The Day the House Fell: Homeowner Soil Problems-From Landslides to Expansive Clays and Wet Basements

Customer Reviews:

Professor Handy is an authentic expert on things soil........1999-05-29

Professor Handy was one of my teachers and I can still, after 22+ years, remember some of his lessons. His simplifies complex subjects with humor in a manner that is unforgetable. I am purchasing several copies for Christmas gifts for friends interested in earth science. I highly recommend this book for all professional earth scientists and engineers. I especially recommend the book for future home buyers and realtors.

Customer Reviews:

a everyday read.......2004-10-29

I received this book from a neighbor and friend. I read various pages from it everyday. The photos are wonderful if you are an animal lover and even if you are not! Each entry about friendship is such great food for thought about the tremendous value of having a true friend. I can't recomend it enough and will continue the tradition of sending it to good friends.

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BASELESS BIOGRAPHY. Nicolas Bentley drew the pictures.
E.C. Bentley
Manufacturer: Constable
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KAI9HQ

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Nicolas Bentley Drew the Pictures
Ruari McLean
Manufacturer: Scolar Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Illustration | Commercial | Graphic Design | Design & Decorative Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Drawing | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Artists, A-Z | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Comic Strips | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
General | Comics & Graphic Novels | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0859678431

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Tango. A solo across South America. Nicolas Bentley drew the pictures. 1º edition
G. Mikes
Manufacturer: Editions by Andre Deutsch Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V51EGS

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Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (2 cats dancing wearing fancy hats on cvr )
T. S. , Nicolas Bentley Drew the Pictures, Endpapers Foxed Eliot
Manufacturer: Faber & Faber, London
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JCZVYY

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The Book Of Snobs
Duke of Bedford in Collaboration with George Mikes John
Manufacturer: Coward-McCann, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NZZGWY

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HERE AND NOW. Nicolas Bentley drew the pictures.
J.B. (Beachcomber): Morton
Manufacturer: Pan
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000W31I6K

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How to be Inimitable
George Mikes
Manufacturer: Penguin Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ODYDDS

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Le sport: Who also drew the pictures
Nicolas Bentley
Manufacturer: V. Gollancz
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books | Dance | General | Reference | Theater
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B00088Q5P8

Book Description

During the past two decades, Mexico has proven itself a pioneer in Latin America in encouraging private sector participation in the economy. In the last decade, Mexico has also made major gains in infrastructure service provision. However, for Mexican enterprises to compete effectively and profit from open trade particularly within NAFTA, they will increasingly require higher quality infrastructure services, particularly in the water and energy sectors.

Private Solutions for Infrastructure in Mexico begins with a review of Mexico's recent macroeconomic performance and the business environment. This book considers various sources of financing for infrastructure investment, and reviews recent legal and regulatory reforms that are critical to attracting private sector financing. The remainder of the book explores current issues as well as prospects and concerns regarding private entry and investment in each infrastructure sector—telecommunications, natural gas, urban water and sanitation, toll roads, railroads, ports, civil aviation and airports.

Book Description

In this book, Hakim presents a new, multi-disciplinary theory for explaining and predicting current and future patterns of women's choice between employment and family work. Preference theory is the first theory developed specifically to explain women's behaviour and choices. As such, it constitutes a major break from male-centred theorizing to date in sociology and economics. Preference theory is grounded on the substantial body of new research on women's work and fertility that has flourished within feminist scholarship. It identifies five major historical changes that collectively are producing a qualitatively new scenario for women in prosperous societies in the 21st century. Throughout the analysis, the USA and Britain illustrate what the new scenario means for women, how it alters their preferences and work-lifestyles choices. Hakim also reviews research evidence on contemporary developments across Europe, Canada, Australia, Japan, and the far East to develop a new theory that is genuine international in perspective.

Customer Reviews:

Real Choice for Women.......2001-07-30

Catherine Hakim has written extensively on the subject of women and work. In her newest book she approaches this broad and complex subject by means of what she calls "preference theory". In a nutshell, this theory holds that contemporary western women are not at all united on these issues. Instead, they have a wide variety of preferences, preferences which must be taken into account by policy-makers.

Hakim offers four main tenets of preference theory: First, she says there have been five historical social changes which have led to a new scenario for women and their work choices: a. The 60's contraceptive revolution which gave women control over their fertility. b. The equal opportunities revolution, giving women equal access to the labour market. c. The rise of white-collar work, which tends to be more appealing to women. d. The creation of jobs for secondary work, where career is not the number one priority. e. The rising importance of preferences, choices and lifestyle options in affluent societies.

