Shipping Container Book Reviews-
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Shipping Container Architecture and Construction Books- Read this before you buy!
Do you feel you are ripped off by some of the new books out there regarding Shipping Containers, ISBU, Container
construction, Shipping container homes, Prefabs or Container architecture? ...you're not alone.
For those of you who haven't bought one yet, this Book Review is for you.
Am I qualified to review these books? Absolutely? I don't write books but I read them; I have been a media consultant for
"green energy" companies for the past 20 years; my husband is a successful building contractor here in Southern California,
my son is an architectural engineer in Denver; we all know construction and container construction and we are all current
members of the international shipping container organization (ISBA). Having said that, you only need to be an intelligent
consumer to review books, videos and movies. Here's our professional and DIY consumer opinions about the books.
We also had much influence from friends who have also read them and offered opinions.
Rating System: The highest rating is 5 suns, but read "Comments" to understand the book content. In alphabetical order.
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Architecture and Hygiene
Adam Kalkin (self published) $110 - $135
180 pages (2004)
COMMENTS: We didn't buy it but found it in the library. It's nice if you are interested in container art and if you are an avid fan of Kalkin
styles, thoughts and architecture. But unless you are a "super fan" of Kalkin's work you would be quite disappointed.
NOTE: This is good art and history but has virtually nothing to do with construction methods.
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Container Architecture
Jure Kotnik (self published ) $24.07 - $34.95
200 pages (December 10, 2008)
COMMENTS Thousands of photos of shipping containers. We didn't buy it but a friend had a copy. It's no longer in publication since there
wasn't much except for photos. He may be a very good architect, however his crisscross stacking concept is dangerous and not acceptable to
most engineers without considerable reinforcement. Reinforcement is a costly element in architectural designs.
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Container 4 Home
Michael Schwarcz (A.musing Arts) $49.95
126 pages (February 26, 2009)
COMMENTS: The quality and content of Container4Home is very far from what is claimed. If you see the website design you can imagine the
quality of the book. I believe they had some good ideas but not well presented. Additionally there is too much focus on just normal, general
construction information like plumbing and electrical and not some of the other important issues regarding shipping container construction.
And you think you're getting "free" CAD software and plans? ...another surprise there! Readers are directed to another website to pay more.
The bulk of the publication is geared towards promoting a brand of siding for an aluminum siding manufacturer. Don't expect an easy refund.
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Container Technology A-Z
ISBU Association (GreenCube Publishing) $38
320 pages (March 2010)
COMMENTS: Without a doubt, the overall best yet if you are looking for real meat of "how to" for every type shipping container construction
project. This is a very usable format with great detail and experince which seems to cover every aspect of actual use and construction methods.
Contains great graphics, very properly priced, and easy to read with searchable topics and updated Q&A section.
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Intermodal Shipping Container Small Steel Buildings
Paul Sawyers (self published) $19.98
112 pages (Revised September 2008)
COMMENTS: Paul is a great guy and does a lot of research. The book itself is about average though and I believe most readers are a little
disappointed. The graphics are nice but quite elementary and not sufficient for real construction. When it was originally published it may have
been quite enlightening. Today most of what is there is freely available on the internet.
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Lot-Ek: Mobile Dwelling
Various contributors (DAP) $19.98 - $24.95
160 pages (June 2003)
COMMENTS: We would actually give this a "one Sun" rating if we were buying this for accurate construction ideas. For an "art" type book it is
still only a "two Sun" publication especially in 2009.
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Quik Build: ABC of Container Architecture
Adam Kalkin (Biblioteque McLean/London) $49.95
120 pages (Revised March 2, 2009)
COMMENTS: We've not sure where the focus was on this but certainly not worth $49.95 or even $24.95. It was very, very far from the ABC's of
Container Architecture since most we spoke to were expecting a construction tutorial.
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The Box
Marc Levinson (Princeton University Press) $10.17 - $14.95
404 pages (August 2007)
COMMENTS: This is "not" meant to be a tutorial or container construction book. This is a book about the history of the "Box" and as such is
excellent! The research and content is thorough, and the price is appropriate.
Again, excellent for shipping container history, not meant for a container construction manual but an excellent history of the Box.
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A warning regarding Book Reviews:
I notice many websites out there that give great reviews to some of the above books even those that are terrible. You need to understand that most
websites and blogs earn big bucks from giving a book a great review, because they also earn up to 50% when you click on the link. The worst books
actually pay the highest commissions.
I don't link to any books. I don't receive any commissions or "click through" money such as Google ads. The above book review comments are
based on my true opinion and the opinions of friends and associates, not because I'm earning huge commissions.
Next time you read a Book Review you will notice a link to the book website. That's how they get paid for the good reviews. There is a commission
code in the link.
