Rating: 
Summary: Nice frolic through architecture and building
Review: This is an amusing little book about one man's efforts to build himself a study in a free-standing hut in the woods. Like Botany of Desire, this is a rather quirky and unusual premise to base a book on, but again, he carries it off well.If you are interested in learning some architectural history, and something about general carpentry while being entertained, this is a nice find. Pollan has a very entertaining and engaging writing style.
Rating: 
Summary: A must for all architecture students
Review: When I glanced through the bibliography prior to reading this book,I thought-here at last is a tome on architecture and building that will combine theory and praxis. And in a large sense it does-Pollan writes beautifully about the vast learning process a novice needs to go through in order to conceptualise and complete a building, and his criticisms of late 20c. architectual theorists should be required reading for all students of the built environment.For example,his views on the deconstructionists of this world show them exactly as they are;self-defeating,foolish wordsmiths whose buildings generally end up as metaphors for nothing but chaos.And who wants that!! I do take umbrage with Pollan's statement however when he says that he built the place-he didn't. He had an architect,a carpenter;he laboured for them and paid their bills.He did not,by any stretch of the imagination,come close to Arendt's notion of 'homo faber',man the maker of things.The only way you can ever achieve that is to do the whole thing yourself.Only then will you experience that sense of wholeness that Arendt alludes to.To give Pollan his due,he accepted that it didn't happen and he did write well of the alienation people go through when they aren't in complete control of the building process. A good read for all prospective builders;but don't be put off by the difficulties he experienced-you can 'make' your own shelter with much less angst than shown here.
Rating:
Summary: MR. BLANDINGS MEETS THOREAU
Review: While some rave about the prose of Anne Rice and Michael Ondaatje, I rave about Michael Pollan! In A Place of My Own, Pollan has crafted a beautifully written book laced with intelligence, humility and humor. Attempting to escape his own "mid-life crisis," Pollan decides to build a cabin in the woods--a place where he can work undisturbed that also serves as a "shelter for daydreams." During his 2 1/2 years of building, Pollan comes to reflect on many things such as the meaning of "work" in our highly technological society, the sacrifice and celebration of nature and the borders between nature and culture. In the end, Pollan comes to the conclusion that there really is no clear division between matters of the material world and those of the spirit. A warm, witty and wise story told in prose as crystal clear as a bright winter's day. I'd gladly give it ten stars if I could.
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