Second, women have many different preferences when it comes to work. In particular, there are three idealised preferences most women have: a. Home centered preferences (about 20% of women). b. Work centered preferences (about 20%). c. Adoptive (a combination of work and home) preferences (about 60%).

Third, these different preferences result in conflicts between different types of women. Men, on the other hand, are much more homogenous in their preferences, and thus have an advantage over the heterogeneous women. As a result, for many women, much conflict tends to arise because of these diverse preferences.

Fourth, the diversity of women's preferences means that public policy needs to be more diverse, catering to the different needs and desires of women, instead of trying to aim for just one approach.

Using this four-fold approach to questions of female work and lifestyle choices, she offers an incisive and thought-provoking analysis which will offer much to all sides of the debate. That is, both conservatives and feminists may need to readjust their agendas, in the light of this growing body of research.

One of the major conclusions of this research is that women clearly do not have one view on the issue of work and home, but many. Therefore, social policy should be flexible enough to meet the various preferences women in fact have. Policies should not seek to force women into some predetermined mould. Thus, if some women want to stay at home, and eschew the paid workplace, then government policies should recognise and accept those preferences. Indeed, research seems to indicate that, for various reasons, only a minority of women will want, and will reach, the top positions of power in the workforce.

Contrary to much feminist rhetoric, many women prefer either part-time work or no paid work at all. Not every women is chafing at the bits to flee the home for a life as a career woman. Certainly some are however. So government policy should cater for such divergence of interests and desires. And research makes it clear that this diversity of preferences will remain strong.

Thus if governments want to really honour the diversity of women in their choices, they should create policies which maximise choice, and forego coercive policies designed to create a pre-determined end. In this respect Hakim suggests that governments might adopt a kind of home-makers' allowance, available to all women. This should be available to all mothers for three years or more after each birth, irrespective of their employment record.

The importance of Hakim's thesis cannot be underestimated. The "one-size-fits-all" approach of many western governments (usually a feminist version of things) to questions of women and work tend to be restrictive and coercive. They just do not take into account the many real differences women have on the issue. Hakim's work shows us that women, like men, are not all of one piece, are not all cut from the same cloth. There is a wide-array of diversity and differences of opinion about the relationships between work, home, family, and other choices. Governments need to respect such diversity. This book is an important contribution to that end.

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Work-Lifestyle Choices in the 21st Century : Preference Theory
Catherine Hakim
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OL7JMC

Book Description

Here, at last, is a revised and expanded edition of this award-winning breeders' reference. Successful Dog Breeding is a book for the first-time breeder and longtime fancier alike, no matter what the breed. Down-to-earth practical information is given to cover virtually every contingency associated with breeding and whelping. Presented in a humorous format, even the most serious information is made easier to understand.

Chris Walkowicz and Bonnie Wilcox, D.V.M., are both veteran dog fanciers who bring a wealth of personal and professional experience to every chapter. Covering topics from planning the breeding (should I or shouldn't I?) to problems encountered in breeding, delivery and neonatal care, the authors offer viable solutions to innumerable problems, whether old or new. Two highly extensive appendices on breed idiosyncrasies, compiled from correspondence with longtime fanciers as well as from research from veterinary journals, complete the abundance of information offered here. All of this is complemented by original drawings by the well-known canine artist Mary Jung.
A Howell Dog Book of Distinction

Customer Reviews:

Successful Dog Breeding: the complete handbook of canine midwifery.......2007-03-14

There are some great points and some lacking points made in the book. I appreciated the section where it lists the breeds of dogs and then corresponds the numbers that relate to the diseases and problems of that particular breed. It helps in determining whether the breed's problems are ones that you feel comfortable handling or trying to correct. The book needs more photos, drawings, or sketches as it assumes a higher degree of knowledge on the readers part. I would recommend the book but not as a sole source but only as an additional source as it is not complete and doesn't answer or address many other questions or problems.

Dog Breeding.......2007-01-06

This book is recommended to individuals who have some knowledge of pet breeding and delivery. The chapter on setting up necessary supplies was extremely pleasant. However, professional breeders may find this book a bit flat with only a modicum of additional information they could add to their repetoire.

