brand firefly books (780 results)

Softcover. Condition: Good. Build a lifetime of MemoriesWhether simple or architecturally fanciful, a playhouse can be a magical place for your child. David and Jeanie Stiles use their own experiences to guide the amateur carpenter through the steps necessary to build an imaginative playhouse -- for the backyard, basement or playroom.Designed to be put together with easy-to-obtain materials and common handyman tools, with clear step-by-step diagrams, these playhouses can be constructed by anyone who has basic carpentry skills (or a willingness to learn) and a weekend or two of spare time.Projects include: A cardboard-box playhouse, a gingerbread playhouse, a fiberglass whale, a barn bed playhouse, a spook playhouse, a U.F.O. playhouse, a tree house, a log playhouse, a garden trellis playhouse, a three-legged fort and a complete selection of accessories.

Softcover. Condition: Good. The Paint Effects Bible is a library of faux finishes: 100 of them. Each is described on a single spread with a large photograph of the finish plus step-by-step illustrations, an ingredients list, and detailed instructions for creating the effect.A valuable source for professional and amateur decorators alike, this book comes in a handy, pocket-sized format with a concealed wiro-binding that lays flat during use.The Paint Effects Bible includes: How to decorate with paint finishes Basic color theory including choosing colors and combinations Basic techniques plus helpful hints A paint effect selector that helps you choose the best effect and variationThe paint effects are made with brushes, rollers, rags, sponges and waxes. Featured are: Textured Effects: stone, leather, fabric, plaster, crackleglaze, craquelure, sand, metal, paper and découpage Traditional Finishes: sienna, breccia, carrera, rosa and granite marble; oak, pine, cherry and mahogany; distressing, antiquing, trompe l'oeil, lining, marquetry, porphyry, tortoiseshell, lapis lazuli, malachite, floating marbles Metallics: verdigris, steel, copper, rusted iron, patination, gold and silver leaf Patterns and Motifs: stencils, murals, repeats, overlays, block printing, frottage Other Patterns and Motifs: banding, stripes, squares, borders, spray painting.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Revised. Proven strategies for handling stressful situations calmly and professionally.Difficult people are the ones who: Make us lose our coolForce us to do things we don't want to doPrevent us from doing what we want or need to doUse coercion or manipulation to get their wayMake us feel guilty if we don't "go along"Make us feel anxious, upset, frustrated, depressed, jealous, inferior or defeatedMake us do their share of the work.A difficult person, in short, is someone who creates difficulties for others.Dealing with Difficult People is the revised and updated edition of the international best seller, updated to reflect recent changes in the workplace and designed to benefit anyone who has ever had to deal with angry, rude, impatient or aggressive people.Roberta Cava draws on years of human resources experience as she: Explores the root causes of communication problems Reviews specific situations, such as workplace bullying Explains the reasons behind common personality conflicts Provides suggestions for alleviating problems Suggests ways to improve people skills.Dealing with Difficult People offers proven techniques for working better with others, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing confidence and enthusiasm in all professional relationships.

Softcover. Condition: Good. English Language. The companion book to the six-part Discovery Channel series, Weird Nature is an astonishing exploration of nature's strangest behavior. The ingenuity of all kinds of animals is celebrated including the flying dragon or draco whose membrane wings resemble early designs for aircraft wings, spiny lobsters in Florida who form a "mass conga line" when moving to deeper waters and the Wallace tree frog whose large webbed hands and feet allow it to glide as far forward as it drops vertically. These animals and many more are featured in this revealing and often amusing look at nature.Chapters include: Fantastic feeding -- the many different ways nature finds food for fuel including worms that eat themselves. Devious defenses -- to avoid being eaten, animals have developed an array of defenses including porcupine fish that inflate into spiny balls and mantis shrimps with a punch that can knock a hole in glass. Marvelous motion -- ingenious ways of moving around including flattened snakes and flying fish. Extraordinary equipment -- tools for enhancing animal lives like the Mallee fowl that has a thermometer in its bill. Strange structures -- the bizarre assortment of animal created buildings like the palm leaf tents made by fruit bats and the Namib spider that builds a Stonehenge circle around its burrow. Weird and weirder -- social interactions including courtship and mating.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Secrets of Power Presentation, shows simply how to become a strong and productive presenter. He uses a five-part method: speech, body language, equipment, environment and preparation.

