Wood Books

My two year old son absolutely loves these books. I must admit that I was hesitant about then at first, being a Garth Williams purist and all, but they are well adapted and illustrated. I think that he mostly enjoys the illustrations at his age. Children of any age will enjoy them.

Winter Days in the Big Woods, an adaptation from the Little House on the Prarie classic series, will delight children and peak their interest in Pioneering life. The illustrations capture the attention and imagination of young children, whetting their appetite for more.

In this adaptation, kids get a glimpse into daily life of a close-knit family during Amrerica's pioneering days. Kids will learn about churning butter, baking bread and doing the general daily tasks to run a household and prepare for winter.

For anyone who has loved the original Laura Ingalls Wilder books, or even the television series years ago, this is a perfect introduction to the very young. My children have enjoyed these books for years and have now moved on to the books Wilder herself wrote. Put together, they've created fond, wholesome childhood memories for my children.

This was my daughter's favorite book from the time she was about 3-8 years old. I bought it as a introduction to the original Little House books and continued to collect the entire set of these "First Books". Bright, cheery with excellent artwork showing strong family relationships.

"Winter Days" is one of my favorite books in the "My First Little House Books" series, and one of my favorite books about autumn. The Ingalls family prepares for winter with time for the harvest and food storage. Mary and Laura participate in daily chores and entertain themselves with their rag dolls, paper dolls,and by using a thimble to draw on the frosted window. Beautiful illustrations bring Laura's log cabin world to life, and are an excellent starting point for discussing how life is different then it used to be, and how some things never change.

These stories explore the essential--life, death, love, nakedness--by following Kate and her brother David over the course of their lives. What we witness is that people aren't always what they seem, that relationships aren't always what they are understood to be; in these stories, the characters demand something more from existence. In "Jupiter Shining, North of the Moon," Williams describes the moon that disinterestedly shines down on the characters:

"It was just a mass of rock, held prisoner by the earth, and pulling tides, yet suddenly it seemed a hot eye upon us, daring anyone to ask it for anything.
"Joe laughed. `I wish the moon would f-- itself,' he said.
"Later that night we'd have to carry Joe, near drowned, back to his room."

The existential searching of The Woman in the Woods reminds me of one of my favorite poems from the Japanese poet Kobayashi Issa (1763-1828):

The world of dew
is the world of dew.
And yet, and yet

Literature often gets elevated for shedding light on the "human condition." After reading this collection, I feel like I've finally learned something through Williams's masterful handling of character and juxtaposition. I strongly recommend this book to anyone dedicated to the craft of writing, and to anyone who wants to witness people in all our weakness and fragile happiness. As Thoreau wrote in _Walden_, "You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns." Ann Joslin Williams has found that spot in _The Woman in the Woods_.

I loved the stories in this book. Dark and fresh, like the New England woods.

This is an absolutely gorgeous book, with characters that stay with you long past the page. I love how this writer conjures an entire world with a few sentences - it's dark, yes, but deeply affirming to the human spirit.

Put down Harry Potter and pick up a small press book that's WORTH reading! This is a not to be missed group of stories. Congratulations for picking a REAL winner!

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. It's a perfect, beautiful, lyrical example of a novel structured in linked stories. I wish I'd written it, but then . . . only Ann Joslin Williams could have.

Winner of the 2005 Spokane Prize for Short Fiction, The Woman in the Woods is an anthology of linked short stories set in New Hampshire's mountain country, by author and teacher Ann Joslin Williams. Dramatic and personal, dwelling on relationships between man and woman, wilderness and humanity, The Woman in the Woods is a riveting portrayal of forces both within the self and larger than oneself, as well as the sheer beauty of the natural world. "The woman takes a different trail down. It's a sharp descent over sheer granite, until the trail hits a straightaway through dwarf spruce, and meanders along the easy ridge to Firescrew. Up close, the white braids of quartz woven into the granite are tinged with rust-colored veins. The plateau has more growth than she remembered. Yellow grasses, fine and tall with delicate feathery seeds; junipers and low blueberry bushes everywhere." Highly recommended.

