Home & Garden Books

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Book SynopsisThis book describes in superb pictures and text the fascinating genre of tilt rotor airplanes. Since the first helicopters flew, attempts have been made to create a link between the mobility of the rotorcraft and the speed of the winged airplane. At first these attempts failed simply because of constructive difficulties, since the technology had not advanced far enough. The progressive development, though, created in the past decades new possibilities, and thus led to the V-22 Osprey, which has meanwhile been produced in series and is used by the U.S. forces. A civilian model, the Bell/Agusta BA 209, will soon be introduced commercially.Trade Review'The first thing to say about this book is that it isn't just about tilt rotors past and present but also covers the equally long history of the tilt-wing aircraft, of which there were many and varied but which in the end has not yet found favour. The main thrust of this book however covers the series of military projects funded in the United States after 1945, commencing with the Transcendendental 1-G which is recognised as the first successful tiltrotor and continuing with the Bell XV-3 and a number of much larger and unsung tiltwing and tiltrotor aircraft that eventually led to the U.S. military selecting the now in-service Bell Boeing V-22. The final pages give a glimpse into the future at the time of writing, but already perhaps being overtaken by events. If you are interested in tiltwing and tiltrotor history, this is a fascinating reference that you will undoubtedly want to delve into time and time agian.' - Helicopter International

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Book SynopsisThe electrification of the watch led to massive upheaval in the watch industry as mechanical chronometers built by Old World masters developed into electromechanical devices mass produced in Asia. In nearly 600 images and in-depth text, this book retraces the often circuitous paths that led from the electromagnetic pendulum clock to the modern quartz wristwatch. This well-researched volume focuses on the period between 1950 and 1985, but it also covers the long process of electrifying big clocks, which goes back to Alexander Bain''s 1841 patent for an electrically operated magnetic pendulum clock. But the crowning achievement of this process was the further miniaturization of the timepiece into the modern quartz wristwatch. Follow the many different technical developments in Switzerland, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States and see detailed images of components, schematics, and complete wristwatch movements from hundreds of makers, including Bulova, Hamilt

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Book SynopsisBlock and solid wood make up one of the oldest construction methods and one that ever more people are opting for when building their homes. Not only are contemporary log homes environmentally sustainable and planet-friendly, they provide comfortable and healthy living. In addition, many of these buildings use sustainable heating and power systems, taking advantage of renewable energies and raw materials. Their natural beauty enhances the quality of life for both home and work. In over 300 photos and plans, this book offers 30 ambitious, contemporary block and solid wood houses that have been built around the globe. They show the diversity of available designs that can be achieved in today's wooden homes. If you are fascinated with building with logs and living closer to nature, this book is for you.

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Book SynopsisOver 2100 vibrant photos and lively text present an exciting array of wine memorabilia. Following a look at wine and health, with a toast to readers and a look at Bacchanalia, the book takes a four part journey from the vineyard to the wine cellar. Part one looks at various tools used in growing grapes, harvesting, and the production of wine. Tools used by coopers in barrel making, wine sampling and tasting devices, and bottling tools are covered. The next step is Drinking Wine, in which many implements for removing corks, retrieving corks, and preserving wine are revealed. Serving devices include an extraordinary batch of cradles and caddies. In part three, promotional items revealed include statues, games, fans, tokens, signs, and office accessories. The last part is a look at a fabulous collection of wine antiques from a museum in Spain. The final step is into an 1810 wine cellar with a list of The Necessaries always wanted in Wine and Spirit Vaults, and Gentlemen's Cellars.

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Book SynopsisMore than 1,000 exciting pieces accompany the story of plastic jewelry from the 1920s to the present in this revised and expanded 5th edition. Colorful and lightweight, examples include natural tortoiseshell and horn, synthetic celluloid, Bakelite, and Lucite â all in a variety of forms. Jewelry has been made from natural plastics since ancient times. Today, they are much sought after collectibles as plastic jewelry has found its place in the history of fashion design. Original designs of bracelets, pins, necklaces, buttons and buckles are featured accompanied by text that gives the materials used and a history of the styles. Updated price guide included. This book is a great resource for collectors, fashion design students, and history buffs.

