Fish: An Enthusiast's Guide

Book Description

Engagingly written, with both learning and humor, Fish bridges the gap between purely pictorial books and scholarly texts, and provides a succinct summary of fish biology and conservation for students and fish enthusiasts.

Book Description

Get access to the Slavic and East European research materials you need

A Guide to Slavic Collections in the United States and Canada presents up-to-date information on 85 North American libraries that house Slavic and East European research materials, providing current details on recent acquisitions, developments in collection policies, and changes in contact information. Using individual entries written by each institution's librarian or archivist, you'll save valuable time and effort in your search for resources on Russia and the rest of the former Soviet Union, Poland, the Czech and Slovak Republics, the former Yugoslavia, the Baltic countries, Bulgaria, Albania, Hungary, Romania, and the Sorbs in Germany. This unique book includes facts and figures on special collections, finding aids, catalogs, Web access, and bibliographies for further readings.

A Guide to Slavic Collections in the United States and Canada examines collections available at public libraries, governmental libraries, special collections, and university libraries. Edited by Dr. Allan Urbanic, Librarian for Slavic and East European Collections at the University of California, Berkeley, and Slavic Collection Manager at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and Beth Feinberg, Slavic Catalog Librarian at the University of California, Los Angeles, the book lists current and retrospective materials collected in print, microform, and electronic formats, and includes monographs, serial publications, reference works, dissertations, and conference proceedings.

Entries for A Guide to Slavic Collections in the United States and Canada include:

access policy for visits

general collection description

special collection description

online catalog

archive collections

size of collection

percent of collection in vernacular language

electronic resources

and much more!

A Guide to Slavic Collections in the United States and Canada is an essential, time-saving resource for librarians and academics looking for research materials.

Book Description

COURTYARDS
Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight
Courtyards is an artful, informative exploration of courtyards, from their origins in early civilization to contemporary design concepts. Architects and landscape architects will repeatedly turn to the detailed guidelines for reference, gain a greater sense of balance between building and garden, and cultivate optimal green space by using the practical planting tips. Over one hundred photographs and drawings illustrate the concepts written about by an authority and passionate scholar in his field.

Customer Reviews:

Stunning!.......2007-08-11

This book surpassed all my expectations. I was looking for a book full of photographs of Spanish courtyards, to assist me with constructing my own "patio" at home. I was delighted when I found not only loads of beautiful photographs, but also incredible detail about how to construct a courtyard, which direction it should face, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer, how courtyard entrances work, thermal sailing, what to plant, and more! I have really enjoyed using this book to plan my own private oasis. I would have loved to have seen more colour photographs (many are black and white, but most are colour), and it would have been ideal if courtyard construction in the southern hemisphere had also been considered (I live in southern Australia, where the climate is very similar to southern Spain), but these minor issues did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book.

Courtyards: Aesthetic & Function.......2006-05-18

"Courtyards: Aesthetic, Social, and Thermal Delight" begins with a brief history of courtyards including itemized accounts of such topics as placement within a building, orientation, exposure, and the promotion of temperature conditions within a courtyard.

Over 50 full-color photographs from Spain and Latin America supplement the second section. Temperature charts, solar diagrams, and other key technical data accompany these images.

Finally an extensive section of planning and design guidelines highlighting factors for consideration such as daytime/nighttime temperature ranges, zoning regulations, proportions, and proposals for driveways and use of rainwater.

Architects, landscape architects, and building designers will find useful information for creating or renovating any courtyard. Students will also find this an inclusive reference. This is not a title of tremendous value to the casual reader.

Couryards: Interacting with nature.......2005-11-06

I got this book several years ago on an inter-library loan from NDSU. It's a great book. The only problem is that it's relatively expensive -- $60 or so.

I'm not an architect, but over ten years ago I built a geodesic dome on an Indian Reservation with the permission of the local district. Assuming you can afford it, where and how you live is the most important spiritual element of your life.

Professor Reynolds approaches his subject with this sort of wonderment. Someday, I hope to build again using some of his ideas as a base. I've never met him, though I would certainly like to sometime. And, I don't know any of these other reviewers who, like me, seem to be very swayed by his writing. (The only reason I mention this is because of one reviewer who felt that there was a certain intellectual dishonesty in the sameness of the praise for this book.) If you're interested in creating harmonious personal space, then you should fork over the $60 or get it from your local library like I did.

Honest Reviews?.......2004-03-03

Were all the reviews written by the author? Give me a break! The fact that every review sounds the same will keep me from ever purchasing this book. In that case, I guess all the reviews helped!