This is the definitive book on feng shue! It is not for people who are looking for fluff - this is serious, and well thought out. It has really worked to get me to focus on the important things in life and has helped in explaining the balance that we all need to have. I am now giving this book as a gift to people I care about! Thank you, Ms. Reichstein, for writing such a wonderful book.

As a Shiatsu (3rd year)student, this book is so helpfull for me, that I am using it every day.
It explaines every Element in such a way, that you can realy understand it and use it in every day's life.
I reccomend this book to everyone who wants to know more.

We all love now to take care of our own health, right ?! Few of us understand, though, the Chinese medicine, unless you read a lot of books on same subject. And then you have to "digest" the information and apply it patiently to yourself. WE ALL ARE UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS. And the ones who will borrow or buy this book will prove to be the smart ones too. Not only that I would recommend this book to all of you who want to change your life for the better (and get rid of your daily pains) but this book --among the thousands written -- is an eye-opener to many other self-healing directions. Beware, at first you will say to yourself that you will need TIME and PATIENCE to go through it (which none of us HAVE anymore!), but you will feel smarter than any doctor in this world, after you assimilate the knowledge in this book. It is better than you imagined by its modest title. One of the best-kept secrets (until now !), trust me on this one. Good luck to all of you !

this books is well written and provides a beautiful overview of the 5 elements and how they manifest in our world. i was looking for something that was more oriented towards the overall charater of the elements and less concerned with the technicalities of chinese medicine. i got what i was looking for.

This book is excellent for anyone starting to learn any aspect of Chinese healing or astrology. Everything is interconnected and this book expands that horizon. This should be a text book for a curriculum of any "Chinese" course. I have had no previous teachings of Chinese culture and this book explains it all without being too political

This book delivers on several levels. For the novice who just likes interesting color plates on wood, it is superb. likewise, as a coffee table book ( though a heavy one), it delivers. For the researcher, it is a must and does not disappoint, and for his wife who knows nothing about trees or wood, it is a fascinating and interesting book and can be picked up and put down at any time. Do yourself a favor and add this book to your collection!

Being born, and lived, all my life in Mexico city I am waht we call a "city rat". The Taschen book fills my lack of knowledge on trees and woods.

Presentation is superb and the case even sounds like wood when you knock it.

I saw the book at Paris last opened museum, the Quai Branly, but due to the weight I waited until I came back.

You can not miss it with this book.

This book was a birthday gift for my brother, a talented wood worker who built his own home, decks and remodels all over the northeastern US, tables, jewelry boxes, domino boxes, and spectacular bowls. He was delighted with the book.

The Woodbook is another welcome Taschen addition to our design library. Long overdue this compilation delivers to the point easy to compare notes and images in varied cross cut and with the grain directions. Even suitability and durability is covered. Brilliant!

Excellent Value. I am an advanced hobbist woodworker and this book is an a great reference for a multitude of common & somewhat rare or unusal North American wood. If you buy your wood from one-man or small sawmills, this is very good reference for identification. Additionaly, shrinkage data, 3 view pictures of grain & surface, and application data make this book very important reference work for your personal library.

I could also see where environmentalists and outdoorsmen would find valuble.

No tool reviews, no "how-to" pages: just pictures of beautiful bowls. Some right off the lathe, and some where the lathe was the tool that created the canvas, and then the artist started to create. Many names I recognized, and lots of new names also. Highly recommended if you want to see fresh ideas from both the known and not-yet-known.

Excellent photography throughout.

Bought this for my dad for Christmas. Anyone that picked it up couldn't put it down. I looked through it at least 5 times before leaving for home. Great photography and very inspirational to anyone who turns wood.

Having turned hundreds of bowls over the last five years
I thought I was a competent bowl turner, until I purchased
this book.......... Every page has work that I have never been
able to do.......This material is challenging and life changing.
.
After studying this book I took my lathe and threw it off the top
of the tallest mountain In all of Oklahoma. I then came to my senses,
Recovered my lathe, still useable after an 18 inch drop.
I have started turning again....with renewed vision and focus.
.
"Oh snail climb mount Fuji"
.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to turn bowls
And wants to see really amazing work.

