****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
This is NOT a how-to book. We bought this book for inspiration, and that's pretty much what it is. Since our straw-bale house is nearly complete, I can say that will some authority.The photos are great to give you ideas as to the many and various styles straw-bale building can be. It also gives some idea as to cost, per square foot, and details concerning some of the materials (type of straw bales, exterior/interior finish on the walls, etc.) for each home, which is helpful (though cost will be dated fairly soon). It does include the floor plans for each home, but you would still have to figure out elevations, roof construction, etc. Each owner also tells a bit of the process of building their home - which is a reality that hopeful builders should understand. (Yes, it's certainly possible, even for old folks with little money and no building skills, if you consider hiring out those important things you REALLY know nothing about that could maybe kill you if done wrong...like the electric and plumbing!)Like I said, it's a general what-do-we-want-to-build? book with lots in it for inspiration for the aspiring straw-bale house builder.
