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I have a copy of Gene’s book that I bought about two months ago. I’m just a (educated) DIY’er so some of the stuff is over my head. I have found it to be comprehensive in that it touches most every subject. However, if you are not familiar with the subjects to begin with, the book will not answer all of your questions. But it’s just one book, not an entire comprehensive library. There is so much to the building practice, that I did not expect the book to cover everything. I have found it to be a good general guide that’s geared to a construction professional. If you’re not a professional, but you do have a lot of building knowledge, the book will teach you a lot. If you are a building professional, you may find it a good source of reference for many practices you are already familiar with. You will also find some subjects that aren’t accepted as common building practice too (at least they are not commonplace in MD where I live). A little steep at slightly more that 30 clams, but I don’t feel cheated. FWIW.
I found that Barnes & Noble or Amazon stocked it (don’t remeber which one). You might check a mom & pop bookstore. My local (where I buy ALL of my books- support the local economy you know?) got it for me in 2 days out of his warehouse. He gave his customary 10% discount and was actually cheaper than the online sources.
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I have a copy of Gene's book that I bought about two months ago. I'm just a (educated) DIY'er so some of the stuff is over my head. I have found it to be comprehensive in that it touches most every subject. However, if you are not familiar with the subjects to begin with, the book will not answer all of your questions. But it's just one book, not an entire comprehensive library. There is so much to the building practice, that I did not expect the book to cover everything. I have found it to be a good general guide that's geared to a construction professional. If you're not a professional, but you do have a lot of building knowledge, the book will teach you a lot. If you are a building professional, you may find it a good source of reference for many practices you are already familiar with. You will also find some subjects that aren't accepted as common building practice too (at least they are not commonplace in MD where I live). A little steep at slightly more that 30 clams, but I don't feel cheated. FWIW.
I found that Barnes & Noble or Amazon stocked it (don't remeber which one). You might check a mom & pop bookstore. My local (where I buy ALL of my books- support the local economy you know?) got it for me in 2 days out of his warehouse. He gave his customary 10% discount and was actually cheaper than the online sources.
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Hi Alan,
http://www.Barnesandnoble.com has it for 30 bucks. ships in 2-3 days.
Steve
*Try a library, you may be able to get it instantly and for free. The drawbacks are that you can't keep it and Gene doesn't get any royalties.
*Alan, et al. Thank you for you kind remarks christopher. The title of the book, Complete Building Construction is not mine. This book has been around for many years. It is one of the many, many titles in the Audel Library. The publishers decided it needed a 20 percent revision. When I was approached about revising it I read all 800 + pages and said it needs a 100 percent revision. Because of a pissing contest between the publisher and my agent--who works for the publisher--a 100 percetn rewrite was out.I am very happy that I was able to do as much as I did. I look forward to doing a complete rewrite so that much of what we read on Breaktime can be included. but to adequately cover the field requires several volumns--don't you agree Fred Lu? I'm working on this. Without a copy of the original one cannot know what is new and what is revised. Here is a brief coverage.Chapters 1,2,3,8,9,10,11,17,23,24 and the Appendix are completely new.Chapter 4 is original. Chapter 5 is original except for page 113, Mortar, covering pages 113 to 115. Page 126 Fill Insulation was added as was Fig. 5-31.Chapter 6 is original excepting page 135, Flue Lining, 1st paragraph was added. Pages 140 to 144, Fireplaces, was added.Page 143, Importance Of A Hearth was rewritten to reflect code requirements. Chapter 7 Woods, Decay of Lumber pages 173-174 rewritten. Chapter 8 is original except for page 195 Anchorage of Sills, to page 199, Bridging Between Joists. Chapter 12, Roof Frming is original except for addition of Fig. 12-18. Chapter 13, Roofing, is original except for the addition of pages 337-341 Underlayment. Chapter 14 is original.Chapter 15 is original from pages 361 to page 365. All material beginning on page 365, Rigid Exterior Foam Sheathing, and continuing on to page 372 is new. Page 377 Hardboard Siding is new. Remainder of chapter is original.Chapter 16 Windows. Material on pages 387 to 399 is new. Remainder of chapter is original. Chapter 18 is original except for pages 508-515, Gypsonite and FiberBond. Chapter 19 is original except for pages 534-538. Chapters 20, 21 and 22 are original. Space constraints--the book could get unweildly--forced elimination of material and illustrations.Thanks for your interest and hope this helps. Mike's suggestion about the library makes good sense However, you can order it from Barnes and Noble and they give you an opportunity to sit down in the store with the book and look it over before you buy. Again thanks. Gene L.
*Thanks Gene. Thank you everyone. Sounds like a good investment for reference.
*Gene,Is this Raymond Legerany relation?
*Mike. I have a brother named Raymond Leger, who lives in Massachusetts. But getting him to answer e-mail let along getting him on the net is impossible. Gene L.
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Hi Gene,
I was reading the R-factor thread yesterday, where I found that you made a book, ISBN 0-02-517882-2.
I called around this morning to find that the book is entitled "Complete Building Construction" and costs range from $30 to $39.95, and has 736 pages.
All the bookstores that I called will require one to two weeks to get the book.
It sounds like a sizeable book. I trust your judgement from these boards, so I would like to consider it. What can you tell me about it?
Whats it about and can I buy it direct from somewhere in a hurry?
Thanks, alan