With the information in this book and minimal materials you can build your own home, very very cheaply. This is a hands on dirt filled book, as basic as the earth used in earthbag construction. There is a refreshing lack of poems to the earth mother and mystic references to the sun and a moon. This book is written for the physical tasks of earthbag building and not as an appeal to the mystical side of sustainable building. The books tips and tricks are obviously gleaned from the joint writers' experience. A picture tells a thousand words and this lavishly illustrated volume has relevant pictures to illustrate the necesary techniques of earth bag building. The writers are subtly present with their pleasant humour and zest woven throughout the text. You can also recognise them in the line drawings. Some of the earthbag building terms are new to this reviewer, and I was grateful for the illustrations showing how to hard ass and diddle earth bags. The book is not a slavish step by step instruction manual. The book is logically divided into the different features required for a building. Each one of the features is explained and different alternatives are offered. The user of the book has to decide which option they want to use. One makes the choice from foundation to weather vane. All the sections are great. The foundation and damp course sections make one feel an expert on these esoteric subjects. A great thing about the book is that the authors state what they have physically done and what they think is possible. I'm afraid that they have piqued my interest on earthbag vaulted ceilings and I am itching to try and design forms for a vault. This is a book for doers not talkers. Following their instructions I will be starting small with a retaining wall for my compost heap. So please excuse me. I have to go and spread a gravel foundation and also check my maths on the buttresses I have designed. Today a wall tomorrow a hall.Read full review
I saw this book on an earthbag-builders website. It came highly recommended and he was right, the authors have "been there done that" so you don't have to make the mistakes they made. They also take great pains to fully describe the tools and techniques they have developed. If you are thinking of building with earth, or even if you aren't, its a worthwhile read just for their perspective on owner building. Highly recommended!
Have not read it. But have looked threw it pretty well. Have to say very proud to have gotten this book. Has a lot of very good info for beginners. This is just my opinion tho. I'm very new to earth building and have watched many YouTube videos and have been wanting more info and this book is a great starting point for me.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I start to read this book and is very premature to say something about my first impression is astonishment I grew up watching this type of construction and never pay attention to it . No exactly the same construction with Earth bag techniques but it was close to it. Anyways I like it and I want to work with this kind of construction and I hope will be soon , first prepare the budget get the land and go forward. The tools is really good I never used simple tools like that and well I am impress. I won't regret myself ever to buy this priceless guide. Thanks
Great book, great pictures and very easy to understand
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Great book! Where Nader Khalili left off with earth architecture Kaki and Donald expand with bags lots of great information.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is my first book on EarthBag Building. Its very thorough and almost like taking a class in the subject. I'm definitely going to build something using this building process. I recommend the book to anyone interested in saving money and resources. There are also plenty of pictures to accompany the text!
Plan to build one fairly soon
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book has it all. good pics, good descriptions, materials needed, helps you calculate material needs etc. excellent book.
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