Basic and non updated - boring.......2006-11-10

This book was written 1n 1993.... even though the basics remain the same, there are other books on the subjet like the ones written by Myra Savant-Harris that are 100% more updated.

Awesome Resource.......2006-04-18

This book gives step by step and detailed instructions on how to handle the many things that can go wrong in whelping a litter. I found it a comforting resource to have around so I know I am as well prepared as I can be for what may come. A must have for any breeder, hobby or professional.

Successful Dog Breeding: The Complete Handbook of Canine Midwifery.......2006-03-22

Great book to follow Breeding for Dummies. Fills in blanks and is very easy to understand. Dwells a little to much on 'breeding is not for everyone' and talking about spaying a neutering. But we all get that and we all hear that and the only reason we buy this book is to learn to breed correctly ie. what to expect in our dog and what to look for in a mate and then how to handle whelping. But overall, a very good book.

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The Complete Book of Midwifery
Brennan
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Family Health | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books

Obstetrics & Gynecology | Specialties | Medicine | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Heart & Hands: A Midwife's Guide to Pregnancy & Birth

ASIN: 0525031804

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Complete Book of Midwifery.
Barbara & Joan Rattner Heilman. Brennan
Manufacturer: E. P. Dutton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000K5UTKG

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The Complete Book of Midwifery
Barbara and Joan Rattner Heilman Brennan
Manufacturer: E. P. Dutton & Co. Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O2SSKS

The works of Aristotle: In four parts : containing, I. His Complete master-piece ... II. His Experienced midwife ... III. His Book of problems ... IV. His Last legacy

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The works of Aristotle: In four parts : containing, I. His Complete master-piece ... II. His Experienced midwife ... III. His Book of problems ... IV. His Last legacy
Aristotle
Manufacturer: Published for the booksellers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0008CWEA4

Book Description

This new study of a key battle of the Civil Wars re-examines one of England's most mysterious battlefields at Edgehill, and it combines the work of three outstanding military historians. Each is an expert in the areas of battlefield interpretation, military equipment and organization, and battle casualties and care. Their unique blend of knowledge gives a fascinating insight into one of the most famous and often misunderstood engagements of the conflict. It also introduces an exciting and innovative approach to understanding the battle and the battlefield.

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wonderfully creative and fun illustrations

When chickens stop being polite and start being real

The Problem with Chickens

Riveting Illustrations and a Delightful Read!

The Problem With Chickens (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))
Bruce McMillan
Manufacturer: Houghton Mifflin/Walter Lorraine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Fiction | Birds | Animals | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Brave Charlotte (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

Are You Going to Be Good? (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

Terrific (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

Jitterbug Jam (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

Carmine: A Little More Red (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

ASIN: 0618585818

Book Description

The ladies of Iceland have a problem: the birds lay their eggs in nooks on the sides of steep cliffs, so the ladies have a very difficult time getting any of the eggs for baking. They go to town to buy chickens to lay eggs for them instead. For a while, everyone is happy: there are plenty of eggs to bake plenty of yummy things. But the ladies' problems are far from solved, for the more time the chickens spend with the ladies, the more they begin to act like them too, until eventually they stop laying eggs all together. Now this is a problem indeed, but you can be sure, the clever ladies will find a solution. Full of fun and silliness, this lighthearted tale and vibrant illustrations are a delight.

Customer Reviews:

wonderfully creative and fun illustrations.......2006-07-04

I have many of Bruce McMillan's stories each of them stands alone as wonderful additions to a class library. Especially the Problem with Chickens, it was clever, kind and funny. My class of third graders loved it. It is a class favorite now.

When chickens stop being polite and start being real.......2006-04-03

Let's say you have a favorite artist that you have discovered all on your own. Your favorite artist is Icelandic and likes to paint chickens. You, in contrast, are an author/illustrator of children's books. Normally, you illustrate your own work. In this particular case, however, you have decided to convince your favorite artist that they should put their paintings into your newest picture book. Now, if they refuse then you are no poorer off then you were at the start. However, if they agree you might end up with something along the lines of, "The Problem With Chickens". Written by Maine resident Bruce McMillan and illustrated by Icelandic one-namer Gunnella, this book is the duo's first collaboration and (in both cases) best-known work. Chickens are inherently silly fowl, and in this book they become rather adorable to boot. One of the finest examples of chicken/Icelandic women relationships.