The publisher of this book is also responsible for '400 Wood Boxes,' which I reviewed about a year ago. Both books are juried photographic collections of the work of contemporary woodcrafters. '500 Wood Bowls' is a more eclectic selection composed of almost anything that could be considered a bowl that has some wood in it. This actually is my one complaint about an otherwise very well done collection. In favoring the more modern and experimental work, a great deal of contemporary work that is more traditional, and more focused on the wood got left out.

Don't get me wrong, there's much to admire and wonder at. As a struggling woodturner I find much inspiration here, and a good deal to feel envious about. I've just added a large lathe to my workshop, and bowls continue to elude me. If it wasn't for books like this I would have resigned myself to making very expensive dowels. Here the reader sees possibility and knows that incredibly fine work can be done, whether he be turner, carver, or a collector. Lark books should be congratulated for a very high quality effort at a very reachable price.

This book is beyond awesome!! What a fine collection of bowls, from the most intricate to the outlandishly uncommon. This book has the most incredible collection of innovative turning, carving, and transforming of wood that I have even seen. From intricate inlays to woodburned accents, including segmented to free form with every unbelievable artistic vision and extra-ordinary form of artwork in between. Many common ordinary available woods along with exotic and worldly woods are shown in so many unthinkable showpieces. Every new page turned brings "I can't believe how incredible" to a new height.
Some leave one wondering just "How could this be done?"
If anyone ever needs a book to inspire, motivate, and capture the drive within to create, this is the book.
Every photo is crisp, clear, in color, and close-up. Each labeled with the dimensions and some with the author, and most all with the type of wood used.
416 pages, many with 2 pictures per page. Very professionaly photographed and displayed in an exceptional book.
Some books show bowls, this book inspires greatness!!
Highly recommended and a book to KEEP!

This book reads easily and I felt I was experiencing the different destinations explored. As each chapter is unrelated to the other, I easily put the book down on my coffee table only to pick it up a few days or a week later without having to refresh my memory.

As a result of the way it's put together, each chapter is a new and exciting travel experience. Barrie's outgoing personality comes through in his writings. Obviously, he enjoys leading tours and experiencing various places, even enjoying them again and again through the eyes of "first timers."

This is easy, pleasant reading, although it's apparent that Mr. Woods does his homework before venturing out in the world. He includes historical information as well as discribing current experiences. This is a delightful book!

You have taken me on a fabulous worldwide trip! Your take on the places that I have been was absolutely accurate.... facts with a generous dose of humor. You have encouraged me to travel to more of your destinations. Delicious read! Great wit, great style, plus many "insider" tips for the traveller. Please keep writing. I fear we (the public) may lose you to stand up comedy. Thank you again.

Humor and observation blend in Barrie Woods' Adventures In Travel, an autobiography and travelogue of encounters with other peoples and cultures around the world. The first-person encounters are vividly described and any who desire a lively armchair read will relish this set of adventures.

At last I've been to South Africa...a unique experience. Have you ever been to Cape Town? Fascinating. So many interesting buildings built in the 1600's. The Castle of Good Hope, for one...the original fort of Cape Town. The stonework was amazing. From the scenic drive along the coast to the Good Hope Nature Reserve, South Africa is full of unbelievable sights. Of course, a safari (where cameras are the only things shooting), is a must in Africa. I've seen baboons, velvet monkeys, zebras, etc. I've also seen the wonder of our Alaskan glaciers. Did you know glaciers can swallow up a whole mountain? A glacier's new ice on top is brittle, but in the deepest levels the ice is like pliable plastic. Fascinating! Oh, and I've been to Peru...land of ancient cultures.

By the way, these wonderful trips were all made from my most comfortable easy chair, caffeine-free diet coke on the table beside me, my feet relaxing on a footstool handed down from my grandmother. ADVENTURES IN TRAVEL, by Barrie Woods, is a great deal of fun. I relived memories from some of my favorite travel destinations. And I feel as though I've been to other exotic world locations, as well. This book is a fabulous read, and I give it two thumbs up.

