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THE GREEN WOOD HOUSE

by Larry Michael Hackenberg.

"This book," says the author, "is written for those who have already decided that they cannot afford the cost, either financially or aesthetically, of a $30,000 (plus!) suburban (crackerbox, mass-produced, ticky-tacky) house. It is a book for those who seek more." And "more"-according to Hackenberg--means a dwelling built wholly of green (fresh-from-the-tree) wood, which costs only a small fraction of what kiln-dried commercial lumber costs. With the aid of more than 60 photographs and diagrams, author Hackenberg explains in detail how to design a house, select a site, buy green wood, and use the wood to construct a beautiful, dur able residence . . . all at a cost of well under $10,000. If you enjoyed Hackenberg's article in MOTHER NO. 39 ("The Green Wood House", pages 84-86), you'll love this book.140pages.Paperback. 64071 $4.95

THE OWNER-BUILT HOME

by Ken Kern

Is a unique howto-think-it-out book as well as one of the best how to-do-it books around. Kern asserts that by following seven basic rules, the competent owner-builder can design and build a low-cost sturdy, energy-efficient house. The seven rules are, in order of importance to the owner-builder: [1) Pay as you go. [2) Supply your own labor. [3] Build according to your own best judgement. [4) Use native materials whenever possible. [5) Design and plan yourself. [6] Use minimum but quality-grade tools. [7) Assume responsibility for your building construction. Simple enough? The book is organized as follows:

Building Site and Climate-building location, building climatology, ventilation, summer cooling, light and shade, space heat, central heat, fireplace heat, landscape design.

Design and Function of a House-the plan, the freeform house, the court-garden house, group living space, individual living space, cooking and designing, inside the house.

Materials and Skills-adobe brick, pressed block, rammed earth, stone masonry, masonry block and brick, concrete, precast concrete panels, woods, wood-frame structures, pole-frame structures, composite materials, plastics, salvage materials, tools, the foundation, floors, walls, wood roofs, masonry roofs, stairs, plumbing, wiring and lighting, light and color, do-it-yourself painting. Small wonder THE OWNER-BUILT HOME is our most popular building book. If you're building a home or even thinking of building a home, GET IT! 374 pages. Paper back. 64017$6.95

THE OWNER-BUILT HOMESTEAD

by Ken Kern.

The basic homesteading primer. by the author of The Owner-Built Home . A clearly written and illustrated guide to planning for-and achieving-the self-sufficient life. 257 pages. Paperback. 70023 $6.95

THE OWNER-BUILDER AND THE CODE: POLITICS OFBUILDING YOUR HOME

by Ken Kern, Ted Kogon, and Rob Thallon. This book is an important study of the various building, sanitation, and electrical codes which severely inhibit (and often prevent) the construction of low-cost owner-designed homes. The authors begin with a look at the history and current status of such regulations, and continue on to examine the social and political implications behind those laws. Thirteen actual case histories provide an objective appraisal of the many problems faced by would-be owner-builders today, and make clear the crying need for extensive code reform. To that end, the final third of this book calls for widespread grassroots political action, and explains how citizen groups can organize and effectively work together to implement changes that will make economical self-built housing available to all who seek it. 182 pages. Paperback. 64053 $5.00

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