Miniature Books

Great read. If you do not find it funny, you have never 1) been in love or 2) been married. Don't bother with the miniature 1995 edition though. Too much great stuff is left out. Go with the 1985 classic. Contains such great information as how to argue with your spouse, good and bad reasons to get married and how to offer unacceptable apologies. Fun quizzes and tests as well. A little rough around some edges. Generally for adult readers.

I was lent a copy of this book by a friend while in Ireland and since then have been trying to obtain a copy for myself.

What a comedy! If you like to laugh at life and see the funny side of marriage (with just a touch of black humour) then this is the book for you!

Very funny little book - my sister got it for me for my birthday a few years ago, and together we read it in the very snobby restaurant where our family dined that night. We were howling, almost under the table from laughing so hard - much to the dismay of the diners around us!

This is a great book. You should defiantly read it. It inspired me to try to make a miniature zoo.

This book is great. I read this book recently and decided to make a miniature zoo. The books step by step instructions on building and managing are great. Everyone should read this book.

Do you love animals? Do you have a bit of extra time and are willing to sacrifice some elbow grease? Then you will enjoy this book. It is a comprehensive guide to keeping a small zoo in your boring backyard or in that old, empty room. If you choose to make your own miniature zoo, you won't regret it! It will provide many hours of interest and activity. If you choose not to build a zoo, you will still have earned valuable knowledge that can be used to keep an injured animal temporarily, if the need arises

This book shows how to make many aspects of a dollhouse better than just the plain finishing techniques included with a kit. It is written so that even a relatively new dollhouse builder can use the techniques and hints included. It covers all aspects of the finishing touches needed to take your dollhouse from the basic wooden frame to a nicely finished treasure.

This book is a great resource book. It is loaded with tips that can save you time and costly mistakes. The information contained in this book is adaptable to kit houses and from scratch. Well written and set up. I would highly reccommend.

I have this book out of the local library and highly recommend it. I am not a dolls' house/miniaturist, but I have larger scale fashion dolls and the like, and was looking for ideas of what to make for them.

I like that the layout of this book is so clear and open. There is a lot of white space, which makes the text easier to read. If one had one's own copy, it also means that there is room for notes such as where one might purchase some of the materials, or costs, or the like. I especially liked the sections about making kitchens, stairways, and roofing. Very highly recommended especially to the beginner who may be intimidated by the incredible detail and diversity of this hobby.

My son is now 20 years old, and this book was one of his very favorite books to read, in fact at age 2, he could recite the entire book!!
Purchased a new edition, for his 21st birthday.

This was my kids' introduction to dinosaurs, and it was an excellent way to introduce them in a non-threatening way. The brontosaurus of the title is friendly, cute and peaceful. The book does, though, show a good range of other dinosaurs, like allosaurs and triceratops. The book doesn't go into depth, but what it does it does right.

This is a cute book. Although the size of the book is somewhat small, it has an imaginative story of a dinosaur living during our time and how he would not fit in very well. A Good book.

Though I have ancestors from Scottland, I sadly do not know much about the country's history. Perhaps a more thorough knowledge would lead to even greater apprecation of this poem, but the introduction gave me enough background to not feel completely stupid as I became sucked into the passionate story of chivalry, adventure, and revenge. The story explores characters in the vicinity of King James V's administration's attack on the wild men of the Highlands. However, they have their own version of the story, being people who don't much care for being mowed down without so much as a trial. In the center of it all is Ellen, a Douglas daughter who lives a nearly-enchanted life in a peaceful, hidden lake. Though I understand Scott's novels are superior to his poems, this is not bad poetry by any means. The verse takes us through widely-scoping, descriptive scenes as well as deeply personal emotions. There is danger, romance, blood, intrigue, everything needed for a great story.

I purchased this for my husband, and just as a "to read" model. It is NOT a collector but is an excellent SOURCE for reading.

INTRODUCTORY SYNOPSIS: The hero of THE LADY OF THE LAKE is James Stewart. To Ellen Douglas, the Lady of the Lake, he calls himself James Fitz-James and The Knight of Snowdoun. When, on a second visit, she declines his invitation to come with him to Stirling and become either James's wife (her interpretation) or his mistress (James's intent), the kind-hearted amourist proves a good loser and gives Ellen a ring to admit her instantly to his chum King James V should she ever need help. At poem's end, Ellen comes to Stirling to plead for both her imprisoned father, Lord James Douglas, onetime mentor of the youthful monarch, and for her lover Malcolm Graeme, a ward of the king. James Fitz-James keeps Ellen in suspense as he leads her in to present her to the King. But where is the King, Ellen wonders, as she looks about? Why is everyone focused on her escort?