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Book SynopsisStoried pilot Homer Stockert, born in Churubusco, Indiana, won air races in Fort Wayne in the 1920s, earning him legendary fame while only in his twenties. In 1933, he established the Stockert Flying Service at Bendix Field, South Bend, Indiana, an airport built by entrepreneur Vincent Bendix. After serving as a test pilot of the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft in Evansville, Indiana, during World War II, Stockert returned to Bendix Field to expand his flying service with his business-savvy wife, Dora. Stockert led a successful life of leadership in private aviation until his death in 1971.

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Book SynopsisFew items of Third Reich militaria collecting hold as much fascination as the uniforms of the German armored forces. Germany revolutionized armored warfare and in the process developed some of the most striking uniforms ever worn. This four volume set by Scott Pritchett leverages research from vast amounts of information and sources as well as the superb books written in the last several decades by the most notable collector/historians to cover the topic. The uniforms and insignia of all branches of the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS who wore them are detailed in over 5,600 illustrations made available through unprecedented access to the best Panzer collections worldwide. The four volumes cover: Vol.1: Heer Pt.1; Vol.2: Heer Pt.2; Vol.3: SS-VT and Waffen-SS; Vol.4: Luftwaffe

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Book SynopsisWhether you consider yourself an event-planning novice or the hostess with the mostest, this book and its detailed 300-plus color photos will help you entertain and impress your guests with ease. This helpful how-to guide from table setting expert Jimmy Ng contains 30 step-by-step napkin designs with easy-to-follow folding instructions, 12 table settings with schematic photography, inspirational decorating ideas, and a place setting diagram to teach you which fork goes where. Ng''s down-to-earth advice and affordable decorating suggestions will help you and yours celebrate Valentine''s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year''s Eve, and other popular holidays in style. Plan an unforgettable baby shower, wedding reception, Quinceañera celebration, outdoor picnic, or even a just because party that will amaze friends and family for years to come.

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Book SynopsisDiscover and enjoy the flowers, shrubs, and trees of America's northern coastal region. Stroll through Portland, Boston Common, New York City, Philadelphia, and the Baltimore Harbor, and delight in getting to know the natural beauty that makes your excursion a gardener''s paradise. In this informative guide, over 400 vibrant color photographs taken in natural settings allow readers to see the flora as it was meant to be seen, in the garden. While this book contains historical, mythological, and original tales about the garden plants of the northern coastal region, with a handy cross reference names index, it may also be used as a quick reference guide. As captured here, whether a visitor to one of the East Coast's many botanical gardens, a home landscaper or a native plant enthusiast, there is an abundance of wonder along the coast for every nature lover! Gardeners from Augusta, Maine, to Dover, Delaware, will find this book enlightening and enjoyable.

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Book SynopsisOver 400 beautiful color illustrations and well-researched text reveal the historically and artistically significant Japanese Karatsu ware of its golden age of the 16th and 17th centuries. In the world of Japanese tea, there are three ceramic forms most highly valued: Raku, Hagi, and Karatsu. The austere beauty and elegant simplicity of Karatsu is everything the tea ceremony requires. Recent archaeological discoveries in the northwest area of the southern island of Kyushu cast a new light on Karatsu''s origins. Explanations of the original firing and glazing techniques are provided. Discover Karatsu''s unique character, the sober beauty of its production, the soothing appearance of its clay, and the abstract, yet natural designs. Enjoy the soothing beauty of the table and kitchenware, bowls and cups, tea ware and saké vessels decorated with a variety of natural and geometric designs. See why Karatsu potters today take inspiration from these golden age pieces. Most of the wares presente

