The Classic Hewn-Log House: A Step-by-Step Guide to Building and Restoring

The author demonstrates a deep knowledge of and passion for the subject matter, historical and practical, and it is a pleasure to read as a result. The book is more than a useful overview for those interested in constructing or renewing a hewn log house, and even those who just have a passing curiosity will be happy to have read this. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I have several books on how to build a log cabin and I must say that this is my favorite. Why? Because this is one of the few books on the subject that you can sit down to read like a story book. It will is no wise bore you as I have seen with other books of its kind. This book is not about modern log building (ie. the 5000sq foot home made out of logs) It is about the historical log cabin and what you need to build one. It specializes in the half-dovetail, hewn, chinked log home. It is not a extensive and exhaustive how-to manual with endless calculations and diagrams. There are other books out there for that. But, this book is very simple, straightforward, and to-the-point. McRaven has been building these cabins for over 60 years ( more than any other log builder I have heard of ). The pictures of the stonework, hand forged hardware and the entire structural restorations really do prove that. While he points out what was authentic to history,he doesn't build with historical problems. He combines new and improved techniques with old style, antique beauty. He does a good job on explaining what to do and what not to do. He says it like,"Don't do this because years later you will have problems. But do this and your home will last longer and look better." The chapter on chinking is a gold mine. McRaven has created an improved way to put in that long plagued chinking. The design it so simple, yet again, is built to last for generations. I would not be surprised that 100 years from now, when these structures are still standing, that this style of chinking is called,"McRaven's Chinking." This chapter alone is worth the book. The book is an excellent choice. It is a simple read for those who do not want the exhaustive how-to manual. I highly recommend it.

This is an amazing collection of tips, tricks, and instructions for a log builder. The only disappointment in the entire book was the section on hewing. There weren't many pictures and I can see where new log builders would have trouble catching on.Then again, I'm a hewing addict who loves learning every nuance and variation on basic methods, so perhaps the problem is with me expecting too much. At any rate, every hewn-log builder should buy this book. Mr. McRaven is one of the foremost log buildings in North America, and the chapter on chinking alone is worth the cover price.

Good book. Inspiring as I plan my cabin. Less technical than I’d hoped.

This is a very informative book on the true hand hewn Appalachian mountain cabin. You will love it! Great photos great read! I have the first edition and wore it out reading it and this will have the same fate!

I know Mac very well. He is the real thing: a renaissance man who is well educated, widely experienced, and innately handy. When it comes to log home building Mac "has been there and done that." I don't understand the one and two star critics. I suggest disregarding their criticism. Buy the book(s). Better yet, meet the man and take one of his tutorials on blacksmithing, stone working, or log home construction.

I like the style it is written in, very conversational by someone who has been there and done it. Not necessarily a how to in the normal sense you can tell the author really enjoys and appreciates the history and flavor and style of these houses.

Good -- Labor intensive!

I wanted a technical book on how to build dovetail homes. This book does not even show you any technical aspect of the dovetail. All he points out is the different notches used historically and today and that's about it (there's I think 3 pages under the title "notching" in the whole book 3 pages!) There's lots of other information on restoring and chinking, foundations etc. I wasn't interested in any of those things simply because I already have a knowledge of all that type of construction. My wish here was to learn about the dovetail and some reasoning behind what logs to use next what size dovetail to use, the angles/slope used. Unfortunately this book has absolutely nothing on any of those inquiries. That is not an exaggeration either it has nothing. The back of the book says "learn how to make dovetail notches". That is a load of garbage. I'm very disappointed and if you want to learn how to make a dovetail notch and are looking for a technical book on how to do so don't waste your money here because this book falls short of this most basic and crucial aspect of dovetail homes.

Das Buch liest man schnell und gerne durch, leider fehlen aber einige tiefergreifende Informationen.Es geht ausschließlich um Blockbauweise mit behauenen Balken und großen Spalten zwischen diesen, die dann mit Lehm oÄ ausgestopft wurden. Diese Bauweise ist regional relativ beschränkt und kommt in Europa nicht vor.Ich sehe dieses Buch als gute Ergänzung zur anderen Blockbau-Literatur, denn leider ist kein einziges, das ich kenne, im Alleingang zu gebrauchen. Leider fehlt bei diesem Buch etwas mehr, als bei den meisten anderen.Wer nur ein einziges Buch zum Thema kaufen möchte, sollte sich woanders umsehen.Fürs Geld allerdings in Ordnung!

A good book with lots of information.

Only book I could find on hewn houses great resource. This book covers pretty much every aspect of hewn log houses. Would also recommend building with logs by Allan Mackie this book goes in to detail how to lift logs in the bush with little equipment.

love the square log construction