Softcover. Condition: Good. The My Cooking Class Series takes a refreshing approach to learning the art of home cooking. The recipes are presented in complete visual sequences from start to finish, and every ingredient and every step is shown from above in full color so it's as true to life as possible -- just like a real cooking course. Written instructions accompany each recipe, and specialized tasks, such as making homemade pasta, are clearly demonstrated. Variations, notes and glossaries are welcome additions to each "class."My Cooking Class replicates a professional cooking course and will transform how home cooks learn to prepare dishes and meals. Every ingredient, pot, pan and tool is shown, not just described, making this new visual cookbook format deliciously simple.Pasta is a family favorite that's perfect for entertaining too. The 82 recipes in this book are super easy. Home cooks can recreate the tasty dishes they enjoy at their favorite restaurant and discover new ones.Pasta Basics has nine chapters: Basics Express Vegetarian Fish and Seafood Meats Salads Lasagnas Ravioli GnocchiSome of the superb recipes are: Pesto Meat sauce Rigatoni with ham and gorgonzola Pappardelle with wild mushrooms Spaghetti with fresh tuna Mussels with saffron Seafood linguine Paccheri with grilled vegetables Penne with sausage and peas Caprese salad Pumpkin gnocchi Duck tagliatelle Spinach and ricotta cannelloni Radicchio lasagna.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Few gardens have perfect growing conditions. Invariably there is a corner that is too shady, windy or dry. The solution: a tough plant! One that will shrug off the worst conditions, often thrive despite them.Tough Plants is an easy-to-use, fully illustrated guide to more than 100 virtually unkillable plants for the garden -- whatever the growing conditions. The extended back flap of the book can be used as a quick reference to identify the symbols used throughout the book, identifying whether a plant is ideally suited for a particular situation, microclimate, or soil type.The book features: An extensive directory with more than 100 plants chosen for their ability to survive difficult conditions, while adding beauty and color to the garden Assessing and improving a garden Matching plants to garden conditions Understanding soil and microclimates created by sun, shade, and wind Caring for plants in tough situations Suggestions on where, how and what to plant Dealing with damp or dry conditions, sun or shade Practical tips on getting started, planting, routine care, and weed control.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Why do seasons happen? Where do animals go in winter? How do plants reproduce?From changes in the plant world through the year, to penguins preparing a nest, and puma kittens learning to hunt, plants and animals from every corner of the world are used to illustrate the many processes that govern natural life. These include metamorphosis, hibernation, migration, pollination, plus the many environments in which they occur, such as savanna, swamp, jungle, and deciduous woodland.The four acetate overlays feature: Winter to Spring: the Himalayan Mountains change Spring to Summer: a South American pampas over time Summer to Fall: deciduous woodlands turn with the season Fall to Winter: a conifer forest prepares for the cold.The Uncovering series: Exposing science and technology in stunning color and detail.Jam-packed with exacting full-color illustrations, these titles focus on topics of particular interest to young readers. Informative text and descriptive captions and sidebars complement dozens of annotated drawings. Each book contains four acetate overlays, used in some cases to show changes over time, in others to show a cutaway interior.

