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This book is a fascinating how-to manual for people with time, a small budget and a basic knowledge of tool use. The construction materials are all cheap and somewhat surprising-- one of the projects involves making a functional bed from cardboard. The other projects run the gamut from lamps, chairs and beds to baby furniture and swings. The book is very readble and well laid-out. The furniture is also collapsable and easily both disposed of and moved. The designs are very modular, very sixties, a style currently popular. I recommend this book both as a shapshot of the sixties values and culture and as a low-cost, how-to for making your own furniture. It would also be an invaluable resource for students or squatters.
From the corrugated cardboard child safety seat (remember there were no seat belt or child safety seats in 1973)to the desk made from one sheet of plywood to the college bookstore built entirely form orange crates and plastic sheeting-- this book is a fabulous read for anyone interested in learning how to live with less so you can have more. I am almost sure that James Hennessey and Victor Papanek's book started a movement in the furniture industry, presenting ecologically sound materials and practices and ergonomic design in this 'how-to'manual. If you are looking for detailed directions on how to build a dovetail joint-- this isn't the book you need. But, if you have general carpentry skills, an imagination, and a desire to learn about the ancestry of our "Sauder" and "Ikea" type modern furniture-- this is the book for you.Read full review
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