I just finished reading "Adventures in Travel". It is truly the best book I have ever read on Travel. You feel like you are travelling hand in hand with the Author. There is great humor as we travel along and the Author has a very keen sense of detail, you feel like you are there.

If you ever want to escape the pressures and stress of day to day life, pick up this book, fix a drink, relax and travel to them many ports-of-call all over, from the glitz of Reno to the mysteries of China and Turkey. See Russia, Scotland and even travel through the Panama Canal....Truly a must for the untraveled or the seasoned traveller....things to see and do if you plan on taking this trip in person. A fabulous experience for those who cannot affort to travel or for the person whose health prohibits travel...NOW you can go at your leisure. I look forward to more books from this Author. I wish history books had been written by him, it would have been much more enjoyable.

I think it's very funny that she doesn't waste paper by diving right in with tips and doesn't bother to space out paragraphs. I actually like this more than Tightwad Gazette which tries not to be too preachy. Not Mrs. Childs, she's my kind of charismatic and she's preaching to the choir! I wish I lived as frugally as I should but this book is wonderfully bracing. Her analysis of consumerism still applies today.

The thoughts and ideas of the 1800's could be applied to todays world to make it a better place. Like putting more energy into our morals and pride rather than trying to keep up with the Jones'. A wonderfull and funny look at many things that have gone wrong with society over the years.
I read just a few pages in a little store, than had to come home and find it to buy for myself.

Both the prose and the basic philosophy espoused by this book are refreshing on todays palate. No over-wrought writing or get ahead mentality here. The book gives a wonderful view of household life in the 1800's, covering ground from pudding recipes to the best and cheapenst method for cleaning your candle stick holders and treating common ailments. Liberally spiced with the philosophy of a frugal housewife who's example many of us would do well to follow.

I bought this book at a Revolutionar War event this past weekend and I've read it 3 times already (Purchased Sunday, and it's now Tuesday morning). My husband can't believe that I can't put this down. But I find it fascinating reading. Many of the little tips in here are still on many websites today for frugal living (olive oil and a little white vinegar for a wood furniture polish, for example).

Easy and fascinating reading for anyone interested in history, frugal living, and occassionaly a good laugh.

I got this book over 10 years ago, at the Sturbridge Village gift shop, and I swear, I've read it so much that I probably have whole sections memorized! It is, without doubt, THE best book of its kind.

The American Frugal Housewife is fascinating on a variety of levels, not the least in that Child wrote the book with the emphasis on "AMERICAN." Other such books existed at the time, but they were written in England and for English women. Child was one of the Transcendentalists who were huge advocates of personal self-discipline and restraint, but believed to their core the importance of fighting for what they knew to be right. It wasn't just a religious fervor -although Child's Christianity, like that of Catherine and Harriet Beecher Stowe, was extremely important - but a belief that the still relatively new United States had a unique destiny that set it apart from the rest of the world, specifically the old, decrepit world that was Europe.

Child was no blindfolded nationalist, however. She saw the flaws and contradictions that bound the new Republic. Child, like many other Transcendentalists, was a fervent abolitionist and a proponent of women's equality, and worked all her life toward achieving those ends. Even with its problems, Child was an ardent American. She saw Americans as a unique race of people with a unique and powerful destiny. Americans, she believed, were new and unique, and that the American destiny was far different from the degenerate, rotting hulk of Old World Europe.

So what does all this have to do with the American Frugal Housewife? Well, Child wrote the book specifically to address AMERICAN houswives and what she knew to be their unique problems and issues. It's much more than just a recipe book; it embodies Child's philosophy that the only way toward virtue was self-restraint and sobriety, and that the way to tutor the new nation in these values was by teaching the nation's housewives - the hand that rocks the cradle, Child believed, did indeed rule the world.

The new nation was becoming prosperous, and Child saw that then, like now, people had a difficult time learning how to restrain themselves financially. One part in particular has to do with how mothers should raise their daughters. Child believed they should teach their offspring the virtues of frugality, that it was better to put savings "out at interest" and earn wealth from it, then to indulge in the latest fad - one in this case being something called a Brussels carpet. As new brides went out to set up their household, Child lectures at how they drive their husbands to bankruptcy by embracing fads and trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Other, cheaper types of carpet "will answer just as well," Child wrote. She also recommends using cheap illustrations, nicely framed, as wall art, rather than going overboard to buy the latest European style.

