Writer Charles Long has a well-earned reputation as one of North America's self-sufficiency experts. More than 20 years ago, he and his wife, Elizabeth, fled city life and conventional employment for the country, and have flourished there ever since. Now back by popular demand Long's The Stonebuilder's Primer is a highly readable account of the couple's successful effort to build "a house that will outlast anything made of wood."

Developing a compromise method of stone construction that is both simpler and truer to the stonemason's art than the popular slipform method, the Longs built an aesthetically satisfying home of stone on a limited budget and no previous construction experience. In this classic how-to book, the author describes the complete building process in clear, easy-to-follow steps and, in so doing, dispels the myth of difficulty that surrounds stone construction.

Charles Long is also the author of How to Survive Without a Salary and Life After the City.

Charles Long's profile page

This volume is a fine, if concise, introduction to the joys and problems of constructing living spaces with stone. In 11 chapters and an epilog, Long details the basics of building with field stone, taking each step in the rough chronology of the building process. His prose is open and friendly, and the illustrations, both line drawings and photographs, deepen the text. Long's "compromise method" of construction provides a simpler method of construction than has otherwise been traditionally embraced with stone. A delight and an important work for the aspiring nonprofessional stonemason. Highly recommended.

Library Journal

[A] fascinating account.... The book provides detailed instructions that will enable anyone to build a stone house.

Desert Sun