Aquariums: The Complete Guide to Freshwater and Saltwater Aquariums

Book Description

A detailed and comprehensive guide.

Freshwater and saltwater fishkeeping are challenging and tremendously rewarding hobbies.

Aquariums is a big book that covers every aspect a fishkeeper needs to know. Step-by-step technical instructions are illustrated with hundreds of color diagrams as well as hundreds of color photographs of fish in their natural habitats.

The book features:

Choosing equipment
Preparing the water and setting up the aquarium
Saltwater and freshwater requirements
Types of fish and their families
Freshwater fish directory
Saltwater fish directory
Fish reproduction
Plants for the aquarium

Balance is the key to the successful aquarium, and Aquariums suggests fish mixes in combination with appropriate plants. Quite often, an aquarium will be thrown out of balance with the introduction of improperly prepared rocks and wood decorations. Simple instructions are offered for the preparation of such decorative objects for the aquarium.

Packed with practical advice and useful tips, Aquariums shows how to set up a fish tank of stunning beauty.

Customer Reviews:

Book seems a little dated for 2005.......2006-12-06

My favorite librarian saved this book for me when it first came in! I must say I was a little disappointed. The pictures seem to have a cast over them, as though they are older pictures that were re-integrated into this newish book. I can prove it - on pg. 38 on the bottom left is an aquarium stand with an ANCIENT sound system below it! (Who would put a sound system below their aquarium anyhow?) The sectional furniture is telling too.

In spite of this, the book is fine for an all purpose intro to aquariums. It has basic information and outlines common species with specifications and requirements. The section on breeding would probably be helpful, as it uses some older but tried and tested techniques. (I'm not a breeder, btw.)

The translations are a little strained sometimes, e.g. "Impatience and urgency are two words that are utterly incompatible with the set up of an aquarium!" The book is originally in French. But what I find most jarring are the "An aquarium of..." sections which are these two page spreads...

Basically, they're photomontages of different species over 2D backgrounds. It looks like someone literally "cut" the pictures of the livestock out and "pasted" them onto a background, with a rather incongruous effect. Cardinal tetras next to an Australian blue crayfish in "A Freshwater Invertebrate Aquarium"? I don't think so.

For a list price of $39.95, you can find a better book. My recommendation is "Encyclopedia of Aquarium & Pond Fish" by David Alderton, which lists $5 cheaper. Much better photography (looks like they actually used editing, Photoshop-type software!) and denser information. It is a reference book I have referred to again and again, and it's a pleasure to browse, too.

My personal suggestion, with any of these books, is to either choose a Freshwater or Marine book and go with that. Each deserves its own encyclopedia. But if you must have the best of both worlds, this book is okay...but the book I mentioned is better. How much better? Well...lots!

Book Description

Hula and surfing represent the quintessential Hawaiian experience. Over 270 original photographs and postcard images are presented chronologically from 1870 to 1940 to powerfully portray the evolving styles and popularity of these icons of Hawai`i. The Hula and surfing traditions both are deeply rooted in legend and myth and Hula dancing was actually outlawed for over 60 years. Surfboards were highly prized by the ancients and the sport became reserved for Hawai`i's kings. These enchanting images include famous personalities like Duke Kahanamoku, as well as unknown practitioners of their arts.

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Oldie but goodie......

The Front Garden: New Approaches to Landscape Design
Mary Riley Smith
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Front Yard Gardens: Growing More Than Grass

Taunton's Front Yard Idea Book : How to Create a Welcoming Entry and Expand Your Outdoor Living Space (Idea Books)

Curb Appeal

Landscaping Your Home: Creative Ideas from America's Best Gardeners (Fine Gardening Design Guides)

