A House of Straw: An Odyssey Into Natural Building [Paperback]

Carolyn Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

The author recounts her building of a straw bale house on the outskirts of Tucson, Arizona. In building her house she had to confront fears and a lack of construction skills. Her personal growth through the construction process is as much a focus of this work as the house itself. Annotation c. Book

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Chelsea Green Publishing Company (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1890132306
• ISBN-13: 978-1890132309
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,298,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Life's not about what you have, but how you live., August 12, 2002

By 

Christina Iizumi (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House of Straw: An Odyssey Into Natural Building (Paperback)

I recommend this book to everyone, but especially to anyone who has a dream that they are not sure they can accomplish, but are dying to try. Carolyn Roberts is an outstanding example to those of us who are willing to work hard and to stand up for what we believe in.

Life is full of choices and we all know that the choices we make shape our lives for better or worse, but to challenge yourself and have the courage to deliberately make difficult choices based on what one truly feels is right is a rare thing. Most of us feel that we are so busy that we don't have the time or energy to develop our own personal code of ethics. We forget about our standards and how our actions drastically affect the people and environment around us. This book beckons us to stop and think that maybe there is something we can all do by actively making choices about the way we live our lives and especially how we manage natural resources. Most of all, this book encourages us to do just that: stop and think.

This book is not just a workshop on natural building, but a testimonial to why this world is worth saving. It's a look at the world through the eyes of someone who has wandered the forests of New England in her youth, raised children on the shimmering beaches in the lush tropical island of Kauai, Hawaii, and decided to make her home a sanctuary in the unforgiving Sonoran Desert's harsh and dramatic splendor. The appreciation of the glory of this planet and what it provides for us not only to live, but to enjoy life, is as refreshing as a cool breeze on the hottest summer day.

This book is not as much about how to build a house as it is about how to build a life, and about making decisions based on a responsibility to humanity and respect for nature. In doing so, we strive for excellence and accept nothing less than everything we can give, and the results are truly marvelous. This book is an exercise in how to triumph by simply standing behind your beliefs and having the courage to pursue your dreams.

I am utterly inspired by this charming woman who has truly put into practice the theory that life isn't about what you have, but how you live. Read this book whether you are planning on building a house or not.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Building a simpler life, August 22, 2002

By 

Lisa Arlig (Tucson, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House of Straw: An Odyssey Into Natural Building (Paperback)

This is a great book of building dreams and manifesting your own destiny. As I read I was brought out into the hot sun, crying, sweating and blistering along with the builder. It has never ceased to amaze me what human beings can bring about if they really put their mind to it. Carolyn Roberts is truly a warrior of life and creates a reality we can all live with. Keeping life simple allows one to focus on realizing one's dreams. And Carolyn's dream is one of giving. Giving back to Mother Earth and giving us a good example of how simple, healthy, loving life can be.

If you are interested in building a house, especially one of straw, this is a must read. It prepares you for the pitfalls and the joys of accomplishing challenges you never thought you could.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Chicken Soup for the Soul, for the Straw Bale Builder..., September 19, 2002

By 

Mark A. Kifer (Half Way, Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A House of Straw: An Odyssey Into Natural Building (Paperback)

Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic.

I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand.

In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends.

Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done....

I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.