I didn't read it cover to cover but it was not the type of book to be read like that. All in all I'd say it does a good job covering what is a pretty broad topic; there are so many "green" strategies out there and it is hard to discuss them all. I thought it did a good job on the three or so different main categories and it connected them back to the common denominator. Save, protect, and preserve natural resources. It covers site and land usage, energy and water conservation, and interior and exterior material usage. The author took the difficult path of trying to sell `green' building as potentially cost effective, whereas in reality I think it is important to realize that capital costs will definitely be higher and it is hard to predict/confirm short term viable pay-backs. Once you put a value on your conscience and the long term big picture it makes obvious sense, reasonable pay-backs are definitely attainable but they come from diligent work and coordinated evaluation and integration.
The author's section describing his own `Green Remodeling' projects was a great introduction in general to the integrated design/build process especially for people who are not accustomed to the ebb and flow of a construction project. His `green' strategies won't necessarily work for all of us, but I think he makes that clear too, the more significant thing to take from this section is the mentality of patience and acceptance that it will take to stay focused on and achieve your goals as an owner.
He did a good job describing and detailing a huge portion of all the `green' building approaches, including all kinds of energy efficient systems, ways to address occupant comfort and health, and how to ponder and address social and environmental responsibility in every design decision. He developed sections on all the various rooms in a house so that the reader could evaluate what they really want from their construction project and then how to address each and achieve success within the specific project's constraints (time, budget, and goals). He gave good ideas: like to lay extra conduit in trenches so that at a later date you have an efficient way of expanding capacity without having to waste resources to repeat a job.
I would be confidant in recommending this book to anyone focused on having a positive influence on environmental responsibility. I didn't think it was the most grammatically well written book I've read but it doesn't need to be. In real life it should be used as a reference and ultimately be covered with coffee stains, grease, and saw dust. As one evaluates green design strategies it is important to recognize that there is some disparity between approaches, some things you can do don't even cost a penny, whereas others require a substantial capital investment, neither one is necessarily more `green' then the other but it is the cognizant evaluation of each and focused approach that will ultimately promote a healthier environment in your own backyard and around the world. Take `em or leave `em, but consider and evaluate them all as integrated parts of the systems of your project, the systems of your own life style, the systems of your local community, and the systems of the world.
