Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

More than just another specialist book, 28 Sep 2006
If You are looking for a book that explains in detail how to design , prepare and execute nearly any water feature that You can imagine , then look no further . This book is excellent , coincise , has wonderful diagrams and is worth every penny. I cant recommend this informative book more. Every one of its 80 pages can help anybody that is interested in having a pond or water feature....Buy it and enjoy it

At last a book about ponds!, 02 May 2006
This book is terrific. Not just a another load of photos and blurb, but detailed information well put together. If you are about to build a pond (whether its your first one or your last one!) this is essential reading.

Very detailed and very useful, 12 Aug 2005
This book covers every aspect of ponds, from deciding what to have and where through building to maintenance of the finished product. Very detailed with lots of information, and maybe just as important lots of diagrams and photos, before during and after projects.

Although it may make pond-building look very complicated, everything is explained in step-by-step detail, complete with pros and cons, helpful hints and do-and-dont's. Even if you decide that the building side may not be your thing, this is still an excellent book for inspiration and has quite a few suggestions for maintenance which mean this would be a sound buy for anyone considering having a pond built for them by someone else.

A very interesting read and it certainly gives you something to think about.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

More than just another specialist book, 28 Sep 2006
If You are looking for a book that explains in detail how to design , prepare and execute nearly any water feature that You can imagine , then look no further . This book is excellent , coincise , has wonderful diagrams and is worth every penny. I cant recommend this informative book more. Every one of its 80 pages can help anybody that is interested in having a pond or water feature....Buy it and enjoy it

At last a book about ponds!, 02 May 2006
This book is terrific. Not just a another load of photos and blurb, but detailed information well put together. If you are about to build a pond (whether its your first one or your last one!) this is essential reading.

Very detailed and very useful, 12 Aug 2005
This book covers every aspect of ponds, from deciding what to have and where through building to maintenance of the finished product. Very detailed with lots of information, and maybe just as important lots of diagrams and photos, before during and after projects.

Although it may make pond-building look very complicated, everything is explained in step-by-step detail, complete with pros and cons, helpful hints and do-and-dont's. Even if you decide that the building side may not be your thing, this is still an excellent book for inspiration and has quite a few suggestions for maintenance which mean this would be a sound buy for anyone considering having a pond built for them by someone else.

A very interesting read and it certainly gives you something to think about.

A great book on sustainable design!, 18 Dec 2007
As some of you may know, the LEED building rating system focuses on 6 key areas: Sustainable site development (SS), water savings/efficiency (WE), energy & atmosphere (EA), materials and resource (MR), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and innovations & design process (ID).

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" is a very useful book on water savings/efficiency (WE). It described various ways of caturing, channeling, diverting and re-using water from rain and snow, including permeable paving, storm-water chains, bioretention ponds and green roofs. Rain gardens create great environment for wild life. They are visually pleasant, economical and sustainable. I live very close to several of the retention ponds of my local water district. They are fine examples of rain gardens, I always love to visit them and see the beautiful birds and plants in or near the retention ponds. Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden described many of the techniques that are used by my local water district. These techniques are unconventional and can be useful all over the world. They can effectively capture the storm water and let the water settle and clean itself through the natural process and save it for drought period, instead of using concrete-paved flood channel to rush the storm water to the ocean.

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" has 188 pages and many line drawings and beautiful interior color photos. It is a great book on sustainable design.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






Respect rainwater - it's a powerful resource, 07 Dec 2007
This authoritative and timely book clearly explains the features of a rain garden, providing well illustrated international examples. Following this year's record rainfall, this book should be read by planners, developers, architects, garden designers and anyone else interested in slowing the flow of rainwater into mains drainage and other water courses, using whatever outdoor space they have influence over. I predict lots of show gardens with rain garden features in 2008...

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

More than just another specialist book, 28 Sep 2006
If You are looking for a book that explains in detail how to design , prepare and execute nearly any water feature that You can imagine , then look no further . This book is excellent , coincise , has wonderful diagrams and is worth every penny. I cant recommend this informative book more. Every one of its 80 pages can help anybody that is interested in having a pond or water feature....Buy it and enjoy it

At last a book about ponds!, 02 May 2006
This book is terrific. Not just a another load of photos and blurb, but detailed information well put together. If you are about to build a pond (whether its your first one or your last one!) this is essential reading.

Very detailed and very useful, 12 Aug 2005
This book covers every aspect of ponds, from deciding what to have and where through building to maintenance of the finished product. Very detailed with lots of information, and maybe just as important lots of diagrams and photos, before during and after projects.