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Book SynopsisAmerican toile is scenic fabric and wallpaper that bring the story of America to life. These delightful prints depict both historic events and everyday moments beginning with colonial times and moving right on up to the present. Over 180 bright color photos capture American toile in its many themes. While based on a European design model, American toile is quintessentially American. It portrays cowboys and Indians, farmers and suburbanites, slaves and soldiers. Its major illustrated topics include the colonial era, the new republic, the Civil War, the West, farm and city life, maritime and leisure activities, as well as a variety of patriotic symbols. In addition to a historical introduction and identification guide, the book includes antique, vintage, and reproduction toile patterns, along with original contemporary designs. It is fifty percent American history, fifty percent fabric history, and one hundred percent fascinating!

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Book SynopsisCome join an in-depth exploration of a unique segment of the Victorian decorative arts. In 650 beautiful images and fascinating text, many glass domes and the objects displayed under them are revealed and discussed in detail. Items from glorious taxidermy presentations of nature, seashell works, wax flowers and fruit, and even art formed of human hair are studied carefully. Additional chapters include examples of skeleton leaves and phantom bouquets; wool work; glass whimsies; seed, paper, muslin, and silk work; automatamechanical, musical masterworks and much more. Social commentary of the times enriches the exploration of these beautiful art objects. Experience the lightheartedness and whimsy to be found in the decorative arts created from 1837 to 1901 and preserved under these domes.Trade ReviewThe Youtube film for this book introduces the author, John Whitenight, who explains the beauty of these Victorian showcases.

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Book SynopsisOver 180 stunning color images will take you through a tour of GAVA (Global AquaTekture Visionary Awards) worthy pool, spa, and water environment concepts from open ranchland to inner city estates, from beach front properties in Australia to a villa in Portugal. The visionaries who created the 66 award-winning projects presented here reached past the mundane, the ordinary, or the expected to deliver memorable, distinctive, and noteworthy applications. The fourth annual water-inspired design competition lured architects, interior designers, builders, and designers from across the globe to share their projects in the hopes of earning a GAVA. Their unique perspectives will have you wondering, How did they think of that? Fulfilling the desires of their clients, designers crafted inspiring settings incorporating design elements such as infinity edges, all-tile interiors, freeform shapes, natural stone, perimeter overflow, acrylic panels, and indoor installation pools. For anyone passionate

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Book SynopsisIn 265 photos, this book provides all the knowledge you need to make the most of your space outdoors, creating landscape for recreation, gardens, and play that is also a safe, child friendly environment. Whether you choose to design the ideal setting for the neighborhood ping-pong tournament, create an imaginative space to inspire games for kids, or add splash-happy features to your pool, this treasure trove of backyard fun will show you how to do it right. The popularity of outdoor living is growing by leaps and bounds as ever-increasing numbers of homeowners look for ways to enjoy economical backyard environments. From croquet, bocce ball, badminton, and table tennis to horseshoes, corn in the hole, and ladder ball, families everywhere are getting outside to play. Why shouldn''t you?

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Book SynopsisFarms of Cape Cod brings the reader to the farms and farmers cultivating the finest fruit, flowers, produce, oysters, herbs, eggs and honey in this historic region. The farms create beautiful landscapes, provide nutritious food, and connect us to the land. As the desire for local, organically grown food flourishes and the locavore movement grows, it is important to know where our food comes from. Farms of Cape Cod reacquaints us with our cultural heritage and offers a behind-the-scenes look at the wonders of farming. Twenty-eight unique farms are profiled, with harvests ranging from cranberries, lavender, and grapes to livestock, holly, and shellfish. Each farm''s address and operating information is provided, as well as information about their Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) subscriptions. This beautifully illustrated book also offers Tips from the Top, the farmers'' proven ideas on planting, growing and cooking.