THE Book on Courtyards........2002-05-09

Courtyards is a terrific book, the result of 20+ years of loving research. Oregon Professor John Reynolds is crazy for courtyards and it certainly shows.
A courtyard is a space surrounded by a building, often surrounded by a house. There are all manner of courtyards, large, small, huge, quiet, loud. Some are open and others are terribly private. But all good courtyards have things in common. In the landscapes most of us in the US are used to, we have a house and the gardens are on the outside and we see them before we see the house. In a sense these landscapes serve mostly as dressing to enhance the outward look of the house. But a fine courtyard garden is different. It is smack in the middle of the house and the house surrounds it. It is not wide open to the world, but instead is a place to get away from it all, a place to be outside, but not to be out in the open. The best courtyards are open to the sky, have water, vines, a multitude of interesting flowers, trees, potted plants. A large number of the very finest courtyard plants are discussed in detail in this excellent book. I was struck by how interesting the numerous photos and designs were. Profusely illustrated, each one serves a definitive purpose. I was struck too, by how many different things go into the making of a well thought out courtyard. What is involved so that it will be warm in the winter and cool in the hot summer. What is involved so that it becomes a place where people want to be. I took many notes as I read this large book and some day I plan to build a house of my own design, and in the middle of it, I'm going to have a courtyard. And in this courtyard, I'll have all the things needed, the ingredients so carefully detailed here, that make the right courtyard a magical place. I'd recommend this book for anyone who ever plans to build their own home, for all landscape designers, for all architects, for anyone with a serious interest in horticulture and design. An excellent book.

In A Mexican Garden: Courtyards, Pools, and Open-Air Living Rooms

Average customer rating:

Mexican Garden
Beautiful Photo's
great book, terrible binding!!
Mexican Garden
It's a nice book...

In A Mexican Garden: Courtyards, Pools, and Open-Air Living Rooms
Gina Hyams
Manufacturer: Chronicle Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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

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

Small Homes & Cottages | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0811841308

Book Description

The team behind the best-selling Mexicolor and Mexicasa has unlocked the gates to Mexico's patios, courtyards, and walled gardens. From private homes to luxurious resorts, In A Mexican Garden celebrates Mexico's hidden oases where lovers meet for margaritas at sunset and families gather for spirited fiestas. The dazzling array of featured properties includes rustic coastal hideaways, elegant Spanish Colonial mansions, rural haciendas, and Modernist architectural masterpieces. Melba Levick's stunning photographs capture page after vibrant page of bold Mexican design elements: swirling mosaic floors, elaborate frescoes, hand-carved stone fountains, and lush native plants. Gina Hyams' informative text explains the historic roots of these uniquely Mexican outdoor spaces. Garden design enthusiasts, fans of Mexico, and anyone who appreciates a siesta in the sun need only open this book to hear the quiet babble of fountains and glasses clinking to toast another beautiful sunset.

Customer Reviews:

Mexican Garden.......2007-09-27

I was very surprise whith the quality of the presentation and the beautiful pictures. Excellent!!

Beautiful Photo's.......2007-09-03

I love this book! The beautiful photographs give the reader great ideas on how to design and decorate.

great book, terrible binding!!.......2007-07-19

I love the pictures and ideas presented, but after 2 days, the binding had pulled away from the pages!! I think that is flaw that needs fixing.

Mexican Garden.......2007-07-06

I chose this book to help give me some ideas as to how to " Mexicanise " my garden.
So what with the yuccas, agaves & cacti i'm well on the way, just need to add more colour & fragrance to it.

I also bought Mexicasa and Mexicolor.

It's a nice book..........2007-06-13

Your basic coffee table book, nice photos of exactly what the book claims to be: Courtyards, Pools, and Open-Air Rooms. A lot of the subject matter is authentic, old and sometimes dilapidated. Don't expect to see many pictures of new or well kept patios, pools or gardens. This is the real McCoy, just like you'll see when visitng Old Mexico...not that there'e anything wrong with that.

Average customer rating:

disappointing
A rare look at the function, definition and purpose of a courtyard
What a Beautiful Book

Courtyards: Intimate Outdoor Spaces

Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith, Publisher
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Outdoor & Recreational Areas | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1586855409

Book Description

Courtyards: Intimate Outdoor Spaces presents a pictorial survey of an increasingly popular part of indoor/outdoor design-the courtyard. Today's architects and designers are creating beautifully private indoor/outdoor spaces amidst escalating urban development.

Customer Reviews:

disappointing.......2006-08-25

This book was recommended as a guide to developing sculpture gardens and outdoor living spaces. It is not. The photographs appear to be very dated as are the subject courtyards. It is a dull, unispired book.

