What is Japanese Architecture?: A Survey of Traditional Japanese Architecture

Book Description

Traditional Japanese architecture-whether Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, residences, castles, or teahouses-has become increasingly familiar around the world. Through the media of motion pictures, art books, T.V. documentaries and dramas such as Shogun, as well as through personal
experience, more and more people have gained an acquaintance and appreciation of the architecture of premodern Japan. Some may even be able to name or recognize the oldest and the largest wooden structures in existence, which are to be found in Japan at Horyuji and Todaiji respectively. Yet often
this knowledge is still rudimentary. Confusion abounds as to what distinguishes Japanese architecture from Chinese or Korean, or even Southeast Asian, not to mention what sets off a Buddhist temple from a Shinto shrine or, say, a residence of the tenth century from one of the eighteenth. Until now,
there has been no recourse for those seeking, through a single book, to increase their appreciation of the whole range of traditional Japanese architecture. With the publication of What Is Japanese Architecture?, however, this situation has finally been rectified. Construction, design, carpentry,
and the background of Japanese architecture, from prehistory to mid-nineteenth century, are here made available within the covers of a single, compact book.

With over 300 drawings that illuminate the essentials of discussion more concretely than words could ever do, and a text that is succinct and always to the point, the book is divided into four parts-one each dealing chronologically with religious structures, residences, castles, and places of
entertainment. The reader learns not only how each of these fields of architecture has evolved over the centuries and what distinguishes the buildings of one age from those of another, but something of the historical conditions and the people responsible for these changes as well as the role played
by carpentry and methods of construction. The establishment and growth of the historic Japanese capitals-Nara, Kyoto, Edo-is brought sharply into focus, along with the rise and spread of other urban centers. Also highlighted are the mansions of the court nobility; the castles and residences of the
samurai aristocracy; the homes of village elders; dwellings of the common people; educational institutions, and places of entertainment such as theaters, red-light districts, teahouses, and country villas.

Any book that is as full of information as this, and readily accessible and clearly illustrated at the same time, will be of great interest and use to a wide range of people-architects, designers, historians, carpenters, movie buffs, tourists, garden designers, and others, whether amateur or
professional. Whatever the readers' background, there is little doubt about one thing: they will emerge with an acuter eye and a greater sensitivity to the delights of traditional Japanese architecture.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent source material!.......2004-04-28

I've been searching for a book such as this for quite some time. I purchased this book as source material for 3D modeling, and all the hand drawn illustrations are simply amazing! Many interior, exterior and close-up shots of Japanese architecture. Several floor plans and isometric views of various homes and temples.

Having only recieved my book the day before, I have not had a chance to read it from cover to cover, but what I have read was informative and well written. While you may not be able to build your very own "to code" Japanese home with this book, as a source of information and inspiration, it's a tremendous book!

a wonderful guide to japanese architectural styles!.......2000-06-10

This is a good guide to Japanse architecture and it's styles. It contains many illustrations, and is a detailed description on types of Traditional Japanese architecture.

Average customer rating:

Excellent architectural overview of the historic sites

What Is Japanese Architecture?

Manufacturer: Kodansha International
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Architecture | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 477001211X

Customer Reviews:

Excellent architectural overview of the historic sites.......2004-07-15

Very nicely illustrated & well written. Includes many detail drawings. Covers Temples, Shrines, Palaces, Castles ordinary residences, Teahouses, etc. Includes background, construction techniques, design, carpentry etc. Over 300 illust.

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What Is Japanese Architecture?
Kazuo, 1938- Nishi
Manufacturer: see notes for publisher info
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NP42GA

Customer Reviews:

interesting book.......2003-07-20

This is a 218 page softcover book w/ color photographs. A map and glossary are included. Although there are photos from New Orleans, Toronto, New York, etc., the focus is primarily on the festivals (e.g., Carnaval and Jonkonnu) as found in the Caribbean. There is a lot of text and photos detailing everything from the ancient history all the way up to some very modern expressions of carnaval. Many extraordinary photos of costumed paraders.

Caribbean Festival Arts: Each And Every Bit Of Difference

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Caribbean Festival Arts: Each And Every Bit Of Difference
John W. Nunley
Manufacturer: Univ of Washington Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORIG9Q

Book Description

Video and Media Servers, Second Edition provides a technical understanding of videoanalog or digitalwith answers to many questions that surround tapeless, digital disk, and server based video distribution. Up-dated to address the universal shift towards the use of servers for the storage and delivery of video media, this book covers such timely issues as digital television broadcasting, the acceptance of compressed digital video and storage, video-on-demand, pay-per-view, and streamed media on the internet.

