Confessions of a Country Architect (Hardcover)

by Don Metz (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Reminiscent of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small, Don Metz's Confessions describes the life of a residential country architect with warm wry humor and slapstick pathos. This book will delight all those who have built a house, forearm those summoning up the courage to do so, and calm those who realize their talents might be better confined to an armchair with a view. Readers will be seduced by the author's adventures as he confronts the awkward, intractable, and hilariously messy job of building dreams.

About the Author
Don Metz is an award-winning architect, and pioneer in earth-sheltered housing and sustainable design.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Bunker Hill Publishing (October 25, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593730616
• ISBN-13: 978-1593730611
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #854,030 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An engaging trip., October 9, 2007

By	A. DeWolf - See all my reviews

This very enjoyable trip through one man's journey in his chosen field is part memoir, part ramble on the New England Yankee mystique, and part serious soul search on the relevance and meaning of one's life work.

Don Metz has woven an engaging story around the progress made by himself and two classmates and colleagues who choose different paths in the world of architecture following graduate school.

For any one who loves their own dwelling, or just dreamed of building their own house, or for that matter, anyone who has ever picked up and hammer and saw...for anyone who enjoys wry humor with touches of pathos, this is a grand read.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read!, November 26, 2007

By	Jean T "designer" (NYC) - See all my reviews

If you liked reading Tracy Kidder's book, "House", you will love reading "Confessions of a Country Architect". Don Metz's memoirs of his architectural career will appeal not only to someone building a house, but also to anyone interested in people interacting and the often unexpected results of working together. His architectural adventures are humorous and often moving. Once you pick up this book, you will not put in down until you are finished.

David and Jeanie Stiles

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable!, December 29, 2007

By	P. Moran (San Rafael, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In addition to "House" by Tracy Kidder, I was reminded of James Herriot's tales of practicing veterinary medicine in Yorkshire, England, where the stories aren't so much about the animals (or in this case, the architecture) but rather the people, their qualities and quirks, their relationships with their local vet (or architect) and the land.

I found this book to be a thoroughly enjoyable read in a few different ways. First, it provides insight into the workings of a profession most don't know much about, and how a country architect in particular spends his time. It also follows the career trajectory of someone gutsy (and perhaps wacky) enough to take the road not normally taken.

Being curious about both the natural and built environment, I learned a thing or two from the author's broad knowledge of things both natural and man-made. The book provides a taste of New England culture and values, with touches of dry humor appearing without being overdone. Lastly, I found the writing style to be interesting and easy to read, elegant but not overly complex.