Softcover. Condition: Good. The vibrant plants commonly called "geraniums" are actually pelargoniums. They are, however, related to true geraniums, which we also call cranesbills or wild geraniums. Despite their very different attributes, geraniums and pelargoniums belong to the same botanical family, Geraniaceae, and are among the world's most popular garden plants.Garden expert John Feltwell discusses both members of this wide-ranging family, providing all the information gardeners need to choose, grow, propagate, and design with geraniums and pelargoniums.More than 250 full color photographs illustrate their beauty and charm, and the extensive A-Z plant directory describes 328 plants in detail. The book also contains: descriptions of foliage and flowers for all varieties, such as wood and dusky cranesbills, zonals, ivies, Highfields, Stellars, Butes, Regals and many more tips on how to choose the right place for the right plant instruction on growing and propagating how to deal with pests and diseases mail-order sources.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Women who seek alternatives to orthodox medical treatments will welcome this data-intensive new reference book. Beautifully illustrated with color photographs, drawings, charts and sidebars, Homeopathy for Women provides detailed information on the most common ailments and their homeopathic remedies for treatment at home. The book clearly matches symptoms to remedies in the following chapters: The Breasts, Reproductive & Urinary Systems Pregnancy, Birth & Post-Partum Problems The Menopause Head & Throat The Chest, Heart & Circulation Digestive System The Skin, Joint & Muscles Metabolic Problems Emotional Problems EmergenciesThe final chapter is titled Common Homeopathic Medicines, listing the 50 most common medicines used in homeopathic treatments.Anatomical illustrations and panels, tables and sidebars of important data enhance the valuable information provided throughout the book, especially on improving well being and tailoring treatments to individual symptoms and constitutional profiles. There is a special section that lists addresses and telephone numbers for homeopathic organizations and homeopathic pharmacies/manufacturers. A glossary and bibliography make this book a complete reference.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Schaller, Adolf; Costanzo, Victor; Cooke, Roberta (illustrator). With 250,000 copies in print since its initial publication in 1983, NightWatch has become a standard reference guide for stargazers throughout North America.The new Third Edition expands on that success with a completely revised and updated text, more than 100 new color photos and diagrams and 16 additional pages that cover such! new astronomical pursuits as computerized telescopes, reviews of new telescope designs and accessories, and astronomy on the Internet.All charts, tables and diagrams have been updated and, in some cases, redesigned for easier use. Improved spacecraft measurements of the distances to the stars (recently released by the European Space Agency) are included in the charts, along with additional observing tips for stargazers using binoculars and telescopes. An expanded chapter on Astrophotography lists the best modern films and cameras for skyshooting.The new NightWatch is faithful to the "ultra-simplified, no jargon" philosophy of the original, and at the same time, offers substantially more practical information for the novice and intermediate-level amateur astronomer. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada called the first edition "the best of its kind"- the new Third Edition is better still. It is still an abundantly illustrated, wide-sized volume designed for easy reference during many starlit nights. Third Edition. Revised and Expanded for Use Through 2010.

Softcover. Condition: Good. F First Edition. A thorough guide to researching your Scottish family tree.This year, Scots worldwide will celebrate the Homecoming year to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Amidst this gaiety, many will come to Scotland to reflect on their own family's journey, personally examine Scotland's past and research their family tree.Tracing Your Scottish Family History guides the reader step by step, from "ask your family first" to finding, accessing and understanding obscure local records. Anthony Adolph shares insider tips on how best to search archives, libraries, publications, registers, censuses, tax rolls, debt records, churches, testaments and deeds, and he supplies all relevant contact information. Fortunately the Internet, digitized archives and DNA sampling have made it easier than ever to reconstruct a family tree.This book's abundant archival photographs and illustrations and Adolph's engaging text describe Scottish society in detail, from the early seanachaidh (druids) and chieftains to Viking genetics. Adolph explains how critical historical events affected how and where Scottish people lived, and he gives comprehensive detail on such important topics as naming patterns, clans and tartans, heraldry, parishes, landholders and tacksmen, the Burghs, sasines, farmers and crofters, and Highland and Lowland families.Tracing Your Scottish Family History is a comprehensive research tool and easy-to-use guide that gives an authentic historical perspective of Scotland and the lives of its people -- a core reference for researching a Scottish family tree.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Ron Davidson's 50 fundamental hockey skills and tactics will empower players to excel individually at this team game.At last! A book that focuses on the development of individual hockey skills and promotes a mastery of body positioning, skating and stick work. Learning these skills gives players a strong fundamental understanding of how to move effectively on the ice in any gameplay situation.The skills are organized in four sections: Fundamentals, Skating Techniques, Stick Work, and Dekeing and Deception. As the reader progresses through a chapter, the level of difficulty of each skill increases, ultimately covering every fundamental move and technique needed for an outstanding and total comprehension of the play. Davidson's progressive-learning approach teaches beginners the proper techniques, hones the skills of intermediate-level players and challenges elite players with the additional skills they need.Among the 50 critical skills presented in this eye-opening collection are: Forward strideBackward crossunderDrive and delayHeel-to-heel turnsTight turnsExtending your reachReceiving off-target shootingThe Forsberg dekeThe Datsyuk deke.

Softcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. Discover the dying art of birchbark canoe building as seen through the eyes of someone who is passionate about it. In this book David Gidmark tells the story of the building of a traditional birchbark canoe and his apprenticeship learning the skills and the language of the Algonquin of western Quebec.Through learning how to do (how to strip the bark from the tree, fashion gunwales from the cedar logs, carve the ribs with a crooked knife and sew the huge sheets of bark onto the frame with spruce root) David Gidmark learns how to see the wilderness and relate to it in Algonquin ways that are very different from ours. As his knowledge increases, so does his respect for the culture and wisdom of native peoples.Part way through this odyssey, he meets his future wife, Ernestine, a young Ojibway woman who was taken at the age of five from her family and placed in a residential school. As she and David made a life together in the woods, she was able to begin relearning her language and culture.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. SPI. A practical guide to using color successfully.The power of color is its ability to influence mood, create atmosphere, and enhance perception. As a result, one of the most effective ways to transform any room is by changing its color. Which colors to use is the challenge.The Color Scheme Bible is a practical, yet inspiring reference for those who want to take advantage of different colors without clashing. It contains 150 color scheme ideas for home decorators and interior designers.The book explains how to choose colors that will complement each other for a subdued effect, and which colors and combinations will energize the room.Topics covered include: How color creates ambiance and atmosphere Using color to give a small room the illusion of space and depth How to create the feeling of warmth and light with color Distinctive color schemes inspired by nature, art, travel and even a favorite possession.The book also includes a variety of color combination palettes that can be used with different materials for refreshingly original color schemes.The Color Scheme Bible is an essential handbook for home decorators and interior designers.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Reissue. A comprehensive and authoritative guide to the fascinating mysteries of bird migration.Every year, billions of birds leave their North American breeding grounds for winter quarters farther south. That so many birds migrate so many miles, through life-threatening conditions, and to the same place each year, is simply stunning.The editor of this important and lavishly illustrated new book has selected a cross-section of both the most typical and the most interesting migrants. Colorful maps, photographs, calendars and fact files, with easy-to-read symbols and abbreviations, present an accurate and up-to-date profile of each species.The introduction provides comprehensive background on migration and its great mystery: how do the birds know where to go? The latest scientific discoveries are explained here.The bulk of the book is the directory, which chronicles the routes of more than 500 species, including: North American birds of prey Hummingbirds, grosbeaks and starlings Eurasian shorebirds, storks and cranes Winter visitors from the Far North, such as swans, geese and finches African, South American and Australasian migrants Migratory sea birds, such as penguins, albatrosses and terns.The results of new satellite tracking methods are covered, as are current environmental threats and conservation initiatives. The book closes with a comprehensive catalog of migrating species from all continents.

