Ken Kern Forgotten Genius - a review of his book, The Owner Built Home

[MrBoggerly]

I have this book too! Mine is a self-published copy - the binding is a sort of duct tape. Its a brilliant read, full of ideas and inspirations. My favourite sections are the heating and ventilation ones. Here in England they are pretty important because of the cold and damp.

[mrhulot101]

Thank you for adding your information about your grandfather.The wealth of insights,information and ideas in his book is astonishing. I have found numerous ideas in his book that I can't find via any Google search. His focus on DIY building is what America used to be, independent and self reliant. The idea of everyone owning the roof over their head free and clear from the banks in a home they built themselves is an idea that can change the world. he left us richer.

[breezybeekay]

this is my grandfather (fathers father). I enjoy your appreciation of his accomplishments. Your description of his death is somewhat inaccurate but very close to the actual events...the building that collapsed on him was actually a test project for huts made of all natural inexpensive materials he was designing for people in Africa

[cvrnut09]

have a copy of it myself. 1974 copywrite

[freemansbunker]

there are 13 available copies at biblio . com as of now

[mrhulot101]

@freemansbunker Thanks Freeman

[mrhulot101]

me too, shame he did not live to see the internet, can't imagine what he would have done with such a resource.

ernest Flagg and his giant Small houses book is good too, surprisingly good for such an opinionated prickly old codger, I think he was as good as Wright in his own way.

[czarwright]

my favorite book =)

Love it