Quonset Hut: Metal Living For The Modern Age Hardcover – December 31, 2005

As a kid I remember, with a certain bit of romance, seeing quonset buildings scattered here and there about southern California. They appeared to have existed there forever, to a kid, and they seemed to resonate with a rough and ready sort of workshop essence that said, "Give me your best shot, you can't hurt me." I like that.This book has a lot of Alaskan examples, some modified WWII buildings that serve as homes. There are a few (precious few) examples of the use of this particular room configuration in buildings that . . . well, that seem to have been created by architects to best display the unique bent-frame construction as picturesque residences. Some architects are disdainful of this particular technology. Too bad. Just looking at the hoop buildings makes me want to utilize such a self-supporting structure for a workshop, home or . . .This is not a technical manual, more of a history of a type, but if you look closely, you will be able to pick up on some of the technical details that make these buildings unique. The arch-framed quonsets are more interesting to me than the self-supporting-skin buildings that are becoming more common today . . . but whatever helps people get into their own homes, garages and shops is what is important . . . whatever the technology.Perhaps a partially glazed or plastic-covered, quonset orangery to fight the winter-time blues?

Love this book. The history of the hut from beginning to today is amazing. Americana at its best. The reason I gave it four stars is that there was very little on today's living in a quonset hut or how to find out about living in a quonset hut. The ads in the book from yesteryear on developing q-hut living is very modern for its day. I wish I had more information on how to build a true home out of q-huts. I have talked to many steel companies about this but they say the only sell the materials and the rest is up to me. Outside of that lack of information the book is fantastic, especially if you like history. If you buy it you will not be disappointed. If you like to have interesting coffee table material for your guests to read, then this is a must. This is an almost forgotten piece of every American's history. It would make a great gift for anyone. I received it on time and in great condition at a great price. I use Amazon almost exclusively for purchases and have never been disappointed.

I really enjoyed this book. There are lots of old WW2-era quonset huts around Nome, so it was interesting to learn more about the history and use of these structures. Also, I grew up on an Iowa farm and we had a building of this style as a machine shop. The only negative about the book is that the type size is quite small. Really needed the reading glasses!I (foolishly) paid $73 for a used copy of this book on Amazon so was shocked to find multiple NEW copies for sale at about $22 at the Anchorage Museum during a recent visit there. Buy this book—but buy it NEW from the Anchorage Museum!

There are few good books describing the Quonset Hut, its origins and how it became such an icon of US military (and later, civilian) life, and this may be the best of the lot. Filled with plans, drawings, archival photos and period advertisements, the book illustrates not only the serious but the humorous consequences that the huts from Quonset Point, RI had on America, especially in the post-war era. (Did you know that future US President Gerald Ford started his first political campaign out of a Quonset hut in Grand Rapids, Michigan?) It's a well-researched and illustrated study of these ubiquitous structures, and how they altered the landscape.If you've been looking for a good book on the Quonset hut, this is it.

I've always wanted one of these for a work shop, but they're impossible to find these days. When I saw this book, I not only wanted to learn more about them, but was hoping there may be some construction plans that I might use to build one (I'm a retired Ironworker). This book is a great history of these buildings (now I know why they're named "Quonset huts"!), and also includes plans and drawings of the varied styles of huts. The book tells of all the uses, both military and civilian, with a lot of neat true stories in both areas.The two downsides to this book for me were, 1) the font and print used are so light and small that it makes it difficult to read, especially if you're older, like me, and your 'reading eyes' have gone south. And, 2), whoever wrote this book must have been from Alaska, because it over uses that state for the bulk of it's research. Nice to know, but after a while, I got tired of hearing about Alaska, as if it were the only place to tell the Quonset's story from. I can't quite understand what makes these used titles to command such a high price, aside from it's rarity on the subject, but I'm still glad I found it.

Good overview. Largely focuses on structures in Alaska. Wish the book showed more images from other parts of the US.

Great condition

I restored a quonset but based on this book.It was a revised WWII hut that no one had a clue how to handle and this book gave me everything.I didn't care much about the history but is was all there in spades if you were interested.This was a really big deal with the housing shortage after the war and this book will only become more appreciated.The standard for knowledge and background on quonset huts.

Developed from a BRITISH MILITARY DESIGN, Although given an American bias, to assure those revolting colonialists understand!

what a really interesting book, some very querky stuff in here and some really sensible stuff too. glad I bought it.