"To him each lady's look was lent,
On him each courtier's eye was bent;
'Midst furs and silks and jewels sheen,
He stood, in simple Lincoln green,
The centre of the glittering ring, --
And Snowdoun's Knight is Scotland's King." (Canto VI, Stanza xxvi)

The playful king soon reveals that her father and he have made peace. His ward, Malcolm Graeme, had offered the Douglas shelter despite the King's general loathing of the clan which had held him virtual captive during his boyhood. Will Ellen not plead for him? No? Then he must be chained.

"His chain of gold the King unstrung,
The links o'er Malcolm's neck he flung,
Then gently drew the glittering band,
And laid the clasp on Ellen's hand." (Canto VI, Stanza xxix)
END INTRODUCTORY SYNOPSIS

KIng James V (1512 - 1542) was the father of Mary Queen of Scots. There are similarities in character both to England's Henry V and Baghdad's Haroun al Raschid. James V was a good, strong king, protector of the poor, often going out among them in disguise, either to detect and correct their woes or to woo their daughters. He died young, forecasting correctly that the Stewart dynasty would end in less than two centuries "with a lass" (Queen Anne) as it had begun with a lass, the daughter of Robert the Bruce.

Scott's poem THE LADY OF THE LAKE sketches six days in the life of a good-hearted, randy, grudge-bearing, high tempered young monarch. The title of the six cantos sketch the tale's progress:

The Lake.
The Island.
The Gathering.
The Prophecy.
The Combat.
The Guard-Room.

-- I. The Lake. James Fitz-James, lost hunting a stag in the Trossachs of Scotland, is given a night's hospitality by Ellen, the lady of the lake, and by the mother of the castle's owner, on an island in Loch Katrine belonging to Roderick Dhu (Black Roderick). Roderick, with his aged mother Margaret, shelters Ellen and her banished father, the once mighty Lord James Douglas. Fitz-James is smitten by Ellen. But leaves at dawn.

-- II. The Island. The island's owner, Roderick Dhu, is rowed to his island fortress while his hardy followers sing "Hail to the Chief," which has become the American Presidential processional hymn. Ellen's father also returns, with her young admirer Malcolm Graeme in tow. Roderick asks Ellen's hand but this is denied by her father. Ellen's two admirers quarrel and Malcolm then swims the length of Loch Katrine rather than be indebted to Roderick for a boat.

-- III. The Gathering. Believing that King James means to march into the Trossachs to subdue Clan Alpine, clan chief Roderick Dhu has the wild Brian the Hermit peform semi-pagan rites, then sends out the burning cross to assemble his liege men for war at Lanrick mead. Duncan, Ellen and the minstrel Allan hide from the King in the Goblin Cave.


-- IV. The Prophecy. The hermit Brian prophesies that whichever chief "spills the foremost foeman's life, that party conquers in the strife" (Stanza vi). James Fitz-James arrives on foot planning to take Ellen to safety behind royal lines. But he is being led into a trap by a man of Roderick. Ellen will not leave. James gives Ellen a ring to gain instant admission to King James should she ever need him. Fleeing pursuit. James meets Blanche of Devan, a mad woman whose brand new bridegroom had been murdered by Roderick during a raid into the Scottish lowlands. She asks for vengeance. The guide shoots off an arrow at James but kills Blanche instead. James pursues and kills the traitor guide. He later comes upon Roderick. Neither recognizes the other though they exchange frank views. They spend a hospitable evening together before departing at dawn for a proper dueling place.


-- V. The Combat. Once just beyond Roderick's mountain fiefdom, they duel. Terribly wounded, Roderick grapples James and would have killed him but his strength fails. James bugles for help and has the wounded man carried to Stirling castle. En route James recognizes Lord James of Douglas, who is coming to Stirling to give himself up for the cause of peace between King and Clan Alpine. James allows Douglas entry to the castle grounds, where a popular athletic contest is about to take place. The aging but still incomparably powerful and gifted Douglas enters the contests and wins at archery, wrestling and hurling. The king gives awards but otherwise ignores him. At last, Douglas identifies himself and his reason for surrendering and is led to prison.

