Imperial Mongolian Cooking: Recipes from the Kingdoms of Genghis Khan

Customer Reviews:

Brilliant original and entertaining.......2006-08-31

I confess that while travelling in Mongolia I didn't much enjoy the cuisine, afer a couple of days I missed fresh vegetables and fruit, and I never thought I would be raving about a cookbook on the topic. This book however is amazing and great fun. As the title says the recipes are from the kingdom of Genghis Khan and span Armenian, Korean, Tibetan, Georgian, Ukrainian and Inner Mongolian food among others (i.e. the recipes don't represent the cuisine of today's outer Mongolia). Apart from the recipes which are great - I made the mushroom momos and tibetan rice cookies as well as a spicy yoghurt dipping sauce to great acclaim. The ingredients are all readily available and some of the combinations (yoghurt, tomatoes,green chilis and paprika) are surprisingly wonderful. One of the things that makes me pick the book up time and again are the authors' amusing anecdotes about his grand-dad, who escaped Russia sewn into a bag of grain. The tid-bits of historical information are interesting too e.g.whenever a Khan died all the warriors had to retreat to Mongolia to re-elect a new one). There is only one problem, as pointed out by the reviewer before, with the book, there are no photos and if you don't know what something is supposed to look like the text doesn't help much. To prove the point: my Tibetan cookies didn't look anything like the ones I found on the web). I highly recommend this book, it's fun and interesting and spans a wide variety of cuisines and cultures. Great value for money and a great gift for yourself or a friend who loves food or history or both :)

Delicious, authentic and simple.......2001-03-26

Marc Cramer's book, Imperial Mongolian Cooking, rings true. Too often ethnic cookbooks err by either presenting recipes with ingredients and utensils so exotic that unless you happen to be travelling through the Khyber Pass, they are impossible to achieve. Or, cookbooks are so generic and bland that you'd wish you had eaten out rather than bought the book. Marc Cramer's Imperial Mongolian Cooking happily attains the golden mean where new techniques are introduced clearly, but with a combination of herbs, oils and spices that refreshes the palate, delights the nose and satisfies the appetite. I cooked a five course meal for my fiance -- who happens to be Mongolian -- using this book. I picked out recipes that reminded me of what I had eaten during my own travels to Central Asia, Inner Mongolia and the homes of my Ukrainian and Russian friends. Each dish -- from the lamb shashlyk in Georgian Plumb Sauce to the Uzbeki walnut cookies -- rang true. "Saihon oo!" he proclaimed, which is Mongolian for "Excellent!"

The book's only weakness is that I would have appreciated some drawings on how to fold cookies and shape pastries. Perhaps that is something that can be easily rectified when the book goes into its second edition.

One last note, for those who have thought for food and would like food for thought, I would again heartily recommend this book. Mr. Cramer does a wonderful job of mixing in stories of his family's Mongolian Russian roots and highlights of Mongolian history and culture into his excellent tome. Enjoy!

Brave New Cookery World.......2001-01-28

I was looking for something fresh and original when a friend told me about Imperial Mongolian Cooking. My curiosity got the better of me and I found I loved the book and the recipes. This is a very unusual cooking in concept, because it explores the cookery of Genghis Khan's empire, which included two dozen countries, but the recipes are carefully selected, easy to follow and just terrific. Loved it. Would I recommend it? Absolutely.

Sizzling Cookbook -- Meals Fit for a Khan.......2000-12-06

Just when I was beginning to lose hope of ever finding a genuinely interesting cookbook there's finally a fresh and original collection of recipes for us jaded cooks to enjoy. Imperial Mongolian Cooking is a collection of truly delicious recipes from the various countries that constituted the empire of Genghis Khan, including Asian and European dishes. The dishes are wonderfully exotic and tasty but they are also remarkably quick, easy, and economical to prepare. And fun, too. I really enjoyed the author's engaging introduction, which had as much flair and spirit as the recipes themselves. The chapters that followed really brought home the bacon with some truly imaginative recipes that were clearly written and resulted in some delightful meals. No, I haven't yet cooked everything in the book but I can always try. It's worth the effort because this cookbook really delivers. I especially enjoyed shashlyk, a Georgian-come-Russian shish kabob of marinated lamb that's smothered in delicious plum sauce. My wife loved the Persian spinach salad and the little ones wolfed down the Central Asian samsa walnut fritters like there was no tomorrow. If you are looking for a cookbook with a difference, you can't go wrong with Imperial Mongolian Cooking. This is one of the best cookbooks I've ever bought. Bravo!

