Brenda Flynn

Love the look of stone but have no idea where to start? Want to try and do the work yourself but not sure if you are up to the task? Atlantic Publishing Group has released “The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply” to answer these questions and more. With the expertise of veteran stone artisan Brenda Flynn, readers can confidently begin incorporating rock into their projects.

“The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks and Stone” is a how-to guide on the use of rock in architecture and landscaping. Written with the beginner in mind, author Flynn covers the background and history of its use over time, different types of rocks, their physical properties, and what they are best used for. She also provides ample project ideas to spark her readers’ imaginations as to what they could try in their own homes.

I found the book to be extremely orderly in its organization, allowing the beginner to learn the basics but also serving as a good reference for those with previous building experience. Flynn writes in a clear and descriptive language which is imperative in an effective how-to book. I would have like to see more pictures, though; some of the projects described didn’t have a single picture while most only had one or two of the finished project and none of the actual process. Further, quite a few picture captions have the readers noting different color shades in the rock but the pictures are in black and white. A section of full color pages would have greatly added to the understanding of the author’s aim in showing the various nuances of the rocks described. I especially liked Flynn’s thoughtful addition of the legalities of collecting rocks; I would have never guessed that gathering from such places as a national park or in a river bed is illegal! She mentions this and the importance of respecting private property several times to ensure it is not missed – a responsible and admirable inclusion to her text. All in all, a fun and creative introduction into the myriad ways to use rock and stone!

--Vicki Landes, author of “Europe for the Senses – A Photographic Journal”… (meer)