A Good House: Building a Life on the Land

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an honest and insightful book grounded in sweat and sawdust

must read for build it yourselfers

Required reading for house building...

A good template for defining the good life

Thoughtful, honest and important

A Good House: Building a Life on the Land

ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: B000IOF454

Customer Reviews:

an honest and insightful book grounded in sweat and sawdust.......2006-06-17

I really enjoyed reading this. It made me long for home (Coeur d'Alene). I'm now an urban dweller and this book reminded me of the sublime beauty found in the few remaining relatively wild areas of our country and the psychological costs we suffer when we distance ourselves in homogenous urban and suburban islands of unnaturalness and consumption. That said, the book is not a simple minded "hippy" rejection of modernism but a realistic look at how we can live in a greater reverence for the sacred beauty of our land. The author is keenly aware of his own role in the web of life and the costs which any building must take but with an unfortunately uncommon, common sense the author succeeds in doing his best to conserve and minimize the harm he commits.

The book is filled with interesting narration, flights of philosophy and finally a soulful vision of place, identity and ultimately meaning. An understanding of our significance and insignificance in the larger movement of life.

must read for build it yourselfers.......2004-06-26

This is NOT a book about the construction skills that are required to build a house. It IS a book about the philosophy that is required for such an undertaking.
I've been 2 feet away from the edge of building my own for a while, and this book made me feel like I had to take one step closer.
Even if you are not near that edge, it's a good entertaining read that will get you thinking about the way most of the "civilized" world looks at shelter.

Required reading for house building..........2004-03-01

.. Or buying. Everyone who lives in modern America should read this, to understand the complexity of living in a household with on-demand conveniences. Where does water come from? Where do our feces go? Where does electricity come from? Manning considers the source of all of these, plus the material- lumber, chemicals, etc.- that go into building and living in a house. He has actually worked with his own hands to build his own house, and so he understands the craft and care necessary to build a good house. He has worked for too long as an environmental journalist to overlook the consequences of building and living in a new house. This book and his craft-activism are anathema to the cookie-cutter profit-fueled home building that has generated sprawl and leaves dull houses standing empty in the suburbs, where the greatest asset to a home is its resale value.
Manning's poetics get a bit trying sometimes, when he philosophizes overly much on some task or detail of homebuilding, but overall the information and story are instructive and enlightening.

A good template for defining the good life.......2004-01-31

A thoughtful couple, knowing that we were planning to build our own house gave this book; it was a pleasure to read because the question "What is a good house?" leads to the question "What is a good life?" For the author this led to more searching questions - a house takes forests from mountains, coal from hills, life from the planet. As these are all major contradictions for those who value nature, the author set out to build his house in such a way as to ensure his happiness with minimum damage to the earth. Building a house is an environmentally destructive act which, multiplied millions of times, is responsible for the degradation of some of our best land. The threat is that unless we are careful we may live our lives in an unsustainable manner. On a fairly superficial level Manning set out to build an environmentally sensitive, energy efficient house but at a deeper level he wanted a house that would rebuild his life from a failed marriage. He did not want frugality to preclude beauty nor asceticism to preclude art. This meant that the land and the author had to cut a deal which is really what this book is all about - the factors that we have to consider, the trade-offs that we have to make and the process of reaching our decisions.

The first lesson that we can learn from Manning is that the land is our first teacher, something that really came home to him in his search for water. The second lesson we learn is about money and how the house loan business works. Because he and the owner of the adjacent property needed a bank loan to build, they planned only basic environmental goals such as a 30% reduction in water consumption compared with national averages, superefficient lights and appliances, recycling of gray water, joint ownership of some facilities, and granting open-space easements for wildlife. With a loan secured he was ready for the third lesson - locating the house. In his case "feel" played a major consideration, once he had settled on a south facing slope and the house footprint. He established a rule that the house would be no bigger than his city apartment, although it was small by national standards, so that he could do without an architect. His golden rule was "If I don't understand it, I don't do it."

Manning tells us how he started digging and his plans for earth sheltering - burying the lower part of the house to reduce heat loss and take advantage of the earth's insulation - a special advantage on a south facing slope with the house buried on three sides. This is another way of saying you live in the basement and take advantage of a large area of the house. He decided on concrete rather than wood because of the concept of thermal mass. But concrete is a gamble; when it's done its either right for all time or its wrong. There's no middle ground. When it goes wrong, it goes dreadfully, terribly wrong and all hell breaks loose.

If you have ever toyed with the idea of building a house in the country and starting the good life, read this book with its template for defining the good life, defining the good house, proceeding with minimal resources and all its lessons for the unwary.

Thoughtful, honest and important.......2001-06-04

Richard Manning is an environmentalist writer who can write. He has a voice—an open, honest and emotionally engaging one—one that makes this book a pleasure to read. Manning puts his cards right out on the table, addressing the contradiction of trying to act in an environmentally sensitive way while embarking on a building project that from the start appears less than environmentally sound (building where there was no building before in “ranchette” fashion). Like most of life the resolution is in gray rather than black or white. But Manning succeeds in getting the reader to intimately understand the environmental impact of all facets of modern housing. Whether you build a new home like his or not this is worthwhile information. In my case it prompted me to give my 100 year-old home an “eco-overhaul,” a process which has to date reduced its energy consumption over 60%. And now my family, friends and students occasionally get an uninvited lecture on the virtues of compact fluorescent lighting, on-demand water heating, shutting off “ghost loads” and the like… And you can’t avoid Manning’s contagious love of the art of building and tools. There are all sorts of small gems hiding within this relatively straightforward work, and all of them are worth digging out and mulling over for a moment. ....

A Good House: Building a Life on the Land

Average customer rating:

A Good House: Building a Life on the Land
Richard Manning
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ4YPY

Average customer rating:
Wynn Bullock Photographing the Nude: The Beginnings of a Quest for Meaning
Barbara Bullock-Wilson
Manufacturer: Gibbs Smith
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0879051701

Book Description

Musical Humor book divided into seperate chapters, such as; opera, symphony, percussion, winds, voice, jazz, song, and a final chapter of 19th century humor.

Customer Reviews:

Not really 'very' funny.......2000-08-24

Maybe I'm just the type that doesn't get jokes, but most of the humor really wasn't too funny in my opinion. However it was most educational in the sense that the author wrote about other composers and experiences that many musicians would enjoy.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in music, whether they play the piano or trumpet. There's a little bit of everything for everyone.

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Economía y finanzas; tranquilidad financiera ante las elecciones, principales indicadores financieros, las 'ventajas' del TLC. (Tratado de Libre Comercio, ... Mexico): An article from: Siempre!

Manufacturer: Edicional Siempre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097QOEU
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on July 3, 1997. The length of the article is 661 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Economía y finanzas; tranquilidad financiera ante las elecciones, principales indicadores financieros, las 'ventajas' del TLC. (Tratado de Libre Comercio, México)(TT: Economy and finance; financial tranquility before the elections, main financial indicators, the 'advantages' of NAFTA) (TA: the North American Free Trade Agreement, Mexico)
Publication: Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: July 3, 1997
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: v44 Issue: n2298 Page: p49(1)

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El punto de apoyo. (la política económica de España)(TT: Fulcrum) (TA: Spain's economic policy): An article from: Epoca

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El punto de apoyo. (la política económica de España)(TT: Fulcrum) (TA: Spain's economic policy): An article from: Epoca
Juan Velarde
Manufacturer: Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097QHWY
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Epoca, published by Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA) on May 5, 1997. The length of the article is 1745 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: El punto de apoyo. (la política económica de España)(TT: Fulcrum) (TA: Spain's economic policy)
Author: Juan Velarde
Publication: Epoca (Magazine/Journal)
Date: May 5, 1997
Publisher: Difusora de Informacion Periodica, S.A. (DINPESA)
Issue: n636 Page: p54(2)

