New Releases by David Larkin

The final volume in the series, written by one of the acknowledged experts on British Railway wagons.This volume in the series examines the various steel wagon designs acquired and, in some cases, perpetuated by BR. Bolster wagons, both four-wheeled and bogie types, are covered together with the four-wheeled plate, pipe and tube wagons. There were many conversions from the latter types and these are fully covered. Trestle plate wagons, both four wheeled and bogie, are examined together with other special types, principally the Weltrol.The volume closes with a look at the use of older acquired types in the post-1968 period, with a brief look at survivors in the 1980s.As with all the other titles in the series, it is illustrated throughout with around 200 black and white photographs. The whole series is essential reading for those interested in this aspect of British Railways history and an invaluable reference source for those engaged in modelling the post 1940s era.

This book presents comprehensive details of all major examples of non-pool freight stock that ran during the British Railways era, written by the acknowledged expert in the field.

Comprehensive numbering and building details of almost every variety of parcels and passenger-related stock built by or for British Railways.

Model Trains.

David Larkin continues his comprehensive survey of British Railways goods wagons by looking at the final flowering of vacuum-braked stock, and the development of air-braked stock in the final years of British Railways, such as"merry-go-round" coal hoppers and Freightliner flat wagons. The batch of vacuum-fitted prototypes that eventually led to the general fleet of air-braked opens and vans is also covered.

Continues where the previous volume ended, covering some of the new designs that were introduced by BR during a period of great change. Lot and diagram details, number ranges, builders and livery details are included.

David Larkin is well-known for his study of British Railways goods wagons, and this new work pays particular attention to those ordered by BR in the earliest years of its existence. The Big Four pre-Nationalisation companies all had outstanding wagon orders under construction in 1948, and these continued to be delivered with their original numbers, albeit with new prefix letters. In addition, the newly-created BR acquired a fleet of wagons from the erstwhile Ministry of War Transport. These are also considered in this book, together with the early BR orders for wagons based on existing Big Four designs and on its own early standard designs in the period up to the eve of the Modernisation Plan of 1955. Profusely illustrated, this book includes Lot and Diagram details, wagon number ranges, information on the builders and livery details. The wagons featured are very diverse and include Lowfits wagons, open wagons, containers and container wagons, mineral wagons, ventilated vans, railtanks, cattle wagons and brake vans.

From the New England saltbox to the Pennsylvania Dutch, from the southern colonial to the western ranch, the American farmhouse is an icon of our history and our traditions of hearth and home, an architectural entity in and of itself, as well as a highly coveted retreat for country dwellers. Conveyed throughout Farmhouse: Country Retreats in both images and words are the many qualities that make farmhouses special and the importance and pleasures of preserving and restoring these homes.Evocative images and lively descriptive commentary combine to create a fascinating inside look at what it is like to live in farmhouses across America-for those who are ready to inhabit these one-of-a-kind treasures with their singular histories or for those who are dreaming about it. Interspersed are detailed black and white drawings that reveal how these unique architectural styles originated and developed. In addition, a practical guide to choosing and living in a farmhouse is provided. Featured is a wealth of information about evaluating building elements, including roofs, windows, chimneys, and cellars; upgrading fireplaces and stoves for heat and utilizing porches and verandas for cooling; decorating with complementary and appropriate furnishings and wall coverings; and keeping the integrity and history of the buildings intact. More than two hundred photographs and drawings capture the essence of the American farmhouse in all of its charming, rustic glory.

The architecture of great homes became a fascinating and significant art form in twentieth-century America with such icons of modernism as Frank Lloyd Wright''s Fallingwater, Philip Johnson''s Glass House, and Frank Gehry''s personal residence. This lavishly illustrated volume, the newest title in the Universe architecture series, is a condensed and updated edition of the bestselling book of the same name. Twenty-five of America''s finest masterpieces of modern residential architecture are presented with rich color photographs, accompanied by text that explores each house in depth and discusses its place in the progression of American architecture. Compact and very reasonably priced, this book is ideal for students and all enthusiasts of twentieth-century design.

La cabane dans les arbres est le lieu de l''imaginaire profond et aussi le rêve retrouvé de l''enfance. Perdue au fond des bois ou lovée dans un coin de jardin, elle répond au besoin impérieux de se mettre un temps en marge de l''agitation du monde. Tel le Baron perché, grimpé dans son chêne pour n''en plus jamais redescendre, de plus en plus d''amateurs se laissent aujourd''hui tenter par les charmes d''un exil dans les feuillages, et choisissent de bâtir leur nid sur la fourche d''un bel arbre. Passés maîtres dans l''art de la construction arboricole, Peter et Judy Nelson ont déniché d''étonnantes cabanes haut perchées, et nous invitent dans cet univers insolite. Simple abri de planches et de branchages ouvert aux quatre vents, improbable ermitage suspendu entre ciel et terre, cocon douillet blotti dans la ramure ou fol étagement de pièces, balcons et passerelles courant le long des branches, chaque cabane est une œuvre unique, née de l''audace et de l''imagination de son créateur.

