Adobe: Build It Yourself, Revised Edition

1. Don't buy two books by the author. They are the same thing maybe said a different way.2. After reading a great amount of the latest available research on adobe and rammed earth my take away message was that it isn't worth the bother. A. Earth is not an insulator. A 12 inch thick wall puts a 12 hour phase delay on thermal transfer. A three foot wall is more phase delay. B. Any time the thermal cycles are not optimal then you need a real insulator. Think of a week of really hot or cold weather. Since a real thermal insulator is required anyway why bother with a building material that the inspectors don't like and has a hard time meeting code.

I'm clearly neither young nor strong enough for such a project (and a nice one is out of my price range) but it was fun to read and fantasize.

It's OK, informative, and very good presented, although there are no color pictures.

I enjoyed reading this book and it gives you the best idea of building in adobe and also general things for someone who wants to build a house.

This classic book is the widely regarded as "the best adobe book ever." An experienced DIYer coould take this book and build his/her own home. Very comprehensive coverage would allow a person to take any floor plan and execute it in any of several adobe styles, from Pueble to Territorial to Modern or Post-modern. McHenry is chock full of wisdom and practical experience.

I’m going to build up the Wild West

It seemed to cover everything and gave many illustrations of pitfalls to avoid. HEADS UPCould have given some additional definitions, but at least I could find answers here in most cases.

This is a great book for people who want to build an adobe. I got this book as part of my long process to build my own house.