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El tiro de gracia al campo. (Economía).(el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte está afectando el agro Mexicano más de lo inesperado): An article from: Proceso

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El tiro de gracia al campo. (Economía).(el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte está afectando el agro Mexicano más de lo inesperado): An article from: Proceso
Guillermo Correa
Manufacturer: CISA Comunicacion e Informacion, S.A. de C.V.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008FP598
Release Date: 2005-07-30

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Proceso, published by CISA Comunicacion e Informacion, S.A. de C.V. on October 20, 2002. The length of the article is 4343 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: El tiro de gracia al campo. (Economía).(el Tratado de Libre Comercio de América del Norte está afectando el agro Mexicano más de lo inesperado)
Author: Guillermo Correa
Publication: Proceso (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 20, 2002
Publisher: CISA Comunicacion e Informacion, S.A. de C.V.
Page: 36(5)

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Los cambios que ¿vienen? (gobierno de México; incluye otras notas sobre políticos, economía, y tratados comerciales en México) (Murmullos, arrullos y rumores)(TT: ... and Rumors): An article from: Siempre!

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Los cambios que ¿vienen? (gobierno de México; incluye otras notas sobre políticos, economía, y tratados comerciales en México) (Murmullos, arrullos y rumores)(TT: ... and Rumors): An article from: Siempre!
Miguel Angel Rivera
Manufacturer: Edicional Siempre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B00097TC4O
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on December 11, 1997. The length of the article is 464 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Los cambios que ¿vienen? (gobierno de México; incluye otras notas sobre políticos, economía, y tratados comerciales en México) (Murmullos, arrullos y rumores)(TT: Coming changes?) (TA: Mexican government; includes other brief news about politicians, economy, and business treaties in Mexico) (TA: Murmurs, Lullibies, and Rumors)
Author: Miguel Angel Rivera
Publication: Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: December 11, 1997
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: v44 Issue: n2321 Page: p84(2)

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Tratado de Economia Politica o Esposicion sencilla del modo con que se forman, se distribuyen y se consumen las riquezas. Con un epitome de los principios fundamentales de esta ciencia y un indiceÂ…

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Tratado de Economia Politica o Esposicion sencilla del modo con que se forman, se distribuyen y se consumen las riquezas. Con un epitome de los principios fundamentales de esta ciencia y un indiceÂ…
J. B. Say
Manufacturer: En casa de Lecointe, librero
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V4GUPO

Tratado de Economia Politica y Social Cientifica - Vol 1

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Tratado de Economia Politica y Social Cientifica - Vol 1
Oscar Natalichio
Manufacturer: Madres de Plaza de Mayo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Tres verdades sobre el campo: sector clave del desarrollo. (Economía).: An article from: Siempre!

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Tres verdades sobre el campo: sector clave del desarrollo. (Economía).: An article from: Siempre!
Magdalena Galindo
Manufacturer: Edicional Siempre
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B0008DAWSE
Release Date: 2005-07-31

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Siempre!, published by Edicional Siempre on February 19, 2003. The length of the article is 499 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Tres verdades sobre el campo: sector clave del desarrollo. (Economía).
Author: Magdalena Galindo
Publication: Siempre! (Refereed)
Date: February 19, 2003
Publisher: Edicional Siempre
Volume: 49 Issue: 2592 Page: 52(2)

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Macroeconomia I (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)

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Macroeconomia I (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)
Jesus Prados Arrarte
Manufacturer: Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Derecho, Seccion de Publicaciones
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomia II (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)

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Macroeconomia II (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)
Jesus Prados Arrarte
Manufacturer: Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Derecho, Seccion de Publicaciones
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomia III (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)

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Macroeconomia III (Tratado de economia politica / Jesus Prados Arrarte)
Jesus Prados Arrarte
Manufacturer: Universidad Complutense, Facultad de Derecho, Seccion de Publicaciones
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | Popular Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Macroeconomics | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Theory | Economics | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

One of the most distinguished psychologists of the century, Bernice L. Neugarten is best known for her groundbreaking contributions to the study of adult development and aging. Covering more than forty years of scholarship, this volume brings together Neugarten's most important contributions in four areas: Age as a Dimension of Social Organization; The Life Course; Personality and Adaptation; and Social Policy Issues. Each section is introduced by an eminent authority in the area, including George L. Maddox, Gunhild O. Hagestad, David L. Gutmann, Robert H. Binstock, and Dail A. Neugarten, who explains and highlights Neugarten's contributions in light of the most recent research.

