Rating: 
Summary: More than a "How To Book"...A great story altogether
Review: "A House Of Straw" is an unique addition to the bale-building literary circle. This is not a boring academic reference book, but instead it's a moving human interest story that provides the potential home builder (bales or otherwise) with a valuable reality check. The unending struggles this woman went through in the process of building her own home are almost unbelievable. Stacking up straw bales was the easy part! What amazed me was the agony one has to go through with county building codes and inspections. Yet after all the rejections and reinspections, the author is open minded enough see why things are the way they are. This well-paced story remains interesting throughout, with many surprises encountered along the way. I recommend this book to both potential do-it-yourselfers, and anyone who enjoys an inspiring story of a woman who did something out of the ordinary and beat the odds.
Rating:
Summary: More than a "How To Book"...A great story altogether
Review: "A House Of Straw" is an unique addition to the bale-building literary circle. This is not a boring academic reference book, but instead it's a moving human interest story that provides the potential home builder (bales or otherwise) with a valuable reality check. The unending struggles this woman went through in the process of building her own home are almost unbelievable. Stacking up straw bales was the easy part! What amazed me was the agony one has to go through with county building codes and inspections. Yet after all the rejections and reinspections, the author is open minded enough see why things are the way they are. This well-paced story remains interesting throughout, with many surprises encountered along the way. I recommend this book to both potential do-it-yourselfers, and anyone who enjoys an inspiring story of a woman who did something out of the ordinary and beat the odds.
Rating: 
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Soul, for the Straw Bale Builder...
Review: Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic. I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand. In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends. Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done.... I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.
Rating:
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Soul, for the Straw Bale Builder...
Review: Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic. I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand. In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends. Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done.... I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.
Rating:
Summary: Chicken Soup for the Soul, for the Straw Bale Builder...
Review: Chicken soup, that is, with a lot of nuts and bolts thrown in for extra fiber!! All though this is, more of a what happens to you in the process book, than it's a "how to do it" book? It should be the second book following "Build it with Bales II," that you should read. Even if written from the female perspective? It will give anyone invaluable insight regardless of your gender, to build your dream home (right). Without needlessly killing yourself or your spouse (or kids) in the process. Her centering herself in spirit and connection to the earth pulls her through, as it will you. After buying and reading this book, you can move on to the other coffee table books on the topic. I'll admit bias, I was there in the early stages to help Carolyn get her dream up, and out of the desert dirt. I am "Spuds" (Chapter 9). Until I read further into the process, I couldn't believe she would have had more difficult times? After working hand and glove, sweat and toil with this absolute dynamo of a woman? I can tell you she writes it as it happened and her writting, reads just like she speaks.. honest, straight forward, focused, sincere and connected to her purpose. By keeping focused on the goal, she surmounts obsticles that most of us would cave into. But not her. Due to her indominatable connection to spirit, she, rejects "no" for an answer. It didn't take me long to learn that aspect of her persona first hand. In the previous reviews, short shrift was given to the envolvement of community and personal commitment in the process.
Carolyn, would be the first to step forward with a long list of names. The point being, Staw Bale, by it's nature is a event that "makes" community happen, and long lasting friends. Of all the books written of the topic, this one alone stands as the testimate from the beginning of the dream to the; blood, sweat, tears, fears, and toil it takes... It's just not that easy. If you think it is? Read this. And, if you take her path, you'll eventually feel the same gratification, and relief that is "almost" done.... I'll sum up her book in one word.. backbone! She's got it. If she can get it done, so can you. If you doubt it? Start reading.
Rating:
Summary: Life's not about what you have, but how you live.
Review: I recommend this book to everyone, but especially to anyone who has a dream that they are not sure they can accomplish, but are dying to try. Carolyn Roberts is an outstanding example to those of us who are willing to work hard and to stand up for what we believe in. Life is full of choices and we all know that the choices we make shape our lives for better or worse, but to challenge yourself and have the courage to deliberately make difficult choices based on what one truly feels is right is a rare thing. Most of us feel that we are so busy that we don't have the time or energy to develop our own personal code of ethics. We forget about our standards and how our actions drastically affect the people and environment around us. This book beckons us to stop and think that maybe there is something we can all do by actively making choices about the way we live our lives and especially how we manage natural resources. Most of all, this book encourages us to do just that: stop and think. This book is not just a workshop on natural building, but a testimonial to why this world is worth saving. It's a look at the world through the eyes of someone who has wandered the forests of New England in her youth, raised children on the shimmering beaches in the lush tropical island of Kauai, Hawaii, and decided to make her home a sanctuary in the unforgiving Sonoran Desert's harsh and dramatic splendor. The appreciation of the glory of this planet and what it provides for us not only to live, but to enjoy life, is as refreshing as a cool breeze on the hottest summer day. This book is not as much about how to build a house as it is about how to build a life, and about making decisions based on a responsibility to humanity and respect for nature. In doing so, we strive for excellence and accept nothing less than everything we can give, and the results are truly marvelous. This book is an exercise in how to triumph by simply standing behind your beliefs and having the courage to pursue your dreams. I am utterly inspired by this charming woman who has truly put into practice the theory that life isn't about what you have, but how you live. Read this book whether you are planning on building a house or not.
Rating:
Summary: Building a simpler life
Review: This is a great book of building dreams and manifesting your own destiny. As I read I was brought out into the hot sun, crying, sweating and blistering along with the builder. It has never ceased to amaze me what human beings can bring about if they really put their mind to it. Carolyn Roberts is truly a warrior of life and creates a reality we can all live with. Keeping life simple allows one to focus on realizing one's dreams. And Carolyn's dream is one of giving. Giving back to Mother Earth and giving us a good example of how simple, healthy, loving life can be. If you are interested in building a house, especially one of straw, this is a must read. It prepares you for the pitfalls and the joys of accomplishing challenges you never thought you could.
Rating:
Summary: Building a simpler life
Review: This is a great book of building dreams and manifesting your own destiny. As I read I was brought out into the hot sun, crying, sweating and blistering along with the builder. It has never ceased to amaze me what human beings can bring about if they really put their mind to it. Carolyn Roberts is truly a warrior of life and creates a reality we can all live with. Keeping life simple allows one to focus on realizing one's dreams. And Carolyn's dream is one of giving. Giving back to Mother Earth and giving us a good example of how simple, healthy, loving life can be. If you are interested in building a house, especially one of straw, this is a must read. It prepares you for the pitfalls and the joys of accomplishing challenges you never thought you could.
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Fantastic Story That All Should Read
Review: This really is a great read. Although it largely deals with the construction of a straw bale house, I think it would be indespesible to anyone who's thinking of building a house of any type. You get the unique chance to travel along with this very brave woman as she fails and succeeds time and time again along the path to having her own home. She builds this house with very little money, a great deal of heart, and largely by herself. Along the way she develops a unique community of friends and family who help her and the house is raised in an almost amish community fashion. I too am thinking of building a straw bale house and I'm glad this is where my research began.
Jason
Tucson AZ
Rating:
Summary: A Truly Fantastic Story That All Should Read
Review: This really is a great read. Although it largely deals with the construction of a straw bale house, I think it would be indespesible to anyone who's thinking of building a house of any type. You get the unique chance to travel along with this very brave woman as she fails and succeeds time and time again along the path to having her own home. She builds this house with very little money, a great deal of heart, and largely by herself. Along the way she develops a unique community of friends and family who help her and the house is raised in an almost amish community fashion. I too am thinking of building a straw bale house and I'm glad this is where my research began.
Jason
Tucson AZ
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