Adobe: Build It Yourself, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Paul Grham McHenry Jr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1985

This book explores the depths of adobe and enables the reader to build their own home intelligently and realistically. With an emphasis on adobe construction, McHenry discusses the planning of every aspect of one's home from the financing to the foundation, the floors to the fireplaces. The prospective builder must be prepared for a long period of frustration, doubt, worry, and plain hard work, but the helpful ideas found on the pages of this book will encourage readers to build despite the challenges. McHenry describes this process as a tremendous puzzle, for which one must create and arrange all the pieces, and then live with the result.

McHenry begins with a brief history of adobe and then moves on to the planning of the home, emphasizing the influence of individual ideas. The intention of this book is to help bridge the gap between architects, builders, craftsmen, and the unskilled but determined individual who wants to build their own home. This book outlines the technical aspects of adobe construction with several pictures and figures to simplify production.

The creation of a home, from the earliest design concepts to successful completion, is one of the most rewarding experiences one can ever have. McHenry's Adobe offers a realistic and straightforward guide to "doing it yourself." His advice regarding adobe is useful for professionals and amateurs alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Unquestionably the best how-to-do-it book on all aspects of adobe construction, the updated version covers changes that reflect evolving environmental attitudes and recent shifts in building codes and energy requirements. Now better than ever." —Books of the Southwest "Covers every imaginable problem involved in building with adobe." —New Mexico Magazine "A very competent book about adobe construction written by an adobe builder. . . . Whether one is contemplating or adready planning to build in the Southwest this book is a must." —El Palacio "This revised edition includes the modern with the ancient; energy efficiency and code-meeting along with the traditional techniques and aesthetic considerations." —-Essential Whole Earth Catalog "Practical and informal, this book succeeds in its purpose: to inform, instruct and inspire confidence in the homebuilder—edging him delightfully into adobe territory." —Journal of Arizona History

Product Details

• Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: University of Arizona Press; Rev Sub edition (August 1, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816509484
• ISBN-13: 978-0816509485
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #378,395 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

80 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good overview, February 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Adobe: Build It Yourself, Revised Edition (Paperback)

Full of good basic information. You quickly realize that unless you are a builder, you will not be able to build it yourself but that you will at least have some knowledge to help you make decisions about the process, and to oversee and talk with your builder intelligently. Very few pictures, no house plans. Does include basic information to help you draw your own plan.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best adobe book ever, October 22, 2011

By 

ppprecious - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Adobe: Build It Yourself, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This classic book is the widely regarded as "the best adobe book ever." An experienced DIYer coould take this book and build his/her own home. Very comprehensive coverage would allow a person to take any floor plan and execute it in any of several adobe styles, from Pueble to Territorial to Modern or Post-modern. McHenry is chock full of wisdom and practical experience.