Amateur Books

This book is perfect for anyone who owns a home--especially and older home. From the first chapter, which describes in detail how to strip a room down to its bare bones, to others which describe how to make repairs to staircases, wallpaper around arches and other obstacles, lay flooring, etc., this book is packed with information and step by step instructions. Each chapter is divided into different tasks (for instance, the chapter on refinishing a hardwood floor separates out the tasks of sanding, repairing cracks, replacing a damaged board, and others), and each task is summarized with an approximate skill level, working time, and tools needed.

Great book.

This book has easy to follow, step by step techniques, illustrated w/full color photography to show you how to improve your home. The pages are filled with inspirational photo's of newly decorated rooms to fire your imagination. Alternative treatments let you customize your decoration to suit your own tastes. It also has numerous practical hints & lists of tools & materials to make sure your home improvements go smoothly.

Recently, I have looked through a lot of astronomy books and Touring the Universe really stands out. It's packed with information that's presented in an attractive and understandable format with a lot of colorful graphics. What truly sets this book apart are the star charts that cover the entire celestial sphere. Wherever I go in the world, I have a star chart for it. Combined with the tables of events, I can plan my vacations for whatever is happening up there-until 2017!

I NEVER buy astronomy books--I live in Seattle! But since I've had this book, I'm amazed at how many times I've used it for camping, as a reference...even to settle arguments. Not only is it full of useful facts, tables and history, but it's laid out beautifully and simply. The photos and illustrations are beautiful, but it's less expensive than most other coffee table books out there. Who knows, maybe one day I'll even use the chapters on telescopes and lenses--check out the handy comparison chart on page 59!

The latest version of Hyperion's popular book, "The Art of Animation," will soon be available in bookstores. Bob Thomas, the author who wrote the original "Art of Animation" back in 1958, has merged the existing versions of his book with previously unpublished interviews with Walt Disney and new material from Disney's upcoming "Hercules" to create a chronicle of Disney animation that is bigger and better than ever.

The new edition of Thomas's book is entitled "Disney's Art of Animation: From Mickey Mouse to Hercules." Whether or not you own an earlier version of the work, the Disney fan in you will find this new book interesting and worthwhile.

As in the past, "Art of Animation" is split into two parts. The first half is dubbed "History of a New Art," and its nine chapters recount the history of animation, particularly the pioneering work of Walt Disney and his studio. The second portion of the book is called "The Making of Hercules," a

I really like this book. It lists materials and techniques that I had not really considered before. Although it did not answer all my questions it gave me a really good preview of what is out there and what it takes to use it. I think this will be a good book to have around for years to come. I am glad I bought it.

This book covers all aspects of masonry work, from new construction through repair. As a carpenter, I have previous experience with some of the basics of the topics covered, and I would feel confident following the procedures in the book to complete any of the projects listed.

As with any work of this nature, there's a reason why some people do this professionally -- there's a lot that takes experience to learn. But, if you know a few basics you'll probably be glad to have this book as a reference.

This book provides the basic information you need to get started on plumbing a house and the in depth knowledge needed to complete the job. It's a good read for understanding plumbing.

Merle Henkenius holds a master plumber's license and has extensive experience in home construction, so he's the perfect author to create a do-it-yourself plumbing guide in ULTIMATE GUIDE TO PLUMBING: COMPLETE PROJECTS FOR THE HOME, which appears in a new, expanded edition to provide basic step-by-step instruction for installing sinks faucets, showers and repairing all such fixtures. Color photos throughout accompany step-by-step instructions and flow charts which are easy to follow, making this an excellent pick for both do-it-yourself homeowners and libraries catering to them.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

I loved the artwork and descriptions of the animation process. (The display of the art is organized to also help explain the process.) Also "behind the scenes" recollections of how the movie was made as well as a discussion on how to conserve, and prepare for sale, animation artwork. This can be equally appreciated by those with serious or casual interest in animation art.

This book offers a clear and concise introduction to the development of Walt Disney's first full-length animated feature. The book's use of stills, roughs, and concept art vividly illustrate much of the "magic" that goes into making an animated film. Not only that, but the book's incorporation of technical details provides enough "insider information" to appeal to those wanting to know more about the how of animation. In fact, I used the book's section on the multiplane camera to introduce the invention's importance to an introductory class in animation. It worked wonders!

Also nicely developed in the book is how Snow White set the production and narrative standards for the Disney's subsequent films. It's nice to see a coffee table book with substance!

Once you see the "cloud door" and two-tone butterfly stenciled wall, you will know why this book is cutesy. It contains fun projects that are going to brighten up your home without too much work. I've been wondering how to hang some curtains above a doorway and on page 18, they have a wonderful solution.

I've never even thought of stenciling tiles before. This project could have all sorts of possibilities if you like to match designs to wallpaper or curtains.