Softcover. Condition: Good. An illustrated celebration of hockey's most exciting decade.For hockey fans, the game was never better than during the 1980's, the decade with the highest scoring in the history of the NHL.The term firewagon hockey refers to the fast and furious type of play during that time. Firewagon Hockey celebrates the stars of that decade with lively text, detailed stats and dramatic photography.Organized by season, the book describes the dramatic highlights: who was in, who was out, and how the game changed. The top five players of each season are featured and profiled.Firewagon Hockey profiles the beginnings of many Hall of Fame careers including: Wayne Gretzky Mario Lemieux Steve Yzerman Mark Messier Grant Fuhr Paul Coffey Brett Hull.A special section covers the prime of Wayne Gretzky who tore through the record book with unmatched stats. Another section records the exploits of hockey's last dynasties, the New York Islanders and the Edmonton Oilers.This book is abundantly illustrated with photography from the Dennis Miles Collection, Sports Illustrated and the Bruce Bennett Studios.Firewagon Hockey is a nostalgia book for hockey fans wanting to relive the NHL's most glorious decade.

Hardcover. Condition: used. A totally fresh look at fish.Focus on Freshwater Aquarium Fish is a valuable reference for fishkeepers at all levels. The book features a wide variety of fish illustrated in a dynamic way and offers practical advice for their care.The book presents the fish based on their families or fishkeeping groups. These groupings consist of: American and African Cichlids: bold inhabitants Characins: from tetras to piranhas Live-bearers: includes guppies and mollies Killifish: short-lived beauties Anabantids: air breathers including Bettas Danios, Minnows and Rasboras Catfish: found in tropic and temperate waters Rainbowfish: tropical fish at home in tap water Sharks and Loaches: bottomfeeders and efficient algae eaters Barbs: active and gregarious Oddballs: pufferfish, low-voltage eels, elegant predators and more Goldfish: a wide variety of a perennial favorite.Each section opens with an overview that introduces the range of fish within that group and explores their adaptations. The images and text provide details of the mature size and main characteristics of each fish, its behavior in the aquarium and a brief look at how it breeds.The bright, colorful photographs display the fish swimming rather than as static side views. This evokes a clearer sense of the personality of each species. Freshwater fishkeepers will be delighted at the beauty and choice available.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Reprint. The most exciting view of prehistoric life."Comprehensive, illustrated encyclopedia to prehistoric animals. lifelike detail. this easily readable book should appeal to dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages."-Science News The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life. The book's concise, jargon-free text and full color illustrations bring the primordial world to vivid photo-realistic life. In-depth profiles of 112 kinds of beasts cover physical characteristics, lifestyle, habitat and behavior. Throughout, "fascinating fact" sidebars offer additional bits of "dinotrivia." But there is more than dinosaurs here. Readers will find creatures from triobites to early human beings.At the heart of the book are 350 richly detailed and lifelike color illustrations -- accompanied by comprehensive text -- which are the result of pioneering work by the Emmy award-winning creative team at Framestore CFC. Using animation, graphic effects and filmmaking, they recreated awe-inspiring prehistoric creatures and the world they lived in. These images are now reproduced to thrill readers.The Complete Guide to Prehistoric Life was published to accompany two BBC TV prime-time programs, Life Before Dinosaurs and Walking with Life, both part of the Discovery Channel's award-winning Walking with Dinosaurs series.

