This was an enjoyable book, if a little on the preachy side. Haun is a master craftsman/carpenter and tells the story of his life through the houses in which he has lived and those he has built. There are many fascinating stories here that make the book worth reading.

Where it breaks down a bit is in the incessant hearkening back to a simpler time and eco-lecturing. While he is absolutely correct in his sentiment, it reminds me of nothing so much as a crotchety old fart standing on the porch yelling at all the kids to “get off Mother Nature’s lawn!” Again, he’s right: we waste too much and think too little when it comes to our consumerist society. But counting the gifts opened at a 13-year old’s birthday party (and a wedding reception to boot) don’t serve nearly so well as his practical stories of how to reuse materials and the benefit (especially monetary) that entails.

I received a review copy from the publisher.

Available 13 September 2011