Crafting the Considerate House (2010)
"This easygoing and enjoyable account is neither too technical nor dumbed down.
The photographs and drawings that accompany the text serve to draw the reader in and to
bring the project to life. Highly recommended for current and prospective home owners."
-- San Francisco Book Review
"David Gerstel literally wrote the book on how to run a successful construction company (Running a Successful Construction Company, Taunton, 2002). How ironic then, that in his latest book, Gerstel admits, essentially, that after nearly forty years of residential building and remodeling he does not know how to build a good house. But like Socrates, whose awareness of his own ignorance made him the wisest person in Greece, Gerstel is perhaps the wisest builder around. Many builders today don't realize it, but none of us knows how to build a good house anymore. What we thought was good, especially from the standpoint of energy use and the environment, is nowhere near close. Gerstel understands this, and so he set out to build a house that would challenge him to learn new ways of building and that would result in a better, more "considerate" house . . . Gerstel is an excellent writer who truly understands building. We need more builders like him and more books like Crafting the Considerate House.
-- Fine Homebuilding
"With a discerning examination of what we value in home and how we assess what it means
to be green, Gerstel gets at the real dilemmas facing builders and homeowners today . . . He
emphasizes the reduce of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle mantra, the little word which is so often
forgotten amidst the glam of recycled beach-glass countertops and repurposed redwood decking. When the public is assaulted by green building books in every forum, a book like this, which takes the reader through the complexities of practical application and real environmental impact, is important . . . In addition, Gerstel reclaims a sense of integrity for builders and laborers in the construction
industry, so often disdained as non-thinkers."
-- Foreword Reviews
"I probably would not have picked the book up were it not that the author has been a friend for
30 years. Homebuilding (is) not a topic I usually spend much time reading about, but I've found
Crafting the Considerate House to be intriguing . . . The often-humorous narrative describes
the actual construction of a house. At each stage of building, the author (a successful home builder as well as writer) explains why he decided to do what he did and what the trade-offs were . . . If you're planning to build, you might do well to first read David's book. He takes you along as he makes
decisions regarding everything from types of construction to costs. You may be able to save yourself some money, and you will certainly end up with a better house."
-- David Mitchell, Winner, Winner of the Pulitzer Prize as editor of the Point Reyes Light
Paradise Incorporated (1982)
"Illuminating . . . vivid."
The Philadeliphia Enquirer
"Astonishingly objective . . . captivating, well written."
The Richmond News Leader
"An ambitious and serious book and a real page turner."
Mark Kramer, Founding Director, Nieman Program on Narrative Journalism,
Harvard University
"Rich in detail . . . remarkably dispassionate. An unusually attentive, shrewd,
comprehensive account."
Qualitative Sociology
"The book is wonderful. I couldn't put it down; and I have been recommending it
to all and sundry."
Frances FitzGerald, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award
The Builder's Guide (1992)
"Gerstel writes with grace and humour."
Remodeling
"Gerstel manages to cover the basics in a way that is both informative and
entertaining."
Journal of Light Construction
"Insightful and intelligently written . . . a sense of quality and ethics pervades."
Builders Booksource
Running a Successful Construction Company (2002)
"My strongest feelings about (Gerstel) come from all the builders I've known who
hold his book in high esteem."
Kevin Ireton, for 17 years Editor-in-Chief of Fine Homebuilding
"This is a great book. It has helped my construction company tremendously."
Jim Paulin, Rubicon Construction in Amazon Review