Standard Catalog Of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money)
Average customer rating:
Standard Catalog Of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money)

Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)

Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Paper Money of the United States)

Standard Guide to Small Size U. S. Paper Money 1928 to Date

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Paper Money 2007, 39th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)

A Guide Book of United States Coins 2007 (60th Edition)

ASIN: 0896891550

Book Description

This 24th edition of the most comprehensive resource on U.S. currency is the one guide collectors need to stay on top of an intensely active paper money market. Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money delivers updated pricing information in three grades and more than 600 illustrations highlighting paper money printed in the U.S. since the 1860s.

Historic and economic details accompany major sections of this 240-page reference. This highly regarded resource features a complete national bank note listing and price chart, coverage of military payment certificates, silver and gold certificates, error notes and U.S. issues in the Philippines; plus, a guide to authentication of U.S. currency. From the rare and unique to the standard issue, this book is the most trusted guide to U.S. paper money.

-More than 5,500 listings and 11,000 valuations provide collectors with the most complete information about U.S. paper money

-Current pricing information keeps collectors up-to-date

-600+ photos for easy identification

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
Average customer rating:

An excellent basic currency reference.

odincova 49-21, minsk, belarus

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
Chester L. Krause
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2006, Edition #38 (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)

A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)

Standard Catalog Of World Paper Money Specialized Issues

Standard Catalog of World Coins 1901-2000 (Standard Catalog of World Coins)

ASIN: 0873419308

Book Description

Eighteen previous best-selling editions are a solid demonstration why collectors and dealers rely on each updated edition of this essential volume. This edition covers the various forms of U.S. printed currency issued during the past 188 years. Small notes, large notes, national bank notes, U.S. Treasury notes, Civil War substitutions, postage stamp envelopes, error notes and more are all cataloged. Categories are listed by denomination rather than obligation for easier identification. More than 5,500 currency items are fully updated with 14,000+ valuations. Also included is a detailed 15-page guide to authentication and a comprehensive checklist of national bank notes with rarity designations.

-188 years of paper money.
-600 high-definition photos for positive identification.
-Valuations for over 5,500 currency items in three grades of condition.
-Essential information on design, authenticity, signers, illustrators and more.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent basic currency reference........2000-01-10

This work, along with Friedberg's book and Hessler's work, make up the three primary basic reference works on United States Currency. The Catalog contains an excellent reference section on National Bank Notes, receiving much more press than in Friedberg's work. The pricing, while out of date, is actually fairly realistic in today's market, unlike the Black Book or even Friedberg's book. A great plus is that this work is cross referenced by Friedberg Numbers, which are the standard cataloging numbers used by all dealers and collectors in the hobby. Well worth the investment!

odincova 49-21, minsk, belarus.......1999-03-11

I'm interesting in catalog of all US paper money. Something o it. Am i find my interesting?

Standard Catalog Of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money)

Average customer rating:

Standard Catalog Of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money)
Chester L. Krause
Manufacturer: kp books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Cooking, Food & Wine | Subjects | Books

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)
Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations : The Standard Reference Work on Paper Money (Paper Money of the United States)
Standard Guide to Small Size U. S. Paper Money 1928 to Date
The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2006, Edition #38 (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)
Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money

ASIN: 0873497953

Book Description

This edition of the most comprehensive reference devoted

exclusively to U.S. currency issues has been fully updated and

expanded. With more than 5,500 listings and over 14,000

valuations, collectors get the latest pricing information for all

known U.S. paper money printed since 1813.

In this respected guide, collectors will find a number of items

not listed anywhere else, such as large and small size notes,

national bank notes, encased postage and fractional currency.

It also features coverage of error notes, military payment

certificates, and an extensive guide to authentication of U.S.

currency. Listings are arranged by logical denomination-date

according to issue style. Major sections provide essential

historical and economic background information allowing

collectors and students to understand each issue.