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Book SynopsisOutdoor Carpentry is the first tool you need to fulfill all your dreams for a large terrace, a flowerbox, an outdoor kitchen, a fence, a shed, a small bench, an entire carport, or a whole array of other projects for the yard. The projects are presented with over 300 inspiring and illustrative color photographs as well as clear, close-up drawings and construction details. In the basic information section of the book, the home woodworker will learn all about materials, rules and regulations, joining and finishing, and tips and tricks for laying foundations. The 65 projects outlined here have varying levels of difficulty, so it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or a practiced hobby woodworker: this book is perfectly suited for those who enjoy working with their hands, creative and practical projects, and the satisfaction of beautifying their surroundings themselves.

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Book SynopsisFor novices and longtime card collectors alike, here are two books in one: a thorough price guide featuring common to extremely rare items, and a well-researched history of playing cards and games. A wealth of mythology, literature, and history is found on playing cards. In addition to classic decks normally seen in the United States, find artistically designed European suits with, for example, Shakespearean characters on face cards. Read about the origins of some of the most popular card games, board games, and the card decks themselves. Learn how to date decks or individual cards using methods applied by dealers. This handy volume also includes tips on spotting reproductions, as well as valuable knowledge worth gaining in order to become a smarter collector.

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Book SynopsisEarrings can talk of mourning a dead king, supporting a revolution, or resisting an emperor. They have carried the message that a proper Victorian believed in Darwin, and that a woman invited a lover to her bed. Raid the jewelry boxes of the glamorous, legendary, and everyday chic women alike. See what earrings they have worn, when, and why, in ways that bespeak their way of life and personality, and how jewelry carries family and cultural heritage with style. Looking at earrings as tiny sculptures, here are details about gems, settings, and fixtures. Lavishly illustrated with over 300 images of jewelry ranging from the Byzantine era to the contemporary artisan, the styles of design, relationships to dress, portraiture and symbolism, and other aspects of adornment are elaborated upon. With research-based anecdotes and her own life in earrings, the author tells a story that will engage anyone interested in celebrities, monarchies, and the barely recorded lives of women of the past, and, of course, anyone who loves beautiful jewelry.

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Book SynopsisWith over 560 color photos and well-researched text, this book recounts the histories of the hard working, entrepreneurial people of Cape Cod, Martha''s Vineyard, and Nantucket and their role in this nation, as told through the folk art primitives the residents produced from the eighteenth to the twentieth centuries. The art displayed includes the works of itinerant painters, domestic weavers and quilters, seminary school watercolorists, and carvers in wood, metal, and stone. Among these fascinating items are: paintings including portraits and silhouettes, landscapes and genre paintings; maritime art such as sculpture and scrimshaw; trade figures and signs; carousel art; wood carvings; weathervanes and whirligigs; religious and decorative art; textiles, including quilts and samplers; and gravestones. All of these beautiful and compelling works of art speak eloquently of the human aspirations sparked by the freedom and prosperity offered by the coasts and the bold, clear visual language

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Book SynopsisOver 1000 beautiful color photos display a wide spectrum of Elegant Glass patterns, colors, shapes, and etchings. The book''s listings are updated and over 100 patterns of elegant American glass are represented in this new 4th edition. Several patterns have additional listings. Each pattern includes a complete listing of all known pieces made. Detailed descriptions are given for each item listed. Captions include descriptions of each piece pictured. The major companies of Cambridge, Fenton, Fostoria, Heisey, Imperial, Morgantown, New Martinsville, and Paden City are represented, along with their most popular patterns. Introductions to each pattern include production dates, pattern and/or etching numbers, and original company colors. Full lines of dinnerware and their companion patterns are listed, along with bedroom, bath, and decorating pieces. Aiding collectors in identifying patterns, a detailed image of each etching is provided in every description. Collector resources, a detailed bibliography, and a glossary complete this thorough guide.

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Book SynopsisThe best sports watches from Patek Philippe, Breitling, Omega, Chronoswiss, and more face off in this investigative new reference.

