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David Bowers
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The Useful Book: 201 Life Skills They Used to Teach in Home Ec and Shop Kindle Edition

by David Bowers (Author), Sharon Bowers (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 235 ratings

A modern and energetically designed encyclopedia of DIY with everything you need to know to roll up your sleeves and cook it, build it, sew it, clean it, or repair it yourself. In other words, everything you would have learned from your shop and home ec teachers, if you'd had them.

The Useful Book features 138 practical projects and how-tos, with step-by-step instructions and illustrations, relevant charts, sidebars, lists, and handy toolboxes. There’s a kitchen crash course, including the must-haves for a well-stocked pantry; how to boil an egg (and peel it frustration-free); how to grill, steam, sauté, and roast vegetables. There’s Sewing 101, plus how to fold a fitted sheet, tie a tie, mop a floor, make a bed, and set the table for a formal dinner.

Next up: a 21st-century shop class. The tools that everyone should have, and dozens of cool projects that teach fundamental techniques. Practice measuring, cutting, and nailing by building a birdhouse. Make a bookshelf or a riveted metal picture frame. Plus: do-it-yourself plumbing; car repair basics; and home maintenance, from priming and painting to refinishing wood floors. 

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  1. Print length
    417 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Workman Publishing Company
  4. Publication date
    June 14, 2016
  5. File size
    47.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Married couple Sharon Bowers (Candy Construction) and David Bowers (Dad’s Own Housekeeping Book) serve as mom-and-pop guides through the never-ending task of housekeeping in this handy book of how-tos....Readers learning to live on their own will want to have this book on hand." -Publishers Weekly

“[will] leave you feeling brilliantly self-sufficient” -BookPage

"anyone who studiously read the book cover to cover would become the paragon jack of all trades.” -Arkansas Democrat Gazette

About the Author

David Bowers is a woodworker, painter, author of Bake Like a Man: A Real Man’s Cookbook, and stay-at-home dad.
 

Sharon Bowers contributes to iVillage and Parents magazine, and is the author of Ghoulish Goodies, Candy Construction, and The Idiot’s Guide to Cooking Chicken.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00U0OBR8U
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Workman Publishing Company (June 14, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 14, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 47.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 417 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 235 ratings

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David Bowers

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
235 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book to be a great resource for learning life skills, filled with practical advice. Moreover, the book is easy to follow and read. Additionally, they appreciate its visual quality, with one customer noting that the graphics are good supplements to the content.

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26 customers mention "Informational value"26 positive0 negative

Customers find the book to be a great resource for learning, filled with practical advice, and consider it one of the best books teaching home economics.

"...I used the how to book to learn to tie a tie. It was simple and very informative...." Read more

"I love this book so much! It gives so many helpful hints and I read so many things I didn't know...." Read more

"...FILLED with practical advice, how-to, and solutions from all aspects of commonly needed life skills that are currently neglected in education..." Read more

"Wonderful book! It covers everything you need to know in the "life skills" category...." Read more

6 customers mention "Ease of use"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book easy to follow and read, with a well-organized layout.

"...I used the how to book to learn to tie a tie. It was simple and very informative...." Read more

"...FILLED with practical advice, how-to, and solutions from all aspects of commonly needed life skills that are currently neglected in education..." Read more

"It is stuff that is easily avaiable on Utube. Loved the idea, may come in useful if the grid goes down." Read more

"This book is laid out well. Looking forward to using it this up coming school year in a skills class." Read more

3 customers mention "Visual quality"3 positive0 negative

Customers like the visual quality of the book, with one mentioning that the graphics are good supplements and another noting that it looks great.

"...The divisions of home ec and shop, with very clear information and pictures ... Just wow!" Read more

"...The graphics are good supplements as well. A friend already wants to borrow it." Read more

"Fast shipping, book looks great!" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Nathaniel Powell
    5.0 out of 5 stars Youtube is Great ! But it doesn't have everything !
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed this book. I used the how to book to learn to tie a tie. It was simple and very informative. I realized I could have just googled it and it would have been that simple. I originally picked it up on loan at the public library. I was sold flipping through the pages and looking at all the awesome content. How to Iron a shirt ! How to sew on a button ! Simple stuff us millenials were never shown how to do. I knew I needed this book and immediately purchased it. Your gonna love it !
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Paula Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm going to buy another for my daughter!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I love this book so much! It gives so many helpful hints and I read so many things I didn't know. It would be a nice gift to give to anyone starting out in their own home. A tip was given on how to replace buttermilk, since so many people don't have it in the fridge at the ready much anymore. I keep buttermilk powder just for this reason. It keeps for a long time. It's a great book and I highly recommend it.
    7 people found this helpful
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  • jedi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book for those preparing to live on their own soon.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    If you buy one book about basic skills for yourself or a young person on their own for the first time, or better yet a teen preparing to live on their own soon enough, THIS IS IT! I wish this was around 20 years ago when I was leaving home for the first time. FILLED with practical advice, how-to, and solutions from all aspects of commonly needed life skills that are currently neglected in education course work. Clear instructions and easy to follow. A must have! I'm going to order one for each of my nieces and nephews.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Catmom
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great informational book
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Great book! They should make the lessons in this book mandatory for all kids in school.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • EAL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great "Life Skills" tool
    Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Wonderful book! It covers everything you need to know in the "life skills" category. I have a son with some learning delays, and I want to be sure he's ready to function well in the world when he graduates from high school. He might not ever master calculus, but he'll know how to fix a leaky faucet, do his laundry, bake a cake, change a tire, clean out gutters, and so many more things. While some of these items might fall into the "of-course-I'd-teach-my-child-that" category, there are others I might have never considered teaching. This is a great "life skills" supplement to any education, making for a well-rounded person.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Paula
    5.0 out of 5 stars This really is a very useful book!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely love this book! I make bread now! I fixed my singing toilet! The divisions of home ec and shop, with very clear information and pictures ... Just wow!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Annissa Christian
    3.0 out of 5 stars Great and useful
    Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very useful book for my brothers birthday gift. However when i recieved my copy there was crayon drawings and puddy stuck to the back of the book. Which doesnt bother me one bit since all the pages where in tact and readable.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best book teaching home economics and shop skills
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Best for those never taught home economics and shop skills. Great for those on their own and want to learn all around life skills that are considered old fashioned.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Lolo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Highly recommend this book .
    Report
  • Sabrina G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
    Reviewed in Canada on August 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Used it in class! It’s perfect!
    Report
  • Perpetual Learner
    5.0 out of 5 stars Life Skills - Taught in Home Ec and Shop
    Reviewed in Canada on August 27, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I'm using this book as a text book to teach my grand daughter sewing and cooking skills because she is being home schooled this year because of Covid-19.
    Report
  • Grannie
    3.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Mainly American tips but sadly not what I had hoped.
    Report
  • Robert Lee
    4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful. Already saved the price of the book in using one of the tips.
    Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Never replaced a lamp socket in my life.
    Read the instructions, bought the socket.. Tah-dah! Lamp works.
    Customer image
    Robert Lee
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Very useful. Already saved the price of the book in using one of the tips.

    Reviewed in Canada on May 18, 2021
    Never replaced a lamp socket in my life.
    Read the instructions, bought the socket.. Tah-dah! Lamp works.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report

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