A captivating personal inquiry into the art of architecture, the craft of building, and the meaning of modern work
"A room of one's own: Is there anybody who hasn't at one time or another wished for such a place, hasn't turned those soft words over until they'd assumed a habitable shape?"
When Michael Pollan decided to plant a garden, the result was the acclaimed bestseller Second Nature. In A Place of My Own, he...

Birders know you need the right house to attract the right bird. An entrance hole that's 1/8 inch too big or too small spell trouble, as does a roof that leaks or a floor that doesn't drain. Learn to build safe, species-appropriate houses for your favorite birds.

"An exploration and celebration of high-quality hand tools for woodworking and the stories of the people who make them. Take a peek inside the boutique shops and small factories of artisan woodworking toolmakers in North America, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, with behind-the-scenes photographs, profiles, interviews, and more. Saws, Planes, and Scorps covers every essential woodworking instrument, from spokeshaves to hand planes, with...

"Making Simple Robots is based on one idea: Anybody can build a robot! That includes kids, English majors, school teachers, and grandparents. If you can knit, sew, or fold a flat piece of paper into a box, you can build a no-tech robotic part. If you can use a hot glue gun, you can learn to solder basic electronics into a low-tech robot that reacts to its environment. And if you can figure out how to use the apps on your smart phone, you can learn...

"Learn the basics of modern robotics while building your own intelligent robot from scratch! You'll use inexpensive household materials to make the base for your robot, then add motors, power, wheels, and electronics. But wait, it gets better: your creation is actually five robots in one! -- build your bot in stages, and add the features you want. Vary the functions to create a robot that's uniquely yours. Mix and match features to make your own custom...

In this book, the authors show the simplest and least expensive ways to construct a simple forge, make all necessary tools yourself, forge a stub tang blade from an old automobile coil spring, and make a complete knife. Their practical guide demonstrates the most important theoretical basics and shows how simple it can be to experience bladesmithing. Each step is presented in text and pictures with special focus on forging the blade. Clear lists of...