Do It Yourself

If you are a serious home renovator, at ease with home wiring, this book is for you. Originally published in 1992, this second edition includes many updates, such as, for example, the new 2008 National Electrical Code. While much of the general advice is exactly the same, new techniques like raceway wiring, surface-mounted wire tape, and home networks have been added. Awkwardly, some photos are dated and show old kitchen appliances. On the other hand, there is no lack of detailed circuit diagrams and excellent instructions. Similar in coverage to Rex Cauldwell's Wiring a House but with considerably more illustrations, this is suitable for most public library collections.

Now in its third edition, this comprehensive guide contains more photos and useful advice than ever. While Reader's Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual covers more territory, this book focuses on selected home repairs, giving good instruction and larger photos to illustrate steps and techniques. Some of the projects also appear in other Black & Decker specialized titles, including Black & Decker the Complete Guide to Windows & Entryways and Black & Decker the Complete Guide to Roofing, Siding & Trim (reviewed below), so there is duplication. In all, this guide is a useful supplement to any home repair collection. Highly recommended.

The exterior of your home takes the full brunt of weather conditions. Learn how to keep it in good repair with this book. This update of the 2004 edition now includes a new, meager section on trim work as well as a section on ecofriendly roofs. Also better are the updated sections on new tools and materials, such as rubber roofing. The photo gallery is quite attractive and fresh, reflecting current and popular house styles. The evaluation of materials—relating to home style, maintenance, duration, and drawbacks—is particularly nice. Text is matter-of-fact and clear, with no topic overdone. A useful and usable guidebook, this is recommended for all public libraries.

Renowned for creating thin-walled bowls and vases, Ellsworth, a first-time author but a recognized artisan and woodworker, authoritatively here reveals the secrets behind his signature style and offers sound advice. The section on stretching and posture, where he addresses muscle strain or back injury during wood turning, is worthy of major praise. Much of what is covered in this book is very advanced stuff but with results of ethereal beauty. Highly recommended for advanced woodworking collections.

Your home can be ecofriendly in many small ways, maintains well-known BBC radio presenter Grace, who shows here how to sustain a green lifestyle, from cleaning and personal care to holiday celebration. Her tone is perky and encouraging throughout. However, the text has not been translated for the U.S. audience, prices are in pounds, and the overwhelming list of web pages and companies are all British. Too bad, really, since the book teems with great advice on simplifying your life and your home, being conscientious consumers and buying green, and promoting fair trade and sustainable resources. While a gem overseas, this is a marginal purchase in the United States.

Hampshire, author of previous books in the John Deere series, covers the topic of hobby farming generally. The short list of projects includes a design copied from Pat Price and Nora Richter Greer's Greenhouses & Garden Sheds (reviewed below)—the publisher likes to cross-pollinate its publications, it appears. Other topics are covered shallowly, except to highlight John Deere equipment. Better at addressing the potential of specialized small farming is Carol Ekarius's Hobby Farm: Living Your Rural Dream for Pleasure and Profit as well as offerings from Storey Publishing like Gail Damerow's Barnyard in Your Backyard. Not recommended.

Covering every room in the house, this guide is chock-full of advice on green living, especially as related to cleaning. Haynes, author of books on beauty and skin care, tackles a range of topics in great detail. Originally published in 2004 in Australia, this U.S. edition includes recipes for homemade beauty products and advice on fabric care. However, the datedness of the publication becomes apparent with Haynes's omission of new electronics and appliances, such as DVDs, iPods, and the popular front-loading washers. Organization and storage are barely covered, and the section on alleviating stress is rather skimpy. A marginal purchase at best.

If you see hot rod potential in rusty old cars, this book is for you. Auto restorer and author Lyles takes us on his restoration journey of a 1946 Ford into a stylish hot rod. Of course, it takes a well-stocked garage and mechanic skills to complete any auto project, and this is no exception. Throughout the process, Lyles provides working insight and expertise. The text reveals lots of practical instruction and some little tricks of the trade. Photos are a bit amateurish, obviously taken by the author. For more general coverage on converting old vehicles into roadsters and hot rods, try Dennis W. Parks's How To Build a Hot Rod. Still, Lyles's artistry comes through. Recommended for larger collections or where there is demand.

Need a perfect place to baby new seedlings for your garden? This lovely book tries to deliver but falls short. Price (The Complete and Easy Guide to Stargazing) and Greer, author of a number of decorating and design books, include good details on design considerations, emphasizing site requirements and user needs, with insightful pros and cons for different styles. But all the beautiful pictures of garden spaces and structures lead up to merely four construction projects, including instructions for kit assembly and a copy of a design first seen in the publisher's Black & Decker the Complete Guide to Contemporary Sheds. The gorgeous gallery of examples creates expectations that are not realized in this book. Still, greenhouse books are few, so purchase where needed.

Before you take a sledgehammer to your kitchen wall, consider that amateur work can result in a loss of home value. So be smart and hire a professional and consult this guide. New author Solakian, who has years of construction management experience and coaches homeowners through contracting renovation and repairs, discusses budgeting and contracts clearly and with authority, helping us to be smart consumers. While dollar figures used will quickly be outdated, the principles presented are constant. This is really an underrepresented topic in how-to collections, and Solakian's book is an especially good offering. An excellent resource; highly recommended for all public library collections.

Following the loose theme of wedge use and blades, Underhill, popular author and star of the PBS series The Woodwright's Shop, meanders his way through historic tool use. From felling and processing trees to log construction and on to tool care and tool manufacture, there are no simplified projects and no step-by-step instructions. Black-and-white hand-drawn illustrations are scattered throughout the book. Odd and wonderful little tangents are peppered throughout as well (e.g., tricks with nails). Ideal for the experienced woodworker who wants to try a traditional direction with traditional tools, this is recommended for larger woodworking collections.