A rare look at the function, definition and purpose of a courtyard.......2006-01-05

Douglas Keister's Courtyards: Intimate Outdoor Spaces takes a rare look at the function, definition and purpose of a courtyard surveying courtyards around the world which grace both home and public establishment. Courtyards can be adapted to both large and small spaces, vary in greenery, stonework, and lighting, and are perfect additions for homeowners seeking to remodel with style. Turn a backyard into a courtyard setting or consider many options through the phone color exhibition of photographer Keister, paired with text which considers design options and successful examples.

What a Beautiful Book.......2005-10-01

The author has definitely done his homework. We are in the process of creating a courtyard in our back yard after having added a sunroom this past season. Our theme has been "New Orleans" for the sunroom ... even though we live in a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, we have visited New Orleans many times and consider it our "home away from home". There are courtyards from New Orleans featured in this book - but many from other places as well. Whatever you are looking for in courtyard ideas, you will find it here.

Courtyards & Patios: Designing and Landscaping Elegant Outdoor Spaces

Average customer rating:

Courtyards & Patios: Designing and Landscaping Elegant Outdoor Spaces
Chuck Crandall , and Barbara Crandall
Manufacturer: Metrobooks
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

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

ASIN: 1586630105

Book Description

A courtyard conversion or patio addition often changes the entire focus of both a home and its inhabitants. Along with inspirational ideas and practical tips for anyone who is considering adding a little bit of heaven to their life, there are:
o design ideas for beautifying outdoor rooms with plants, including potted plants, trellises and arbors...including how to position them for best effect
o how to handle privacy, safety and security with help from walls, screens, and hedges
o possibilities for special features, such as fountains, dining areas, play spaces and secluded niches
o a full source list that directs you to mail-order suppliers for plants, materials, containers, and other essential items
It's the perfect antidote for that house that needs a bit of sun, a little more room...a nice courtyard or patio.

Courtyard and Patio Plants: Instant Reference to More Than 250 Plants

Average customer rating:

Courtyard and Patio Plants: Instant Reference to More Than 250 Plants
Jane Courtier
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

House Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Ornamental Plants | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0304359432

Book Description

Easier to create and tend, patio and courtyard gardens offer more enjoyment than other gardens: they're designed for living--eating or entertaining--not admiring from afar. All you need to know to make intimate "outdoor rooms" from these pages: how to select and lay the surface materials, pick containers, construct raised beds, even add finishing touches such as lighting. So relax--the perfect garden retreat, with thriving followers and foliage, is just outside your door.

Courtyard and Terrace Gardens (Wisley Gardening Companion)

Average customer rating:

Courtyard and Terrace Gardens (Wisley Gardening Companion)
Robert Pearson , George Preston , Jack Elliott , and Ray Waite
Manufacturer: Cassell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Landscape | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Americas Courtyard (Pátio das Américas)

Manufacturer: Terceiro Nome
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Portuguese | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 8573384794

Balconies, Courtyards and Pots ("Australian Women's Weekly" Home Library)

Average customer rating:

Balconies, Courtyards and Pots ("Australian Women's Weekly" Home Library)

Manufacturer: ACP Publishing Pty Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1863961399

Average customer rating:

Courtyard Gardens
Toby Musgrave
Manufacturer: Jacqui Small LLP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

General | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1903221749

Book Description

Features gardens inspired by courtyards, past and present, from classical gardens with statues to contemporary paths, pagodas and planting themes.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful photos, interesting ideas
Excellent Design Source

Courtyard Gardens
Toby Musgrave
Manufacturer: Jacqui Small LLP
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books

Garden Design | Gardening & Horticulture | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 1903221013

Book Description

“Takes readers on a worldwide tour. Spa gardens, Zen gardens, Islamic retreats, and modern refuges are just a few of the styles covered. Also included: plants well-suited to limited spaces and special techniques designers use to make small areas appear larger.”—Gardener.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful photos, interesting ideas.......2003-10-19

This is a great book for those of us with only a small space to garden. The book is broken up into different themes for your courtyard garden, such as latin courtyard, morrocan courtyard, contemporary courtyard, french courtyard, medieval courtyard, etc. Each style of courtyard has about two pages of information, then a plant list of appropriate plants and a sketch of a possible layout for that type of courtyard with specific locations of plants, benches, water features, etc. The book is very inspirational with lots of helpful photos and sketches to get every level of gardener excited and ready to get started.

Excellent Design Source.......2003-06-07

This book is full of beautiful courtyard photos and ideas. Nearly every topic is covered...architectures from classic to japanese, themes from tropical to xeriscape, hardscapes, water features, lighting, statuary and furniture. Each courtyard design includes a landscape sketch and suggested plants list. I bought this book to find ideas for the gardens of my Arts and Crafts home...and there was indeed a plan for it! The final chapter has an extensive and well organized list of plants suitable for the courtyard garden. Even if you don't have a courtyard garden to escape to...Musgrave's book will take you there through its beautiful photos and descriptive text.

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