Rating: 
Summary: Not quite what I expected.
Review: An O.K. read for someone still stuck in the 60's. I found the 50 dollar house most interesting in design but the book done an about face and went from funky to far out in it's illustrations of various designs.Who on earth would keep a loaded gun in a house where children seem to be ocassional guests?(Check the pictures closely and you will see what I mean).
Rating: 
Summary: Great book-good pictures
Review: Good book...well thought out.Highly recommended.Glad I bought it
Rating:
Summary: Very readable and instructive!!!
Review: I bought this book in 1978 and was absolutley facinated and somewhat skeptical. These homes are everything the author claims. (Built one in 1980-81) The biggest problem was with inspectors as Mike said. With very little mechanicle skills you can have a practical, spacious and livable home. Looking forward to Mikes next publication!
Rating:
Summary: Who Wants to Look at Houses?
Review: I first purchased this book about twenty years ago, then lent out my copy and have been without it for five years or more. Having recently bought a new copy, I have just finished re-reading it once again. I find the author's ideas to be intelligent, logical, and revolutionary. His personality comes through strongly as he is a man who is not afraid to state his opinions. I find this book to be an interesting read for this reason alone, but strongly recommend it on the basis of the building system he outlines. He explains to the reader, in simple, easily comprehensible language, just how to go about building a warm in winter, cool in summer, low cost home, that is easy on both the eye and the environment. A huge advantage is that a person living in such a home doesn't have to look at neighbor's homes, and, for their own part, is residing in a home that blends in with the surrounding countryside. If, by good fortune or good planning, one lives on enough acreage that viewing a neighbor's house is not an issue, there is still the benefit of having the home tucked away out of sight, part of the earth around it. Having never been the type to build a "impressive" home, I am more intersted in staying out of sight and being left alone. I enjoy the woods and wildlife. Mike Oehler shows us how to build a home that lets me do just that.
Rating:
Summary: Good Reference Data, Neat Approach for Northern Areas
Review: I liked the book, and learned several things about unanticipated details. In Texas and other southern regions, though, Mr Ohler's self-imposed restriction of "No Concrete" is unproductive. I am still looking for the "perfect" underground home book.
Rating:
Summary: Good Reference Data, Neat Approach for Northern Areas
Review: I liked the book, and learned several things about unanticipated details. In Texas and other southern regions, though, Mr Ohler's self-imposed restriction of "No Concrete" is unproductive. I am still looking for the "perfect" underground home book.
Rating:
Summary: Who Wants to Look at Houses?
Review: I too bought mikes book and tapes. The concepts in the book
can be distilled down to a very few things. The most important
is the use of PE film used for a living roof and using sand
to separate the layers. Thus a tiny leak in one film layer will
disperse into the sand and making a second pin hole leak less
of a problem. The videos are poor quality and most of it
is a waste of time. You watch Mike out of respect and put
up with their poor quality . The fact is , as a customer
when you e-mail mike on using tarps vs. PE film at mole@sandpoint.net you may be
shocked at his nasty response.
Apparently he is bitter and broken man lashing out even
at those who supported him.
Rating: 
Summary: The book is good but the author is nasty.
Review: I too bought mikes book and tapes. The concepts in the book
can be distilled down to a very few things. The most important
is the use of PE film used for a living roof and using sand
to separate the layers. Thus a tiny leak in one film layer will
disperse into the sand and making a second pin hole leak less
of a problem. The videos are poor quality and most of it
is a waste of time. You watch Mike out of respect and put
up with their poor quality . The fact is , as a customer
when you e-mail mike on using tarps vs. PE film at mole@sandpoint.net you may be
shocked at his nasty response.
Apparently he is bitter and broken man lashing out even
at those who supported him.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible techniques for the advanced and novice
Review: Mike Oehler has created a visionary style of underground architecture that is unparalled to any before him in this timeless book. Recently I met Mike and we discussed the advantages to living underground and also the problems. Mike has now lived underground in his self made house for over twenty years. He is a brillant man that lives a simple life in a very much confused world. He is currently writing a book on the approaching millennium problem and how to survive it. I am looking forward to the publishing of that book and hope to see more from Mike. This book is definately worth every penny even if you never plan on building underground, I don't but love the book.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational guide to beating the system.
Review: Mike's book is bitter sweet. I bought the book and the three tapes as I am maxing out on trying to find a new life style.
I think that Mike's ideas are inspirational to the vast masses who will never get a head in this world. There is cheap land in Texas and other areas where his technology will all you to live out your life in peace , harmony and cheaply. It is better to spend your money on food rather than rent.
I recommend that you dive into Mr. Oehler's book as it is a gift.
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