I’ll probably check it out from the library if nothing else, but I haven’t decided if I want to plunk down money for a copy (or even a hardcover copy). I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in DIY, home improvements, or rehabbing houses.
On the other hand, I love the SD and I’d probably enjoy reading Ed’s stories. I also like sociology, and I’d enjoy reading about the factors that affect how city neighborhoods change with time. And the trumpet player in the basement sounds interesting.
So to anyone who’s read (or written) the book, should I get it?
(I’d almost certainly get a hardcover if I could get it personally inscribed by Ed. Unfortunately I don’t live anywhere he’s likely to come on a book tour.)
Seriously, nothing? Ed, don’t you want to convince me to buy it? Hasn’t anyone else seen it yet?
This was a serious question. I live in a small town and I haven’t seen it at the small local bookstore I patronize, so I can’t just flip through it and decide if I want it. I’ll have to ask either the library or the bookstore to order it or get it through Amazon, but I’d like a more detailed review before I decide which to do.
Hell yes I want you to buy it. Got a couple nice reviews on Amazon; see:
Also the Chicago Sun-Times is running a magnificent spread about the house and the book in tomorrow’s real estate section (9/7/2008); although you won’t be able to see the print version, you can read it online and see a video of the house at:
I’ll sign copies but you have to send them to me in a proper mailer with enough return postage to cover; the book weighs 1.1 pounds. Send me a PM for the address.
House repair isn’t one of my normal interests either, and the book is written for people who have at least a background in the technical aspects of repair, wiring and so forth. That’s not me. But it isn’t a technical manual, and even without knowing the ins and outs of joists and things of that type, I could follow the difficulties of dealing with fixing this house and all the complications and tensions, and a lot of it’s funny. I said somewhere else that it’s written in the Straight Dope style: it’s a fun read with a lot of wry humor. And I did like (and had much less trouble understanding) Ed’s observations about the growth and changes that cities go through. That part was very well thought out and the research was extensive. I really enjoyed reading it and got through the book in about 24 hours.
Ah, jeez, don’t scare him off. There’s some home repair stuff in there, but most of it is written tongue in cheek - I know damn well most people aren’t experts in these things. I included some technical details about wiring but they’re in a series of appendices in the back.
I’m not suggesting it’s a technical manual at all. It isn’t. I’d have had trouble sticking with a book like that, but the story of what happens when you decide to fix up the house is one that I could follow. I think the book does assume a grounding in some areas - more woodwork than wiring, I guess - that I know I don’t have. I’m unfortunately pretty useless at that stuff. I never got hopelessly lost anywhere, and it’s stuff that you wouldn’t need to explain to most people who would read a book of this type.
I would think it is more important to be grounded in wireing than in woodwork, much less of a chance for fires.
I’ll probably pick it up soon and just might send it off for a signing, it sounds cool to me but as a home owner / handy man I’m into that kind of stuff.
Will the purchase of this book directly or indirectly benefit the SDMB? I ask because I am 95% sure I’ll probably enjoy the book, based on what I’ve read of Ed’s writing in the past, but typically I’d just get it from the library. If it will benefit the SDMB, however, I’m willing to shell out the $15 or however much.
It will absolutely benefit the SDMB, because selling a bunch of books will put me in a benevolent mood, making me successfully able to restrain the impulse to have several deserving parties electrocuted, keeping me out of jail and thus able to devote my full attention to making the SDMB a better place, as opposed to fending off large individuals muttering about how they’re looking for Peg, boy. Whoever she is.
Just got done reading the article (excellent, btw, I can’t wait to get this book - I’m one of those DIY addicts that have a distinct propensity for self-injury, so can only live vicariously through others ) but noticed a glaring error:
Uh, won’t Unca Ceece take exception to that? :eek: :smack:
) but noticed a glaring error: