Built By Hand

Book Description

Shelter the Human Family is the most extensive documentation ever published of traditional ("vernacular") buildings throughout the world. With examples from nearly every continent, the book documents the diverse methods people have used to create shelter from locally available natural materials, and shows the impressively handmade finished products through this truly stunning compilation of photographs. Unlike modern buildings that rely on industrially produced materials and highly specialized electric tools and techniques, the shelters featured here represent a rapidly disappearing genre of handcrafted and beautifully composed structures. They are the work of simple and real people who, as builders and homesteaders, have integrated artistic beauty and practical form into their shelter needs. Shelter the Human Family offers insights into the world of vernacular building, along with potential solutions to many of the problems that plague modern architecture. It is a must-have collection that preserves and documents the rich cultural past of each structure and its community, and offers inspiration for those looking to build in a way that is motivated by something larger than speed, efficiency, and economic profit. Bill and Athena Steen are the authors of The Straw Bale House and The Beauty of Straw Bale. They are active in community building programs that teach low-income families how to build their own shelters, and known for their efforts to incorporate artistic techniques based on local and natural materials into the world of modern construction. They live in Elgin, Arizona. Yoshio Komatsu has been photographing buildings and people around the world for 25 years. His photographs were collected in the Japanese book Living on Earth, and his work is regularly published in books, magazines, and calendars throughout Japan. This is his first book in English. He and his wife, Eiko, live in Tokyo.

Customer Reviews:

built by hand.......2007-09-21

I've been looking for a book on private structures, not public buildings or houses by famous architects but living places of everyday people. I couldn't imagine anything this amazing. Dwelling from all over the world. Places you would never see unless you traveled to the far reaches of our earth. I am thrilled to have found this book.

beautifullest book of my library !.......2006-11-06

superlative book; pictures are top; as I've not enough money to travel in so many places and anyway I'dont want anymore take planes and contribute to pollution that will may kill us; I'm happy to travel with this book and the wonderfullest Dwellings from Paul Oivier. together with too HomeWork from Loyd Kahn, You get the best to study dwellings all over the world and maybe going back to more simplicity and built healthy powerful and sacred places as all dwellings should be !

Photo Collection of Vernacular Buildings.......2005-09-30

For a number of years, Yoshio and Eiko Komatsu have been travelling the world taking high quality photographs of traditionally built homes. At first view, many of the photographs while though pleasant are not especially remarkable. However, what makes these many photos special is that they are combined together to tell a story about houses are traditionally built around the world.

The photographs are gathered together in short chapters dealing with building techniques. For example, the first three chapters are entitled, "Hand Coiling or Coursing Wet Earth", "Earthen Blocks", and "Compacted Earth". Along with a cursory explanations of the building technique are numerous color pictures from around the world illustrating the different techniques.

What makes this such a great book is the sheer number of interesting photographs of vernacular architecture. In a sense, this book is a momument to the creativity and artistic talent of the world's people. These photos stimulate the imagination.

Finally, keep in mind this is a photo collection and not an academic text on vernacular architecture. This is not a book on how to build by hand but a creative homage to what people can make with locally available materials and ancient know how. Highly recommended.

10 Great Books List.......2005-08-21

As books go this one makes it to my top ten. People are always using the word venacular out of context, this book puts it right back. The pictures in this book speak a thousand words. Use whats local, works with materials found around you. I live on an Island on the West coast, lots of rain. There are so many people on this Island building 'green houses' with straw bales. There are so many people who are going to have mouldy homes!!! Venacular learn the word. Live in a home made of the materials around you! Buy this book, and learn.

Vernacular Buildings Around The World........2005-03-11

Owning quite a few Vernacular Building type books, I would say that this rates up there with the best of them. I will not say it is the best though, the reason being is that all of these types of books have their own unique photos that you won't find any where else.

This is a very well produced, easy to read book. It is broken up into 18 sections, with lots of full colour photos from around the world. Each photo also comes with a short explanation.

With 469 pages of beautiful photographs not only showing the architecture, but also the people living in these dwellings, this book is a must have for your Vernacular Library.

Hmmm... I'm looking at the book right now and see that the glue has not done it's job and the binding is falling apart!!! Beware!