Although it may make pond-building look very complicated, everything is explained in step-by-step detail, complete with pros and cons, helpful hints and do-and-dont's. Even if you decide that the building side may not be your thing, this is still an excellent book for inspiration and has quite a few suggestions for maintenance which mean this would be a sound buy for anyone considering having a pond built for them by someone else.

A very interesting read and it certainly gives you something to think about.

A great book on sustainable design!, 18 Dec 2007
As some of you may know, the LEED building rating system focuses on 6 key areas: Sustainable site development (SS), water savings/efficiency (WE), energy & atmosphere (EA), materials and resource (MR), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and innovations & design process (ID).

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" is a very useful book on water savings/efficiency (WE). It described various ways of caturing, channeling, diverting and re-using water from rain and snow, including permeable paving, storm-water chains, bioretention ponds and green roofs. Rain gardens create great environment for wild life. They are visually pleasant, economical and sustainable. I live very close to several of the retention ponds of my local water district. They are fine examples of rain gardens, I always love to visit them and see the beautiful birds and plants in or near the retention ponds. Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden described many of the techniques that are used by my local water district. These techniques are unconventional and can be useful all over the world. They can effectively capture the storm water and let the water settle and clean itself through the natural process and save it for drought period, instead of using concrete-paved flood channel to rush the storm water to the ocean.

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" has 188 pages and many line drawings and beautiful interior color photos. It is a great book on sustainable design.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






Respect rainwater - it's a powerful resource, 07 Dec 2007
This authoritative and timely book clearly explains the features of a rain garden, providing well illustrated international examples. Following this year's record rainfall, this book should be read by planners, developers, architects, garden designers and anyone else interested in slowing the flow of rainwater into mains drainage and other water courses, using whatever outdoor space they have influence over. I predict lots of show gardens with rain garden features in 2008...

DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN & MORE!, 01 Dec 2007
If you are new to watercolour painting then this book is for you. As soon as you open it, a quick flick through reveals many very basic techniques and some more advanced ones. It is lavishly and clearly illustrated throughout and does not appear to over complicate explanations, ergo it is good for quick referencing (a clear contents list at the beginning enhances this fact as well).
The book itself is also pocket size and is ideal for taking on fieldtrips.

Conclusion: An essential, 'have-to-hand' book for any new to enthusiastic amateur painter and an excellent stocking filler.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

More than just another specialist book, 28 Sep 2006
If You are looking for a book that explains in detail how to design , prepare and execute nearly any water feature that You can imagine , then look no further . This book is excellent , coincise , has wonderful diagrams and is worth every penny. I cant recommend this informative book more. Every one of its 80 pages can help anybody that is interested in having a pond or water feature....Buy it and enjoy it

At last a book about ponds!, 02 May 2006
This book is terrific. Not just a another load of photos and blurb, but detailed information well put together. If you are about to build a pond (whether its your first one or your last one!) this is essential reading.

Very detailed and very useful, 12 Aug 2005
This book covers every aspect of ponds, from deciding what to have and where through building to maintenance of the finished product. Very detailed with lots of information, and maybe just as important lots of diagrams and photos, before during and after projects.

Although it may make pond-building look very complicated, everything is explained in step-by-step detail, complete with pros and cons, helpful hints and do-and-dont's. Even if you decide that the building side may not be your thing, this is still an excellent book for inspiration and has quite a few suggestions for maintenance which mean this would be a sound buy for anyone considering having a pond built for them by someone else.

A very interesting read and it certainly gives you something to think about.

A great book on sustainable design!, 18 Dec 2007
As some of you may know, the LEED building rating system focuses on 6 key areas: Sustainable site development (SS), water savings/efficiency (WE), energy & atmosphere (EA), materials and resource (MR), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and innovations & design process (ID).

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" is a very useful book on water savings/efficiency (WE). It described various ways of caturing, channeling, diverting and re-using water from rain and snow, including permeable paving, storm-water chains, bioretention ponds and green roofs. Rain gardens create great environment for wild life. They are visually pleasant, economical and sustainable. I live very close to several of the retention ponds of my local water district. They are fine examples of rain gardens, I always love to visit them and see the beautiful birds and plants in or near the retention ponds. Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden described many of the techniques that are used by my local water district. These techniques are unconventional and can be useful all over the world. They can effectively capture the storm water and let the water settle and clean itself through the natural process and save it for drought period, instead of using concrete-paved flood channel to rush the storm water to the ocean.

