Expert Advice Books

The Art of Raising a Puppy

The Monks of New Skete

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks By: Little, Brown and Company Amazon Marketplace: 196 new & used starting at $3.25

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Animal Care & Pets -> Dogs -> Training
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Expert Advice -> Monks of New Skete
Subjects -> Medicine -> Veterinary Medicine

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 180 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The monks of New Skete have been breeding and training dogs at their New York monastery for more than 20 years. Their philosophy of raising dogs accentuates the essential human-canine bond, whereby owners must learn to understand a dog's instincts, needs, and behavior. Understanding a dog, the monks say, is the key to successfully training him. They first published this philosophy in their 1978 classic guide How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend. Now the monks concentrate on the first three months of a puppy's life in The Art of Raising a Puppy.

The book observes a litter of monastery puppies from birth to 12 weeks. Tender photographs and dialogue reflect these precious first few weeks of life. Even at this time, the human-canine link is vital; the monks stress the importance of gentle touch to help forge this connection. Basic puppy training techniques are explored and executed, all of which puppy owners should find easy to implement. Virtually all types of dog problems and dog training are examined in the book, always in compassionate and easily comprehensible language. The monks also look well beyond surface training techniques to analyze the roots of dogs' problems and explain how training can help. Owners are taught how to gently assert dominance over their dog, which will make for a long-lasting and fulfilling relationship. Beautiful black-and-white photographs of monastery puppies will pull at every heartstring.

Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook: The Essential Guide to Caring for Everything in Your Home

Martha Stewart

Amazon Price: $29.70 List Price: $45.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Martha Stewart - Model: 4055 Amazon Marketplace: 75 new & used starting at $19.99

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Home Design -> Remodeling & Renovation
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> How-to & Home Improvements -> Cleaning, Caretaking & Relocating

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 145 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Creative Home Care Solutions... 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Martha's simplistic and realistic approach to caring for your home, shines through in this wonderful book. It is stuffed with useful and informative solutions to homekeeping. This book would make the perfect house warming or newly wed gift or tell-all reference guide for the bachelor too!

I purchased this book for recently married friends who are renovating a historic home in upstate New York. Along with this book, I also purchased Your Home A Living Canvas: Create Stunning Faux Finishes & Murals with Paint, by Curtis Heuser, which follows the author/artist's historic home creative re-birth. Where Martha's book guides the reader to keeping up the household, Heuser's shares the how-to secrets to reinventing the interior of your home with unique faux finishes and mural detailing. My friends loved the combination of these books, as they offer simple solutions, that can be easily introduced to any household. If you are looking for a gift to be remembered and referred back to again and again as Martha's HOMEKEEPING...is the only home reference volume you will probably ever need and Heuser's YOUR HOME...will offer you continual creative inspiration- then I highly reccommended these titles! In my opinion, the diverse domestic combination and value here, can't be beat!

Editorial Review:

A lifetime's worth of homekeeping know-how, this towering volume is sure to be one of the most comprehensive books on the subject. Let Martha show you around the home, teaching you everything you need to know in order to clean, care for and maintain it along the way.

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners (Revised & Updated Edition)

The Monks of New Skete

Amazon Price: $17.15 List Price: $25.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Little, Brown and Company Amazon Marketplace: 71 new & used starting at $10.39

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Animal Care & Pets -> Dogs -> Training
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Expert Advice -> Monks of New Skete

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 151 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend, an informal, friendly guide by The Monks of New Skete, is really two books in one: a step-by-step training manual and a philosophical discussion of the spiritual benefits of owning a dog. The Monks, who support their community in upstate New York by breeding and training German shepherds, reveal a profound devotion to all breeds in this detailed guide to every imaginable aspect of dog ownership. They cover it all: naming the puppy, training with eye contact and jingling keys, establishing the best sleeping arrangements, even dealing with pet loneliness. Owners are advised to think of themselves as the dog's alpha figure, to train with praise instead of punishment, and to beware of becoming the dog's maid or doorman. Throughout, the authors reflect on the deep spiritual connection possible between humans and dogs. Generations of dogs have been trained with the bestselling 1978 edition of this book. With this update, the Monks are bound to gain many new fans--happy humans and obedient canines alike. With modesty and generosity, the Monks offer an extensive list of other helpful books about dogs, as well as a useful appendix of American Kennel Club titles and terms. --Judy Fireman

From Vines to Wines: The Complete Guide to Growing Grapes and Making Your Own Wine

Jeff Cox

Amazon Price: $12.89 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Storey Publishing, LLC Amazon Marketplace: 50 new & used starting at $8.39

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Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Drinks & Beverages -> Spirits
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Drinks & Beverages -> Wine -> Wine & Winemaking
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Organic Cooking

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 30 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Almost perfect 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book tells you everything about growing grapes and producing fine wine. It even deals with the choice of grape-varieties suited for your climate. It is almost perfect. I think many Europeans will read this book, and it would have been perfect if it included the Meditteranean countries in the tables of climate-zones and selection of suitable varieties. It is very difficult to find this (about Europe) on the internet. But a great and very useful book.

