heather and Lisa's work, there is a cirriculum that dignifies the faith formation process for pastors and churches who believe "God is Still Speaking" in our post-modern world.

Talking Faith is for us! I highly recommend that the "unchurched" or "seeker" be invited to attend these sessions along with members of the local church.
It's working well in MA

Rev. Dr. Peter Lovett

Many of us who attend churches think "church growth" is about numbers. If our worship attendance is up 20, then we've had a good year. Maybe we have.

But what if church growth wasn't only about numbers? What if it was about going deeper? What if each of us braved the edges of our limits to share more of who we are with other people? What if we could open up and explore our faith with members of our community?

It's a beautiful idea, but who isn't scared about that? Who isn't reluctant about opening up? Who feels equipped and prepared to risk intimacy?

Kirk-Davidoff and Wood-Lyczak have put together and invaluable resource for communities of faith. Don't miss this opportunity. The techniques and conversations that they set up help participants and leaders share powerful moments of the Spirit's work in their lives. Together, the group can discover and discern how God is speaking to us.

More than a class. Deeper than a lecture. I can't say enough about this resource. This resource isn't liberal or conservative, it's about relationships, connecting with your brothers and sisters in Christ. This resource helps even the most timid to share their experience and learn from their peers.

I'm very excited about this resource. It's as if it was written for my community of faith, and every community of faith I've ever been in.

It's evangelism in the best sense of the word--sharing the gospels. "So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but also our own selves because you have become very dear to us." 1 Thess. 2:8

Rev. Gregory Morisse
The Plymouth Church in Framingham, MA
United Church of Christ

My sister read this book to her kids many years ago. (Now they have and are having kids of their own.) They remember the story today as my grand niece goes through her first loose tooth experience. It must be a good book. Read more on her blog at "Play Wit Me Nana."

I still have this book from when my oldest was little (she's now 23). Three more children later and the youngest, now five, loves it just as much as the others have. Its a great adventure for the imagination and the wonderful illustrations really help take the children into the fun. One big plus is the way it motivates kids into taking care of their teeth. I can't recommend this book highly enough.

When I was younger, this book was in my dentist's office. Every time we would go to the dentist, I would either read it, or my mom would read it for me. It's a very cute book, and it teaches kids to take care of their teeth, as well as not to lie. I remember I took very good care of my teeth, because when they fell out, I would want it to go to the "Hall of Perfect Teeth." I love this book!

I have owned this book for many years. I bought the at book fair at my own children's school years ago. It is now worn and falling apart from use. I am a substitute teacher now and whenever possible take the opportunity to read this book to children anywhere from kindergarten through third grade. Every time I read this book the children beg me to read it again. Then they line up for "turns" to read it for themselves. I can not reccomend this book highly enough. It is "the bomb" when it comes to reading terrific literature. My experience with this book has boosted my interest in all books authored by Audrey Wood.

My daughter loves this book and we read it to her every night. It's a cute little tale about exactly what the tooth Fairy does with all those teeth she collects. It has a wonderful moral, too! Very cute!

I have only been woodworking for about a year, but I have already built about half the trucks in this book. They are not only fun to build, but not too difficult. Every kid I've shown them too has gone nuts over them! I can't recommend this book enough as a great learning tool for the entry level woodworker. It's a great confidence builder.

I do most woodworking in the winter. This book has been extremely satisfying. I've made all of the projects & several of the semi-tractors & mmonster trucks. Would like to purchase more projects by this author. Great book! Thank you, Ed

An easy to use, well documented series of innovative life-like wheeled toys that can all be made with a basic set of woodworking tools and limited woodworking equipment - Drill Press, Disc/Belt Sander and Bandsaw.
Excellent advice on sourcing off-cuts of highly coloured timber to create the effect of tyres, headlights, fuel tanks etc.
If you have a wood lathe many of the wheels and fuel tanks can be turned to add to the enjoyment of making these TOYS - not models.

Highly recommended to all woodworkers as the ideas presented in this book can be applied to all fields of woodworking.

Without question this book should be in every woodworker's library.
Paul

I was surprised by both the quality of the book and the detailed guidance. I found the illustrations and the the designes to be of high quality in both details and attractiveness. I am happy with this purchase.