Softcover. Condition: Good. 4th. "The Universe and Beyond is a celebration of the human spirit of exploration. It is a majestic voyage to the most distant realms we can imagine. Prepare yourself for a great adventure."- Edward G. Gibson, Astronaut, Skylab 4The Universe and Beyond is a factual, up-to-date guide to the universe, written by bestselling astronomy author, Terence Dickinson. This book includes the most recent astronomical discoveries and events using imaginative astronomical illustration in addition to dramatic photography from the Hubble Space Telescope, space probes and the largest observatories on Earth.This fourth edition has been carefully reviewed, revised and brought up-to-date with new text and photographs. The chapter on cosmology is significantly expanded to include new information about the origin of the universe and the large-scale structure of the universe. Also included are over thirty new photographs of planets, nebulas, galaxies and galaxy clusters.Every major topic of astronomy is described clearly and concisely. The Universe and Beyond addresses the questions that arise most often from those with a fascination for the night sky. Brimming with color illustrations, the book includes the Cassini-Huygens mission.Other topics include: Overview of the universe The solar system and nearby worlds Planets of other stars Galaxies and black holes The search for extraterrestrial life How the universe will end Telescopes for the twenty-first century.The astronomical resources include books, associations and web sites.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. How animals communicate and learn -- sometimes better than humans do, actually.This fascinating book, written by a world authority on animal intelligence, brings together the cumulative research on the comparative intelligence levels of nonhuman "smart" species. Sally Boysen reveals how these intelligent animals communicate, learn behavior, show feelings and emotions and, for some species, how they use tools, count and sometimes pick up a foreign language.Fully illustrated with photographs and step-by-step graphics, the book draws on data from historical and current experiments and observations to examine intelligence in the great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans) and in a surprising list of other species, including sea otters, eagles, elephants, dolphins, birds, bees, beetles, rats, raccoons and parrots.The book's chapters are:Comparing Animal Skills and Intelligence Animal Tool Use Communication in Animals Imitation and Social Learning Social Cognition and Emotion Self-recognition and Awareness Numerical Abilities in Animals Animals and Human Nonverbal Language.The Smartest Animals on the Planet is a beautiful, authoritative and up-to-date presentation on the remarkable intelligence of the animal kingdom.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. No Edition Stated. Celebrate the awakening of an artistic movement in Ernie Sparks' second book, Wildfowl Art, a photographic collection of the finest contemporary sculptures by the world's most recognized wildlife carvers. 110 full-color photos.

Softcover. Condition: used. The essential handbook for every quilter at every level of expertise.Quilting is enjoying a renaissance as consumers seek value but still want high-quality hand-crafted items. The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué is the one book that covers every quilting process and answers virtually every technical question. It features an extensive full-color gallery of amazing quilts from around the world, a concise history of quilt design and 1,000 step-by-step illustrations that detail design and construction techniques.The creative and concise guidance from Linda Seward instills confidence in the beginner and gives new inspiration to the experienced quilter. She covers such topics as: Essential equipment and techniques Working with colors and fabrics Preparing, cutting and pressing fabrics Hand and machine sewing and piecing Drafting patterns, joining and setting in pieces Hand and machine appliqué Borders, binding, edging and cording Cut-and-sew, inlay, reverse and shadow appliqué Hand quilting, including advanced stitch designs Special techniques, such as curved seams and tie quilting Small projects, clothing and caring for and hanging quiltsDozens of patterns and ready-to-use templates cover traditional, modern and advanced designs and patterns, and an A to Z glossary of quilting terms rounds out this comprehensive handbook.The Complete Book of Patchwork, Quilting & Appliqué is the essential reference for the thousands of hobbyists who quilt, appliqué and engage in other needle crafts. An outstanding value, this book will become the most-used resource for any quilter.

Softcover. Condition: Good. An illustrated how-to referenceThere are five key areas of the home where soft furnishings can make a big difference: bath, bedroom, kitchen, dining and living room Best of all, soft furnishings can be easily created by anyone with a sewing machine -- even beginnersSimple Soft Furnishings covers the core sewing items needed to transform any home into a fashionable and welcome environment With an irresistible collection of projects, ranging from simple cushions to elegant curtains and sumptuous bedding, these designs are a mix of timeless classics and current trends with appeal for all agesEach project will bring style to any room at an affordable cost The focus is on quick and easy ideas that can be readily made in a weekend This beautifully presented book features: Fifty original soft furnishing designs for the home Projects for cushions, curtains and blinds, seating, bedding and table linens Simplified techniques for the beginner sewer Illustrated step-by-step instructions Advice for alternative fabrics, fastenings, trimming, patterns and color schemes List of resources and suppliers Tips for adding special touches to customize each projectSimple Soft Furnishings is an inspiring and practical guide to creating fashionable home furnishings.