Some of the best sections are on frugality. Child was the "Hints from Heloise" queen of her day, and she's got a solution for everything that could possibly beset the early 19th century housewife. The interesting thing, as others have noted, is how so many of her tips still work so well.

I don't know that I'm ever going to need her instructions on how to brew my own soap in a backyard kettle or how to keep my homemade pickles in a barrel from turning soft, but I did get a burn mark out of an antique chest by using rottenstone and oil, just as she prescribed.

What's rottenstone, you ask? Well, you can buy it at a hardware store, but if you want the recipe, buy the book! It's a fantastic window on early American life, but the sound advice inside, about not getting into debt and how to "do up" your brass so it doesn't tarnish, is still amazingly useful.

I guarantee you'll become a Child fan, just like me! :)

When I was a young reader, this book and its sequels were one of the first I picked up. I loved the animated series and jumped right into the novels. If you've seen the series you will notice several differences, most notably the gender changes of some of the characters; in the book the main cast is almost exclusively male, and the series balanced things out a bit. The sequels were treated very differently on television, but the original series treats the novel with the care and grace it deserves.

The writing is difficult to review not because of flaws or unusual style, but because of its simplicity. Dann works hard to maintain a perfect clarity throughout, in terms of the well-constructed characters and the simple yet thoroughly engaging plot. It's an easy read and one the kids will truly adore, and is a wonderfully nostalgic read for myself and many others. If you are an adult and unfamiliar with the series though, you may not find the substance you were looking for in this first book, but you will most likely enjoy the next few instalments in the series.

Concisely planned and well thought out.

The animals of Farthing Wood is a short but very amusing novel told from the view of a small group of woodland creatures intent on finding a new home. There arn't many books on in this type of category and I must say I fully enjoyed it. The tale goes of how Farthing wood, home of around two dozen creatures is in danger of being destroyed by man. Distraught, the animal's only way of surviving is by reaching a nature reserve - White Deer Park. Led by Fox (a main character)the group takes an oath to not eat each other and travel through danger after danger on their long journey. There are many sequels stemming from this book and the entire story has been adapted by a cartoon under the same name - one of the best I've seen at that. All in all this book is worth reading. An adventure of a different kind.

Farthing Wood is being destroyed by human development, and the animals decide that they need to move to a safer place, a wildlife sanctuary called White Deer Park.

This is a truly delightful tale about how the creatures band together (friend and foe alike) and their adventures as they travel from their threatened home to a safe place that only one of them (Toad) has ever seen.

Recommended for children and adults both. I wish I'd discovered this story earlier!

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

When I was little I used to watch the T.v series, The Animals Of Farthing Wood, and I loved it!!!!!!! It contributed to my love of animals and when I read this first book I found it even better!
This story of how the Animals OF Farthing Wood find their home being destroyed and have to leave is a remarkable tale of love as they have to learn to trust each other, including sneeky Adder. I love all the charcters, especially Fox, Vixen and extremly funny Weasel. This book made me laugh and cry (especially when the hedgehogs got run over!) and I stayed in my room reading for hours. It is definatly a must-read for anyone who loves animals. If you have kids, then read them this book! I benifited hugely from it! I still have the T.v series on tape, even though I hardly ever watch it I won't let anyone tspe over it!
The next books are just as good as the first, and I thouroughly enjoyed the prequel (The Animals Of Farthing Wood, The Adventure Begins.) The next books are great as we learn about Fox and Vixen's cubs (Bold, Friendly, Charmer and Dreamer). Bold runs away from the animal's new home White Deer Park seeking adventure and Charmer typicly falls in love with Scar Face's son Ranger. (Scar Face is her dad Foxe's arch enemy) It's an ace tale and I hope that Colin Dann writes some more books as I've read most of them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!xxx

This is a great book and is the best book I have ever read. The book is about a group of wildlife from Farthing Wood who,s homes are being destroyed. The animals do nothing about it untill the humans filled in the pond. Then they all meet in Badger,s set to discuss the problem together but nobody has any ideas untill Toad (who has been missing for over a year) returns and tells the animals that on his travels he came across a Nature Reserve called White Deer Park. The animals agree and the next night they leave led by Fox. But the creatures face many dangers and some die. I realy recommened this book. It is a wonderful tale.

