Rating: 
Summary: Great for the weekend warrior
Review: In my neighborhood, as in many areas during this boom economy, it is nearly impossible to find contractors willing to do small residential jobs such as tiling a bathtub stall. For us reluctant weekend warriors, this book has been a godsend. Most tile books provide a number of layout ideas and then either gloss over the details of installation or (more often) give suggestions on how to hire a reputable and skilled contractor. Byrne instead gives detailed but undaunting descriptions of how to design, plan, build, and finish most projects. The organization is useful, the photos are perfect, and helpful hints and warnings abound. Only a couple things could improve this book. Although the book contained all the info I needed for my job, a quick outline summary for entire projects, with one-line descriptors of each task, would avoid having to continually leaf through the complete text. Also, an estimate of time required for each task would allow for better planning.
Rating:
Summary: An essential read
Review: Michael Byrne's book is an essential read for anyone contemplating a DIY tile installation or for a professional looking to expand their knowledge base. Mr. Byrne demonstrates his thorough knowledge of the subject matter and has been on the forefront of tile-setting education and training. Mr. Byrne's attention to such issues as expansion joints and waterproofing membranes elevate this book above many of the other "guides" for tile installation, and also tackles such issues as tiling a fireplace, exterior tiling, and floating a cement shower floor. I would absolutely read this book (and check out his videos) before attempting a tile job for the first time- I cannot believe how much I've learned!
Rating:
Summary: Setting Tile: The Right Way
Review: Mr. Byrne has written dozens of articles in fine Homebuilding and Journal of Light Construction on Tile Setting. The Book is excellent, and walks you through the whole process from tile history, tile design, the various construction aspects of it (e.g., what you have to have underneath the tile to make a good tile job, the various setting beds (old fashioned mortar to newer cement boards), setting the tile, grouting the tile, and finally sealing the tile when necessary. For any person wanting to learn tile setting the correct professional way, this book is essential. I bought it twice, one about 8 years ago, and a second updated version this year because of some new products and resulting new techniques.
Rating: 
Summary: A good starter book, but kind of leaves you hanging in spots
Review: Mr. Byrnes obviously knows his trade of tile laying. I purchased the book when I decided to attempt a total bathroom overhaul by myself for the first time. I found his book of more interest than others I looked at since he covered the construction of the shower 'pan' whereas other books did not get into this area. I read the book several times studied the pictures and practiced the techniques in my mind several times before doing any of the reconstruction. I did find the book to be most helpful in answering most questions however there were some areas where I felt he left things unanswered at least for the novice. I have finally completed the project after 3 months of working on it after hours and weekends. I have to say thank you to Mr. Byrne but I would like to see some of the loose ends tied up for the next novice 'Do-it-yourselfer' starts his/her bathroom renovation.
Rating:
Summary: The best of many tile setting books
Review: Of the many tile setting books on the market, this is clearly the best. There are a few things missing, however, that keep it from being a truly comprehensive guide: 1. Information on specialty tiles, such as Saltillo, and 2. Detailed information on different types of thinset and medium bed mortars and when to use them. Also, a bit more information on surface preparation (leveling compounds, etc.) would have been helpful.
Rating:
Summary: If you're gonna tile, you need this book.
Review: Probably the best do it yourself book I've ever used. I was able to do a complex bathroom job (walls, counters, surrounds, patterns, multiple tile sizes) over an inferior floor surface (low grade particle board) by using the advice in this book, and several years later -- not a single problem with the installation. If you're providing the labor, you can afford the essential tools, and this is the #1 essential tool.
Rating:
Summary: If you're gonna tile, you need this book.
Review: Probably the best do it yourself book I've ever used. I was able to do a complex bathroom job (walls, counters, surrounds, patterns, multiple tile sizes) over an inferior floor surface (low grade particle board) by using the advice in this book, and several years later -- not a single problem with the installation. If you're providing the labor, you can afford the essential tools, and this is the #1 essential tool.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Reading this book reminds me of asking what time it is and having someone explain to you the history of the watch and how it was made!!! The world of knowledge which Mr. Byrne apparently has amassed about TILE simply does not either impress or interest me. Maybe he should have picked a more descriptive title such as "Everything You Could Ever Possibly Want to Know About Tile" instead of "Setting Tile." I just cant imagine why anyone would want to read all of this detail about tile. (A tile aficianado???) A vast majority of this book is simply unnecessary, and therfore confusing, for a weekend warrior homeowner who "Just wants to install some tile."
Rating:
Summary: I just want to install some tile!!!
Review: Reading this book reminds me of asking what time it is and having someone explain to you the history of the watch and how it was made!!! The world of knowledge which Mr. Byrne apparently has amassed about TILE simply does not either impress or interest me. Maybe he should have picked a more descriptive title such as "Everything You Could Ever Possibly Want to Know About Tile" instead of "Setting Tile." I just cant imagine why anyone would want to read all of this detail about tile. (A tile aficianado???) A vast majority of this book is simply unnecessary, and therfore confusing, for a weekend warrior homeowner who "Just wants to install some tile."
Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful candid approach to Tile Setting
Review: This book and his Videos, Which I also very highly recommended, give you a complete picture of installing tile. You won't be left asking the question how did he get to this point? Michael has been setting tile for over 30 years, and manages to impart in less than 240 pages a good part of that knowledge. To cap it off he provides a resource guide and glossary at the back of his book to suppliers, educational resources, safety equipment, that you can contact for more information. This 2nd edition of Michaels book as he states in the Introductory is not a collection of how to projects, though there are many scenarios that he walks us through.( See his 1987 book for more of a set of how-to projects) He stresses the opportunity that each new project offers in creative problem solving, and the satisfaction gained from meeting these challenges. He then walks us through the thinking process to solve the problem. He does retain many of his installation projects from the 1987 book and so the beginner like myself has a solid footing to go on. To back this up he lays a foundation of understand how and why tile is used. Covers the production and properties of tiles, stone and other materials. Preparing the surface, selecting the appropiate material for a give installation setting foundation, choice of tools, safety equipment. Add to this the clear simple sketches that he himself created, along with many pictures, averaging over 2 per page, illusrating different techiques and you have a throughly satisfying presentation of material.
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