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" has 188 pages and many line drawings and beautiful interior color photos. It is a great book on sustainable design.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






Respect rainwater - it's a powerful resource, 07 Dec 2007
This authoritative and timely book clearly explains the features of a rain garden, providing well illustrated international examples. Following this year's record rainfall, this book should be read by planners, developers, architects, garden designers and anyone else interested in slowing the flow of rainwater into mains drainage and other water courses, using whatever outdoor space they have influence over. I predict lots of show gardens with rain garden features in 2008...

DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN & MORE!, 01 Dec 2007
If you are new to watercolour painting then this book is for you. As soon as you open it, a quick flick through reveals many very basic techniques and some more advanced ones. It is lavishly and clearly illustrated throughout and does not appear to over complicate explanations, ergo it is good for quick referencing (a clear contents list at the beginning enhances this fact as well).
The book itself is also pocket size and is ideal for taking on fieldtrips.

Conclusion: An essential, 'have-to-hand' book for any new to enthusiastic amateur painter and an excellent stocking filler.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Ideal for the elderly, 04 Jan 2009
This is the second one I have bought for my mother in law (the first lasted years before getting a leak) and I would recommend for anyone who may have trouble filling a conventional bottle with hot water. So easy to use and much safer for those with dexterity problems. Well worth the money.

read the details first - it is not a hot water bottle, 03 Jan 2009
We purchased two Hotties and like other reviewers my first impression was not hot enough. However, feel under the flap and you will discover that the heating element is too hot to hold.

The Fleecy Cover controls this heat so that the user gets warmth without burning - it certainly retains sufficient heat for a good two hours plus.

The Hottie is good at the job it was designed for - it is NOT a hot water bottle it is a warmer without burning.


Don't buy it., 25 Dec 2008
I can understand other peoples comments about this product being good for older people as it avoids the issue of using a kettle and hot water - but that is the only positive thing about this product. Otherwise it isn't very soft, it doesn't stay hot for long, its hard to cuddle as its quite small so doesn't bend to the shape of your body, you can feel the sharp corners of the hottie through the thin cover.

Overall a bad product, i now use normal hot water bottles which are ten times better :)

not hottie enough!, 14 Nov 2008
I didn't find the hottie very hot at all........the fleece cover is nice but not much warmth came through when I followed the instructions. I was very disappointed.

Not Impressed., 09 Nov 2008
If you are considering buying this product as an alternative to a hot water bottle, do not. It does not get very hot (even when heated to the max time permitted) and it does not retain its heat for `several hours' as is stated.

For me this is just another idea which sounds good on paper, but does not deliver.


Helpful little book, 11 Jun 2008
It may be small in size, but it covers all the basics of watercolour painting for the beginner. Has examples, easy to copy for gaining confidence, and gives you inspiration to go further by yourself. Full of information.

They weren't kidding when they said it was small, 31 Jan 2008
I know the write up describes this book as small, but just over 3 inch by 4 is a little too small for me. Yes you can fit it into your pocket to take out with you, but don't forget to pack a magnifying glass to read it as well.

I thought it was going to be bigger otherwise I wouldn't have bought it. Saying that, I love anything to do with Hazel Soan and think she is an amazing artist. I just think this book would have been better served in at least A5 size, then you wouldn't have to squint so much to read it.

The book does pack a good range of tips in it thought so it may be perfect for some people.

Engaging and enriching, 21 Nov 2008
This book centres around an earthquake in Turkey and its after-effects on one Turkish family and their American neighbours. I am no fan of disaster books (or movies, etc.) but fortunately here the earthquake is merely a trigger to explore the deep chasms of Turkish society and the world in general; namely East vs. West, Muslim vs. Christian (religious vs. secular), and rich vs. poor. Not to mention Turkey's own internal feuding with the Kurds. So, plenty of rich topics to explore and the author does a pretty good job to expose these all at a personal level. Moreover, the characters are not one-dimensional fanatics blindly arguing their point; these are real people - parents wanting a good life and happiness for their children while around them the modern world is busy redefining what `a good life' is and their children's expectations for happiness. Their struggles are internal as much as external - a search not only for answers but for identity and belonging. There is the feeling of life on the edge; the earthquake unbalancing an already shaky equilibrium.

The writing is very good - there is emotional depth without becoming sentimental or cloying. The story is teased out at a reasonable pace and only occasionally does the back and forth over the intractable become tedious. If anything, what slightly distracts is the manufactured in the American School of Literature feel to the book - a little too deliberate, everything working but nothing soaring....

My main concern, however, is how well an American can get into the mind and soul of a Turk? On the face of it, extremely well, I must admit! If I compare to a Turkish writer like Pamuk, can I tell the difference... no! If anything I find this book is more accessible. So really I should say I have a suspicion the author may have missed some of the subtler aspects of the tangled mess that is Turkey, and to be fair it has not spoiled my read.

