Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #318552 in Books
• Published on: 1998-04
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Customer Reviews

Historically excellent: presently vague
With the construction of a future home in mind and all sorts of ideas about 'thermal mass' at its core I had greater hopes from this book than were realised. It is a fascinating read from a historical perspective. The development of masonry stoves in various parts of the world is well covered. It is in the technical aspects of construction that I felt it was lacking. This was partly due to the confused organisation of content. Even the section entitled Technical Details:Masonry Stoves Design and Construction deviated into historical issues that should have been dealt with in other chapters. A section on modern materials was just three paragraphs and three book references long. Perhaps I was looking for more than the book was designed to convey. David Lyle does make the point in his introduction that after reading the book no one will be in a position to design and build a stove. Sadly, as I do not live in North America with its workshops and seminars on the subject, and will be building in a part of the world with no tradition in this technology, that is just what I need. In presentation the book is also a disappointment. The beautiful stove depicted on the cover receives no mention anywhere and is the only colour photograph in the book. There are a plethora of line drawings for visual information but these are scattered about without any sense of order or development. The tables of data are very limited, giving unqualified and unspecific information. The major lack in the book for the prospective constructor is detailed references to modern examples of masonry stoves and how well they perform. Altogether an enjoyable read, but for anyone who wants to learn how to design a masonry stove, very little help.

great book on masonry stoves and systems, lots of history
The author has a good many illustrations and history of masonry heating systems. I was slightly disappointed with the cover being the only color picture. The number of words, the history, and the well written form - make this book worth reading. I am sure it will give you new ideas about masonry heating.