With these hands they built a nation; the story of colonial arts and crafts

Average customer rating:

With these hands they built a nation; the story of colonial arts and crafts
Lois Lazarus
Manufacturer: J. Messner
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Hand-built pottery (International textbooks in art education)

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Hand-built pottery (International textbooks in art education)
Josephine R Krum
Manufacturer: International Textbook Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Pottery & Ceramics | Antiques & Collectibles | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0007IT6ZU

Bare hands;: Being the story of the extraordinary steam boat that was built on Devil's island off the coast of Alaska by four shipwrecked men

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Bare hands;: Being the story of the extraordinary steam boat that was built on Devil's island off the coast of Alaska by four shipwrecked men
Hawthorne Daniel
Manufacturer: Coward-McCann, Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

The Complete Potter: Hand-Built Ceramics (Complete Potter)

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The Complete Potter: Hand-Built Ceramics (Complete Potter)
Jane Waller
Manufacturer: B.T. Batsford
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Instructional & How-To | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Sculpture | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Ceramics | Other Media | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books

Pottery & Ceramics | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0713462582

Average customer rating:

Hand Built Ceramics
Ramona Young
Manufacturer: Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0805965777

Book Description

Have you always wanted to try ceramics—to create something with your hands—but you never learned the art of molding or building with clay? Perhaps you've just never had the time to learn, but now you do. Maybe you're a beginner who needs some guidance. Perhaps you're a teacher or youth leader who would like to get your group involved in a satisfying and creative personal endeavor. Then Ramona Young's Hand Built Ceramics will be your indispensable introduction and guide.

Unlike other ceramics books you've probably picked up, this concise text explains the art of Hand Built Ceramics in no-nonsense language and illustrations. Ramona Young has given us a great book not only for the novice, but for the experienced artist who is looking for fresh ideas and for teachers because it was written by an art teacher with ideas taken from her lesson plans.

Average customer rating:

Hand Built Pottery
Krumboltz
Manufacturer: International Textbook Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000M9H0OI

Average customer rating:

Hand Built Pottery
Krumgold
Manufacturer: International Textbook Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JC0URC

Hands That Built New Hampshire - The Story Of Granite State Craftsmen Past And Present

Average customer rating:

Hands That Built New Hampshire - The Story Of Granite State Craftsmen Past And Present
Francis P. Murphy
Manufacturer: Murphy Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Book Description

Text extracted from opening pages of book: HANDS that built NEW HAMPSHIRE The Story of Granite State Craftsmen Past & Present COMPILED BY WORKERS OF THE WRITERS' PROGRAM OF THE WORK PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION IN THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE c+* SPONSORED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, FRANCIS P. MURPHY, GOVERNOR OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, AND THE HONORABLE COUNCIL, SPONSORS OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE WRITERS' PROJECT

Average customer rating:

Hands That Built New Hampshire: The Story of Granite State Craftsmen Past and Present

Manufacturer: Stephen Daye Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I42IBW

Book Description

Whether you're an absolute beginner or an experienced muralist, whether your tastes are traditional or modern, this complete guide to mural painting will help you create fresh, fabulous looks for your home. You'll find 15 imaginative mural painting techniques, plus dozens of tricks-of-the-trade for painting murals like a pro!

Customer Reviews:

Amatuers beware.......2007-06-13

I think Gary Lord does wonderful work and these murals are amazing. However, unless you are an artist or have invested in some equipment, this isn't for you. It has great ideas that one might hire done.

something better.......2006-04-21

Although this book was visually nice to look at I found it lacked in teaching me how to paint murals. I have stumbled across a great site that has free tutorials on it. The site is [...] I hope you find this helpful.

Marvelous murals.......2005-09-22

This book has alot of good information that both novice and pro alike will love. There are alot of techniques covered in this book and the authors cover them extensively. If you're thinking of making a carreer as a muralist, or just want to spruce of your own home, this is the book to start with.

Something's missing.......2001-09-25

I purchased this book in the hope that it would provide instruction to create the murals illustrated on the first few pages. Unfortunately, although there are very beautiful murals pictured,instructions are included for only a few. Perhaps my tastes differ from the authors but it seems that most garish and ugly murals were the ones that included "how to" instructions. It leads one to wonder if perhaps they do not want any competition in producing the more tasteful murals pictured! I also purchased the companion video and was disappointed for the same reasons- the instructions were only for projects I would not want to do.

Packed with color photos and easy projects.......2001-06-06

Use this introduction to create stunning murals based on a presentation of easily-mastered painting techniques applicable to home use. From tips on spacing and room perspective to using texturing and overlay processes for added finesse, Marvelous Murals You Can Paint is packed with color photos and easy projects which will encourage use in the home.