The new edition includes: updates on changes in digital disk recorders, theories of storage area networks (SAN), and streaming media. Covering comparisons of network attached storage (NAS) vs SAN, principles of ftp and gigabit Ethernet, and how the video server is being purposed for web and internet, this new edition offers readers invaluable insights into the most modern technologies. Theories of servers (at the local server domain and in CentralCasting), non-video based servers, how to bridge IT based servers to video servers and vice versa, more on fibre channel networking, and an introduction to MAM (media asset management) are also included.

A focused guide for anyone with a technical understanding of video
New edition covers streaming and media asset management
Includes treatment of server technology as well as practical applications

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Video and Media Servers, Second Edition
Karl Paulsen
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPXAF8

Book Description

Leave it to Garfield to cook up an unforgettable Thanksgiving!

Customer Reviews:

That fat cat can't resist the Thanksgiving turkey........2002-11-27

Funny, and hilarious and has some parts that weren't in the TV show. Something any Grafield lover would like to read the night before Thanksgiving. That's exactly what I do. It's fun and very colorful. Jon really comes up with some wierd substitutes for some of the things he bakes. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

this is a great book.......1999-07-23

this book is great it is very funny

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Garfield's Thanksgiving

Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving Puzzle (Sergeant Sniff Scratch-And-Sniff Mysteries)

Average customer rating:

Oh so cute!

Pumpkin Pie Thanksgiving Puzzle (Sergeant Sniff Scratch-And-Sniff Mysteries)
Valerie Garfield , and Abigail Tabby
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0613969111

Book Description

How do you solve a mystery?
Sergeant Sniff sniffs, and she follows her nose!

Something smells out of sorts! Sergeant Sniff, the sleuthing skunk detective, and her investigative team must solve a Thanksgiving mystery: Who stole Farmer Fur's prize pumpkin? Smell the scented stickers on each page as Sergeant Sniff tries to sniff out the thief among a feast of clues. Could this mystery be as easy as pie?

Customer Reviews:

Oh so cute!.......2003-05-03

This whole series is really very sweet. These are short, cute books that we read on all of the holidays. Even if the scratch and sniff parts run out (which they do after many many readings!) my 3 and 5 year old still enjoy these mysteries.

Book Description

In modern business, the availability of up-to-date and secure information is critical to a company's competitive edge and marketing drive. Unfortunately, traditional business studies and classical economics are unable to provide the necessary analysis of such contemporary issues as information technology and knowledge management. The Efficient Enterprise: Increased Corporate Success with Industry-Specific Information Technology and Knowledge Management details an economic business model and visualization system that includes today's business needs and demonstrates how industry-specific information technology blazes the trail towards increased corporate success. Throughout this book, the author explains how his revolutionary theories are put into practice in the industry-specific ERP software CSB-System. Following a systematic visualization of economic principles, this text examines IT business organization and control systems, focusing on software choices and integration, industry-specific software, and workflow management. The third and largest section of the book explores facets of integrated industry-specific IT for corporate management. Concepts include: * Business organization * Quality Control System * Management and controlling * Performance and time management * Automated economy * Commodity and product management * Accounting and finance The Efficient Enterprise provides a roadmap for the expert integration and application of software and technology in the pursuit of efficiency and profitability. Schimitzek's intention is to develop a unified formula for economics, in which any transaction can be modeled using four components: addresses; items; conditions; and procedures.

Book Description

No one wants to be a dummy when it comes to buying a house---the single biggest investment most people make. The Homebuyer's Kit helps buyers get smart.

Real estate experts Edith Lank (called the ""Dear Abby of real estate"" by USA Today) and Dena Amoruso give buyers all the tools they need to maneuver the sometimes confusing world of real estate. Packed with handy tips, checklists and worksheets, The Homebuyer's Kit gives practical advice on launching the house hunt; choosing a real estate agent; deciding how much to spend; applying for and comparing mortgages; and managing the negotiation. The language of real estate---escrows, easements, equity and more---is clearly explained. Sample forms, payment and mortgage tables, list of Web resources, glossary and index complete the 224-page kit. For first-time and experienced buyers alike.