Religion, politics, war, history, family... Oh! Did I mention the love story? Enough topics to interest everyone, surely! So unless you preference is for easy-to-read fantasy or romance, this is a worthwhile read.

"A man gives up and anything can happen to him." , 16 Nov 2008
In 1999, Istanbul and its surrounding suburbs were hit by an earthquake, leaving thousands dead and causing devastation to the lives of those that survived. Among these survivors is Sinan Basioglu, a family man, a Muslim and - perhaps most significantly - a Kurd. In the aftermath of the quake, Sinan finds he has little choice but to accept the help offered to him by an American man to whom he owes his son's life, and yet distrusts inherently. So begins an extremely testing time for Sinan, as his daughter, Irem, is drawn inexorably toward the American's son, the enigmatic Dylan, while his own son, Ismail, appears to find greater solace in Christian doctrine than that of his own religion...

Gardens of Water is a highly accomplished and compelling novel. Having lived in Turkey at the time of the earthquake, author Alan Drew is obviously well-informed on his subject matter and has succeeded in creating a moving and insightful account that details the challenges, the dilemmas and the doubts of a man pushed to the brink by circumstances beyond his control. While Sinan inevitably suffers heart-break and tragedy over the course the story, his mental fortitude keeps the story moving in a manner that is both realistic and inspiring. Drew adopts a somewhat sombre tone for the telling of Sinan's story, and yet the dialogue is crisp and kinetic while his observations on the East-West divide are both revealing and incisive.

Matt Pucci


Very Enjoyable, 27 Oct 2008
This was a thoroughly enjoyable book with well formed characters and a sensitive storyline. The book centres around two families coping with the aftermath of an earthquake - one, an American family with coming to terms with death caused by the earthquake and the other, a Turkish family desperately trying to survive after losing their home and business income. At times it is fairly predictable but does not distract from the powerful storyline. The author tackles several sensitive topics but in an unbiased way, leaving issues relating to religion, sex and family regard up to the opinion of the reader. I would have given this book 5 stars had I not read any other books of a similar vein but to be honest, it's not quite got the edge of books like A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Bookseller of Kabul etc.

So nearly perfect, 24 Oct 2008
This book would have merited five stars if it hadn't kinda fizzled out at the very end. Apart from that, it was a wonderful debut novel, exploring the intricacies of human emotions in conflicting cultures. What lifted it above the ordinary was the cast of complex and utterly believable characters. There are no heroes or villains, the person who comes closest to being a hero exiting very early in the book. All of the characters are a realistic mix of good and bad. I really cared what happened to these people. Maybe that's why the ending was a bit disappointing; we know for certain what happened to one of the characters, but I was left wanting to know more about the fates of the others. I know little about Turkey, and had never before read a book that was set there. The author clearly knows the country very well - its people, traditions, history and its political and social structures - and writes about it with great feeling any sympathy. Full marks to him for arousing my interest in a place I would otherwise not have considered looking into.

A tremendous debut novel, 29 Sep 2008
Alan Drew's debut novel tells the story of two families - one Kurdish and the other American - struggling in the aftermath of an Turkish town devastated by a deadly earthquake.

Sinan along with his wife Nilüfer, and their teenage daughter Irem and nine-year-old son Ismail, live in the same housing complex as American missionaries Marcus, his wife Sarah and their son Dylan, until the fateful earthquake tears their lives apart.

Following the earthquake, and with his son seriously ill, Sinan struggles with his long held mistrust of the Americans, and in spite of his pride relents to the offer of foreign aid. He moves his family to the newly constructed relief camp which offers the survivors tents, food, clean water, doctors and even a newly constructed mosque. It's at the camp that Irem and Dylan begin an illicit relationship which threatens to bring great shame upon her families honour.

Drew's writing is superb and beautifully evocative. Importantly for a story that revolves around the themes of love, loss, pride, politics and religion, it never feels melodramatic or forced. With his debut novel Alan Drew has achieved that most cherished of literary goals: 'Gardens of Water' is a real page-turner.

Highly recommended.

More than just another specialist book, 28 Sep 2006
If You are looking for a book that explains in detail how to design , prepare and execute nearly any water feature that You can imagine , then look no further . This book is excellent , coincise , has wonderful diagrams and is worth every penny. I cant recommend this informative book more. Every one of its 80 pages can help anybody that is interested in having a pond or water feature....Buy it and enjoy it

At last a book about ponds!, 02 May 2006
This book is terrific. Not just a another load of photos and blurb, but detailed information well put together. If you are about to build a pond (whether its your first one or your last one!) this is essential reading.