I was in an AP Comparative Government course and the textbook we used was awful: wordy, dull, and oddly organized. Ethel Woods's review book was a life-saver - I didn't have to read my textbook at all. The writing is clear and concise, and actually fun to read. The structure of each chapter makes the material easier to study. The chapters contain all the information needed to do well in the course, but are not too long. Each chapter is also followed by a practice exam of multiple choice questions modelled after those of the AP Comparative Exam. The book also has two sample tests at the end, again based on the format of the AP Exam. I highly recommend this book.

This is THE book to get for Comparative Government AP. Trust me. I took it last year. I'm actually keeping this book for further reference because it is so clear and full of accessible knowledge in a very good and concise layout. Kudos to the author.
Must-have!

I decided to take the AP Comparative Government exam at the last minute. I ordered this book and took notes on the introduction and read through the rest. I wasn't sure I'd done enough, but I just got my score back: I got a five. This book prepares you for everything on the exam and is an excellent self-study resource. If you have a little extra time, buy this book and take the exam. Might as well get some extra college credit!

I decided to take the AP Comparative test as I as already in the US Gov/Politics course. After wallowing through the year without really reading my independent study book for the course, I realized about two weeks from the test date that I would essentially be guaranteeing myself a 3 or lower without any actual knowledge of the country cases and whatnot.

Ordered this book and read it in less than 5 days. Took the test and received a 5.

The book is nicely divided into overviews and then country cases. The test questions at the end of the section closely imitates that which actually appear on the AP test. While examples are provided in the text in regards to situations with the countries, it is always encouraged that you note recent events, as AP graders will take those into account when grading your test, even if it's past the normal curriculum that is expected to be known.

The fact that this was able to replace a textbook in clarity and knowledge surprised me. If you want a concise look at comparative government with unparalleled attention to detail, look no further.

Lots of textbook and study guide on US but only a few books can be found on Comparative!!
Among very few, this one is the best at least so far.

great book shipped extremely fast the book itself shows many different artist and styles. not much on how to but has plenty of inspiration and detail.

Jessie Groeschen does an excellent job documenting chainsaw carving from the "Founding Fathers" (and Mothers) to modern day artists. She also includes summaries of some of the more prestigious events in this relatively unknown form of artwork. The biographies also include a plethora of pictures of each artist's works. To top it off the author provides a step by step pictorial to create your own chainsaw art. It would be a great coffee table book for chainsaw enthusiasts, art enthusiasts, and/or Pacific Northwest culture enthusiasts.

I am a collector of chainsaw art. My first purchase was back in 1986. I feel I can't have enough carvings. I even own a few pieces by a couple people featured in this book. Knowing some of their story makes it even more meaningful. I enjoyed the book and have it on our coffee table for others to enjoy.

I read this book cover to cover and in my opinion, no other chainsaw carving book allows the reader to feel as though they know the carvers the way that this book does! Jessie does a GREAT job at having the reader identify with the top carvers of our time! I've personally been carving for about two years and through reading about all of the various artists journeys, it has helped me to realize that someday, if I continue to work hard, I could actually meet some of these wonderful people! Jessie has made it clear that if you work hard and believe in your art, that a dream can become a reality! Thanks Jessie! Steve Rager...

I'm very happy to have this book, to show people who come to see my carvings, to inspire me, and to reinforce the idea that there are as many approaches to carving as there are carvers, and only a few of them involve bears.
The book is excellently produced, with great photos and entertaining text. I have met some of the carvers featured, and it's good to know more of their history and approach to carving.
For the record, there's one step-by-step in the book; Jessie showing how to carve a chair. If you want to learn how to carve, there are other books. But if you want to know why we carve, this is the one.