The Slate Roof Bible: Understanding, Installing and Restoring the World's Finest Roof (The Slate Roof Bible, 2nd Edition)

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Summary: Should have been chiseled on slate.
Review: This is a treatise on slate roofing, it covers geology, history of the industry, ownership, repair, and current sources. The author's expertise in the subject matter is apparent from the start. It is a true handbook for anyone who owns or works with slate roofs. It is very comprehensive for all audiences, old roofers to new home-owners and covers a very wide breadth of topics. The book is richly illustrated with diagrams, photographs, and informative graphs/tables. Every building that has a slate roof should have a copy nailed to the rafters.

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Summary: slate roof: how do you decide?
Review: we found this book quite useful and informative as we tried to decide if a slate roof was for us. probably the most helpful component, apart from the history lesson and calculations, were the examples of different application patterns and approaches. it allowed us to converse more intelligently with roofing contractors experience with slate---who, by the way, are quite an excentric group. we would higly recommened this book to anyone concidering a slate roof for their private home.

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Summary: More than Roof repair - saving America's treasures!
Review: Who knew one could get so excited about slate roofing. After reading this book, I am so motivated to tackle the roof on my house. Everywhere I walk now my head is pointed upwards to look at the slate on roofs. My father always told me that slate lasts 100 years - but never did I imagine it could last up to 400! The most interesting thing about this book is the geology of slate. Mr Jenkins clearly shows his experience but also his passion for this type of roof - which is more than a roof- it's a piece of architectural history. The book appropriately enough starts with a poem - because slate can truly inspire poetry. My only criticism is that in his passion for slate, Mr. Jenkins occasionally slights terne roofing. Being in a barn, garage or gazebo under a terne / tin roof during the rain is just as poetic as slate. I remember looking for books on terne roofing, a skill which thankfully my father passed on to me, and found in some complete guide to roofing (sic) that 'metal is no longer an acceptable roofing material because of the noise it makes during rain'. My God - they just don't get it. Tthe poetry of rain on a tin (or slate) roof. Pity the people who have never heard that soothing, lulling sound.