Builder's Guide to Foundations and Floor Framing

Rating:
Summary: Similar to other books, little new info, somewhat outdated
Review: "Foundations and Floor Framing" by Dan Ramsey is at best a recitation of previously published (and sometimes outdated) material and methods, and at worst flat out plagerism. Perhaps in his acknowledgements Mr. Ramsey should have thanked the folks at Drake Publishing, for much of his book is suspiciously similar to Drake's 1973 book "How to Build Woodframe Houses" (ISBN 0-87749-493-2). Consider, for example, the following passage from Chapter 2, page 48, of "Foundations and Floor Framing:" "The next step, after the corners of the structure [house] have been established, is to determine lines and grades as aids in keeping the work level and true. The batter board (figs. 2-1 and 2-2) [fig. 1] is one of the tools used to locate and retain the outline of the structure [house]. The height of the boards is sometimes established to conform to the height of the foundation wall." The above passage also appears in chapter 1, pg. 3, of "How to Build Woodframe Houses" with the bracketed words replacing those directly preceeding them. This similarity occurs throughout much of Ramsey's book with only subtle changes in wording making the two books distinct from one another at many points. Moreover, the figures, while numbered differently, are identical! For the most part this is all fine and well from an informational standpoint as I was interested in those methods which have been proven and time-tested. However, some of the information was simply outdated. How many homebuilders are still laying diagonal subfloors as Ramsey (and, not surprisingly, the 1973 Drake publication showing the exact same figures and information) suggests? Furthermore, little information is given regarding specific, recent information and advancements in concrete adhesion, sealers, waterproofers, barriers, and insulation products. In the case of preservatives for wood foundations Mr. Ramsey did site the National Forest Products Association's Manual. But here again he simply copied the information in that manual. The book is seemingly a regurgatation of others' (sometimes outdated) work.

Rating:
Summary: Similar to other books, little new info, somewhat outdated
Review: "Foundations and Floor Framing" by Dan Ramsey is at best a recitation of previously published (and sometimes outdated) material and methods, and at worst flat out plagerism. Perhaps in his acknowledgements Mr. Ramsey should have thanked the folks at Drake Publishing, for much of his book is suspiciously similar to Drake's 1973 book "How to Build Woodframe Houses" (ISBN 0-87749-493-2). Consider, for example, the following passage from Chapter 2, page 48, of "Foundations and Floor Framing:" "The next step, after the corners of the structure [house] have been established, is to determine lines and grades as aids in keeping the work level and true. The batter board (figs. 2-1 and 2-2) [fig. 1] is one of the tools used to locate and retain the outline of the structure [house]. The height of the boards is sometimes established to conform to the height of the foundation wall." The above passage also appears in chapter 1, pg. 3, of "How to Build Woodframe Houses" with the bracketed words replacing those directly preceeding them. This similarity occurs throughout much of Ramsey's book with only subtle changes in wording making the two books distinct from one another at many points. Moreover, the figures, while numbered differently, are identical! For the most part this is all fine and well from an informational standpoint as I was interested in those methods which have been proven and time-tested. However, some of the information was simply outdated. How many homebuilders are still laying diagonal subfloors as Ramsey (and, not surprisingly, the 1973 Drake publication showing the exact same figures and information) suggests? Furthermore, little information is given regarding specific, recent information and advancements in concrete adhesion, sealers, waterproofers, barriers, and insulation products. In the case of preservatives for wood foundations Mr. Ramsey did site the National Forest Products Association's Manual. But here again he simply copied the information in that manual. The book is seemingly a regurgatation of others' (sometimes outdated) work.