Customer Reviews

How to Build with Bamboo

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

 

 

I'm not sure what the negative reviewers were expecting. This is neither an art book, nor a typical "how-to" project oriented book with few words and lots of pictures. It does, however, deliver what it promises- a clear and comprehensive introduction to building with bamboo. If you are a crafter or "maker" who likes to make things for yourself, and you appreciate rustic style (think "twig" furniture, log furniture, building with willow, etc)- you can't miss with this book. If you're not creative then you will be disappointed. I found most of the projects in the book to be examples that could be built upon. For instance, the smaller fence projects provide a good introduction to the various aspects of making fences with bamboo, including techniques for attaching poles, tying joints, and finishing the final product.

The author clearly knows his subject. I also found the background of the various ways in which bamboo is used in Japan to be interesting- many of the projects are inspired by Japanese culture.

I bought this item for my mother-in-law who is interested in making small furniture and decor from bamboo. She states that the book is helpful and has easy to understand directions and diagrams to guide the user through the process.

Nice photos and clear dirctions. Several projects will be on my to-do list. Nothing earth shattering but nice hobby-man projects

I bought this book expecting to learn more about bamboo construction techniques. Sadly, I've learned more on the internet. There was no discussion of how to select or cure bamboo culms, and the most detailed instructions were reserved for ornamental, interior objects, rather than utilitarian, external objects.

If I'd paid full price, I'd only give this book 2 stars. But I bought it used, so it's worth 3 stars, barely.

I was actually looking for projects that can be done with the giant reed that grows in my yard. It doesn't get as big as the big bamboos and it's not as strong as the bamboos of the same size so several projects were ruled out. Add the ones I thought were ugly, and this is not useful for me.

This book is more on the order of "how to make a lampshade out of pipecleaners" than it is a guide to the serious art of oriental bamboo construction and design. Thirty seconds after I received this book in the mail I was back at my computer to print out a return authorization from those wonderful people at Amazon. Perhaps an elementry school teacher or someone with way too much time on their hands and not a lot of purpose can use a couple of the "projects" but to those of us looking for a guide to making an elaborate deer scare or hand tying a traditional fence, this book is not it.

Very disappointing when it comes to the projects; I found the designs crude and not at all anything I'd want to put on display. The author obviously loves his subject and offers some very good tips on working with bamboo, but the overall style is very dated looking on most.

This book was a serious disappointment. Definitely search elsewhere if you want to build with bamboo.