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
Average customer rating:
Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
Chester L. Krause , and Robert F. Lemke
Manufacturer: Krause Pubns Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Printmaking | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0873413210

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
Average customer rating:
Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money
George Cuhaj
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | United States | Americas | History | Subjects | Books
Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

2008 Guide Book of Us Coins Redbook (Guide Book of United States Coins) (Guide Book of United States Coins)

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2008, 40th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)

Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: Modern Issues, 1961-present (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. Vol 3: Modern Issues)

2008 Standard Catalog of World Coins: 2001 to Date (Standard Catalog of World Coins 2001-Date)

Standard Guide to Small Size U. S. Paper Money 1928 to Date

ASIN: 0896895734

Book Description

Innovative color format is appealing, and serves as an additional identification tool

Handy size creates a great desk reference for quick review during online auctions

This easy-to-read, recently revamped and full-color paper money guide sets readers on the path to making profitable decisions about every U.S. paper money collection. With reliable descriptions, 14,000+ thoroughly analyzed values for all U.S. monetary issues including large-size, small-size notes, national bank notes, postage stamp envelopes, error notes, military payment certificates, the latest in U.S. currency and more, this all-encompassing and compact reference provides an expert overview of this dynamic collecting area

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of U S Paper Money, 20th ed)
Average customer rating:
Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money (Standard Catalog of U S Paper Money, 20th ed)
Chester L. Krause , Robert F. Lemke , and Joel T. Edler
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B000HWZ32Q

Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money: 1928 To Date (Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money)
Average customer rating:

Very informative

Standard Guide to Small-Sized U.S. Paper Money 7th Edition

Useful but disappointed

Mistake's are a plenty, still good basic info in here

Paper Money details

Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money: 1928 To Date (Standard Guide to Small-Size U.S. Paper Money)
Dean Oakes , and John L. Schwartz
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Business & Investing | Subjects | Books | Accounting | Biography & History | Business Life | By Publisher | Economics | Finance | General | Industries & Professions | International | Investing | Job Hunting & Careers | Management & Leadership | Marketing & Sales | Organizational Behavior | Personal Finance | Popular Economics | Real Estate | Reference | Skills | Small Business & Entrepreneurship | Women & Business
Printmaking | Graphic Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)

Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Paper Money of the United States)

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to US Paper Money 2007, 39th Edition (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)

100 Greatest American Currency Notes: The Stories Behind The Most Colonial, Confederate, Federal, Obsolete, and Private American Notes

The Official Blackbook Price Guide to U.S. Paper Money 2006, Edition #38 (Official Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money)

ASIN: 0873493141

Book Description

Collectors can identify and evaluate small-size U.S. paper money with the most comprehensive listing ever published. More than 275 near-full-size photos provide detailed and positive identification to small-size paper money printed from 1928 to 2001.

Includes revised values and updated serial information and the most exact figures ever published for quantities of notes printed. Values are listed in Very Good/Fine and Crisp Uncirculated condition. A thumbnail history of all modern paper money, illustrations and descriptions of all experimental notes, mules and blocks, and a list of the scarcest and most desirable small-size U.S. paper money enrich a collector's understanding of the hobby.

-Most comprehensive listing and exact figures ever published
-Updated values listed in Very Good/Fine and Crisp Uncirculated condition
-Historical information enriches collectors' understanding of small-size paper money

Customer Reviews:

Very informative.......2007-04-08

This edition was updated significantly since the last one came out. More serial numbers and star notes are listed.

Still it need more listing and better explanations of grading/pricing for each series. Also the values seem high, although not as bad as previous edition.

Standard Guide to Small-Sized U.S. Paper Money 7th Edition.......2007-03-21

An incredible book if your looking for a complete reference book to use on a daily basis. This reference book is updated every year which is very important to any Small-Sized U.S. Paper Currency collector. I find this book gives spot on values for each and every small-sized U.S. note that anyone could have an interest in collecting. I use this reference book like I use my right arm so that should tell you just how important this reference book is to my collecting. I purchase the revised book every year without question. No collector should ever be without this book. Well lets say any serious collector should never be without this book !!!

Useful but disappointed.......2007-03-07

I agree with many of the reviewers comments. This is a very useful book, it is a must for the serious small size currency collector. Quality control is a major problem however. There are just too many errors which cause confusion. I am surprised that KP books can't do a better job. These errors run through all of the editions 5, 6, and now 7. These errors cause one to question some of the pricing information. A typical example is in the 7th edition, 2004 A Atlanta star listing. 96,000 sheets? What does that mean? It has been widely reported that there was a printing of 9,600. I suggest Oaks, Schwartz and Lindquist take special care with the 8th edition and perhaps find a new editor.