If you are new to sewing, there are so many step-by-step instructions! The painting section is also helpful. They show you the items so you can find them when you head off to the local paint store. The stencil designs are included in the template and stencil section. Love the butterflies!

You will find projects for:

Halls - stone blocks, shade with ties, wood grained door, door curtain, umbrella stand, console table cover, stained floorboards.
Living Rooms - Envelope pillows, marbled fireplace, cube footstool, throw, decoupage screen, roman shade, crackle frames, pleated drapes.
Dining Rooms - table napkins and placemats, stamped walls, reversible tablecloth, faux lacquer cabinet, colorwash walls, lamp, gathered valance.
Kitchens - bench cushions, dragged cabinet doors, checked walls, café curtain, stenciled tiles.
Garden Rooms - Verdigris chair, stenciled floor rug, bolster, distressed door, topiary mural, director's chair.
Bedrooms - appliquéd bed linen, stenciled walls, lined baskets, bed canopy, headboard cover, simple quilt, cloud door.
Bathrooms - organizers, shower curtain, mosaic backspash, window shade, glass panels.

The painting projects are definitely the highlight, you won't believe the stone block wall you can create.

Enjoy!

~The Rebecca Review

Out of all the many decorating books I own, this is my favorite! It has projects for every room in your home; kitchens, bedrooms and bath, living and dining rooms and much more. Every project listed gives you the tools and materials you will need and a time guide to follow. The projects vary from painting and stenciling tiles in the kitchen to colorwashing or stamping your walls. The book has step-by-step instructions for each decorating idea that are easy to follow. At the end of the book, there are helpful tips from different sewing techniques (how to cord a shade) to painting techniques (how to mark Trompe L'oeil panels). Also included are templates for some of the projects demonstrated in this book. I highly recommended this book to anyone who loves to create whether it be sewing your own placemats or stenciling a floor rug!

What's Out Tonight? is an exceptional astronomical field guide covering North American star fields from 2000 to 2050. Ken Graun provides 50 years of Moon phases, Planetary positions; solar and lunar eclipses, annual meteor showers, sunrise/sunset times for 200 cities; 25 celestial objects for observation; monthly star charts, and a Moon Map. An informative, comprehensive, "reader friendly" manual, What's Out Tonight? is enhanced with tabbed pages, cross references, tables and charts, explanatory illustrations, more than 75 photographs, historical timeline, glossary, and an index. Whether casual amateur or dedicated astronomer, What's Out Tonight? is a premiere reference guide for finding and observing all the major celestial phenomena and objects.

Ken Graun has struck a perfect balance of crispness and completeness with his presentation of celestial facts in "What's Out Tonight?". This book is great for those of us (like me) who love astronomy but don't have the time to observe every night (or even every month). It provides a 50 year guide to the moon phases and best planet observing periods (and much more) so you can either plan your outdoor observing well in advance, or quickly create a plan for tonight's sky. This guide recommends (and helps locate) deep space objects of interest throughout the year. I found the readability and layout of the book's tables and figures perfect for teaching both the Boy Scout Astronomy and Space Exploration merit badges. This field guide can excite and teach a 10 year old, and still function flawlessly for me as a reference source. Satisfying this wide a range of readers proves how gifted Ken Graun is as an author. After you get this book, the next time you set up your scope and attract neighbors that ask, "What's Out Tonight?", you'll be ready.

Our daughter is obsessed with this book! The binding is kind of crappy and fell apart quickly, so we had it spiral bound. This was a worthwhile investment, as our kid can't get enough of this book.

What a fantastic A-Z book. There are many of this type around but this is among the best I've found. First of all, the amazing illustrations are bold, colorful and contemporary. The layout is superb pairing a simple, large letter pair (upper and lower case) with the name of the animal in a slightly smaller font on the one side with the animal counterpart on the next. Some of the featured animals are common (horse, sheep, lion, etc.) and some are more obscure(uakari, zorilla)but a guide to the less familiar is offered at the back. It is a bit heavy on the birds (9 letters are dedicated to our feathered friends) but this complaint is very minor given the quality and educational value of this book. Most definitely recommended.

Wonderfully written book from the point of view of the filmmakers themselves. Easy to understand, very creative ideas are presented. Some of these animators are still going strong today; Peter Wallach, particularly. I wish he would post on Anthony Scott's SMA forums...

This book is a great resource for someone getting into animation as a hobby whether you're working in 16mm or super8. It's basically a collection of essays written by young film makers (ages 11-25 or so)concerning their film projects and techniques. It covers stop motion animation and cel animation techniques for films that have little or no budjet. It's too bad that it's out of print especially with the recent come back of super8 film as a viable format for independent and young film makers. -Greg Nashville, TN