Customer Reviews

Norm Abram's New House

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

 

 

GREAT TO READ ABOUT NORM'S PROBLEMS AND THE FACT THAT EVERYTHING DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK RIGHT. THE BACKGROUND ON NORMS FAMILY AND THE FACT THAT 3 GENERATIONS WORKED ON NORM'S HOUSE MAKES THE PRICE WILL WORTH IT...I HAVE READ IT TWICE AND MEASURED IT ONCE.

This is an interesting look into television's most famous remodeler/woodworker, his family, his new home, and his thoughts and feelings about what should go into their new living space.

This book deals with the conflict of a craftsman that can do a great deal of the work himself, but faces the external pressures of everyday life, and the pressure of celebrity status with it's commitments. He shares his thoughts and feelings about who should be "allowed" to build the house of their dreams, since time does not allow him to accomplish as much as he would like.

I highly recommend the book as a fan who is allowed to take a look at the man and his insights.

If you are a follower of Norm Abram since the beginning of PBS "This Old House", you would enjoy this book. He has taken all the lasted innovations from all his shows, and built a beautiful home for his wife and family. The barn restoration where they had timber frame construction, used that method for the great room with the carvings up in the beams has allowed Norm to express his talent. Then the eyebrow window placed over the wing, had to cut each and every roof shingle to fit the angles.

Excellent book. Norm does a good job of describing his thinking about designing, building, dealing with subs, ect. As with all of Norms books well worth reading even if your not building a house.

A charming and informative look at the process of building a house by someone who understands the process all too well. The book has lots of good information about decision-making and building techniques, but what really shines through is Abram's admiration and respect for the craftsmen who built the house with him.

If you love Norm and house construction, then you will find this book entertaining. Norm is excellent at telling an interesting story. There are some gems in here for those considering undertaking have a new home built. Many lessons to be learned in here. It is a long process with many more considerations than most people consider and Norm is in the business so getting his perspective is very valuable. Many times this book had me laughing out loud.

I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my father in law, it stated that it was new. It was clearly a used book as it looked worn and had someone's name printed on the inside cover and then was whited out. Needless to say, I was very disappointed and could not give it to someone as a gift.