Book : The Stonebuilders Primer A Step-by-step Guide For...

-Titulo Original : The Stonebuilders Primer A Step-by-step Guide For Owner-builders

-Fabricante :

Firefly Books

-Descripcion Original:

Writer Charles Long has a well-earned reputation as one of North Americas self-sufficiency experts. More than 20 years ago, he and his wife, Elizabeth, fled city life and conventional employment for the country, and have flourished there ever since. Now back by popular demand Longs The Stonebuilders Primer is a highly readable account of the couples successful effort to build a house that will outlast anything made of wood. Developing a compromise method of stone construction that is both simpler and truer to the stonemasons art than the popular slipform method, the Longs built an aesthetically satisfying home of stone on a limited budget and no previous construction experience. In this classic how-to book, the author describes the complete building process in clear, easy-to-follow steps and, in so doing, dispels the myth of difficulty that surrounds stone construction. From Library Journal This volume is a fine, if concise, introduction to the joys and problems of constructing living spaces with stone. In 11 chapters and an epilog, Long details the basics of building with field stone, taking each step in the rough chronology of the building process. His prose is open and friendly, and the illustrations, both line drawings and photographs, deepen the text. Longs compromise method of construction provides a simpler method of construction than has otherwise been traditionally embraced with stone. A delight and an important work for the aspiring nonprofessional stonemason. Highly recommended.AAlexander Hartmann, Bloomsburg Univ., PA Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. Review [A] fascinating account.... The book provides detailed instructions that will enable anyone to build a stone house.-- Desert Sun (1/1/1999 12:00:00 AM) This volume is a fine, if concise, introduction to the joys and problems of constructing living spaces with stone. In 11 chapters and an epilog, Long details the basics of building with field stone, taking each step in the rough chronology of the building process. His prose is open and friendly, and the illustrations, both line drawings and photographs, deepen the text. Longs compromise method of construction provides a simpler method of construction than has otherwise been traditionally embraced with stone. A delight and an important work for the aspiring nonprofessional stonemason. Highly recommended.--Alexander Hartmann, Bloomsburg Univ., PA Library Journal (1/1/1999 12:00:00 AM) About the Author Charles Long is also the author of How to Survive Without a Salary and Life After the City. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Chapter I The Myth of Stone Architecture is inhabited sculpture Constantin Brancusi Fieldstone is an ideal medium for amateur builders. The massive strength in solid walls of stone comes more from the material than from skill. And if the lines are not exactly straight, no critics eye can tell which wiggles are the builders and which of them came with the stone. Little mistakes can disappear in the rough-hewn texture of the rock. Despite the forgiving nature of the material and its undeniable beauty, surprisingly few amateur builders are willing to tackle a homemade house of stone. Such reluctance is unfortunate because it is too often based on unfounded fears. As our own stone walls began to grow visible from the road, we attracted a steady stream of passing admirers and critics. The first was a real estate agent, teethed-no doubt-on stockbroker Tudor and relocatable anything. He watched for a while, then shook his head and muttered, Gonna make a hell of a noise when it comes down. Others have been more polite but no more confident in the capacity of two green exurbanites to raise a stone house from scratch. The doubts are usually voiced in one of three ways: What if it falls? It must be more complicated than that! That stuff must weigh