Dare to Repair: A Do-it-Herself Guide to Fixing (Almost) Anything in the Home (Paperback)

~ (Author), Stephanie Glakas-tenet (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Whether you identify with riot grrrls or Rosie the Riveter, you'll love the tackle-it-yourself empowerment style of Dare to Repair. Covering simple tasks like unclogging bathroom sinks and switching directions on a ceiling fan along with more intimidating projects such as patching holes in drywall or creating a circuit map, this no-nonsense guide will walk you through those simple steps of maintaining, and perhaps even improving, your home. Forget about Martha and her hot-glue-gun projects--this is about drain snakes, electrical tape, and the kind of screwdrivers you can't order from a bartender.

Authors Julie Sussman and Stephanie Glakas-Tenet mix goofy "Your fridge is running? Better catch it!" jokes with a very matter-of-fact tone that assumes from the start you're woman enough for the job. Sections are arranged by general category (electricity, plumbing, etc.), and every entry is accompanied by clear illustrations of items and processes. For women who live alone or are starting up a business, this is a serious money-saving guide; for those of us with roommates, there's no quicker way to impress than to whip out your toolbox and get down to business. --Jill Lightner

From Library Journal

Owing to choice or happenstance, many women don't have men around to repair things, and even if they do there is no guarantee that the man isn't a complete bonehead when it comes to fixing things. Sussman and Glakas-Tenet, both wives of CIA employees who were never around to help with household problems, show women how to perform a number of the most common repairs, including unclogging drains and toilets, replacing electrical switches and outlets, leveling appliances, lighting pilot lights, unsticking windows, and installing a door peephole. The authors assume that the reader is a complete newcomer to home repair, so everything is explained in detail (down to what tools to use), but the tone is never condescending. The very readabable text is supplemented by black-and-white drawings. This is a wonderful book that should be purchased by every public library.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; 1 edition (September 3, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060959843
• ISBN-13: 978-0060959845
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #14,886 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Home Repair
  #17 in	Books > Home & Garden > How-to & Home Improvements > Do-It-Yourself
  #17 in	Books > Home & Garden > Home Design > Remodeling & Renovation

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

111 of 115 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bravo...finally,a practical easy to use repairs book., September 7, 2002

By	steve oristaglio (boston, ma USA) - See all my reviews

I saw Julie and Stephanie on the Today show and immediately bought this book, even though its for women.Doing repairs around the house is so challenging even for men, who are SUPPOSE to be able to do them. This book is easy to read, practical, and covers all the important maintenence topics that make living in a home hard work to keep functional. The diagrams are very useful..the writing so clear and easy to follow. Best of all, the writing is done in a style that makes me feel they wrote it just for me. Down to Earth, warm and friendly... like I stopped in at a friend's house and asked for some help and advise. The two authors were so charming and spontaneous on TV, I guess I am not surprised that the writing and tone of the book had that sensible, caring feel to it. I've already been able to fix or improve several appliances in the house. I never knew things can be kept up or repaired so easily. I finally feel like the handy man I am suppose to be.

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars courage to handle the basics, November 12, 2002

By A Customer

This book demystifies some of the simple, around-the-house chores that you always thought you should be able to handle on your own, but somehow still weren't sure how to tackle.

The projects are well explained and have given me the courage and confidence to take some of them on. It's also nice to know the guide is in the book case, so when I start to think about calling a plumber or an electrician, I'll be able to look in the book and decide whether or not I really do need to make that call.

I've noticed that some people think the book's simplistic, while others seem to think it's too heavily slanted toward a female audience. Since women have not traditionally done a lot of home repair (myself included), I think the book is ideally suited to its target group.

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Empowering Book, January 2, 2006

By	Kelly Andretta (Ventnor, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book for my Mom for Christmas last year. She was on her own for the first time in her life. When I visited her this Christmas, she was complaining about her toilet running. I said, "Mom, get the book" She got the book out, I read the instructions out loud to her, and she fixed her OWN toilet. She was so proud of herself. Everyone that called on Christmas got the blow by blow account of how she fixed her own toilet. Buy this book. You will learn how to fix alot of those annoying household problems. Save money, and get a feeling of accomplishment. Buy it for your Mom, Dad, everyone. Highly recommended!