Customer Reviews

Building the Alaska Log Home

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have read at least a dozen of the latest log cabin building books. Unfortunately, most of them do not go into enough detail on the scribe-fit building technique. This one, however, is the first that really does. This book includes many USEFUL pictures and doesn't ramble on about unimportant subjects. This book is focused, to-the-point, and in the amount of detail that is necessary. As a result, this is a good companion to any other log cabin building books that you may already have, since it fills in the missing details that the other books seem to overlook. I definitely recommend it.

I called the publisher, Alaska Northwest books (ph# 1-800-452-3032). They will do another reprint of this book toward the end of the summer of 2006 (Aug/Sept). The cost of the book will be $29.99 plus shipping and handling. So why is the seller judioops trying to sell a used copy of this book for $87.99? If you want this book, wait until the publisher releases the reprint or call the publisher directly and place a order for this book.

Excellent all color on glossy high quality paper. A real pleasure to read with lots of information. Concise chapters dealing with most every aspect of building. A great history section in the back. Not as much technical info as some but the pictures make up for it.

Well written with no nonsense and easy to understand terms. Actually exciting to read because the author lends brief, interesting stories from his own experience of building log homes. Sufficient details of the building process and appropriately explains why certain methods work better than others. Nice pictures and diagrams to support the text. Found myself wanting even more information than the book offered, such as techniques/considerations on building an outhouse in very cold climates, construction of the roof around joints/vents/stovepipe, suggestions for optional building materials in areas where items cannot be trucked in. Regardless, the book was thorough and I highly recommended it.

I am planning to build a log cabin in Alaska, and did not know anything about it. After buying at least eight different books, I found that this one is the best at inspiring me, at teaching me, and at showing me how great my cabin could be. His explanation of why and how to proceed at each step of the building process (from choosing the site and felling the trees, to stove selection and outbuildings) is very clear, even for a non-carpenter like me. And he LOVES log building. It shines through his descriptions of 600 year-old European log houses and through all the beautiful color photographs of cabins built by him and his friends in Alaska. So it's a great read too. Then, I was able to tackle Robert Chambers' "Log Home Construction" book (which is widely believed to be the best guide to log construction available) and understand all of the details of state-of-the-art scribe-fit logwork. Before reading Walker's book, I would have been intimidated by the more serious Chambers book. So together they have given me all I need. All the other books contained little information beyond what's in these two, if you are planning on building yourself in a remote area such as Southcentral Alaska. The only other great source was the free guide "Alaska Log Building Construction Guide" which is available online from a number of sites. I found its organization confusing, though, and would recommend reading the books in the order of Walker, Chambers, and the Guide. Even if you are contracting your house and not building it yourself, read these and you will know what questions to ask to get the best house.

I was at the Anchorage International Airport on my way back from Kotzebue, Alaska and I saw this book. The cover caught my eye; the contents were impressive. This book gives a lot of useful hints and details for building log homes. I liked it so much I bought one and sent a friend a copy. Thanks for a well-written book!

Building the Alaska Log Home


I am very pleased to receive my order and have a great book.

The ability to read a few pages of the book before buying ended most of my doubts.

The product arrived intact and the staff was very courteous in answering my questions.

Thanks amazon.

I just talked to Alaska Northwest books, they said it will be avalible in April,$37.