Customer Reviews:

Quick education about home-buying.......2002-09-28

I looked over a stack of books about how to buy a home, and chose this one because it was the shortest! Since I made up my mind to buy a home, I wanted to do it now, and I wanted to equip myself with knowledge fast! Everything is here in a concise step-by-step format for the process of planning expenses, finding and evaluating a home, dealing with the seller and the real estate agent or broker (never knew there was a difference in them before), making an offer and a contract, getting a loan, going to escrow and closing. Many terms I only had a vague understanding of before are much clearer (and in case I forget, there's a glossary of terms in the back of the book), and I have a good idea of how to proceed and what I'll be encountering. Having this knowledge makes me feel as I step into this venture that I will be in control of what I'm doing, and not be at the mercy of sellers or agents.

The author really knows her subject, and I'm grateful for this book.

The perfect home-buying book for dummies!.......2001-01-04

My husband and I knew nothing about the process of searching for and buying a house until my boss gave me a copy of this book (it was an earlier edition, published in 1989, but it was still immensely helpful.) It has everything a first-time home buyer needs to know from the nitty gritty of financing down to the nerves you'll expereience when you close the deal. I've already recommended this book to other friends who are in the market for a house. And I'm sure we'll reference the book again when it comes time to sell and buy another house.

Excellent guide for every aspect of home buying........1998-10-15

This book is chock full of tips, checklists, and charts to help you through every aspect of the homebuying process. Learn to spot bargains, work with agents, negotiate a final price, and finance your dream house ... condo, co-op, or mobile home This one's a classic.

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Your Maternity Leave: How to Leave Work, Have a Baby, and Go Back to Work Without Getting Lost, Trapped, of Sandbagged Along the Way
Jean Marzollo
Manufacturer: Holiday House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Pregnancy & Childbirth | Women's Health | Personal Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0671733664

Average customer rating:

The Dawn of the Nuclear Age

History....even the history of science... is inherently about people

Diana Preston has done it again!

An Overview for the Layperson

The Biggest Story of the Twentieth Century

Before the Fallout: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima
Diana Preston
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy

Shockwave : Countdown to Hiroshima

Boxer Rebellion: The Dramatic Story of China's War on Foreigners that Shook the World in the Summer of 1900

109 East Palace: Robert Oppenheimer and the Secret City of Los Alamos

American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

ASIN: B000I0ROB0

Book Description

The Human Chain Reaction That Led To The Atom Bomb

On December 26, 1898, Marie Curie announced the discovery of radium and observed that "radioactivity seems to be an atomic property." A mere 47 years later, "Little Boy"exploded over Hiroshima. Before the Fallout is the epic story of the intervening half century, during which an exhilarating quest to unravel the secrets of the material world revealed how to destroy it, and an open, international, scientific adventure transmuted overnight into a wartime sprint for the bomb.

Weaving together history, science, and biography, Diana Preston chronicles a human chain reaction of scientists and leaders whose discoveries and decisions forever changed our lives. The early decades of the 20th century brought Einstein's relativity theory, Rutherford's discovery of the atomic nucleus, and Heisenberg's quantum mechanics, and scientists of many nations worked together to tease out the secrets of the atom. Only 12 years before Hiroshima, one leading physicist dismissed the idea of harnessing energy from atoms as "moonshine." Then, on the eve of World War II, the power of atomic fission was revealed, alliances were broken, friendships sundered, and science co-opted by world events.

Preston interviewed the surviving scientists, and she offers new insight into the fateful wartime meeting between Heisenberg and Bohr, along with a fascinating conclusion examining what might have happened had any number of events occurred differently. She also provides a rare portrait of Hiroshima before the blast.

As Hiroshima's 60th anniversary approaches, Before the Fallout compels us to consider the threats and moral dilemmas we face in our still dangerous world.

Customer Reviews:

The Dawn of the Nuclear Age .......2007-04-24

BEFORE THE FALLOUT: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima
--By Diana Preston Reviewed by Philip Henry

"My God, What have we done?"

With those words, the crew of the "Enola Gay" summed up their feelings after dropping the A-Bomb that obliterated Hiroshima. The history of the Atomic (and later, Hydrogen) bomb permeates the history of the past century: from 1895, when Roentgen discovered the X-Ray, through the pioneering experiments of Einstein, Edward Teller, J. Robert Oppenheimer; Leo Szilard (the often-overlooked main ingredient in the Manhattan Project) through efforts to control nuclear proliferation and the Cold War.
That's a lot of ground to cover, but in "Before the Fallout: From Marie Curie to Hiroshima" Diana Preston attempts, and to a large degree succeeds, in doing so.

