Hand Hewn: The Traditions, Tools, and Enduring Beauty of Timber Framing

Wow! I preordered this book after meeting the author Jack Sobon at the Heartwood school of timber framing in western MA. This book delivers everything and more that one could ask for in a timber framing book. The visuals are stunning and detailed. All aspects of the craft is explored from the basic tools all the way to architectural design. Historic and newer designs and examples are displayed and explained, simple and straightforward enough even for a novice timber framer. I have many books on timber framing and traditional building methods as I have been slowly learning in preparation to start on my own frame and this one is the best of them all. If you had to start with one book, this one belongs in the running right there with Benson's "Building the timber frame house". I am beyond happy with my purchase and many years from now my great grandchildren will be playing and living in the house I craft out of my imagination. An imagination that is ignited and stoked like a blazing fire as I read this book. So.... you should buy it!

As a novice woodworker and builder I found this book particularly inspiring. The imagery is also excellent. We’ll done!

Excellent book on wood building and all things around it. Very well explains why old skills are still valid today. Personal description of the professional journey of the author makes the reading very vivid. Historical lookbacks and especially photos make one think whether we really move forward as mankind - what our predecessors were able to achieve with their own hands and simple manual tools seems incredible. Must reading for all who adhere to other values than digitalisation;-)

I’m currently reading it. The book is beautifully done. It walks the reader through the author’s journey of learning Timber Framing. The author points at various inspirations and the history of timber framing from centuries past. The only disappointment is I can’t say that you can read the book and then reproduce a timber frame house (nor did I expect to, just the pictures are so beautiful that you want to go build one while reading the book). It’s a great educational book on the history and understanding Timber Framing.

With all of its beautiful photos and illustrations, it would be easy to see this as a nice coffee table book. It's actually more than that and a delight to read. There's a little bit of how-to, but if that's your goal, you'll want other books, too. This one is perfect for storytelling, some history, a fair bit of background knowledge, and just enough instruction to inspire.

Excellent book for the price. This book provides a general overview of timber framing. The author covers the history, types, techniques, and tools of timber framing. This book won’t help you build a timber frame structure as it does not go into great detail, but it will provide a starting point.

Gifted to my husband and he loves it. Beautifully written with high quality paper. We own a timber frame home so it’s a perfect coffee table book!

Jack is a master of an old discipline intertwining architecture and natural forms, creating extraordinary harmony with the trees in the forest. Just as Frank Lloyd Wright's buildings seem to grow out of their environment, Jack Sobon's organic timber frames grow out of the earth.

it's an interesting book if you want learning about the practice of timber frame with manuel tools

Muy buen libro, el contenido excelente! Las fotos de muy buena calidad, en general excelente te libro! Inspiración pura!

Bought for my husband's birthday, he loves books especially about wood. Lots of good colourful pictures and some very useful information.

Jack Sobon is obviously a master craftsman and builder-a true custodian of an ancient craft! A beautiful book which showcases traditional timber framing around the world.

I really loved the book and pictures help understand what your reading. I read it in 1 day, can't get enough! Gets my approval!