Very detailed and very useful, 12 Aug 2005
This book covers every aspect of ponds, from deciding what to have and where through building to maintenance of the finished product. Very detailed with lots of information, and maybe just as important lots of diagrams and photos, before during and after projects.

Although it may make pond-building look very complicated, everything is explained in step-by-step detail, complete with pros and cons, helpful hints and do-and-dont's. Even if you decide that the building side may not be your thing, this is still an excellent book for inspiration and has quite a few suggestions for maintenance which mean this would be a sound buy for anyone considering having a pond built for them by someone else.

A very interesting read and it certainly gives you something to think about.

A great book on sustainable design!, 18 Dec 2007
As some of you may know, the LEED building rating system focuses on 6 key areas: Sustainable site development (SS), water savings/efficiency (WE), energy & atmosphere (EA), materials and resource (MR), indoor environmental quality (IEQ), and innovations & design process (ID).

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" is a very useful book on water savings/efficiency (WE). It described various ways of caturing, channeling, diverting and re-using water from rain and snow, including permeable paving, storm-water chains, bioretention ponds and green roofs. Rain gardens create great environment for wild life. They are visually pleasant, economical and sustainable. I live very close to several of the retention ponds of my local water district. They are fine examples of rain gardens, I always love to visit them and see the beautiful birds and plants in or near the retention ponds. Nigel Dunnett and Andy Clayden described many of the techniques that are used by my local water district. These techniques are unconventional and can be useful all over the world. They can effectively capture the storm water and let the water settle and clean itself through the natural process and save it for drought period, instead of using concrete-paved flood channel to rush the storm water to the ocean.

"Rain Gardens: Managing Water Sustainably in the Garden and Designed Landscape" has 188 pages and many line drawings and beautiful interior color photos. It is a great book on sustainable design.

Gang Chen, Author of "LEED AP Exam Guide" & "Planting Design Illustrated." LEED AP, AIA






Respect rainwater - it's a powerful resource, 07 Dec 2007
This authoritative and timely book clearly explains the features of a rain garden, providing well illustrated international examples. Following this year's record rainfall, this book should be read by planners, developers, architects, garden designers and anyone else interested in slowing the flow of rainwater into mains drainage and other water courses, using whatever outdoor space they have influence over. I predict lots of show gardens with rain garden features in 2008...

DOES WHAT IT SAYS ON THE TIN & MORE!, 01 Dec 2007
If you are new to watercolour painting then this book is for you. As soon as you open it, a quick flick through reveals many very basic techniques and some more advanced ones. It is lavishly and clearly illustrated throughout and does not appear to over complicate explanations, ergo it is good for quick referencing (a clear contents list at the beginning enhances this fact as well).
The book itself is also pocket size and is ideal for taking on fieldtrips.

Conclusion: An essential, 'have-to-hand' book for any new to enthusiastic amateur painter and an excellent stocking filler.

Creating a Garden Wildlife Pond, 25 May 2004
A very basic book about creating a wildlife pond. Written with children in mind. A boy I know with learning problems has an intrest with wildlife and this book has brought him a great deal of enjoyment and he now wants to learn to read it for himself; what a bonus! I too enjoyed the book.

Inspirational with excellent instructions and drawings., 18 Jun 2001
This book is a must for those who want to build a water feature but have no previous experience in this area. It is well laid out, informative and inspirational. As a garden design student I have consulted many books on this subject but felt this was the one I should buy.

the best of what i've laid my hands at, 18 Sep 2000
At a visit to a friend's house this morning, I was really amazed seeing the beautiful garden he had with small pools spread around with many different sorts of plants on the sides. When I asked him how he succeded in creating such a nice garden, he went inside and came back with a book titled "The Water Gardener" written by ANTHONY ARCHER-WILLS, JOHN BROOKES. I am back at home now and ordering for a copy of this particular book. Thanks for it.

well compiled, lavishly illustrated and keenly written, 23 Sep 1999
There are many books on the market that will explain the ins and outs and various pitfalls of building your own water garden, but I have yet to come across one so well compiled, lavishly illustrated and keenly written as this one. Every conceivable water feature available has been utilised and explained in order to make this book a pleasure for both the expert and the beginner alike. It comes as no surprise to learn that the author has designed and built over 2,000 water features, and acts as a consultant on "water gardening". Every step essential to the creation of a beautiful pond and its surroundings is laid out, step by step. The accompanying illustrations and photographs are outstanding, and each section details suitable plants; aquatic, marginal and more. I wish I had had this book to hand when I ventured forth into the garden one day, spade in hand, with the grandiose idea of a garden pond and bog garden!