Carefully edited by Dail Neugarten, each chapter presents the reader with Bernice Neugarten's original formulations on topics such as age norms and age constraints, the changing meanings of age, and age neutral social policy. Including four previously unpublished papers, The Meanings of Age will be of interest to scholars, students, and practitioners of psychology, education, law, medicine, social policy, and gerontology.

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The Meanings of Age: Selected Papers
Bernice L. Neugarten Dail A. Neugarten
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPE5MK

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The Meanings of Age: Selected Papers
Bernice L. Neugarten
Manufacturer: University Of Chicago Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPE5WK

Customer Reviews:

Astute account and analysis of Lithuania's successful bid.......2002-08-13

Perhaps there may be too many names for a reader unfamiliar with the setting and the plot, but the main character, the Lithuanian people, could not have asked for a better story teller.
I was in Vilnius in August, September, October and part of Novembember of 1990, and met many of the individuals mentioned in the book, as well as others, yet unnamed. Perhaps I should have kept a diary and recorded some of the events that should be known. I would be glad to share them with Mr. Krickus, if he chose to contact me.

Great account of the Lithuanian independence movement.......1998-07-21

Krickus, who was on the ground in Lithuania for much of the period, offers a well written and insightful account of the Lithuanian independence movement during the later Gorbachev years. Unlike many foreign observers, he is sensitive to the differences in personality and tactics that emerged in the Sajudis movement. The description of the Soviet attempt to take the TV tower is particularly moving (I know some people who were there that night). I suspect Krickus is slightly overestimating the effect of Lithuanian resistance on the outcome of the August coup attempt, but this is a minor quibble.

Gives important information that the American media missed........1998-06-03

Krickus' work in this area is told in the format of a novel, not dry history. The people involved in critical moments are real. It is a compelling story and one that puts into perspective why the expansion of NATO should include the Baltic states.

Customer Reviews:

Splendidly written, accurate history........1997-07-23

Bryan Perrett is not only an impeccable researcher, but also a writer skilled enough to bring you right into the action. This happy facility is displayed again in this work, encompassing thirteen "last stand" actions from Wellington's Foot Guards at Hougoumont to the U.S. Army on Pork Chop Hill (Korea).
These dramatic stories of outnumbered defenders are brought to life not only with clear and fast-moving narrative but also with the accurate details of units and equipment which are so important to the reader of military history.
With photos, bibliography, excellent maps, and thorough index, this work is highly recommended, as are all Perrett's other works.
(The numerical rating above is a default setting within Amazon's format. This reviewer does not employ numerical ratings.)

Against All Odds: More Dramatic Last Stand Actions

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Against All Odds: More Dramatic Last Stand Actions
Bryan Perrett
Manufacturer: Brockhampton Press Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000U50XTI

Book Description

Ever wonder what kinds of birds are visiting your backyard, the park down the street, the woods at your cottage? Lorimer's Pocket Guides are designed for readers--young and old--who want handy-sized guides to help them identify the birds commonly spotted in their area.

With one bird per page, their easy-to-use format features:

* common name and scientific name
* full-colour illustration
* diagram to show size
* calendar showing the months the bird is usually seen
* colour illustration of egg
* diagram of beak
* transcription of the call
* type of backyard feeder
* short description

New, original, full-colour illustrations by wildlife artist Jeffrey C. Domm, created especially for these books, highlight features that make it simple to identify particular birds. A two-step colour bird finder allows readers to find the species they're looking for quickly and easily. These unique bird guides also include lists of birding hot-spots in and around each city, contributed by local birding experts.

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