This book was awesome! The book has accurate information and good detail that paints a picture in your head about what it was like in Germany a long time ago. In some other books, I read it and say, "I know this isn't what happened" but this book was so accurate. I kept reading this book on and on. It was not boring at all. I love this book because this idea is original. One of a kind. And I couldn't put it down. It kept me interested right from the beginning. It might look like a short book but trust me, there's a lot of good stuff in it. Some history(don't worry, it's not boring), fiction, mystery, and good pictures. I love this book and I think you will too. No matter what your age. It's not too hard to read and I think that all ages will enjoy it.

I read this book in one sitting, literally! I bought it today and just couldn't put it down. I've always wondered what it would be like if I could go back and meet my great grandparents. This new bookseries, The Hourglass Adventures, answers that question. Rosemary comes from a long line of grandparents that share her first name, but most of them have nicknames. In the first book, Rosemary Rita goes back in time to 1870 by means of a magic hourglass. When she looks at a postcard that was sent to her great-great-great grandmother, Rosemary Ruth "Rosemarie", who is referred to as Rosemarie in the book, and tips over the hour glass, she is sent back in time and helps her great-great-great grandmother solve a mystery. Of course Rosemary can't tell Rosemarie that she is her great-great-great grandmother... so Rosemary tells Rosemarie that her name is Rita. This is a wonderful book, and I can't wait to get number 2. This is a book series that you will keep for always and will read over again. It's so imagnative and wonderfully written... a must for anyone who always wondered what it would be like to go back in time and meet your ancestors!

What a delightful book! This book should appeal to any girl with a sense of fun and adventure. Well-written and a real "page-turner", the book blends whimsy, adventure and historically accurate facts in a most engaging way. The lead character is a person that any young girl could easily relate to, and her adventures leave you wishing that you, too, had a magical hourglass! I was particularly impressed by the use of links to the accompanying website- what a great way to use kids' interest in "playing on the computer" to encourage an interest in reading the printed word! I highly recommend this book!

This was a super book!! I thought it was very exciting because I thought that Rosemary Rita was going to be stuck back in time forever. I would recommend this book to any girl who likes to read really cool books. Buy this book or you'll miss out on all the fun!!

Another incredible adventure! This one took me back to Paris, a place I truly love. Except this time, I got to travel back in time. I learned all about the World's Fair. What a fun way to share history with kids! You just can't put it down!

I liked this one even better than the first Hourglass Adventure. Rosemary Rita is awesome as she tries to capture the jewel thief. This is a very exciting book. I couldn't put it down. It made me feel like I went back in time to Paris in 1889. I think that everyone should read this book. I really loved it!!!

Tells you how to create the details that make a place special, using a simple but powerful theory of linked contrasts. Highly readable, can be put to use by anyone. Few books offer such design insight, none in so few pages. I rank "The Good House" alongside Alexander's classic "A Pattern Language".

As an architectural student, I found this book to be excellent. Unlike other architecture books which may highlight an architect or certain buildings, this book highlights the idea of "contrast" to stimulate how one can critically think about a design whether the project happens to be residential, public or institutional. The book also shows a myriad of different types of buildings of different styles to highlight the "contrast" concept clearly. I belive, this is an excellent refence book for students and architects alike!

Barbie is very genorious and helping in this story. You should buy it if you like barbie

I treasure "Pattern Language", the book, and was excited to see this followup.The premise of looking back at the patterns and reducing them to a few (10) "super" patterns sounded promising.The charm of the original"Pattern Language" book lay in its quirky drawings, and its reliance on the reader to reflect on any personal experiences with the particular pattern being discussed. The lack of glossy photos gave substance to concepts. The new book follows in the footsteps of the "Not so big house" books method of discussing concepts while surrounded by photos. Undoubtedly, the success of those books gave rise to the structure of this one. I find drawings infinitely more communicative of design concepts than photos. The photos here distract the eye, making it harder to focus on the principle being espoused.The authors walk you thru certain homes or rooms which supposedly illustrate the concept at hand. I found the process sort of phony and aggrandizing of the architect's vision. Hello, but the point/power of "patterns" is that they are time-tested,non- regional, gut-level design parameters not requiring architectural vision. The, after the fact, microanalysis of houses to make their every aspect seem utterly preconceived by the genius architect is sophomoric. Again, the power of these patterns is that if you put them "in play", good things, especially unforseen things, happen. Predictably. Hopefully, this book, along with the "Not so big house" books will inform the house buying/building community of design realities routinely ignored.

The authors of this book have taken the best of Alexander's "A Pattern Language", and combined wonderfully designed and excellently photographed homes to publish an inspiring and thought provoking book. Frankly, the world has too many "500 House Plans" types of books. This one describes the logic, reason, and common sense that involves the interlocking of ten basic patterns that could make any basic design more successful. As a residential architect, I consider this among my five top-rated books.

This book takes the main concepts in A Pattern Language and fleshes them out, illustrating them with concrete examples and explanations, and demonstating how they can work in a residential home. Some of the themes are quite practical, like capturing light and creating indoor and outdoor rooms, while others are more abstract and theoretical, like the concept of being able to look out from a protected space. All of the principles are based on human psychology and why we inherently like and feel comfortable in some places and not in others, which makes Patterns of Home much more interesting than a typical architecture book. It is a great guide for anyone that wants to design their own house or is interested in vernacular architecture in general. The photos and diagrams are great, and haven't been recycled from other Taunton Press books, which was a nice surprise. I found Patterns of Home very easy to follow and understand as it has a very organized layout that ties all the chapters and their themes together, making it an easy read in addition to everything else.

Parker's intriguing illustrations along with Whittier's historical poetry brought the story of the fictional character Barbara Frietchie to life. Set during the time of the Civil War, old Barbara Frietchie dares to stand up against Confederate troops (General Stonewall Jackson) and waves a Union flag. Various notes at the end provide readers with greater insight on historical aspects as seen through the poem. Parker's maps, setting and illustrations grasp the attention of the reader. This is a wonderful book for young readers who are interested in learning about the Civil War. I recommend this book for children ages 9 and above.

A good over view of how watercolor caught on in America and rose to the standard of English work in that medium. Worth getting for the chapter on William Trost Richards, who really ought to be part of an American Watercolor Triumverate, along with Homer and Sargent. There are out of print monographs on Richards but this seems to be the best place to see examples of his work if you can't get your hands on them.

This book concentrates on Sylvia Pankhurst most radical period, when she was involved in the anti war movement, international communism and the ultraleft. Good information on the London radical scene and the communist left. Draws out intersting contributions that Sylvia made, such as the Social Soviets, and also makes links to other radicals such as Amadeo Bordiga.