While Richard Rhodes' monumental two-volume history (The Atomic Bomb, and "Dark Sun") will remain the Industry Standard for the nuclear history cottage industry, Preston has done an admirable job of encapsulating the excitement, paranoia, and regrets of the Nuclear Founders.She does an excellent job of giving credit where credit is due to some of the neglected major players in the drama: Leo Szilard, who was prescient about the political and military consequences of nuclear energy; Werner Heisenberg, who directed the Nazi nuclear project although he wasn't a Nazi; and Niels Bohr.

The tension between J.Robert Oppenheim, the brilliant physicist (he got his PhD at 22) and developed the Black Holes in space theory) and Edward Teller is the material for books that stand on their own in reporting it: "American Prometheus", for one.

This is fascinating stuff for all of us: those in "The Greatest Generation" who fought WWII; those of us in the Baby Boomer generation who grew up under the shadow of the bomb and remember "duck and cover" drills in elementary school; and the Public Leaders who should read, and digest, this material CAREFULLY!

My only reservations are the speculative "What If's" that she includes in her Epilogue. Sure, its fascinating to speculate on what might have happened if Hitler had used the intellectual genius of Heisenberg and others to build the bomb.. but he didn't.

I give this four and a half stars.

History....even the history of science... is inherently about people.......2006-08-19

Diana Preston combines the exciting story of the individuals responsible for the scientific discoveries of Atomic Energy with the race for the Atomic Bomb. She traces the fifty year journey of discoveries which culminated in Hiroshima's destruction. The book is one of biography, science (well told and easy to understand), and the history of this unique quest for knowledge. The book is a broad overview of the subject which along the way presents material that surely could be expanded into many different books and even a few movies. For example the story of the two attempts to destroy the Nazi's Norwegian source of Heavy Water reads like the film "The Guns of Navarone".
I have had the pleasure to meet Diana Preston and hear her speak at the Los Angeles Times Book Fair. She is a regular attendee. I have read all but her first book and have felt her "Lusitania" her greatest achievement but this, her newest, is just as wonderful.
The book is well organized and has many characters that you find easy to follow via each mini biography throughout the narrative. The book ends with really two epilogues. (I do like a good epilog too.) The first tells what happened to each participant after WWII and the last is a "what if" analysis this is most interesting as it puts many of the events in the book into a broad context and points out the individual difference each scientist made. I just loved Preston's comment at the end of the book... "History....even the history of science... is inherently about people, how they thought, what they did with their thoughts, and how they interacted with the individuals immediately around them and then with society and the greater world order. All involved in this story....regardless of race, sex. creed, age, or intellectual ability... had the potential to act individually. In thinking about history but, above all, about the future, we should not depersonalize situations but remember our individual responsibility for them and the consequences fro others." I know you will find this book amazing even if you feel the subject might be dry and to scientific. (High Schools please add this one to your required reading list.)

Diana Preston has done it again!.......2006-02-17

Since reading Lusitania three years ago, I have devoured every Diana Preston book that I can get my hands on. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy Before the Fallout as much as the others since science is not my specialty, but once again her book has totally captured my attention. The way Preston weaves the history with the science (but not too technical) with the personal lives of the people involved is fascinating. Certainly the development of the atomic bomb is one of the defining events of our lifetime, and the story behind that event as told by Diana Preston is so intriguing that I would recommend this book to anyone! My only disappointment is that now that I'm done, I'm going to have to wait awhile for her next book!

An Overview for the Layperson.......2006-01-06

"Before the Fallout", while lacking the technical detail presented in Richard Rhodes' "The Making of the Atomic Bomb", presents some interesting personality sketches (the degree to which these are subjective remains unresolved). Preston presents an interesting collection of missed opportunities on the road to the discovery of fission. One may be left with the feeling that body of the book serves only as a platform for the epilogue and its litany of "what if"s.

The Biggest Story of the Twentieth Century.......2005-09-16

I saw Diana Preston on CNN Book TV, lecturing about her book, presented on the day of the 60th anniversary of the dropping of atomic bomb. That day, several author's were featured who had written books on the atomic bomb. She is a brilliant speaker and a superb author. My vocabulary has been expanded as a result of reading this book.