Hardcover. Condition: Good. 4th. "The Universe and Beyond is a celebration of the human spirit of exploration. It is a majestic voyage to the most distant realms we can imagine. Prepare yourself for a great adventure."- Edward G. Gibson, Astronaut, Skylab 4The Universe and Beyond is a factual, up-to-date guide to the universe, written by bestselling astronomy author, Terence Dickinson. This book includes the most recent astronomical discoveries and events using imaginative astronomical illustration in addition to dramatic photography from the Hubble Space Telescope, space probes and the largest observatories on Earth.This fourth edition has been carefully reviewed, revised and brought up-to-date with new text and photographs. The chapter on cosmology is significantly expanded to include new information about the origin of the universe and the large-scale structure of the universe. Also included are over thirty new photographs of planets, nebulas, galaxies and galaxy clusters.Every major topic of astronomy is described clearly and concisely. The Universe and Beyond addresses the questions that arise most often from those with a fascination for the night sky. Brimming with color illustrations, the book includes the Cassini-Huygens mission.Other topics include: Overview of the universe The solar system and nearby worlds Planets of other stars Galaxies and black holes The search for extraterrestrial life How the universe will end Telescopes for the twenty-first century.The astronomical resources include books, associations and web sites.

Softcover. Condition: Good. SPI. A practical and inspiring A-Z guide to the world's most popular woods.Wood is a favored building material because of availability, ease to cut and join, decorative properties, functionality, flexibility, and a favorable strength-to-weight ratio.The Real Wood Bible is a comprehensive handbook for anyone who works with wood.or is planning to. Woodworkers, crafters, carpenters, and interior designers will find extensive information about the woods they regularly use as well as discover some new ones.This colorful, easy-to-use book features: How trees are converted into boards and veneers How to convert your own trees into boards Woods that incorporate beautiful natural effects A list of woods available from sustainable sources Useful advice on buying and storing lumber.An extensive and illustrated A-Z guide to the world's most popular woods is the heart of this book. Each wood is shown with a color illustration demonstrating the true look and beauty of the finished and unfinished grain.A special section on sustainability is included, with an introduction to key conservation issues.The Real Wood Bible is the essential reference for the appreciation of the practical beauty of the world's most popular building material.