Editorial Review:

Create you own backyard winery!

From breaking ground to savoring the finished product, Jeff Cox's From Vines to Wines is the most complete and up-to-date guide to growing flawless grapes and making extraordinary wine.

Wine connoisseurs, gardeners, and home winemakers will find the latest techniques in this fully revised and updated edition. With thorough, illustrated instructions, you'll learn how to:

-- Choose and prepare a vineyard site

-- Construct sturdy and effective trellising systems

-- Plant, prune, and harvest the perfect grapes for your climate

-- Press, ferment, age and bottle your own wine

-- Judge wine for clarity, color, aroma, body, and taste

Mary Emmerling's Beach Cottages: At Home by the Sea

Mary Emmerling

Amazon Price: $21.45 List Price: $32.50 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Clarkson Potter Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $18.70

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Subjects -> Professional & Technical -> Architecture -> Building Types & Styles -> Residential
Subjects -> Professional & Technical -> Architecture -> Interior Design -> Style
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Expert Advice -> Mary Emmerling

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

beach house.
The words alone have the hypnotic associations Henry James once famously ascribed to summer afternoon–“the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Lifelong beach girl Mary Emmerling captures that implicit promise of freedom in her captivating volume celebrating the American beach cottage.

Much of the beach house’s allure is in its reflection of a simpler way of life, a pared-down existence where the breeze is the housekeeper, the furnishings don’t mind a damp swimsuit, and the most precious treasures are seashells and memories. In Mary Emmerling’s Beach Cottages, Mary invites us into seventeen coastal retreats that capture that spirit, and introduces us to the people who take joy from them.

Join Mary on a warm, intimate tour of unique seaside escapes, including:

•A pint-sized artist’s studio in Key West
•A dramatic black-and-white retreat in Newport Beach, California
•A shell-lined jewel box in Laguna Beach, California
•A nautically inspired Cape Cod getaway
•A haven in Galveston, Texas, with sea-grass rugs and matchstick blinds
•The homes of designers such as Barclay Butera and Rachel Ashwell
•Mary’s own charming cottage, complete with beach balls, sailfish, and beaded curtains

With gorgeously photographed profiles of easy-going seaside homes and innovative design solutions for everyday living, Mary Emmerling’s Beach Cottages is both beautiful and inspirational. Like a beloved seaside haven, this is a book to return to again and again.

Jerry Baker's Giant Book of Garden Solutions: 1,954 Natural Remedies to Handle Your Toughest Garden Problems (Jerry Baker's Good Gardening series)

Jerry Baker

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: American Master Products, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $9.42

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Gardening & Horticulture -> Techniques -> Organic
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Gardening & Horticulture -> Reference

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Jerry Baker rules! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I would read this book even if I didn't have a garden! It is more than informative. I feel like I am listening to a favorite uncle telling stories of the good ol" days and how things were done simply and effectively. I love this book and highly recommend it. -Mary

Editorial Review:

Common household products and down-home ingenuity are combined to combat frustrating garden problems in this indispensable handbook for both green thumbs and novice gardeners. Organized by garden area, 1,954 easy-to-use homemade remedy recipes—containing items such as beer, baby shampoo, and ammonia—instruct gardeners how to turn puny plants, wretched roots, and tired trees into gorgeous garden specimens without the use of store-bought chemical alternatives. Quick fixes are offered for fighting fungus with pantyhose, defeating botanical disease with peppermint, and bug-proofing vegetables with mustard and cloves; and obstacles such as heavy rains, nutritional plant deficiencies, and gardening on sloped areas are also discussed.

Martha Stewart's Wedding Cakes

Martha Stewart, Wendy Kromer

Amazon Price: $37.80 List Price: $60.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Clarkson Potter Amazon Marketplace: 50 new & used starting at $34.54

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Subjects -> Reference
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Baking -> Cakes
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Baking -> Desserts

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Of all the decisions that go into planning a wedding, choosing the cake may be the sweetest. Much more than dessert, this beloved wedding symbol should be as special as the bride and groom themselves. Whether you imagine a majestic cake blooming with fresh flowers, a pristine fondant-covered masterpiece, or a homespun take on strawberry shortcake- or even if you don’t know where to begin- Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes will provide you with more than 100 delicious and inspiring ideas for timeless and beautiful confections that are perfect for every style of wedding.

Not just visually inspiring, these pages are filled with information you won’t find anywhere else. Martha Stewart and Wendy Kromer, the master baker and decorator who has been creating cakes for Martha Stewart Weddings for more than a decade, guide you through everything you need to consider when selecting a cake- and even how to bake and decorate one yourself. Novice and experienced bakers alike will find recipes and insiders’ techniques to create truly memorable wedding cakes.

