The Walls Around Us: The Thinking Person's Guide to How a House Works

by David Owen, Polly R. Swain (Illustrator)

Anyone who's ever quailed at the thought of buying a two-by-four or suspected that his (or her) dwelling is breaking down out of spite will be charmed, educated and entertained by this delightful history and how-to of the house.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Science

320 pages, Paperback

First published September 24, 1991

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I guess my tastes are a little odd; I mean, most people might not be intrigued and even entertained by tales of why you shouldn't paint the exterior of your house with nuclear paint (the kind actually used on nuclear reactor plants because it's non-flammable! Important fact!) or what the most common predators that eat wood are, for example. This book is not only extraorinarily dense with details, but written with the type of wry, self-deprecatory humor that brings Dave Barry to mind. The author has learned through years of trial and error working on his own hundreds and hundreds of years' old home in New England how to really understand what works in a house and what doesn't. It doesn't make me want to rush right out and do a drywall job, but at least I understand a heck of a lot more about the process and where it came from. His historical research is pretty impressive. Very fun.

[Lobstergirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stupid, unthinking people could learn from this book too.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Admittedly, some of the technical details went over my head - but I still found it deeply satisfying to dig into the details of how a house (paint, siding, roof, plumbing, electrical, etc) actually works. I find myself looking at details of my own home with new eyes…

“…There is a powerful feeling of tranquility that comes from knowing how one’s house is put together and how its systems are supposed to function. My childhood would have been somewhat less anxiety-ridden had I realized that because of the way our house is framed, there was no way for pirates to crawl through the floor from the laundry chute to the space beneath my bed and stab me through my mattress with their long pirate swords.” (P. 9)

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a funny and informative book about the nuts and bolts of a home, interspersed with his own journey from someone afraid of a hardware store to building his own office. Filled with fascinating details, and practical advice, you're sure to find a laugh or two on each page as well..

[Michael Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book. A somewhat humorous yet interesting look into remodeling an old home. The author explains everything in detail: square nails, paint, plumbing. An informative yet fascinating read.

[Karen Carlson]

Saw on Ben Orlin's list - sounds like fun!

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually read this book after I read his newer book Sheetrock & Shellac and so I went to it as if was basically the same. I had loved "Sheetrock" but at first I wasn't really into this book. They're not really the same. So I put it down for a couple months.

Now that I've come back and finished the book up, I was able to enjoy it for what it was. And enjoy it I did. Since I am an amateur woodworker and weekend warrior myself, I was glad to get a tip here and there plus a lot of validation that I'm doing just fine in my travails as a homeowner.

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the past couple nights I have combined the desire to learn more about our house and how everything works and a good read in David Owen's The Walls Around Us: The Thinking Person's Guide to how a home works (New York: Villard Boosk, 1991). Owen's book written in a manner similar to that of Michael Pollan, Christopher Benfey and Tim Falconer, a story which digresses into brief histories or discussions of particular subjects that relate to the larger story at hand. It makes for fun and enjoyable reading that helps give some context and background for anyone seeking to renovate an older house. Owen uses the purchase of a 200 year old house to discuss the history of siding, building techniques and electricity to help explain his own adventures in home ownership.

[Patrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I figured this was a book for me, given my interest in old-house restoration, craft etc. But it was a real grind even finishing it. I have a hard time understanding who would actually enjoy it, as only those with a real interest would plow through 20 pages on the history of linseed-oil and paint, or the process of milling lumber, etc. The problem is that he has written it as though the reader know nothing about this, and anyone who's ever been in a lumber yard understands that a "2 by 4" is not really 2" by 4". So either you have no interest in the first place, or if you have interest, already know enough to be bored by long sections of the book (and end up skimming as I did).

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a gift (from a judge and his cool wife!) as they know about Chad's designs and frustrations for/with our house. It was an excellent book for any homeowner, and I might buy a stock of them for housewarming gifts (is that terrifying?). Owens writes with cool, dry wit about his own experiences with houses and maintaining them, and he educates in a calm and informative manner that put me at ease. Now we'll see if we can put that ease into some form of action ....

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. While Michael Pollan's A Place of My Own is a scholarly approach to building from the ground up, David Owen comes at the building trades from the position of the remodeler of an old home. He brings a lively wit, an inquisitive nature and the willingness to experiment and embarrass himself to this task. He aptly describes much of what many of us find mysterious about construction and houses, including wiring, plumbing and roofing.

[Firebringer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I now know why I would not want to use the same paint applied to nuclear power plants on the sides of my own home, how plaster sticks to walls, and have a bit better idea on how one would deal with an uneven floor when planning built-in bookcases.

Wish there was a chapter on doors, tho.

[Tris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this a while back and still recommend it to people who, like me, live in older houses. Witty and accessible introduction to basic house systems and maintenance. Not overwhelming. Okay, a little overwhelming. But good.

[Wesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't stop thinking about what I learned from this book - every homeowner should read it - the topics in here come up so often that I feel like a broken record because I'm relating everything back to this

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wouldn't try to rewire your house just by reading this book, but it is funny, smart, and gives you just enough information about home improvement to look for more technical advice on how to do-it-yourself.

[Kg4jbj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This account of a the author's fixing up a purchased house is entertaining and teaches a lot of what every homeowner needs to know about their home.

[Sabra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found myself reading this on vacation on a beach -- and giggling over his explanation of nail sizing.... Who knew one could laugh reading a book about how a house is built?

[Carl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been remodeling for years and there are things in here that I never knew that I wished I had known a long time ago.

[Christine]

A fun book for a person with a little home-improvement interest. I learned a lot, and enjoyed the funny stories :)

[Jim Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice book that explains where various building materials and components come from, how they developed and why we use them the way we do. Want to know how your house works, read this.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this, esp. as the owner of an older home. when I read this we were only 1 year into our old home, so it was useful.
bookclub pick, april 2005

[Thomas Gizbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really helpful, useful book. Even if it's heavily skewed towards the American home, and the historical New England home to be specific.

[Rochelle]

Interesting and informative, but the chatty, jokey style is sometimes annoying.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny and informative book on buildings. I've read twice.