This is a big story, of mythic proportions. I've always been drawn to the story of the Manhattan Project and the events of World War II. Preston does a thorough job describing all the of characters involved in the science leading up to the making of atomic bomb. Before reading this book, I had some vague recollection about Einstein's involvement. Now I know the real players, and how Einstein was used merely for his "star power" to get an introduction to the President.

There has been a lot of second guessing about the decision to use the atomic bomb. Preston concludes her book with a "What If?" chapter, getting into questions like this.

My one complaint is I feel that Preston did not give proper coverage to the combat experience of the battles in the Pacific - Okinawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Tarawa. The book to read is "The Story of World War II" by Miller and Commanger. In that book, I was overwhelmed by the personal narratives of those who fought in the Pacific. The gruesome facts of that war are something most Americans were shielded from. Preston's book lacks the passion that Miller's book conveyed of the difficult combat conditions and the overall feeling of futility experienced by the soldiers, both American and Japanese. In this one sense, I was a little disappointed in the political correctness of her "What If?" chapter.

She did provided a famous passage from a 21 year old second lieutenant that bears worth repeating:

"When the bomb dropped and the news began to circulate that the invasion of Japan would not, after all, take place, that we would not be obliged to run up the beaches near Tokyo assualt-firing while being mortared and shelled...We were going to live. We were going to grow up to adulthood after all."

Also, she relates that, ironically, some of the Japanese authorities felt that the use of bomb may have saved Japanese lives, by giving Emporer Hirohito a reason, justifiable in his mind, to surrender. To my own thinking, the bomb must have been so incredible - so "Godzilla" like - that it was something that Hirohito could bow down to and admit defeat. It was an enemy that equalled his own ego.

In political matters such as this, there are no "right answers". There only a "pile of rights" versus a "pile of wrongs".

And parents: This book is a GREAT READ FOR PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY STUDENTS!

Book Description

Farm animals are grown mainly to provide high quality proteins for human use, in the form of meat, milk, eggs, skin and wool. These products are usually formed from lower-quality proteins in complex processes that involve losses through digestion, absorption, and transport. Because proteins
are the most expensive major component of the animal diet per unit of weight, the efficiency with which they are used is of great importance biologically and economically. This book begins with a description of the dietary proteins and methods for their measurement. This is followed by detailed
accounts of their digestion in ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish. The physiological basis of adsorption of amino acids is discussed in detail. This is followed by reviews of the processes of protein synthesis and degradation and the hormonal and energetic regulation of these processes. Written by
a group of experienced scientists, this is the first book in which all of these topics are discussed in detail at a fundamental level. For advanced students and research workers in animal science and agriculture.

Protein Metabolism in Farm Animals: Evaluation, Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism

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Protein Metabolism in Farm Animals: Evaluation, Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism
Hans Dietrich; Eggum,Bjorn O., Low,A.Graham; Simon,Ortwin; Zebrowska,Teresa Bock
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKUV28

Average customer rating:

fair

Florida Bird Watching: A Year-Round Guide
Bill Thompson III
Manufacturer: Cool Springs Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Florida | States | United States | Travel | Subjects | Books
General | Birdwatching | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Florida

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Florida's Birds: A Field Guide And Reference

Birds Of Florida Field Guide

ASIN: 1591860970
Release Date: 2004-10-20

Book Description

Like gardening, bird watching is a fast-growing regional hobby. Now, Cool Springs Press brings its proven method of successful state-specific gardening approach to bird watching guides. In collaboration with Bird Watcher's Digest, these bird watching guides provide accessible, credible advice.

The birds that frequent the backyards of Florida differ from the birds that frequent the backyards of Tennessee. In addition to unique descriptions, each bird profile includes a range map to identify the each bird's North American distribution. One hundred birds are profiled, each with a color photograph, to ensure accurate identification. A seasonal section informs the reader of:
Migrating birds that can be seen during that season
The foods and plants that can attract those birds
Where to go to view year-round and migrating birds

Cool Springs Press's partner, Bird Watcher's Digest, has sold more than 4 million copies of their booklets on bird species, bird habitat, feeding, and other related topics.

This series of books from Cool Springs Press targets the beginning bird watchers for ten states.

Customer Reviews:

fair.......2007-02-24

This is a good book with good pictures and information. I only wish it covered more birds with more information about each bird. Some questions that I had about certain birds were not answered. And some birds that I see in my own backyard are not in the book.

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