The Welcoming Garden

ASIN: 0395552370

Book Description

The front yard is the stepchild of landscape design, ignored in the current enthusiasm for gardening. Typically, with its high-maintenance lawn and overgrown foundation planting, the front yard doesn't enhance the house or provide useful living space for the homeowner. Yet as new properties become smaller and old ones grow shadier, the front garden may be the best place to grow vegetables or flowers, to sit outside in comfort and privacy, or even to swim or play tennis. Mary Riley Smith, a landscape designer who has often dealt with poorly planned and underused front properties, has filled this book with creative ways to make your own front garden beautiful and functional. She shows how to design paths, driveways, and parking areas and how to camouflage unattractive but necessary structures. For privacy, she describes the different virtues of fences, clipped hedges, and loose, flowing hedgerows. When it comes to planting in front of the house, the choices are surprising: instead of a lawn, you might create a colorful cottage garden, an edible landscape, a drought-tolerant meadow of regional native plants, a sea of ornamental grasses, or even a romantic orchard. All of these landscapes, and dozens more from all parts of the country, are illustrated with beautiful photographs. THE FRONT GARDEN concludes with nine case histories, including the landscape designers' plans, that will give you even more ideas for turning your front yard into a beautiful garden.

Customer Reviews:

Oldie but goodie.............2005-04-13

When Mary Riley Smith's THE FRONT GARDEN was published in 1991, it became an instant hit with me. Other writers have jumped into the subject since then, but Riley's book retains the freshness of relatively new and creative original ideas. I began my front garden over 20 years ago, when we moved into a seven-year old house here in Arlington that sat back from the street on a narrow lot. The front yard is much bigger than the back yard, and it pained me to see all the wasted space. The front yard received much sunlight, the back is in shade. Anyone with a desire to grow most of the perennials available in these times knows, that most of them do better in sunshine.

So, when the dogwood badly planted in the hot sun succumbed to borers, to the amazement of our conventional neighbors, we rototilled the front yard and created a huge swath of flowers and shrubs. I used many of the ideas in my own head (for better or worse) until I found Smith's book.

Although "only" a paperback, the book includes many stunning photos of gardens in the front yard--along driveways, beside houses, next to porches. Best of all Smith includes some simplistic designs (what every new gardener needs) showing various plants for your geometric or herb or vegetable garden. Did I say vegetable? Yes, indeedy. I grow hot peppers, beans, and last year melons in raised beds. We have a terraced garden made from timbers sitting in the middle of the front yard where you are likely to see tulips in the spring and beans later on. This year, if you pass by, you will see purple peppers in the petunias (ornamental veggies are the "in" plant).

I've noticed over the years that my neighbors are filling in their wasted spaces (front yards) with flowers and veggies. The kindest comments of all come from the passersby who stop to admire the garden and go away with a smile. One woman said "Thank you for opening up your garden to the street."

Front Garden - New Approaches To Landscape Design

Average customer rating:

Front Garden - New Approaches To Landscape Design
Mary Riley Smith
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OPFGRI

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Romantic Look at Taliesin Now and Then.......2001-07-11

Although many people know that Frank Lloyd Wright operated his architectural enterprise for many years from Taliesin in Wisconsin, relatively few Wright fans have been there. Having been born into the rural farm country of Wisconsin, many of Mr. Wright's architectural ideas emerged from that rolling country and its beautiful rivers and views.

Many who admire Fallingwater will be intrigued to compare the views of the Wisconsin river at Taliesin ("shining brow" in Welsh) with the stunning sights in the Alleghenies. Mr. Wright was working at Taliesin when he sketched his first drawings of Fallingwater. The land is steeper at Fallingwater, and the waterfall at Taliesin was originally there to provide power. Many of the principles of the two sites are otherwise similar in striking ways that will give you a deeper understanding of Mr. Wright's work.

The highlight of this book comes in the wonderful color photography that will probably inspire you to want to visit (in the summer time) to enjoy the hundreds of acres of grounds and the many architectural features that Mr. Wright designed there. Many may not know about his windmill tower that the local farmers predicted would not survive high winds, but which continues to beautifully grace the site.

I was fascinated to see original photographs of Taliesin and its surroundings while Mr. Wright was working there, as well as the views from today. Like a lot of Mr. Wright's work, the romantic idealization of his vision has proceeded quite far. But we will still enjoy it, even if it has evolved from the original.

