A Carpenter's Life as Told by Houses - by Larry Haun (Hardcover)

About the Book

"From one of Fine Homebuilding's best-loved authors, Larry Haun, comes a unique story that looks at American home building from the perspective of twelve houses he has known intimately. Part memoir, part cultural history, A Carpenter's Life as Told by Houses takes the reader house by house over an arc of 100 years. Along with period photos, the author shows us the sod house in Nebraska where his mother was born, the frame house of his childhood, the production houses he built in the San Fernando Valley, and the Habitat for Humanity homes he devotes his time to now. It's an engaging read written by a veteran builder with a thoughtful awareness of what was intrinsic to home building in the past and the many ways it has evolved. Builders and history lovers will appreciate his deep connection to the natural world, yearning for simplicity, respect for humanity, and evocative notion of what we mean by "home.""--

Book Synopsis

A Carpenter's Life as Told by Houses offers a unique perspective on home through the lens of twelve significant houses built over the last century.

An early advocate for lean, green building practices, Larry Haun intertwines his personal journey with detailed observations of each home, inviting readers to reflect on their own connections to the places they call home.

This memoir is perfect for anyone who appreciates well-crafted stories about the love of home, simplicity, and respect for nature. Join Larry Haun as he shares his profound connection to the natural world and the homes he's built, illustrating why he believes that less truly is more.

Key Features:

• Personal Narrative: Experience Haun's life through twelve homes, each reflecting different aspects of his journey and values.

• Thoughtful Reflections: Gain insight into the emotional and historical significance of homes in shaping our lives and communities.

• Simplicity and Sustainability: Explore the themes of simplicity and environmentally friendly building practices that resonate throughout the narrative.

• Engaging Writing Style: Haun's storytelling captures the reader's attention, making complex concepts accessible and relatable.

• Perfect Gift: This memoir serves as an inspiring gift for those who value craftsmanship, home, and heartfelt stories.

Review Quotes

"If the best writers draw from their own experience, Larry Haun is as much a historian and philosopher as he is a 60-year veteran carpenter. Larry's memoir would be equally at home on the bookshelves of home building and architecture enthusiasts as anyone on a spiritual journey." -Brian Pontolilo, Managing Editor, "Fine Homebuilding Magazine"

If you are lucky in your life, you are fortunate to encounter people who are passionate about their lives. Joseph Campbell is quoted as saying; "People always say what we are looking for is a meaning for life...I don't think that's what we're looking for. I think what we're looking for is the experience of being alive." Larry Haun is very alive, and has shared with me his passion for building, his passion for community, and his passion to serve. All of us at Habitat have been blessed by Larry's energy, enthusiasm and commitment to his trade. Bert Green, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte

-- "The New York Times"

About the Author

Larry Haun began his building career on the Nebraska prairie, where at 17 he helped to build his first house. In 1950, he began framing in Albuquerque, N.M., and in 1951, he joined his older brother in a Los Angeles building boom that brought about rapid change in tools, materials, and building methods. Later, seeing a need for passing on production-framing techniques, Haun began teaching two nights a week at a community college--and stayed there for 20 years. He retired to Coos Bay, Ore., where he built houses for Habitat for Humanity, wheelchair ramps for poor people, and backpacked in the High Sierras, the Rockies, and the Andes. He is the author of "Habitat For Humanity: How to Build a House, Homebuilding Basics: Carpentry, The Very Efficient Carpenter, " and three companion videos on how to frame a house. Larry also kept a blog, A Carpenter's View: http: //www.finehomebuilding.com/blog/a-carpenters-view, where he wrote until a couple of weeks before his death at age 80 in October, 2011.