5 comments about A House of Straw: A Natural Building Odyssey.

1. An excellent book! A House of Straw is an honest, well-written, highly-detailed account of building a straw-bale house DIY style. If you've ever considered DIY, then this book is a must-read. While it's not a "how-to" book in the general sense, A House of Straw is just as valuable and informative because it chronicles the various phases of DIY construction.... things you won't see on a half-hour HGTV program.
   
   I am very happy with this book having purchased about 10 straw bale related books/dvd's in the past 2 years. I've been out of the DIY field for about 20 years (having helped my parents build 3 conventional vacation homes that were later sold). This book brought back a lot of memories and reminded me just how exhausting, cost-saving, and worthwhile DIY construction can be.
   
   Again -- an excellent book! If you're considering building your own house (even a conventional, non-straw bale house), you'll benefit from reading A House of Straw.



2. This was my second copy of this wonderful book, and arrived in such great shape that it made for a perfect donation to our small town library. It was the first tome covering straw bale building on Blanche K. Werner's shelves and has been constantly checked out. I am currently ordering another volume



3. Not a story about exactly how to build your own straw bale house ... rather an easy read about one woman's choice faced with adveristy in her life and wishing to provide an economical, quality solution to a home for herself and her two sons. There is lots of good information about the stumbling blocks one must face, especially at a time when this architecture was relatively new to the Tucson area. Mostly I found in this book what I was looking for personally ... a story of inspiration and success. As it happens I have had the opportunity to see the final product and it is truly a beautiful home in an area close to the city of Tucson but remote enough, and on enough land to allow further exploration of alternative energy and a self sufficient lifestyle. Carolyn has done a magnificent job of making her home happen and of writing the story about it.



4. Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic.

   I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand.

   In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
   Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends.

   Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done....

   I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.




5. This is a great book of building dreams and manifesting your own destiny. As I read I was brought out into the hot sun, crying, sweating and blistering along with the builder. It has never ceased to amaze me what human beings can bring about if they really put their mind to it. Carolyn Roberts is truly a warrior of life and creates a reality we can all live with. Keeping life simple allows one to focus on realizing one's dreams. And Carolyn's dream is one of giving. Giving back to Mother Earth and giving us a good example of how simple, healthy, loving life can be.

   If you are interested in building a house, especially one of straw, this is a must read. It prepares you for the pitfalls and the joys of accomplishing challenges you never thought you could.

No comments about Energy Simulation in Building Design, Second Edition.

No comments about Congress, Convention and Exhibition Facilities: Planning, Design and Management, Planning, Design and Management (Architectural Press Planning and Design Series).

1 comments about Architectural Working Drawings.

1. This book in it's fourth edition is better suited as a historical look at architectural drawings. It is strongly lacking in CAD production standards; some of the other standards and terminologies mentioned are outdated and do not reflect a concensus of how we professionals practice; a lot of the graphics used are poor quality and are difficult to read.

2 comments about Intelligent Skins.

1. book was recommeded to me by amazon and its a great book full of high-rise buildings and the different ways they are utilizing materials to create green buildings. great book and arrived fast and had absolutely no complications



2. I AM USE TO THE INFORMATION CONVEIED IN THE 'DETAIL' BOOKS AND WAS DISAPPOINTED TO FIND THE DETAILS WERE NOT LABELLED AND IF THEY WERE THERE WAS NO KEY PROVIDED UNLESS THEY WERE IMBEDDED IN THE IMAGE OF THE DETAIL ITSELF. THEY SEEMED TO BE CUT & PASTED FROM SOURCES.
   
   ALSO A BIT EXPENSIVE FOR A SOFTCOVER 'IN DETAIL BUILDING SKINS' IS THE SAME PRICE, MORE INDEPTH, THICKER ...AND PART OF THE DETIAL PUBLICATION SERIES.

No comments about Lighting: Interior and Exterior.

1 comments about Architecture In Detail.

1. Architecture in detail is a collection of recent construction projects. This book have 180 pages in full color that explains the structure of each project with detailed drawings, and his own project planning, and a section.
   The book is very useful reference for an architecture student and for an architecture professional..
   I love this book!!

No comments about Doors of the World.

No comments about Architect's Drawings: A selection of sketches by world famous architects through history.

1 comments about Exposed Concrete: Technology and Design.

1. I purchased this book because I specifiy concrete and architectural concrete. 85% of this book were projects that have concrete in them, but nothing specific, just basic overall pictures and no information about concrete. The 15% that had to do with formwork and concrete was basically useless to me because it was basically a translation of German to English, using German and European standards, nothing that we can use here in the US.
   I was disappointed never the less and have returned the book. If Amazon had said something about this book was intended for Germans who read English, I would have not purchased it.