From the first nail to the final coat of paint -- from contract signing to moving day -- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder chronicles the complex and fascinating construction of an American dream. A riveting adventure, an unforgettable human drama, HOUSE is a compelling true story of sacrifice, struggle, frustration...and the remarkable transformation of a cherished vision into a triumphant reality.
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From the first nail to the final coat of paint -- from contract signing to moving day -- Pulitzer Prize-winning author Tracy Kidder chronicles the complex and fascinating construction of an American dream. A riveting adventure, an unforgettable human drama, HOUSE is a compelling true story of sacrifice, struggle, frustration...and the remarkable transformation of a cherished vision into a triumphant reality.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. Book Condition: Very good. Inside pages clean. Sharp corners. Tight binding.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains.
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Good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used textbooks may not include companion materials such as access codes, etc. May have some wear or writing/highlighting. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
I have to state up front that I am a fiction reader for the very reason that many advocate non-fiction. I think that you can learn a lot more from fiction, at least learn a lot more about the important stuff in life. That said, I did learn a lot from this book. I have some knowledge of the building trades but I did learn about building here and the jargon used throughout the book made sense. I also learned about architecture and, even though, I'm not a big fan, I've been picking out Greek Revival architecture in my neighborhood.
But what was most interesting, for me, was the character development and what we can ultimately learn about human nature. One of the major themes of the book is the appreciation for craftsmen working their craft and how that comes up against the limits imposed by our turbo-capitalist economy. To a certain extent the book is about the conflict between the yuppie client and the craftsmen who are building the house. Not to give too much away, but, yet again, the yuppie is able to grind away on the workers so that they end up making no profit on the deal while sacrificing and literally risking their bodies and lives in the process. The convoluted order of the world is maintained.
Kidder is an excellent writer and the prose is very good, well beyond the simple unobtrusiveness necessary to tell a story. I recommend it, especially if you are contemplating building a house or putting on an addition or tackling a major remodel.