The Slate Roof Bible [Paperback]

Joseph Jenkins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1997

Joe Jenkins's expertise in slate roof restoration enables him to provide us with hard-to-find information about every aspect of slate roofs, from their historical beginnings to modern slate-roof-restoration trade secrets. This is an invaluable resource for slate roof owners, architects, historians, contractors, do-it-your-sellers, restoration buffs, and others interested in one of America's most overlooked treasures -- slate roofs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Slate Roof Bible gives a concise history of the slate industry on both sides of the Atlantic, and the types and colours of slates to be found. Although the author is American, he is descended from Welsh migrs who left with the collapse of the Welsh slate industry around the turn of the century, and this is reflected in the early chapters. The later chapters cover in some depth the design, installation, and maintenance of slate roofs. Also covered are tools, safe working practices, and important details on chimneys, flashings and gutters. This is well done, with clear illustrations and photos - an excellent example of how to produce a practical guide. The first book to be written on the subject of slate roofs since 1926. -- The Permaculture Magazine Information Service [England]

"The Slate Roof Bible is a fine book, filled with fascinating information about slate: its history, the industry, and the way to work with it properly." "I've been working with slate for a long time; still, I learned from this book some valuable hints and techniques that I've been able to put into practice." -- Fine Homebuilding, July 1998

"Five years of meticulous research, thousands of miles traveled to slate quarries all over the world, particularly Wales, has produced The Slate Roof Bible - and a surprise. This book, potentially tedious reading, is instead a delight. Full of history, lore, and useful advice, Jenkins has written a fascinating book, spiced it with humor and warmed it with his own passion for the subject." -- Doylestown Intelligencer Record [Philadelphia]

"Jenkins tells his tale with pizazz and rollicking humor, offering anecdote after anecdote about what people do, and do not do, to their slate roofs." -- Boston Sunday Globe

From the Publisher

Jenkins Publishing is proud to announce that The Slate Roof Bible was presented with the prestigious National Roofing Contractors Association 2001 GOLD CIRCLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY. One such award is given annually within the 4,700-member international trade association in the "SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY" category.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Joseph Jenkins, Inc. (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964425807
• ISBN-13: 978-0964425804
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,866,506 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Roofing

More About the Author

Jenkins lives in the rural countryside of Pennsylvania, USA, with a few cats, some chickens and ducks, a dog and whatever friends and/or family members happen to be home at the time. His speaking schedule can be viewed at http://josephjenkins.com/speaking_engagements.htm.

He began self-publishing in 1994. His three titles include: The Humanure Handbook; The Slate Roof Bible; and Balance Point.

The Humanure Handbook has been recognized in the Benjamin Franklin Awards, Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, Independent Publisher Awards (where it was deemed "Outstanding Book of the Year, Most Likely to Save the Planet"), and the Three Rivers Environmental Awards, and has twice been a category bestseller on Amazon.com. Jenkins has worked in Mongolia and Haiti teaching humanure composting. He also speaks on the topic worldwide. More information can be seen at humanurehandbook.com.

The Slate Roof Bible was awarded the prestigious Gold Circle Award by the National Roofing Contractors Association, as well as the Writer's Notes Book Award, and has been recognized in the Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Awards, the Independent Publisher Awards and the Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards. It has also been an Amazon.com #1 category bestseller. Jenkins is Executive Director of the Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America, Inc., a non-profit trade association. He also speaks on the topic of slate roofs world-wide. More information can be seen at slateexperts.com.

Balance Point, addresses the predicted worldwide global ecological collapse scientists say will occur in 20-40 years.

Please visit the author's web sites at josephjenkins.com, slateroofcentral.com, slateroofwarehouse.com, slateexperts.com, traditionalroofing.com, humanurestore.com and humanurehandbook.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authoritative book on the subject, April 3, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing and Restoring the World's Finest Roof (The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition) (Paperback)

A complete education about slate roofs is the only description that seems appropriate for this book. "The Slate Roof Bible" not only covers the various types of slate, installation techniques, and other items you would expect but also the history of slate roofing, slate quarrying, and other information. With photographs or illustrations on almost every page it is easy to understand the techniques as well as everything else discussed. With the knowledge in this book you can easily create the impression of being an authority on slate and slate roofs. "The Slate Roof Bible" is a highly recommended purchase for anyone who wants to gain a thorough education on slate and slate roofs.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Warning: Joe Jenkins' love of slate is contagious!, November 15, 2000

By 

Dean Bredenbeck - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible (Paperback)

This book is a tremendous resource on the benefits of slate and why it creates a beautiful roof. The color photographs alone make it clear why all hard slate roofs should be maintained as local/regional treasures. After reading "The Slate Roof Bible" the roof moves to the foreground whenever evaluating a building's appearance. Unfortunately too few understand the long-term asthetic and function of slate roofs, and many beautiful older homes have been downgraded with installation of asphalt roofs. This fine book not only covers all aspects of slate roof installation and maintenance, but also provides help on other projects (gutters, chimneys, etc) while you're up there :-) Read this book and discover the "secret" of slate...

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A "must-have" for slate roof home owners, May 12, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Cleveland, Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Slate Roof Bible (Paperback)

I work for a roofing company that specializes in slate. I can tell you from experience that this book is indeed full of very good tips on preserving what is, imho, the very best roof covering a person can possibly have on his or her home. Mr. Jenkins is absolutely correct in his assertations that bemoan the 'artificial roofing" we tend to use in this country. The history and the tips expressed are an invaluable resource to those of us who appreciate the natural beauty and durability of a slate roof. My commendations on a fine effort.