Mistake's are a plenty, still good basic info in here.......2007-01-11

I personaly collect Star Notes, I have been hording GL's and GF star notes. I was waiting on the book release for value's, just to find they have incorrect figures for printings. They have 96,000 for the unbelievably low 9600 print of the Atlanta(GF) $10 star notes.
So, I as well as 3-4 other collectors wait again till next years release for the correct numbers and therefore guide on value. Maybe the mistakes are how they sell new editions? Guarantee sales?

Paper Money details.......2007-01-09

This volume is even more complete in its listings than the previous editions. It has a better listing of modern uncut sheets, although quantities printed would be a much-needed addition. The book is clear, concise and valuable as a necessary element in the reference library of any collector of small-size notes.

Standard guide to U.S. coin and paper money valuations

Average customer rating:

Standard guide to U.S. coin and paper money valuations
Robert Wilhite
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0873410653

Standard Handbook of Modern United States Paper Money

Average customer rating:

Standard Handbook of Modern United States Paper Money
Chuck O'Donnell
Manufacturer: Krause Pubns Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money

Average customer rating:

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money 25th Edition

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money

Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Coins & Medals | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Reference | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Paper Money of the United States: A Complete Illustrated Guide With Valuations (Paper Money of the United States)
A Guide Book Of United States Paper Money: Complete Source for History, Grading, and Prices (Official Red Book) (Official Red Book)
100 Greatest American Currency Notes: The Stories Behind The Most Colonial, Confederate, Federal, Obsolete, and Private American Notes
Standard Catalog of World Paper Money General Issues: General Issues (Standard Catalog of World Paper Money Vol 2: General Issues)
A Guide Book of United States Coins 2007 (60th Edition)

ASIN: 0896893812

Book Description

Speaks to the 100,000 avid readers of the hobby's three leading magazines

Features an updated color format that makes identification and appreciation of currency easy and enjoyable

Offers accurate pricing for one of the most active fields in coin and currency collecting

Revamped and reorganized to meet the needs of today's escalating currency market, the 25th anniversary edition of the Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money provides more of the information collectors need to be successful in their hobby. In addition to a more portable size, and lower price, this guide includes:

*600+ detailed photos and illustrations to aid in assessing collections
*Listings for large and small size, national bank notes, military payment certificates, confederate currency by type and POGS
*More than 14,000 updated values, instilling collectors with greater pricing confidence

A cleaner, and easier-to-use U.S. paper money reference is what collectors get in this must-have anniversary edition!

Customer Reviews:

Standard Catalog of United States Paper Money 25th Edition.......2007-03-21

The words "absolutely incredible" just doesn't do this book justice !!! This book is filled with breathe taking color pictures of U.S. Paper Currency and goes into great detail as to the value of each and every note anyone could possibly collect. This reference book not only covers the small-sized notes but also the collectible horse-blanket notes. This book is fast becoming my most favorite reference book in my library. This is a reference book just like the yearly revised Standard Guide to Small-Sized U.S. Paper Money books and when you combine both of these reference books in your private library you definitely can not go wrong !!!

Sewing With Nancy's Favorite Hints: Twenty Years of Great Ideas from America's Most Popular Television Sewing Series (Zieman, Nancy Luedtke. Sewing With Nancy.)
Average customer rating:

A Treasure of Sewing Hints

Sewing With Nancy's Favorite Hints: Twenty Years of Great Ideas from America's Most Popular Television Sewing Series (Zieman, Nancy Luedtke. Sewing With Nancy.)
Nancy Zieman
Manufacturer: Krause Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Sewing | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Nancy Zieman | Expert Advice | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Fishing | Hunting & Fishing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Sew With Confidence: A Beginner's Guide to Basic Sewing

Serge With Confidence

The Best of Sewing With Nancy

Sewing Express

Fitting Finesse (Sunsest Cookery Books)

ASIN: 0873494474

Book Description

Nancy Zieman celebrates 20 years on public television with a compilation of her favorite reader tips, hints, and techniques.