The counterpart to his bestselling "Barn: The Art of a Working Building", this latest book from Larkin tours the intriguing architecture of 18th- and 19th-century windmills, watermills, gristmills, and other kinds of naturally powered buildings. The buildings are documented in 200 color photographs and detailed floor plans.

Here is the successor to COUNTRY WISDOM, the first in David Larkin''s informative series about country ways and country life. COUNTRY ACRES takes the reader from country house to its outbuildings--barns, sheds, cribs--and on to its gardens, fields, trees, and ponds. In his charming fashion, Larkin offers information and guidance for country lovers of all levels of sophistication. 200 color photos.

Describes the natural surroundings that are a benefit of country living, tells how to spot wildlife and useful wild plants, and discusses edible plants, mushrooms, maple syrup, fruit, and nuts

The American countryside attracted European settlers in search of rich farmland. Bringing with them the architectural ideas of their native countries, but few highly skilled craftsmen and a lack of sophisticated tools, they developed a more simplified building style. Often an entire community was called upon to participate in the building of a house, barn, or church, and the traditions of the diverse cultures were combined to produce a unique American form.

In the early 1880's, the unknown American West lured travellers, explorersnd spiritual seekers from around the world. These explorers were theathfinders of the Oregan trail, the Santa Fe trail and the California trail.hey discovered the ruins of ancient cliff-dwellers, the wonders ofellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, the Petrified Forest, Grand Teton andanyonlands. This book is a documentation of these expeditions.;The recordsf the expeditions, by Lewis and Clark, Zebulon Pike, John Fremont, Johnowell and others, exist only in their notebooks, journals and diaries.ollowing these records, photographers have returned to the originalocations at the same time of day and season of the year, to document theites. These large format, colour photographs, juxtaposed with theravellers' manuscripts, letters and sketchbooks, recreate the expeditions.lso featured are the explorers' own maps, revealing what they thought theyere doing, along with modern accurate maps depicting their real progress.

"The use of earth as a building material is as old as civilization. For the twentieth-century American, the process is most familiar in the sun-dried brick called adobe and the architectural style characteristic of the desert Southwest and the mission buildings of California." "Here, in more than two hundred pictures and a lucid, informed text, is the story of building and living with earth - from North and West Africa to the Iberian Peninsula, from the centuries-old Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe to the modern homes of the wealthy in the hills near Taos." "Essential to the story of adobe is the experience of construction itself, which is a communal act - families and friends engaged in the making of bricks and the raising of walls and rafters (called vigas), and the unique skill of applying the protective and beautifying plaster, a task often left to the talented women known as enjaradoras." "Adobe describes the wide variety of earthen architecture: the stark grandeur of the Taos pueblo; light-filled artists'' studios; the typical hacienda with its living spaces surrounding a sunlit courtyard; and new houses designed to maintain a tradition yet providing abundant comfort and pleasure."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

From 19th-century Shaker communities came beautifully crafted buildings, furniture, tools, and other artifacts admired throughout the world. In the tradition of its bestselling predecessor Shaker: Life, Work, and Art, this book evokes the very special flavor of the Shaker way of life. 52 full-color illustrations.

A tribute to this building, with more than 200 col. photos and an informed text by two expert practitioners of the art & craft of barn restoration.

Depicts the construction of a replica of a ship that brought English settlers to Jamestown, Virginia

An oversized (91/4x121/4") book with over 150 exquisite photographs displaying the works and techniques of 17 self-taught artists from the mountains between Virginia and Alabama. The sparse but well written text traces each artist''s background and inspiration. Includes sculptors, painters, carvers, and basket weavers using materials from their environment. No index or bibliography. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Welcome Aboard! You are about to embark on a spectacular adventure, blazing a trail for future space travel in the world''s greatest flying machine. Prepare for lift-off using the step-by-step instructions for launch and ascent. Soar into the sky consulting the authentic gatefold reproduction of the Shuttle''s instrument panel. Operate the remote manipulator arm, the space telescope, and the data relay satellite as you communicate with ground control. Chart your space flight using the authentic fold-out orbital map. Hurtle back through the Earth''s atmosphere to land the aircraft gently like a glider. Congratulations! We hope your mission is rewarding and fascinating! Sincerely, Directorate for Crew Training Written for the layperson by curators at the National Air and Space Museum, with colorful illustrations throughout, THE SPACE SHUTTLE OPERATOR''S MANUAL takes the reader through all the motions of an actual mission -- from preparation to takeoff to orbit to re-entry.