Softcover. Condition: Good. First Edition. "I had only a moment to get all sail down and myself upon the peak halliards, out of danger, when I saw the mighty crest towering masthead-high above me. The mountain of water submerged my vessel. She shook in every timber and reeled under the weight of the sea ."What would it be like to sail around the world by yourself, especially without the telecommunications and technical equipment we have today? Alone At Sea takes readers on such a thrilling journey.In 1895, Joshua Slocum embarked on a three-year, 46,000-mile solo circumnavigation of the globe. His boat, a refitted oyster sloop called Spray, took him through pirate-infested waters and horrific storms amidst the ghosts and demons of 36 months of solitude. Alone At Sea is his story: "On his first solo day, Slocum found himself enveloped by fog so thick 'one could almost stand on it.' It was as if his loneliness had been made visible as the thick fog 'lowered over the sea like a pall.' .He and the Spray were one small speck on an all-encompassing sea, invisible to the rest of the world. Slocum pondered his invisibility with a growing awareness of his insignificance in the universe: 'In the dismal fog I felt myself drifting into loneliness, an insect on a straw in the midst of the elements.'"This is the first original full-scale biography of Joshua Slocum in over 40 years. Ann Spencer spent years poring over the sailor's own journals and historical records buried in libraries and archives throughout New England and the Maritimes. She uncovered new facts, documents and photographs now published here. With Spencer's engaging text and peppered with Slocum's own journal entries, Alone At Sea is captivating reading for anyone interested in sailing, nautical history, travel and the soul of a true adventurer. Heroes come rarely in real life and this is the story of a too-little known maritime hero.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Revised and updated. How wine is made, from field to cellar to bottle.Great wine is a complex blend of nature, art and science. In this updated new edition of a classic book, the "how and why" of a wine's creation are examined in detail.Acclaimed wine writers James Halliday and Hugh Johnson analyze the art and science behind the winemaking process. They start with the fundamental role of terroir the complex combination of characteristics that give a wine its personality. The latest developments in pruning and irrigation are then covered, along with the recent emergence of vineyards in cooler regions and the rise of organic wines.Wine production in the cellar is detailed for nine specific styles, from light-bodied whites to full-bodied reds, along with sweet, sparkling and fortified varieties. The authors present the choices facing vintners at every step. The science of maturation is discussed, along with the industry's raging debate over the merits of natural cork, plastic cork and screw cap seals. The book also covers: A year in the vineyard Quantity vs. quality National attitudes and regional characteristics Mechanization The chemistry and analysis of wine.The Art and Science of Wine is filled with full color photographs and illustrations. With text that reflects the latest winemaking technology and discoveries, this lively book is both accessible and highly informative.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Revised & enlarged. Shed the illusion that the building in you're your in which tools and backyard equipment are stored must be, by definition, a boring and ugly necessity. The revised and expanded edition of Sheds contains absolutely everything you need to know to design, build and enjoy the ultimate backyard shed.Award-winning designer David Stiles helps you think through the issues involved in shed design, such as use, cost, placement and "degree of difficulty." Following a chapter on construction basics, he guides you through each step of building a simple 8 x 10-foot shed -- from foundation to cupola and everything in between. This core chapter includes a material list, step-by-step illustrated instructions and a daily labor schedule, as well as new information on timber framing and moving your shed to a different location.The book then presents several basic sheds, along with a number of more complex special-use sheds, including a pool shed, an Irish garden shed, even a Japanese boat shed. The all-new storage shed on posts allows you to situate your building of a slope.Packed with detailed illustrations, plans, commonsense advice and an inspiring selection of color photographs, Sheds is like having a consultant at your side as you work. Whether you are an average amateur builder or an ambitious expert, this book has something for you.

Softcover. Condition: Good. Illustrated. A comprehensive guide to planning, planting and maintaining a small garden.This in-depth reference packs a lot of information and expert advice into one easy-to-use resource. It is designed to help home gardeners discover the potential in a small piece of land and guide them step-by-step through the process of transforming it into a garden with oversized impact.The book works forward from planning a garden and making difficult design choices, to installation and maintenance. Each chapter instructs on numerous related topics (such as the examples below) and presents an illustrative case study:Basics - 15 ways to reveal your plot's potential, understanding soil, evaluating hardscaping, making a plan Design - 15 ways to make instant impact, principles of design Styles - 15 ways to find your style, Style Portfolio Materials - 15 ways to exploit materials, simple rules of laying paving, changes of level Boundaries - 15 ways to buff up your boundaries, materials, plants Structures - 15 ways to use garden structures, storage, hideaways, green roofs, raised beds, an outdoor office Water - 15 ways to enjoy water, planning a pond, mirror-like water, dynamic water, plants, fish Planting - 15 ways to improve a planting design, habitats, styles, long-term and short-term, design statements Upkeep - 15 ways to simplify the garden, seasonal and monthly housekeeping tasks.The book also features an inspirational portfolio of small gardens and provides all the information needed to install these designs. For example, the handy "7 steps to create." lists cover Japanese, Mediterranean, Exotic, Ecological, Cottage-garden, Arts and Crafts, Modernist, Conceptualist and Urban gardens.Small Garden Handbook is ideal for the home gardener. Each of the gardens featured in the book's 300 photographs provides exceptional inspiration for gardeners at all levels of expertise.