Having seen this book, I have decided to make a pilgrimage to Taliesin. I have been to Taliesin West many times, and have enjoyed that wonderful Wright work very much. Taliesin West is located in Scottsdale, Arizona and was Mr. Wright's refuge from the cold Wisconsin winters in his later years.

After you enjoy the beauty and the history of Taliesin in this fine volume, I suggest that you think about the place where you were born. How has it shaped your vision? In my case, my home was nestled in a small valley surrounded by enormous mountains. It was natural to want to aspire to climb to great heights upon considering that monumental view every day.

Take the best from your heritage and share it with those whom it will help!

Book Description

If you've ever wanted to step inside a house designed by frank Lloyd Wright or if you've ever dreamed of living in one The Wright Style offers the next best thing: an extraordinary look inside dozens of Wright's incomparable houses, all of them filled with countless inspiring ideas from America's favorite architect.

From "pure" Wright houses to homes where his decorative magic has been mixed with related styles, the book captures the essence of the architect's timeless designs the spaces, the textures, the colors, the light, the furniture, the special features that all say Frank Lloyd Wright. As the magnificent houses here show, each of Wright's buildings was a complex composition of many interrelated elements; he regarded them as symphonies. Wright designed not just the shell, but everything inside as well: furniture, skylights, art glass windows, light fixtures, textiles, carpets, wall murals, decorative accessories, even the landscaping.

Illustrating how Wright affected and inspired other houses, The Wright Style also presents interpretations of Wright's principles by some of his followers and apprentices providing a guided walk through a century of his unsurpassed influence on design. And for those who love Wright but who cannot live in complete, authentic rooms or purchase antique Wright furnishings, the book's catalogue of products makes it possible at least to bring a touch of the Wright style home.

"Wright's ideas have so permeated our architectural world that we have lost track of the source," writes author Carla Lind. "His open floor plans led to family rooms, kitchens open to living areas, indoor spaces open to outdoor living spaces, garden rooms, decks, and carports. His use of glass opened window walls and brought generous amounts of light and inspiring vistas into rooms. He altered America's collective subconscious. By bringing together many elements and inspirations, most neither new nor original, he was able to synthesize fresh new forms that reflected the character of the nation."

Customer Reviews:

I second the nomination.......2004-04-18

All of the other customer reviews were extremely positive, and I would like to concur in their respective judgments.

Wright's life was filled with controversy, and his work is subject to complex interpretation. Other authors, in my opinion at least, devote way too much book space to these matters; Lind, on the other hand, has done a masterful job in organizing the key elements of Wright's style (furnishings, usonians, etc>) and gathering stunning, modern photographs that illustrate each.

If you buy one book on Wright, this should be the one. Better than anything else I've seen, it will demonstrate why the man's work lives on -- 45 years after his death.

A Gorgeous Look Inside.......2002-07-03

This book takes a look at what makes Frank Lloyd Wright's designs still so popular today. The book itself is so gorgeous, focusing not just on the houses but also on the furnishings, which can be breathtaking! The photos were excellent and conveyed the feeling of really being there.

I read three books about this architect this weekend, and this one was the most complete of them all. It gave me a peek into so many of his uniquely designed buildings and the furnishings and decorative arts that he created for them.

Something I had never seen before: at the end of the book there is a catalog of items that can be purchased from different vendors. These are FLW reproductions, items inspired by FLW, and those "in the style of FLW". These items range from furniture to rugs to lamps to fabrics and decorative items.

On my "tour" of over 40 houses (designed by both Wright and his followers), I saw that all of the designs were simple ones, with natural colors and finishes, the buildings seeming to spring out of the earth. I saw the open flowing floor plans that are sheltered by overhanging, gently sloping roofs. Many of the places I "visited" had built-in furniture and fixtures.

It was interesting to view all of the things that Wright designed for his homes....besides the items mentioned above, he also designed the windows (art glass), light fixtures, skylights, wall murals, and even the landscaping!

Wright changed American architecture forever, resulting in open floor plans, multi-purpose rooms, naturally-lit spaces--- and showed us a different way of living.