I'VE BUILT 7 OF THE 12 TRUCKS AND THEY ARE FANTASTIC. I PLAN ON DOING 11. PLANS ARE VERY DETAILED AND EASY TO FOLLOW. THERE IS SUPRISINGLY FEW ERRORS FOR THIS TYPE OF BOOK CONSIDERING THE NUMEROUS MEASUREMENTS ETC..IT DOES TAKE A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME FOR EACH BUT THE RESULTS ARE VERY SATISFYING. YOU WILL NEED AT MINIMUM A BAND SAW, DRILL PRESS AND COMBINATION BELT/DISC SANDER WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FOR UNDER A HUNDRED DOLLARS. I HAVE NO HESITATION IN GIVING THIS 5 STARS!!!!!

If you want to be successful when you turn green wood or newly cut lumber on your lathe. I recommend purchasing this book and reading it all the way through before you begin your wood turning project. When you use green wood there are different procedures that you need to follow than when you use dried lumber. I had tried to turn some green logs on my lathe and had many problems with wood cracking and was very unhappy with the results. After purchasing this book I learned the reasons why my previous attempts had not been successful. I only wish I had gotten the book at the same time I purchased my new lathe. It is an excellent resource on how to use green logs and newly cut lumber that can add flexibility and save money on wood costs when you use "found wood" and cut the logs yourself.

Great and a must have for all turners. The book is more oriented toward bowl turning but covers a ton on green turning with plenty of pics and diagrams. Michael O`Donnell goes to great length to educate the reader on how wood dries based on where it is cut form the tree.

Great book - great photos - great ideas - great explanations and written so anyone can understand the directions and concepts (even me).

this is a good basic book of how to deal with green wood and also the use of crotchwood. well written and illistrated

As a beginning turner, I searched for books that were both informative and interesting to read. This book approaches turning with 'green' in mind but also has some very good information about wood properties and turning in general. Very much worth buying even if you are an experienced turner.

Summer before last my wife and I had the good fortune of spending a week in an Italian Castle located in Giove Italy. I quickly befriended the staff and was introduced to the kitchen which used an ancient wood burning oven that had been in service since the 13 century. During our stay we ate many incredible meals prepared by the fire of that ancient oven. One evening the local Pizza Chef was summoned to prepare dinner for our group. He produced the best tasting pizzas in that wood fired oven that I had ever tasted. After that experience I decided that I had to have my own wood burning oven. While searching for information regarding wood burning ovens I had the good fortune to happened upon Los Angeles Ovenworks website and was soon having friendly conversations with Anna and Peter Carpenter regarding my quest to acquire a genuine Italian Wood Burning Oven. Anna and Peter are very nice folks with a vast knowledge of all things culinary and construction regarding ovens. One thing led to another and I purchased a MDL 100 Toscana oven. Peter delivered it to my home and gave me a few tips prior to installation. Over the next few weeks I completed my installation of the oven with the help of Anna and Peter as support. One day Anna called and said she was putting together a book on wood burning ovens and asked if I could provide a few photos of my installation. I was honored to be of assistance. I took several photos of the installation and was proud to have photos of my oven appear in the book. I love my oven and enjoy how it naturally brings family and friends together to experience an unbelievable interactive backyard cooking experience. Food prepared in the oven tastes incredible. Anna's Book is by far the most comprehensive wood burning oven guide on the market. Buy the Book, you will find it a most useful resource.

This book has given me some delightful hours day-dreaming about building my own wood fired oven. I have tried some of the recipes in my own kitchen and they came out surprisingly tasty. Thank you for having written the book!

we love this book! it has amazing photos, recipes & a feeling that you can create that tuscany feeling right at home.

I love this book. It creates a special mood just by looking through it. I recommend it for both people who want to learn the recipes and for people who are interested in creating their own outdoor heaven. This book gives great ideas on what can be done in your own backyard and is very inspiring. The book has an Italian flavor to it, just like the whole idea of cooking outdoors. I think a wood-fired oven is great for everyone who loves good food, loves to entertain their guests and also it is a must for Californians! Get this book and you'll get a piece of Italian sunshine on your table!

The book's title says it all. This IS the ultimate wood-fired oven book. I spent quite a bit of time browsing through several wood-fired oven books in a bookstore, and this one is far and away the best. It tells how to choose and prepare a location for your oven, and explains the different types of construction materials that are available and how to determine the best ones for your needs, as well as explaining how to install an oven. In short, it has everything you need to know. There are also some excellent recipes, and stunning photography throughout. If you are looking for a book on this subject, look no further-- this book has it all.

