Average Customer Review: ( 9 customer reviews )
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other customers.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 found the following review helpful:
An excellent book for remodelers May 27, 2002
By Douglas B Kubel
This book is a great resource for the non-professional who has to evaluate and/or repair old residential electrical systems. It is well-organized, thoroughly safety-oriented, and practical. The author, David E. Shapiro, is a master electrician with substantial experience. He not only translates the National Electrical Code into practical advice for the do-it-yourselfer, he isn't afraid to express his opinions and recommendations, which is rare in this kind of book. This kind of practical advice, based on long experience, is more valuable than the just-the-facts approach taken by so many DIY authors.There are two problems with the book, however, and both are related to the graphics. Many of the photographs are blurry or otherwise unhelpful, and there are a number of places in the text where more phtotographs or illustrations would be quite helpful. I would have given this book five stars if the graphics were done as professionally as the text. Finally, the book doesn't really deal with the "knob-and-tube" type wiring found in many older homes. The author is clear that many subjects are beyond the scope of this entry-level book, and knob-and-tube is one of the subjects that doesn't make it in.
11 of 12 found the following review helpful:
 Much better than the reviews say! Dec 17, 2003
By I. Leong
"mhz500"
I expected the photos to be hard to discern, as it was stated by other reviewers. As a Master Electrician, I found that this is not the case. Apparently, the photos are not for amateurs, since it requires someone who has actually seen such wiring "in the flesh" to really understand them. No other book deals with old wiring so well. The subject is too often neglected by the industry. The author wisely recommends consulting an experienced electrician. Unfortunately, too many young ones do not understand old wiring and many old ones are up to date with the current electric code.
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
This book is Perfect Mar 08, 2002
I found this book incredibly helpful in dealing with a 1950's house with basically good wiring...Shapiro doesn't pull any punches and only tells you what you need to know to safely do basic electrical maintenance.
7 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Excellent book Jan 20, 2003
By Woodstud
My thoughts reflect the previous reviews pretty much. This book has been excellent at helping me deal with my home's 1950's era wiring. The major drawback to the book is the photographs. There are many photographs that I imagine would be very helpful, except that they are in black and white and it is extremely difficult to tell what exactly the pictures contain. Other than that, excellent book.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
It's an OK Book Mar 04, 2011
By Donald M. Oconnor
I thought the book was a bit pricey and most of what I've read so far isn't very advanced. But I bought it for a reference so mostly it's just on the shelf. I gave it five stars because a book like that can pay for itself with one helpful sentence.
See all 9 customer reviews on Amazon.com
|
based on 9 reviews
