Customer Reviews

House Broken: How I Remodeled My Home for Just Under Three Times the Original Bid

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2 star:		(1)
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I'm going to be honest with you. This is not as funny as either of Tim Allen's books, but it is an enjoyable read. After wondering whether or not to buy it for a good while, I finally bit the bullet and bought it. I'm glad I did, as I really enjoyed it, and you will too, especially if you like Richard Karn or his character on Home Improvement, Al Borland.

I've enjoyed watching Richard Karn on "Home Improvement" over the years, but found this book to be a disappointment. There just isn't very much substance to this story about his home remodeling experience. The book has lots of white space, and some obvious things aren't there (like a floor plan or before and after photos) that would have really brought some life to the text. The narrative is somewhat choppy, with brief mentions of some aspects of the project but no real explanation. I've had several smaller-scale remodeling projects done in my home and found most of the "tips" listed pretty obvious. Also, while there were a few interesting bits about the show and Karn's earlier career, at least part of this material read like a collection of one-liners. I could almost hear the rim-shot as I read each punchline. Overall, not worthwhile.

The book is worth the admission price only if you heed the message: Pay attention and plan. It is funny, and it is nice to know anyone can be afflicted with the 'HomelyImprovement',virus. the good news:No one was murdered at the hands of the homeowners -the Karns;it is only money, and someone elses money at that; It is reality, and could happen to you.

One engineer told us that our choice of home would end our marriage. Another moved in... I bought Karn's book because it touched a nerve not satisfied by the congratulatory experience of Bob Villa or This Old house. For those of you old enough to remember the allusion, this is Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House for the nineties.

I've been a fan of Rick Karn's since I saw my first episode of "Home Improvement." I always thought he was much more subtle and funnier than Tim Allen. Well, when I heard about his new book, I went out and bought it, and I was just delighted. Karn's sense of humor shines on every page, and this book made it possible for me to laugh at the things that had gone wrong when I did my own home re-model. Reommended for anyone who has done a little work around the house, for anyone who is considering some improvements, and for all dads who like to play Mr. Fix-It.