Twenty years and still going strong, Sewing With Nancy® is more popular than ever. Now Nancy shares her most useful hints from reader mail and suggestions of her own, such as tips for keeping the sewing room organized, Nancy's favorite notions, helpful sewing solutions, embroidery hints, quilting tips, and more, while also reliving memories from the longest-airing sewing program on PBS.

Nancy Zieman is a businesswoman, author, pattern designer, home economist, national sewing authority, as well as the executive producer and host of the popular PBS show Sewing With Nancy®. This is her 16th book.

• A collection of Nancy's favorite tips and hints from the past 20 years of her show

• Lively text, helpful illustrations, and delightful photographs

Customer Reviews:

A Treasure of Sewing Hints.......2007-03-18

Even though I haven't watched the Sewing With Nancy show for the 20years she's been on the air- I have benefited from the past couple years since I discovered her show and found that I could learn to sew and have fun. Nancy has a wonderful teaching style that the beginner and the advanced sewer can benefit from. This book is a wonderful collection of all those "Hints" she reads every show from all her viewers. I have found this book to be a wonderful addition to my sewing education and confidence. I highly recomend this book to the beginner and advanced sewer.

Italian Plaster Techniques
Average customer rating:

Extremely disappointing, beginner book, misleading title

Excellent teaching.

THIS BOOK IS UP TO DATE and is at an AMAZING price here at amazon.

Italian Plaster Techniques
Maureen Soens
Manufacturer: Sterling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Do-It-Yourself | How-to & Home Improvements | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Decorating | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Painting & Wallpapering | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Manga | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Natural Plaster Book: Earth, Lime and Gypsum Plasters for Natural Homes (Natural Building Series)

Its Faux Easy With Gary Lord

Professional Painted Finishes: A Guide to the Art and Business of Decorative Painting (Whitney Library of Design)

The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes (Crafts Highlights)

The Paint Effects Bible: 100 Recipes for Faux Finishes

ASIN: 1402714718

Book Description

Once reserved for highly trained artists, the techniques for creating Italian plasterwork are now available to all. With the help of the newest user-friendly materials, and these incredibly detailed and wonderfully illustrated instructions, do-it-yourselfers can easily create exquisite wall treatments. The focus here is on acrylic plasters--particularly Polished or Venetian Plaster and Textured Plaster--and their many possible applications. Find out about tools, color schemes, and surface preparation, as well as every single step involved in applying the plaster. Drying times, adding a topcoat, burnishing, polishing, and glazing: it's all covered. Do crosshatch, stenciling, Venetian lace patterns, and lots more. The lovely finishes range from old world Tuscany to contemporary iridescent, and they're displayed in inspirational photos of finished homes.

Customer Reviews:

Extremely disappointing, beginner book, misleading title.......2006-12-18

I had high hopes for this book after seeing the positive reveiws. Unfortunately, I was severely disappointed. This book does not teach true Italian plaster techniques. Rather, it describes methods for making pseudo-plaster veneer coatings, using non-authentic materials. The book assumes you already have drywall in place, and only discusses plaster from a veneer perspective. There is absolutely nothing on constructing true three-coat (or more) plaster walls. True Italian plaster construction techniques are far more involved. This is the kiddie version for people who are total beginners. For anyone who has some understanding of plaster construction and is searching for information on real-deal methods, this book is a total waste of time. I would have returned it, except for the fact that Amazon nickles and dimes you to death with their "return shipping" fee.

Excellent teaching........2006-09-25

She's a good teacher! Although, the tool used is not the correct tool for professional finishes. Other than that, I think this book is worth the price. She does show you step by step techniques which makes this book valuable. I always refer back to it. Remember, although these books show you step by step techniques, yours will never come out the same way.

THIS BOOK IS UP TO DATE and is at an AMAZING price here at amazon........2005-11-28

Ok, here is the story, The bathroom was done by my brother in law before I ever lived in the house. To make a long story short it was horrid. The walls where at different levels because the sheetrock was put in completely willy nilly. Thus, the walls at the bottoms had slopes and had a half hearted evffort to fix it by giving it a "CRAPPY" spakle job that believe it or not made it look even worse.

So, finally to fix the problem I was looking at what we could do in terms of plastering. I searched the internet and the only thing I found was people trying to make you buy video tapes and come to "classes" about it... boo, I then proceeded to look for a book. I googled it and luckily enough it brought me here to this book. Italian Plaster techniques. The book should really be called "if you are thinking of plastering your walls COME GET THIS BOOK. It has a lot of good and a couple things, I feel left out so I will tell you in the review what they are.