WAR TORN is a brilliant and riveting collection of essays by the handful of smart and courageous women who actually went to the battlefields in Asia to report on the Vietnamese War. For everyone who served in the war or had loved ones who did, for those of us who lived through these events at home, and for younger readers who have no sense of this history, this compelling book reveals these critical years from a perspective most of us never knew existed. The stories of these nine brave women will capture your minds and break your heart a bit. A thorougly uplifting and informative book with stories you've never heard before.

A unique insight to the ravages of the wars of the mid 20th century from the viewpointss of a group of female corrrespondents who had to claw their way through the jungles
of the eastern asia and the media industry to get their views
across....highly recommended to gain an added persective of a
turbulant time in world history

I don't know much about Vietnam, but I was drawn to the book by the sad and thoughtful face on the cover. My highest praise to these women. They brought the Vietnam war alive to someone who was not even born at its conclusion. The stories are beautiful, sad, funny and touching. My thanks to the authors for putting such a wonderful piece of writing and important part of history down on paper.

The stories in War Torn are riveting and capture the will and determination of women journalists to have equal access to cover the war. But they also bring Saigon and Vietnam in the 60s and 70 alive to anyone too young to remember. I applaud these women for making the Vietnam war accessible to a generation who grew up after the war.
War Torn leave the reader happy and sad but thoroughly enchanted. For anyone who is a history buff, a traveler planning to visit Vietnam or simply a lover of great tales, I highly recommend this book.

" Having been born in the early forties, Vietnam was MY war. Unlike the women of WAR TORN, I busied myself with raising a family in the good, old, safe & sound USA. I cannot say enough about the impact this book had on me. These selfless, courageous, determined correspondents took me on a tour of a Vietnam that I never knew existed. Reading WAR TORN was truly an educational, eye-opening experience for me. They way these women express their adventures, insights, and emotions is absolutely glorious. This is a must read for people of all ages."

I thought the original was great.. this is even better. The art work is stunning and Audrey Wood tells a great tale. We have been reading this book every night for 3 months! LOL
It is aboutthe root children (who are really flowers) and the jaunt into the world thru spring, summer and fall.. then back into the ground for the spring.
As a Pagan I found this a lovely story about the seasons, Mother Earth, and the beauty of nature!

Heather mama to 5

This book has beautiful depictions of seasonal characters (Cousin Summer, Aunt Spring, etc.) The story is magical in it's description of the changing seasons. It would make a very nice gift, as well as a special addition to your child's own library. Our 3-year-old adores the story and is mesmerized by the illustrations. Definitely one of her favorites!

Being very familiar and in love with the 1902 version of this book, I didn't know what to make of this new version, at first. But it grows on you! I especially like the way Mother Earth is portrayed, not as a Grandmotherly figure, but a beautiful woman maybe in her early thirties - an image of fertility and fruitfulness. The illustrations are lush and a bit overdone in places, but they represent the bounty of the seasons well. The introduction of Aunt Spring, Cousin Summer, Uncle Fall and Old Man Winter is different than the original, but not offensive or upsetting even to a die-hard fan, like me. The text is shorter and, for that reason, may appeal to younger children who can't sit through Sibylle von Olfers' word-ier original story. Overall, when I compare the two, the 1902 original has a certain charm that is hard to deny. Von Olfers' illustrations are simple and the text is straightforward, although a bit wordy. This new remake is beautifully done and has a different feel altogether: it's lush, full of life, color and movement. Audrey Wood has taken a risk to remake such a beloved classic, but I believe she made a good effort and successfully made it her own. I can't say it's better than the original, but I like it!

This is a beautiful book! The artwork in this book is among the best I've seen in a child's book. It's a wonderful version of a classic story & the words flow like poetry. It's a great starter book to introduce young children to the wheel of the year & the changing seasons.

The only flaw is the typeface is so artistic it is sometimes hard to read, just read slowly & savor each word.

You'll love this book, go ahead & buy 2 copies! You're going to want to share it with everyone you know!

This is a rare find for those with Earth based spirituality/religion. The illustrations are lush and detailed, and the story is a perfect introduction for children to the Wheel of the Year.