This is very much a hands-on book. It follows the American East-coast tradition of rural timber framing. The techniques are described with reference to a simple project, a small toolshed.For once, the seemingly-mandatory section on the trivial basics of the tools is thankfully short. Some knowledge is assumed, but not much. If you have a modicum of skill and this book, then you can build yourself a toolshed.
It's nice to see a framing book that doesn't stop at the frame. Options for cladding and roofing are described, both from a historical perspective and also some of the more modern and better insulated options. It assumes you're building an unheated shed though, and doesn't describe the issues of chimneys and habitable windows that would be needed for full-blown housebuilding.
The book has its failings. It isn't a historical review of the techniques, it's inaccurate in its description of pre-colonial European framing, and it entirely ignores Japan. It's a book for the D-I-Y framer, not the historian. There's a lot more to framing than just the American Square system, and if this were the only book you read, then you might get that impression.
One omission is that of detailed calculations for loading, deflections and ultimate strengths. The author's assumption is that we'll only ever want to build a shed, and can simply follow their designs. Some discussion of how to go beyond this would have been welcome, even if it's just enough to stop the floors bouncing.
This isn't the only book that a serious framer will need, but it's a very good start for the amateur.