-- VI. The Guard-Room. Ellen and the minstrel Allan pass through the guard-room occupied by foreign mercenaries. She awaits audience with the King. Allan asks to be admitted to his imprisoned master. The warder thinks Roderick Dhu is meant. The dying Roderick asks Allan to sing of the battle just ended by the King's truce. Meanwhile, the King has made peace with the imprisoned Douglas. Still in his assumed role, James leads Ellen in to an audience with the king. He cannot grant her mercy to the newly dead Roderick. And her reconciled father needs no mercy. He teases Ellen to intercede for Malcolm. When she does not, the King places a golden chain on Malcolm's neck and places its clasp in Ellen's hand. She may now marry the Graeme.

THE LADY OF THE LAKE is made up of hundreds of gorgeous lines, mostly iambic tetrameters, of descriptions of nature, hunting, mobilization of a highland army, politics, character and love. You can read this poem aloud in two hours. Its music will ring with you forever. -OOO-

Precise, organized, illustrated. One of my goals was to find out more about materials and here, because the author is British, I didn't receive the satisfaction I sought. Names of materials in the U.K. are likely different than in the U.S. (if found here at all) so I'd like to know what the U.S. versions are especially if i can just saunter down to the local Home Despot and pick it up cheap vs. ordering via the web.

Very interesting book on creating and using marionettes. It touches on making a variety of different types, including making 4-legged animal marionettes, and using an assortment of materials. Well worth having on hand.

This is a gorgeously printed state-of-the-art book on marionette making. I have so many books from the past on this, but it is so delightful to see something current, and this is it. This is bound to become a collectible book. Be sure and get this one before it is out of print - I doubt many were made. Great stuff on trick marionettes, as well.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of this book. I had seen and read it at the library and fell in love with its detailed descriptions and inspiration rooms. At first glance I wondered how I could create any of the rooms that were shown, but I noticed how easily the directions were read and how clearly the patterns were printed. Wonderul book! Many thanks to the author! Bravo!

Among "How-To" books, this is a standout. Includes specifics on how to build everything from victorian parlor furniture to a palm-shaded island porch. Instructions are clear, patterns are already in 12-inch scale. Beautifully illustrated. A must for any miniaturist!

This book is chock full of great ideas and includes some more modern furniture..something that many miniature books are lacking. The directions are a bit difficult to follow and have to be read very carefully. Measurements are sometimes not correctly stated. If your unsure..make a paper pattern first. Final results will be much better.

This book has those things that are very hard to find: excellent plans for doll-sized furniture and good instruction on how to make them.

In a field with no published works on making fine doll furniture, this is a gem. Keep in mind that these plans are for 20-30 inch dolls. The basic information is explained, but some basic woodworking skills will be needed. The measurements are quite valuable and illustrated plans are good, and one should take note of the doll sizes that will match the scale. All the furniture plans are colonial reproductions. If time and care is taken using these plans, very fine heirlooms can be created for those little girls in the family.

I don't dominate English very well, but I am very easy of understanding and of carrying out the projects that he explains, everything it is useful and easy of carrying out

This book gives a strong foundation for the beginning marine aquarium hobbyist, but also is helpful to those with more knowledge. Good pictures & illustrations, too.

The book has all you need to know to get started in marine aquarium keeping. The pictures and diagrams are wonderful, the writing is very easy to understand. I'd recommend this book for all new marine hobbyists, as well as those who have been involved in the marine hobby for a while...a great resour

This was the first book I bought as I dove into the hobby of miniture reef aquaria. It has nice sections on tank setup and fish selection, but lacks substance in the corals area. This would be a great book for a fish-only tank hobbiest, but for those seeking to create miniture reefs in their homes, I would recommend something with a little more depth.

An excelent book, all voices written on original clefs, alternate vocal parts for 'Et in unum Dominum' included, music font excelent, text original. A MUST for all who praise the work of Johann Sebastian Bach.

The Dover Editions offer very affordable editions of some of the masterpieces of Classical music. In this way, the J.S. Bach Mass in B minor score is no exception. Offers alternate vocal part for the "Et in unum Dominum" duet. Plenty of room on the pages for notes, analytical comments, etc. Vocal parts are written in their respective clef as the score is taken from the Bach-Gesellschaft Edition. A must for any serious student of the music of J.S. Bach.

For those thinking of purchasing this edition, keep in mind that like many Dover scores, this one uses C-cleff notation. I'm not sure if I am supposed to be reviewing the work, or the edition. But I assume it's the edition, since nothing I say could possibly effect the way the music world's opinion of the great B Binor Mass. Other than the cleffs and the small print, it's a quality score.