Now there once was a small Icelandic village that had a problem. Though there were plenty of eggs nearby, they were laid primarily by the wild birds that nested in the crags of the cliffs where the female villagers could not reach them. As a solution, the women decided to buy some chickens from the big city. At first this arrangement worked out well. The chickens were happy and the women were getting lots of yummy eggs. Unfortunately, this all changed when the chickens stopped acting chickens at all and began imitating the women. Even then, the women didn't mind. That is, until the chickens stopped laying eggs. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so the women come up with a solution. They slyly teach the chickens to exercise, then bodily throw them into the air to remind them what they are. Before long, the chickens are laying their eggs on the cliffs like the other Icelandic birds, but now the ladies have a solution to this problem. A solution, and a new method of chicken-related travel.

McMillan was a fan of Gunnella's art long before they collaborated on this particular work together. Somehow when I read the review of this book in the New York Times, I fell under the impression that Gunnella had created the illustrations entirely on her own and Bruce McMillan had constructed a story around them. This is only partly true. Says McMillan on his website, "With so many paintings with chickens I knew I could develop a story. I did and Gunnella liked it. Then Gunnella filled in the few gaps where we needed new art". I would like to be able to say that the fact that most of these pictures came about before McMillan wrote a story for them isn't obvious. Unfortunately, when you pick up the book and read through it you often find yourself frowning slightly over pictures that don't quite match their narratives. At one point the text says that the chickens were happy with the women and that the, "ladies were overjoyed to have so many eggs for cooking. Their cakes were delicious. That is when the problem started". The picture that accompanies these words, however, is of a woman holding a child on her lap. There are chickens in the background, yes. And eggs are in the woman's basket. But there aren't any cakes (bread and croissants instead) and the picture really strikes you more as a work of art than a scene in a book. People will debate me over whether or not this is really a problem. Is it a crime for art to look like art in a picture book? Of course not! But it has to make sense with the text. And in this case, it fails to do so.

None of this is to say that the art is bad. Not a bit of it. It's charming. Some of these paintings (like the one that appears when the chickens first stop laying any eggs) are really extraordinarily beautiful. It's not difficult to understand why McMillan loved Gunnella's work long before the two collaborated on this together. The chickens are especially adorable. With their beady little eyes and inquisitive expressions, it's not hard to find yourself wishing for more chicken pics. I was especially fond of the illustration in which the chickens sing with the women to the sheep. Their little mouths are open in an "O" shape and the sheep look mighty contented. It is a little off-putting, though, that some of the pictures are painted on canvasses with a lot of texture (as with the last image in the book) and some are painted without any texture at all.

And then there's the text itself. So let's review: The chickens stop laying eggs so the women come up with a "very clever idea". They get the chickens to exercise, then throw them in the air and say, "Remember, you are birds". The chickens then, for some reason, decide that because they are birds they must nest on the cliffs where the other Icelandic birds would go. That makes sense, but the way in which McMillan presents this information is a bit herky-jerky. It feels, quite frankly, like a translation. Plot ideas jump about so quickly that it's hard to follow the book's linear structure. I mean, why were the chickens imitating the women? Did they like them or envy them? Did they think it would be more fun to act like humans? I'll give McMillan this much. When the chickens stop laying the book reads, "That's when the ladies said, `We have a problem'." I love that line.

The book is beautiful and might actually make for a rather nice readaloud. It's just silly enough to entice some of the younger brood. However, none of this is to say that it's one of the better written titles. McMillan is just too herky-jerky with his plotting and writing to allow this puppy to proceed smoothly. It's a lovely little book, but certainly an odd one. Pleasant but I would also love to see Gunnella pair with a different author someday.

The Problem with Chickens.......2006-02-25

Really good book for the younger set. Even as an adult I found it intersting and funny.

Riveting Illustrations and a Delightful Read!.......2006-02-01

This is one of my three-year-old daughter's favorite books. The expressions on the faces of the ladies, who are caring for some upstart chickens, are so funny and endearing. And you can't help but admire the ladies' pluck and creativity in solving their unusual problem. Also, the drawings of the Icelandic landscape are beautiful and make me yearn to see it for real someday.

The Mighty Asparagus (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))

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Here it comes to save the day. The mighty asparagus is on its way.
WHIMSICAL TALE SUPERBLY ILLUSTRATED

The Mighty Asparagus (New York Times Best Illustrated Books (Awards))
Vladimir Radunsky
Manufacturer: Silver Whistle
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Humorous | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0152167439

Book Description

Long ago in Italy, a mighty asparagus grew smack-dab in front of the king's castle. Was the king happy about it? No. The asparagus had to go. But how does a king reason with an asparagus of such stature?

