I may be a little late for Earth Day, but this week’s review covers green topics, like earth-friendly building and lifestyles. First, the building books.
“Strawbale Home Plans” by Wayne J. Bingham is not, strictly speaking, a book of home plans but rather a collection of strawbale homes from around the country and some of the details about how they came to be built and what the homeowner’s experience was.
Some are just tickled pink about the experience and results, while others learned the hard way that perhaps they should have done something a bit differently. My favorite is the one with the lap pool inside. Some are big, some are tiny, all are interesting.
The library has two other items strictly about straw-bale construction, one book and one videotape.
“Green from the Ground Up” by David Johnston and Scott Gibson would be really helpful for anyone planning to build a new home or do extensive remodeling or adding onto a house. It gives extensive and very informative coverage of foundations, framing, roots and attics, plumbing, heating and cooling, insulation, siding, air quality and solar energy.
The section on framing was an eye-opener. The amount of material and labor saved (not to mention the greater insulation allowed) by using 2x6s on 24-inch centers rather than the old standard 2x4s on 16-inch centers is amazing! All the sections provide useful information on not only the green aspects of the options available, but the costs. Suffice it to say, if you’re going to re-side your house, think cement siding. Highly recommended for anyone interested in construction.
“Power with Nature” by Rex Ewing gives an excellent overview of solar, wind and water power, but I’d skip “Dog of the Sun, Cat of the Wind: A Primer Disguised as a Fable.”
Look at it this way: I read it so that you don’t have to. I wasn’t crazy about some of the writing style (a little corny for my taste), but the information was all very sound. Sprinkled throughout the book are one-page “Personal Power Company” outlines about actual homes and their energy info: size, occupancy, whether or not they’re “grid-tied” (using utility power or providing all their own needs), using solar/wind/water power, etc. with a comments section. It was interesting to read about real-life implementations of alternate energy sources in addition to the theoretical and how-to information. Recommended (if you skip the fable).
“The Homeowner’s Guide to Energy Independence” by Christine Woodside gives highly readable coverage about the energy crisis and the future of fossil fuels in addition to excellent coverage of solar, wind and hydroelectric power.
Unlike other green energy books, it also gives more than a nod to hydrogen fuel cells, biodiesel, geothermal heat pumps, heating with wood and alternative cars. Tips on reducing energy waste are scattered throughout the book and there is a chapter on conservation tips as well. There is a lot of cost information (as well as cost-recovery information) included. An interesting bit of trivia: The diesel engine was originally designed to run on peanut oil, so biodiesel is simply reverting to the initial intent of Rudolph Diesel when he invented the diesel engine.
“The Self-Sufficiency Specialist” by A. and G. Bridgewater gives a much broader view of the green/self-sufficiency issue. It consists of brief chapters about all of the above as well as off-grid water, recycling, growing organic crops, keeping bees and raising livestock, making your own soap and candles, pickles and preserves, and, if that all sounds too dull, your own wine!
It’s highly illustrated and more of an overview than a real how-to on most subjects, but very readable and a good starting point for those just beginning to look into self-sufficiency or green living. One note: The book was published in Great Britain, so some terms may be unfamiliar, and some products may not be available here.
An interesting, quick read on the subject.
These are just a few of the more recent books we have on green living and self-sufficiency. You can find lots more at the Joplin Public Library, check it out!
Linda Cannon is the collection development librarian at Joplin Public Library.
Globe Life
Related Photos
Discussion
Book review: Books offer earth-friendly building tips
- Globe Life
-
-
Bearing down: Carl Junction woman has passion for bear hunting
Born and raised in Joplin, Mitchell graduated from Joplin High School in 1963. For 35 years, she has been self-employed as a real estate developer. Seventeen years ago, her husband, Steve, a bowhunter, introduced her to hunting.
-
Ryan Richardson: Appliances complicit in dog-hair problem
Despite missing having her here, her absence has given me an opportunity to clean up the small messes that have been accumulating since she has been gone. I've also given myself the opportunity to evaluate what has and has not worked in such a small living space.
-
Phyllis Seesengood: 'Six Years' fast-paced, suspenseful
Harlan Coben is a superb suspense writer who has written an intense thriller/love story, although I personally think he should stick with the thrillers and leave the romances to romance writers.
-
Frankie Meyer: Website offers digitized newspapers
Newspapers are a great source of info for genealogists. Obituaries are especially helpful, as are articles about major events that occurred in the areas where ancestors lived.
-
Frankie Meyer: Rubbings of graves can work better than photos
When compiling family history, researchers invariably become intrigued with gravestones, which are one of the best sources of family information.
-
Jacque Gage: Book celebrates past photos, warns about future
The book is strangely compelling, titled "Talking Pictures: Images and Messages Rescued from the Past." It is by Ransom Riggs, author of the New York Times bestseller, "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children".
-
Ryan Richardson: Readers share their own summer advice
Only here can we have a long winter segue straight into a balmy summer. Between the torrential rains and the highs already flirting with the upper 80s, I’m convinced that this summer is going to be a mix of everything.
-
Founder of Souls Harbor returns to her ministry after 20-year absence
After helping husband Art Jones found Souls Harbor more than 31 years ago, Georgia Jones has come full circle and returned to lead the mission that serves the homeless and needy in the Joplin area.
-
Ryan Richardson: Time apart tough for pets and owners
Since I became a Joplin resident over nine months ago, I have had my dog, Cami, with me the whole time. We've explored trails, survived thunderstorms, slept on the couch and had some epic belly rubs.
-
Frankie Meyer: Research collections can disappear after death
When researching family history, genealogists collect many reference books, pamphlets, documents and photos. What will happen to your cherished items after your death? Unless you make your wishes known, those items could be tossed or sold at a flea market by unknowing relatives or friends.
- More Globe Life Headlines
-
Hoffa Mystery Still Fascinates After 4 Decades
Raw: 1 Dead in Shooting at Mo. Apartment Complex
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Raw: Obama Arrives in Berlin
3 Charged in Ohio With Enslaving Mom, Daughter
Obama Seeks G-8 Support on Syria
Raw: Volcano Erupts Near Mexico City
Kid Couture: Spending Big Bucks on Babies
Suicide Bombs Target Baghdad Mosque, Killing 29
Military Plans to Put Women in Combat Jobs
Solar Power Chargers in NYC Parks
Civil Rights Groups Sue NYPD Over Muslim Spying
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
