From Booklist
Sobon outlines a unique craft that is part conventional furniture building, part home construction. In timber frame construction, there's a minimum of metal fasteners (nails, nuts, bolts, etc.), and wood is joined by many of the basic joints (for example, the mortise and tenon, the dovetail) traditionally used in making furniture. Knowing that one's home is put together by a variety of pins, slots, and notches may not be reassuring to most, but be assured that timber framing is an old technique that produces very solid structures. It does, however, require quite a lot of timber, since main beams, for instance, can be as much as eight-inches square; the various cuts must be made to rather close tolerances; and the way the timbers are harvested and sawn will have great effect on how they (and the building) respond when exposed to moisture and cold. Although the book's sample project and copious illustrations do enlighten the initiate, it's possible to come away feeling that a month-long class on the subject might provide a better education. Still, this is an excellent how-to. Jon Kartman


Book Description
The timber-framed home is attractive, affordable, and easily expanded to meet the needs of a growing family. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you can build your own classic timber-framed house -- one that's enduring, and features a level of craftsmanship rare in modern construction. Following the traditional "hall-and-parlor" home design, architect and builder Jack Sobon carefully and clearly explains finding the ideal building site; creating the master plan; selecting the best tree species; hewing and milling timbers; assembling the frame; installing wall sheathing, windows, and doors; designing and finishing the interior; expanding on the plan.

One of the best-known and most distinctive figures in the timber-framing revival, Jack Sobon knows how to make home building affordable with economical hand tools, by taking control of the processing of building materials, and through using local inexpensive supplies.

The basic house design of this book is easily adapted to meet different needs. Sobon's practical advice incorporates the latest knowledge on building a healthy house, integrating natural systems, and finding effective home heating solutions.


From the Back Cover
The timber-framed home is attractive, affordable, and easily expanded to meet the needs of a growing family. With the step-by-step instructions in this book you can build your own classic timber-framed house -- one that's enduring, and features a level of craftsmanship rare in modern construction. Following the traditional "hall-and-parlor" home design, architect and builder Jack Sobon carefully and clearly explains -- finding the ideal building site -- creating the master plan -- selecting the best tree species -- hewing and milling timbers -- assembling the frame -- installing wall sheathing, windows, and doors -- designing and finishing the interior -- expanding on the plan One of the best-known and most distinctive figures in the timber-framing revival, Jack Sobon knows how to make home building affordable with economical hand tools, by taking control of the processing of building materials, and through using local inexpensive supplies. The basic house design of this book is easily adapted to meet different needs. Sobon's practical advice incorporates the latest knowledge on building a healthy house, integrating natural systems, and finding effective home heating solutions.


About the Author
Currently a self-employed architect and builder of timber-framed buildings, co-author Jack A. Sobon holds a bachelor of architecture degree from the Rhode Island School of Design. He has also worked on barn moving and restoration for Richard W. Babcock, Inc. Jack has written Storey's Build a Classic Timber-Framed House. He has also been published in the Fine Homebuilding magazine. Jack, born in Adams, Massachusetts, is married and has a daughter. He has also co-authored Storey's Timber Frame Construction with Roger Schroeder, which is now in its twelfth printing, with nearly 50,000 copies in print. Their book has received praise from such publications as Popular Science: "A sprightly manual on post-and-beam building techniques, well-illustrated with sketches and photos. A tribute to joinery skills of that era before home building changed from a craft to an industry, this book will inspire you to tackle the tool shed for which plans are provided."

FROM THE PUBLISHER