First off, I have to say the author is amazing, she really put time an effort to making this book as user friendly as it perhaps could possibly be. It goes over ever plaster technique imaginable... from venitian / polished, to burnished, to smooth textrued, to course textured, to EVERY plaster technique out there. And have no fear, she doesn't use a material list from 1965, she is super up to date with things that I will tell you... WERE ALL at lowes. Now for all you home depot buffs I will say this, I went there and they had a big thing with BHER paints... that was stuff like bellagio FAUX and what not... but honestly I didn't find anything that resembled textured stone or anything like that... so I went to lowes and they had AMERICAN TRADITION textured stone smooth... Now the label does say FAUX but it really is a plaster type substance that goes on and dries just like it...

And you can buy good ole regular plaseter, i.e. like the dry mix version but I tried it and found that I couldn't get the consistancy right AT all... the thicker I made it the quicker it dried,,, I mean like 30 seconds and it was hard as a rock... the thinner I made it the more rediculous it was to apply... the viscosity was HORRID... So, I recommed, exactly like she says, "find anything that says textured, whether it be smooth or course and go from there. I used smooth and to be honest it proved to be just what I was looking for... Remember I used AMERICAN TRADITION.

Now, I will tell you that I tinted mine at the store... Be carefull because when you are using the glaze the affect of going over tinted Vs. non-tinted could be dramatic... So, know how you are glazing first and tint accordingly. I will tell you again, I tinted mine TAN/kaki like colored... The first mix I mixed it real good but the second gallon I let the mixed go as was, which was not that great, and used the color variations in all my touch ups at the END... it looks absolutely amazing... My wife didn't even want to glaze it at all when we were done. Which if you really tint it the way you want glazing might really be something you may want to omit... I suggest getting a piece of drywall and cutting it to a smaller piece and plastering that, and then apply your glaze application so is to see how it will look before you do the bigger project.

Ok, now for the plastering... Truley for the money the BOOK is amazing... it would even be an excellent christmas gift for someone who might be interested. but it does have things I feel are omitted especially for a first time plaster user like myself.

One, I know she gives directions for the plastering techniques but also adhere to what the actuall paint can says... if it has a technique or information on there than pay attention... I noticed that the viscocity of the plaster I was using began to get a little runny on the edges of the "stucco" like pattern I was making... NOT in all places but in a few... make sure you go back over and lightly at a 20 degree angle or less and with a wee little bit of plaster on your action blade, run back over and make the edges sharper... Also, and this is KEY... you won't be done for about a few days, so be PATIENT... when you go back for touch ups... and I SUGGEST YOU DO... the second and third applications will be thinner and thus easier to control, so the edging problem will really take care of itself at the end... don't worry about imperfections the first couple days. or times you add plaster, we did it everyday to allow proper drying.

First application, sorry should have probably started with this. The author advocates this 60% 40% coverage thing. I say bah humbug to that. perhaps it works for her but it sure didn't work for me... and perhaps this is the biggest proble, I DON"T THINK I KNEW WHAT 60% WAS>>> LOL... I think I did less but for a "mind thing" make it 70 to 80 PERCENT... don't worry you'll be going back over it so I would do a HUGE portion at first and save yourself probably a days work... Come back and do the 20 percent... and for a day or two come back and work out the imperfections you want. I used a "mini" trowel for some of my application and then went back to the 4" blade to go back over it... < <
you take a mini trowel not the action blade load it with a decent scoop and act like you're making a slab of stone... leaving about a 8 to 16 inch edge... you'll know what I mean after you have done this for a while... the area inside of the edge will be smooth with the trowel, let it dry and the next day go over it with the action blade like you did every where else and fill in the inside... TRULLY AMAZING...

LAST TWO THINGS>>> read her book well, it will save you from trouble in the end. BE patient this isn't for the lazy or faint hearted... you don't want to have mule this... EXPERIMENT to you're liking and HAVE FUN... you will truly create a master piece with this book... it has tons of illustrations examples and directions for ALL of it... I can't believe how cheap this book was... I HIGHLY recommend it and hope this review enhances your experience further.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books