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Book SynopsisThis is the most comprehensive guide to collecting fire-related antiques available, presenting a fascinating collection of functional items like helmets, parade trumpets, fire extinguishing grenades, alarm boxes, and lanterns. It also offers ranking and ceremonial effects such as badges, trophies, medals and awards, and ephemera that celebrate the culture and mystique of firefighting, including toys, artwork, movie posters, and much more. Forgotten relics, such as firefighting adventure novels, show the enormous amount of respect and admiration society has had for firefighters. Covering colonial times to the present, with a brief historical introduction, this authoritative reference serves hobbyists and the most serious collectors of firematics. Nearly 700 color photographs are inside with detailed descriptions and up-to-date pricing information.

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Book SynopsisThe German immigrants to Southeastern Pennsylvania developed a rich and very colorful quilting heritage after they arrived in America. This book focuses on a rare subset of that tradition--the patchwork pillowcase. If antique Pennsylvania quilts number in the thousands, patchwork pillowcases number in the hundreds. Gathered from private collectors and museums, the pillowcases presented here were made from about 1820 to 1920. Over 250 color photos showcase a huge assortment of nineteenth century printed fabrics used in both pieced and appliqué pillowcases. Quilt designs range from a simple four-patch to a complex carpenter''s wheel, while color schemes range from reserved red and white to bold pink and cheddar. This book will delight the quilt historian and inspire the quilt-maker.

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Book SynopsisIn 1988, Aletta and Peter Stas founded FrÃdÃrique Constant, a manufacturer based in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, that develops exceptional and affordable wristwatches. This book, presented in intimate interview form, reflects the passion and vision of the company's founders. Read about this family-run business, quite young compared to most Genevan brands, and peruse the timepieces that have contributed to its rapid rate of success. Their philosophy, from the very beginning, has been to reach out to a broader class of enthusiasts who want exquisite, timeless, and yet classical watches at sensible prices. Also browse gorgeous images and personal analyses of the high-end complications in the Ateliers deMonaco line, inluding Minute-Repeater, Perpetual Calendar, and various tourbillons, which Peter co-founded in 2009. In 2002 he and Aletta acquired Alpina, the 130-year-old, trusted sports watch manufacturer, also featured and thoroughly examined by model in this volume.

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"100 Greatest Console Video Games 1977-1987 is truly an excellent book that anyone interested in video games should own. Whether you want to read about the details of the games or just admire the tons of images within its pages, this book is for you. Will you agree with every game selected? Unlikely, but thats part of the fun. If you dont find a game you think should have made it within the main book, be sure to check out the appendix at the end with 100 honorable mentions. That game may have made it there. Rating - 10/10." Retrovideogamer.co.uk

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Book SynopsisAfter the success of Garnish and Decorating Made Easy, Georg Hartung is back with a second helping! Once again, he offers easy step-by-step instructions to pep up your small dishes and fingerfood, for plates pleasing to the eye--and your tastebuds. Inside you''ll find 33 recipes for beautiful, in-season amuse-bouches: onion crowns with carrot-tomato paste, calla lilies, panna cotta, chocolate ornaments, marzipan treats, semolina pudding pralines, and more! In the interest of sustainability and using the freshest ingredients possible, all of the recipes are grouped seasonally to honor the produce available, for the most delicious results! With creative tips and ideas, including a tutorial on making your own piping bags for precise, professional results, you''ll learn how to turn simple ingredients into fantastic eye catchers. Bon appétit!

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Book SynopsisThis superb new reference book describes the most popular of these revolvers--Colt, Smith & Wesson, Sturm-Ruger, Taurus and others--in words and superb, high-quality photographs, documenting their design, technology, and how they shoot. It also describes what they can achieve in precision shooting and discusses trigger pull weight and groups. Double action revolvers--in which the trigger cocks and drops the hammer--are more popular and much favored by bodyguards and security service personnel, where having a weapon that is both inconspicuous and handy counts more than firepower or the quickest reload. These weapons are also favored by hunters who can get five or seven shots in a powerful caliber, even with a feather-light titanium snub nose.

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