You will learn:
Where to begin- how to decide what style and flavors are right for you, taking into account the season, location, and theme of the event

Buttercream or fondant? Ganache or meringue? Useful charts explain the delicious materials bakers use, so you can choose the ones that suit your taste and style

Creative ways to display your cake so it takes center stage at the reception

How to find and hire a baker, including questions to ask and contract considerations

Ideas for cutting costs without sacrificing quality or beauty

How to incorporate traditions from around the world

Everything you need to know about baking a cake yourself, with complete recipes as well as how-to decorating techniques with color photographs and reference charts

A treasury of inspiration, Martha Stewart’s Wedding Cakes will ensure that your cake, whether homemade or professionally baked, triple-tiered or a tower of cupcakes, embellished with fresh fruit or elaborate sugar roses, is every bit as magical as your big day.

Jerry Baker's Green Grass Magic: Tips, Tricks, and Tonics for Growing the Toe-Ticklinest Turf in Town! (Jerry Baker's Good Gardening series)

Jerry Baker

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: American Master Products, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $9.30

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Expert Advice -> Jerry Baker
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Gardening & Horticulture -> Lawns

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great home remedies for your lawn! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is great for the homeowner who likes a nice yard. Easy solutions to treat any lawn issue.

Love it! 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I had this book in hardback and lent it to a friend...I never got it back.....so I got another one. It is wonderful. A great reference for lawn care. There are somethings that I don't do but I have loved all the tips and tonics that he has. They really do help my lawn.

Editorial Review:

Anyone can have a lawn even greener than their neighbors’ envy with this definitive guide to improving the attractiveness of grass from seed to sod, in all seasons. Jerry Baker’s proven tips, tricks, and tonics cover problems from mowing and mole damage to drought or downpour. Regular cabinet items are repurposed—Epsom salts to cure yellow grass and mouthwash to banish bugs—and homeowners learn what they can do to conserve water, avoid sun damage, and boost the green of their turf using sensible techniques and natural products. The book includes a calendar with a season-by-season to-do list, taking the guesswork out of lawn maintenance for gardeners with green thumbs as well as those who need a little guidance.

Martha Stewart's Baking Handbook

Martha Stewart

Amazon Price: $26.40 List Price: $40.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Martha Stewart - Model: 0307236722 Amazon Marketplace: 67 new & used starting at $15.00

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Subjects -> Reference
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Baking -> Desserts
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> Reference

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 83 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Another Hit!!! Martha rocks. 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I loved this book. It is going to be a staple in my kitchen for years to come just like my Mother's old "Fanny Farmer." Martha and her staff made this so easy to follow. The hints are what make this book the best ever. Every kitchen should have a copy. It isnt' just a "cookbook" it is an education.

Great cookbook 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Every recipe I have made has been great. And so much cheaper than the cover price. Love this book.

great customer service 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Hi, I purchased this book since it was selling as new, but when I received it, it was a damaged product. Even though I didn't get what I expected, I send the book back and I got my money back. He was very responsive and very communicative and quickly in returning my money. My only disappointment was that I ended up with no book.

come on...it's Martha... 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Martha has got it goin' on. this book is beautiful, great pictures and recipes. i am pretty sure i put on a couple of pounds just by looking at the pictures :)

i have tried a couple of recipes and loved them. prep your ingrediants beforehand, so you don't have to worry about having enough vanilla or eggs (i speak from experience :\ )

this book is worth purchasing just to add to your collection of timeless cookbooks. it has techniques and advice that will help anyone reach a better understanding of baking.

Editorial Review:

Authored by Martha herself, this amazing book delves deep into one of her very best subjects - baking. Follow along with Martha as you learn the ins-and-outs of this delicious culinary art.

Divine Canine: The Monks' Way to a Happy, Obedient Dog

The Monks of New Skete

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Hyperion Amazon Marketplace: 52 new & used starting at $7.75

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Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Animal Care & Pets -> Dogs -> Training
Subjects -> Home & Garden -> Expert Advice -> Monks of New Skete

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Bring out the divine in your canine!Obedient, devoted, and happy -- that's what we all want our dogs to be. Let Brother Christopher and the Monks of New Skete show you how to get there through the stories of sixteen unruly dogs who came to them with more than a few lessons to learn. In this engaging and informative companion book to the hit Animal Planet series, the Monks of New Skete, renowned masters in the art of raising and training dogs, demonstrate tried and true techniques for influencing animal behavior, showing how a caring attitude and honest communication can turn any dog into a divine canine.Featuring: The Monks' Way: inspiring insights into the special New Skete training methods Tips on tackling problems: dominance, aggression, separation anxiety, and more "What if" guides when things don't go as planned Glossary of key training techniques Step-by-step photos and full-color illustrations of dogs in training at the New Skete monastery A must-have for anyone who loves dogs, Divine Canine offers unique and entertaining lessons that resonate far beyond the food dish and water bowl