Average customer rating:

Material needs updating

Superficial and outdated

Informative

Good advice, better tips.

An Extremely useful book for photographers of all levels

How to Shoot and Sell Sports Photography
David Neil Arndt
Manufacturer: Amherst Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Reference | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | How-to | Photography | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Photography | Miscellaneous | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Digital Sports Photography : Take Winning Shots Every Time

Digital Sports Photography

Sports Photography: How to Capture Action and Emotion

Associated Press Guide to Photojournalism (Associated Press Handbooks)

Xtreme Sports Photography: Taking Pictures on the Edge (Xtreme)

ASIN: 0936262729

Book Description

Professional tips on photographing popular sports make this book of interest to photographers and sports enthusiasts. It includes advice on where players should be positioned on the playing field, how to shoot in stadium lighting, ways to capture moving feature shots, and selling the images.

Customer Reviews:

Material needs updating.......2005-10-28

Overall an OK book, an easy read, lots of helpful information but much of the material is somewhat out of date and relates a lot to film, even going so far to say on page 32 that someday "film based cameras may be as obsolete as manual typewriters"...was hoping for more actual technique discussion, but nonetheless a nice addition to my photography library.

Superficial and outdated.......2002-08-20

I work for a small community newspaper and have recently started to shoot sports. I was hoping for an in-depth information focusing specifically on sports, rather than general photography. In general, I was disappointed. Although the book was published in 2000, it felt like the information in it was years behind the times.

There were some elementary errors in it. For example a lens at F2.8 lets in twice as much light as a lens at F 4, rather than four times as the book states. The coverage of sports other than football, baseball and basketball was extremely superficial - just a paragraph or two. Also many photos were unsharp and just not that good. I can look at the Washington Post's sports section any day and see better photos. There was hardly any discussion of using the capabilities of modern professional cameras, which was something I was very interested in. This book may be useful for high school students thinking about going into photography, but does not have much for someone who is familiar with general photography.

Informative.......1999-08-09

The information provided in this book helps one select their field of choice for sports photography. The tips are helpful. Once you study the composition of the pictures and not the people's clothes and hairstyles, you're able to better understand the author's advice.

Good advice, better tips........1999-07-28

I enjoyed the author's use of photos, I just wish I'd had a copy of this book when I was younger. Some photos were older, but the principles behind the photography and techniques don't change. I like the tips on the little things, such as non-slip shoes on wet surfaces, and where not to take photos, such as two contrasty areas, brightly sunlit and sharply shadowed. I've already shown it to a couple of up-and-coming high-school athletic photographers I know.

An Extremely useful book for photographers of all levels.......1999-07-26

The book gives detailed explanations of how to shoot various sports photos, even what type of lens to use. It emphasizes capturing the emotions, which I wish more sports photographers would do, maybe I would enjoy the sports sections of the newspapers more. Mr. Arndt displays many creative and timely photographs in his book. Many of the tips can be used in any action type photography, not just sports.

Average customer rating:

Beginners Only

A great do-it-yourself book for anyone who loves cartooning!

Lexicon of Comicana
Mort Walker
Manufacturer: Comicana Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0940420007

Book Description

Written as a satire on the comic devices cartoonists use, the book quickly became a textbook for art students. Walker researched cartoons around the world to collect this international set of cartoon symbols. The names he invented for them now appear in dictionaries.

Customer Reviews:

Beginners Only.......2002-07-29

It is quite an OK book for beginners.
I was disappointed with it because the tools he uses can be seen in Daily comic strips. So I don't think Mort Walker researched Worldwide comics. The examples are Limited not vast as you would expect in a "Lexicon".
Also it doesnot go into details about Technique and only gives you bare essentials. Will Eisner's Comics & Sequential Art is a better book for beginners and professionals alike.
You could finish reading Lexicon in a day and start drawing your own strip immediately. Recommended as a Quick Fix.

A great do-it-yourself book for anyone who loves cartooning!.......2000-10-31

Veteran cartoonist Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey, Boner's Ark, Hi & Lois, plus founder of the Museum of Cartoon Art) has penned an easy-to-read, well-illustrated book on cartooning. It's humorous and accessible for anyone who's ever doodled in notebooks (or textbooks!) and wanted to make their silly drawings look more like real comics. Mort's book breaks down the basic iconography of expression for funny drawings, and he does it in plain English and pencil-friendly drawings. Highly recommended for serious cartoonists and amateur doodlers alike, even kids!

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