I am very impressed with the content and the overall knowledge with respect to marine carving by the author. His focus on design and project dimensions would make a huge difference on whether your carving looks good or improperly sized. He also covers techniques in wood bending and mounting scrolls and other objects over curved transoms. I can't wait to build my first nameboard for my boat after reading this gem.

Rufin has given us an excellent piece of historical fiction reminiscent of the works of G.A. Henty and James Mitchner. As one who travelled overland from Mashad, Iran to Herat, Afghanistan in March 1971 and April 1972, while an American Peace Corps volunteer in Iran, (6/70-6/72), I can relate to the setting. Shah Tahmasp II was ruling as the last of the Safavid Shahs of Persia, when two Afghan 'sardars', Mahmud and Ashraf conquered Isfahan, the Safavid capital, as well as the earlier capital Qazvin. Mahmud and Ashraf were from the Hotaki (Ghilzai) dynasty. They imposed Sunni rule briefly on Shi'ia Persia. The book has much suspense and is historically accurate. An excellent read.

When I launched into my MS field work in northeastern Minnesota, I was completely unfamiliar with the Great Lakes-Saint Lawrence transitional forest ecosystem, and therefore not a little unprepared! Fortunate indeed that I stumbled onto this little treasure.

Like all Sierra Club Naturalist's Guides, "The North Woods" starts with geology and soils, then ventures into plants, animals, and ecosystem structure. Simple photographs and line drawings are provided for some of the most common and especially important plant and animal species. If you're looking for a conventional field guide, however, this ain't it. Instead, "The North Woods" is a guide to communities and ecosystems. An excellent investment, and next to Heinselmann's "Boundary Waters" one of my favorites. -William Adair, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Utah State University

Ronald Tarjany's Simple Birdhouses And Feeders Of Wood is a practical, 64-page book of very practical, "bird friendly" designs of birdhouses and bird feeders which any do-it-yourself woodworker can create from simple, straight-forward, step-by-step blueprint instructions. A complete materials list provides the reader with the finished size for all of the projects, which includes a generic birdhouse; wren birdhouse; bluebird birdhouse; western martin triplex birdhouse; hopper wall mounted bird feeder; multi-station bird feeder; center column bird feeder; and more. Highly recommended and ideal for the novice, Simple Birdhouses And Feeders Of Wood is further enhanced for bird lovers with commentary on controlling unwanted predators; mounting birdhouses or feeders; and the construction of a mounting pole.

This book is aimed at relief printmaking without a press using a range of techniques from linocuts through to using found objects. The techniques are clearly described and are applied to a number of simple but attractive projects such as single pamphlet books. pillows or cards. The photographs are clear and helpful. I particularly liked the fact that Gwen Diehn went through the clean up process, which is often not covered in much detail, and that she used vegetable oil rather than the more noxious kerosene. Throughout the book are a number of inspiring examples by past and present printmakers which help to extend the processes described. Whilst this book is aimed primarily at beginners, it offers stimulus and information of use to the more experienced printmakers too.

I found this book to be easy reading. Her characters were explained in such a way you became very involved with each one of them. It was a great interpretation of human behavior. And the story kept your interest throughout the entire book. I have recommended this book to my friends and family. This book would make a great movie of the week.

My son, who is seventeen months old, loves this book, and it's easy to understand why. The simple text, about the reasons for smiling, is accompanied by lovely photos of multicultural children from all over the world.

This beautiful 202 page 8 x 11" softbound book has been revised with 1999 prices. There are 100's of large, sharp, beautiful full color and black and white photos. An introduction to smoking and its collectibles is provided. Topics range from Meerschaum pipes, ashtrays, punchboards, worlds fair and sheet music to match items, rollers, novelties, disposable lighters and pipe rests. Many full color photos of tin cigarette boxes, hard pack cigarettes, soft packs, cardboard boxes and sample packs are provided. A very interesting and useful up-do-date reference.

Ted Wood's Somebody Else's Summer is dated 1973 and is a collection of fine short stories. This book is 188 pages and the short stories are indeed short. One is four pages.

The opening story, Somebody Else's Summer (10 pages) deals with a man who soberly attends his daughter's wedding while his ex-wife warns him not to drink. Excellent writing.

Bed and Breakfast is about an amorous young man (but written so gentlemanly) who gets his wish.

Mr. Wood is a well-known Canadian mystery writer and this book is a collector's item: Excellent writing and style. Many more stories in this book to delight the discriminating reader.

For the record, Ted Wood isn't related to me.

Even if you never make a piece of lace in your life, this book is worth the price just for the gorgeous photographs! For those who actually do make bobbin lace, this selection of Milanese patterns is amazing. The use of color is beyond my power of description. What's more, the diagrams and instructions are crystal clear. One thing the lacemaker should be aware of, though: most of the threads used in this book are Guttermans' silk, and the colors have been renumbered since this book was published. Also, it would be helpful to have a good grounding in Milanese lace before trying any of the patterns in this book.