Review of
How
I Built Myself a Hobbit Fire Pit, by Gisela Hausmann
Four out of five stars
There are three
components to this book, the only common thread is that they have the same
author. The first section from which the title is derived relates the author’s
experiences in building a backyard fire pit. That part opens with a snippet of
autobiography, where Hausmann relates the enjoyment she and her family acquired
from the use of recreational fire.
When a
bug-infested tree had to be taken down, there was an empty spot that Hausmann
felt needed to be filled. Since she is a very experienced “handywoman” her
decision was to create a fire pit having a unique structure that would make it
look like it could have a group of Hobbits around it.
Clearly
demonstrating that she could serve as an instructor in community education
classes in do-it-yourself home improvement, Hausmann then takes the reader
through detailed step-by-step instructions on how she built her pit. Using a
series of colored images and a list of materials that is detailed down to the
part number at a nationwide home improvement store, Hausmann explains how the
pit was built.
The second
section contains excerpts from two of Hausmann’s other books, "Naked
Determination, 41 Stories About Overcoming Fear" and "NAKED TEXT:
Email Writing Skills From Teenagers." Both books are very well done and I
highly recommend them, yet they seem oddly misplaced in a book about doing the
work of a mason. The third section is four pages of material touting Hausmann
and her work, basically an ad.
Having built a
backyard fire pit myself using smooth metamorphic rocks, I know how difficult
it is to make the walls. Hausmann shows how it is done, including the addition
of vents for the smooth flow of air into the fire. If learning how to do this
is your reason for reading the book, then the rest is most likely irrelevant to
you. Read it anyway if you are unfamiliar with the books, for it is possible
you will learn other things important to you.
Thank you @CharlesAshbacherReviews
ReplyDeletefor your awesome review. In the meantime my neighbors have taken notice and they too think that this "empty space" has turned into a lovely gathering place. Since I live on a hill, which locals call a mountain, it really fits into the neighborhood.
Thank you again, Gisela