Wonderful introduction to Wright's Art.......1999-07-09

This is a wonderful book: gorgeous color pictures with an informative and most insightful text. Far beyond a coffee table collection, this is a real contribution to understanding Wright, and American housing. Lind discusses the design ideas of a number of Wright's most famous or typical extant buildings. You get a good idea of the exhilarating play of light and space in his houses, and the real significance of such modern cliches as ranch-style, strip and corner windows, patio doors, and built-ins. Besides real insight into Wright's aesthetic, the book is notable for its unique coverage of 12 houses by Wright disciples, and appendices on interior arts and sources of reproductions. (Wright would be appalled, since he saw furnishings as uniquely integral and scaled to particular houses!) A "dangerous" book, it singlehandedly reawakened my interest in Wright's architecture. It may draw you, too, into learning more of Wright, and influencing your choice of home.

A good primer on the elements of a Wright home........1998-08-22

The book has many photographs an does a credible job of detailing each of them. I found that the book well organized. . I would highly recommend this as an intro to Wright's work. The author tries to touch on as many subjects a possible, as result there are times when it was somewhat lacking in depth. That being said there is a great reference of things Wright in the back of the book that is worth the price of admission alone.

Frank Lloyd Wright Interior Style & Design

Average customer rating:

12x12 now that's a big book

Frank Lloyd Wright Interior Style & Design
Doreen Ehrlich , and Frank Lloyd Wright
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0762416270
Release Date: 2003-09-23

Book Description

This legendary architect's vision wasn't limited to mere structures. Many of Frank Lloyd Wright's "organic" home furnishings have become bona fide classics, as well-known as the buildings for which he designed them. This stunningly illustrated survey of Wright's stylish interiors delivers an up-close look at his designs in furniture, fittings, ornamentation, lighting, art glass, fabric patterns, carpets, and even crockery. Informative text and fantastic color photography document the revolutionary methods, techniques, and materials with which the visionary 20th-century architect transformed the indoor spaces of domestic, public, and religious buildings

Customer Reviews:

12x12 now that's a big book.......2007-03-27

Ya gotta keep that size in mind when yer thinkin' about this book. There's about a picture per page virtually all in color. About 17 of those fill the page. And each one of those photos is pretty spectacular because of it and, of course, because they're of various shots of interiors of FLW's buildings. The book spends about 2 to 6 pages or so on 18 case studies of particular buildings. There's some nice pictures of vases and glass with most of the book focusing on various interior shots. About a quarter of the book is text. The information provided is interesting. I got to admit that I love a large FLW book with as many giant color photos as possible. In that regard I'm a little let down here as most of the photos are 1/2 to 2/3 page size. It's a nice book and the size itself really adds to the beauty of it given the subject. I paid around [..]for it on amazon.com and I think I'm happy with that. [...]

Frank Lloyd Wright at a Glance: Interiors (Frank Lloyd Wright at a Glance)

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Frank Lloyd Wright at a Glance: Interiors (Frank Lloyd Wright at a Glance)
Abby Moor
Manufacturer: PRC Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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Frank Lloyd Wright's Interiors

ASIN: 1856487121

Book Description

Following an illuminating introduction that explains the architect’s philosophy of design and his approach to interiors, 15 case studies and a selection of other buildings showcase just how spectacular, yet livable, Frank Lloyd Wright’s interiors could be. He never simply constructed an “outer shell” for the building and walked away: he created an entire elaborate layout, and his use of interior space and the furnishings he designed are as startling and attractive as his structures. From art-glass lamps and statuary to tables and chairs to carpets and fabrics, he strove to carry through carefully planned out themes and motifs.

50 Favourite Designs by Frank Lloyd Wright

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50 Favourite Designs by Frank Lloyd Wright
Diane Maddex
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Style | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0500019614

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Frank Lloyd Wright: The Kaufmann Office
Christopher Wilk
Manufacturer: Antique Collectors' Club
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

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

General | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Style | Interior Design | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1851771050

Frank Lloyd Wright Interior Style and Design

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Frank Lloyd Wright Interior Style and Design
Doreen; Vrato, Elizabeth Ehrlich
Manufacturer: Running Press Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLWDN2

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