With tongue planted firmly in cheek, Vladimir Radunsky tells the uproarious tale of an almost immovable vegetable. Drawing on Italian Renaissance art, the esteemed artist creates a breathtaking magical kingdom, where it's easy to imagine that such an asparagus existed. His artwork is as gorgeous as it is funny. Although the old masters may turn over in their graves, readers of all ages will clamor for more of The Mighty Asparagus.

Customer Reviews:

Here it comes to save the day. The mighty asparagus is on its way........2005-07-02

Prior to this book, Radunsky was probably best known for his illustrated children's books (picture and otherwise) and his insipid, "What Does Peace Feel Like?" of 2003. Nothing, in short, that set him apart from the pack of children's illustrators everywhere. Then he got an idea. He decided to create a picture book much in the style of such ribald and witty artists as Jon Scieszka and former partner Chris Raschka. A picture book that strains at the edges of convention. In short, a crazy amalgamation of classic Italian portraiture, the old Giant Turnip turned asparagus tale, and some mixed media for spice. The result is a book that may not always work in the ways Radunsky may have wanted it to, but at least it takes a gamble on being a little different. Other picture books should be so brave.

If you know the story of the giant turnip, then this tale will come to you as little surprise. One day the king is walking around his backyard when he spies a gigantic asparagus, fully grown, standing in the middle of things. Everyone admits that it is amazing, but the king is determined to remove it forthwith. Says he, "It sticks out like a sore thumb". No amount of pulling or tugging so much as budges the vegetable, however. His wife, the queen, finds the asparagus to be a beautiful sight. Her wish is to place it in the center of the palace but both she and the king are unable to move it. Add on the princess, the bravest the knight in the kingdom, and a mighty rhinoceros, but for all these the asparagus remains. Finally the king consults his mother and she sends a single tiny bird, who brings the tasty green tall thing crashing down. The moral, hidden amongst a lot of jabbering by the king's subjects, boils down to, "Even the smallest effort counts". End of tale.

It doesn't sound that weird, does it? Sounds pretty darn typical. Then you get a gander at the illustrations. Radunsky usually goes in for crazy original drawings. Here however he seems to have taken a page from Terry Gilliam's book. Characters, places, and things are all culled from classic Renaissance paintings, then given extra eyes, crazy noses, and sometimes entirely original faces. This haphazard conglomeration combines to produce a mighty weird tale. Then there are Radunsky's words in and of themselves. A fan of writing in script and saying things like the fact that he himself was born in 1589 and "became a participant in, the heroice battle of the Mighty Asparagus (March 1, 1602)". It's possibly the first picture I've ever seen made specifically for children that had honest-to-goodness footnotes in it. There are also a lot of fun throwaway lines here mixed within the story.

Honestly, I haven't a clue if kids will like this story. Adults certainly will, though the sheer scale of silliness will keep if from being universally beloved. For originality, however, it's hard to beat. A fun if somewhat haphazard tale.

WHIMSICAL TALE SUPERBLY ILLUSTRATED.......2004-05-18

Yes, this is categorized as a children's book, but don't be misled. It's a book for all with a sense of humor who enjoy quirky, whimsical tales superbly illustrated.

Radunsky is as imaginative and incorrigible as ever, saying, "In my children's books, I often like to use strange, eclectic combinations: absurd, funny text paired with very serious, weighty images, and vice versa."

He has done this again - in spades, and it's terrific fun.

His story, in a nutshell, is reminiscent of a Russian folktale, "The Turnip." But, in this case, we have an asparagus spear, a monstrous protuberance that's growing in the king's yard. He tries to pull it up to no avail. The queen helps, the princess helps, the king's advisers try, even a rhino is unable to budge this giant veggie. At last, the king's mother arrives on the scene - you'll have to guess the rest. Suffice it to say one should always listen to one's mom.

Radunsky's paintings are stunning - he has drawn on Italian Renaissance art, combining his own paintings with fragments of classical Renaissance paintings. The results are splendidly smile provoking. Art aficionados will recognize the works of Bellini, Fra Angelico, Mantegna, and others. Children may well find a beginning interest in Renaissance art.

Book Description

A newly updated edition of the best articles on bird behavior and biology from The New York Times.

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