Books about Finishing from Amazon.com

"Fifteen minutes!" you say. "That's too good to be true!" Okay, author Joan Bolker admits she gave her book the title Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day to get the reader's attention And she admits that it's unlikely you'll actually finish a dissertation at that speed. As she tells her clients, however, a mere 15 minutes is much better than no writing at all when they're stuck. As a clinical psychologist who cofounded the Harvard Writing Center, Bolker has helped hundreds of writers complete their dissertations. She offers suggestions on how to create a writing addiction so that you feel incomplete if you don't write every day and stresses the need to set reasonable goals and deadlines for yourself to keep from getting discouraged. She also offers strategies for dealing with both internal and external distractions and for fending off writer's block. Even more important is the advice on some of the more awkward issues related to dissertation writing, such as how to choose your adviser carefully. (For example, when faced with the tradeoff between a famous advisor who is inaccessible and a less famous advisor who is willing to make time for you, Bolker advises, "If choosing a politically advantageous, famous advisor makes it unlikely that you'll complete your degree, it's clearly not worth it.") The book even includes a helpful appendix for advisers that could become the basis for an honest discussion of what student and adviser can expect from each other. Throughout this excellent book, Bolker acts as a therapist, cheerleader, and drill sergeant, all rolled into one.

While some of the book's advice is of interest only to dissertation writers, much of the information--on battling writer's block, for instance--is valuable to anybody engaged in writing. Rather than being filled with rules defining how to become a great writer, Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day is about finding the process by which you can be the most productive--it's a set of exercises that you can use to find out more about you and the way you write. Along the way, you'll do a bit of writing. And that's what matters, especially when you experience writer's block--as Bolker says, "Write anything, because writing is writing." With its helpful advice and supportive tone, Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day should be required reading for anyone considering writing a dissertation. --C.B. Delaney.
Price: $7.35 [Notify me when price goes down.]

In America’s new war, the first guns in the fight are special operations forces, including the Navy SEALs, specially trained warriors who operate with precision, swiftness, and lethal force. In the constantly shifting war on terror, SEAL units—small in number, flexible, stealthy, and ef?cient—are more vital than ever to America’s security as they take the battle to an elusive enemy around the globe.

But how are Navy SEALs made? Dick Couch, author of the acclaimed Warrior Elite, follows SEALs on the ground and in the water as they undergo SEAL Tactical Training, where they master combat skills such as precision shooting, demolitions, secure communications, parachuting, diving, and first aid. From there, the men enter operational platoons, where they subordinate their individual abilities to the mission of the group and train for special operations in specific geographic environments.

Never before has a civilian writer been granted such close access to the training of America’s most elite military forces. The Finishing School is essential reading for anyone who wants to know what goes into the making of America’s best warriors..
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Anyone who spends time fashioning copper, brass, silver and gold into jewelry will appreciate the wealth of detail in this guide to jewelry finishes. The Jeweler's Directory of Decorative Finishes covers 15 different techniques for creating various decorative finishes from start to finish.

More than 350 step-by-step illustrations and photographs guide jewelers through techniques including patination, granulation, fusing and more. Adding gold foil, developing patterns that contrast with by layering metals and inlays, creating exquisite etchings and engravings and more are covered. Illustrations demonstrate various combinations of the different finishes, while instructions bear practical safety tips. An inspiring gallery of work by professional jewelers, using the techniques taught in this easy-to-understand working resource.

-More than 350 color photos and illustrations clearly demonstrate the outcome of each technique

-A collection of 15 different techniques helps artists expand the skills of their craft

-Complete instruction, including necessary tools, makes this useful for experienced and novice artists.
Price: $15.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Knitted one too many sweaters that scream "homemade"? Help is here! Finishing techniques are the key to turning out professional-looking projects This comprehensive reference gives you the know-how you need to get gorgeous, polished results every time.

o More than 50 expert techniques cover increases, decreases, seams, blocking, decorative finishes, and more

o Master each method with step-by-step illustrations, easy-to-read text, and dozens of color photos

o Bring along this handy guide wherever you go; the spiral-bound design lies flat for trouble-free knitting.
Price: $10.90 [Notify me when price goes down.]

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Price: $18.68 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Now it's easier than ever for woodworkers to get a perfect finish on every project! This book dispels the myths about wood finishing and explains exactly how and why every finish behaves the way it does..
Price: $14.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Finishing features advanced techniques on controlling and adjusting color, disguising defects, and repairing finishes. This clear and comprehensive volume for woodworkers includes 850 color photos as well as 30 color illustrations..
Price: $24.96 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Uncover the glory in your home! Use paint to create inspired living spaces that reflect your style and your home's character.

Once upon a time, there was a sad little Victorian house on the corner, abandoned by its previous owners and abused by time. Your Home, A Living Canvas is the Cinderella story of that house and its transformation into a charming, historic home, thanks to the loving care of acclaimed decorative artisan, Curtis L. Heuser.

From the grand staircase to the cozy third-floor master suite, this book takes you along on the complete floor-to-ceiling, room-by-room makeover. You'll learn about the design concepts and inspirations for each space, along with real-world how-to's behind the wall treatments, ceiling features, architectural highlights, and other exquisite details.

• A series of 25+ step-by-step demonstrations show how Heuser used murals, trompe l'oeil and faux finishes to blend old with new, reclaiming the spirit of the house's former glory, while incorporating unique personal touches.
• Covers a range of decorative styles, from the exotic crackle-finish bookcases in the study, to the Italian country villa-inspired kitchen, to a sophisticated dining room that embodies the Old World ambiance of classic European interiors.
• Offers a wealth of expert decorating advice on using color to evoke mood, displaying your collections, mixing and matching eclectic furnishings, and more.

Whether you're interested in a simple faux finish technique or are dedicated to preserving the architecture and charm of your own historic dwelling, this book will help you create a living environment rich in color, texture and atmosphere ... a place called "home.".
Price: $12.95 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Using crisp photos and drawings, Bollinger goes step by step through the process. You will learn how to estimate materials, select the right kind of wood, prepare the subfloor and achieve a blemish-free finish for an old or new floor. Bollinger also provides numerous tips and tricks, and sources of supply. The book is indexed for easy reference..
Price: $10.00 [Notify me when price goes down.]

Quilters will learn new techniques to enhance the character of any quilt in The Quilter's Edge. This book teaches quilters how to use a variety of quilting skills to take a completed quilt to a fabulous finish.

Filled with more than 150 step-by-step instructional color photos, this guide fills a highly sought after niche in quilting references. Readers will appreciate over 150 color photos and illustrations that demonstrate the effectiveness of finished edges in enhancing an entire quilt. Featured techniques include scalloped edges, prairie points, setting options, size options, binding secrets, curved edges, notched edges, quilt labels and more! In addition quilters gain valuable formulas for figuring yardage and size. -150+ color photos llustrations offer quilters easy-to-follow instructions

-Includes formulas for figuring yardage and size

-Involves a variety of quilting skills to give quilters practice.
Price: $14.22 [Notify me when price goes down.]