Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have several books on how to build a log cabin and I must say that this is my favorite. Why? Because this is one of the few books on the subject that you can sit down to read like a story book. It will is no wise bore you as I have seen with other books of its kind.
This book is not about modern log building (ie. the 5000sq foot home made out of logs) It is about the historical log cabin and what you need to build one. It specializes in the half-dovetail, hewn, chinked log home. It is not a extensive and exhaustive how-to manual with endless calculations and diagrams. There are other books out there for that. But, this book is very simple, straightforward, and to-the-point.
McRaven has been building these cabins for over 60 years ( more than any other log builder I have heard of ). The pictures of the stonework, hand forged hardware and the entire structural restorations really do prove that. While he points out what was authentic to history,he doesn't build with historical problems. He combines new and improved techniques with old style, antique beauty. He does a good job on explaining what to do and what not to do. He says it like,"Don't do this because years later you will have problems. But do this and your home will last longer and look better."
The chapter on chinking is a gold mine. McRaven has created an improved way to put in that long plagued chinking. The design it so simple, yet again, is built to last for generations. I would not be surprised that 100 years from now, when these structures are still standing, that this style of chinking is called,"McRaven's Chinking." This chapter alone is worth the book.
The book is an excellent choice. It is a simple read for those who do not want the exhaustive how-to manual. I highly recommend it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: The Classic Hewn-Log House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Restoring
0 comments:
Post a Comment