Praise for the first edition:
"B. Allan Mackie demonstrates to anyone who has ever dreamed of having a log home that ownership is within reach."
-- Log Home Design

A decade ago, B. Allan Mackie was nearing completion of Ardea, the log house he built on Shanty Lake. He shared these experiences in the original edition of The Owner-Built Log House. In this new edition he continues his personal journey, which led him to complete Ardea and realize he had yet to build the perfect log house. This book is a testament to Mackie's most treasured desire -- to reproduce the life and style of the pioneers.

In this unique book, Mackie provides a thorough, expert and practical guide to building a log house. He demonstrates that, with the will to learn, the average person is more than capable of building a log house that will serve for years to come.

This profusely illustrated book is both a technical manual and a photo essay. Mackie, renowned for his skill, recounts each step day by day. The chapters cover:

• The purpose of building a log house
• The building tree
• Making a set of plans
• How long it will take and how much it will cost
• Choosing a site and tools
• Log walls
• Notches
• Roofs
• Windows, doors and stairs
• Interior and finishing touches

Mackie also carefully addresses such issues as building ecologically and harvesting trees.

This new edition of The Owner-Built Log House includes a new chapter that covers the building and finishing of two additional log houses, which were only in the planning stage when the original book was published. Over 30 photographs take the reader carefully through the process of building the author's main house at Shanty Lake as well as a new and smaller retirement home in which the author currently lives.

B. Allan Mackie is recognized around the world as one of the foremost builders of log houses. He teaches log building throughout North America and in Europe and Asia.

B. Allen Mackie's profile page

[Review of earlier edition:] These two books are going to be nirvana for anyone who wants to learn how to build one step by step and knows this information has come from decades of hands-on practice.

Owner Builder

[Review of earlier edition:] This book is nirvana for anyone who wants to learn how to build a log house step by step and knows this information has come from decades of hands-on experience. [Review of earlier edition:] This book is nirvana for anyone who wants to learn how to build a log house step by step and knows this information has come from decades of hands-on experience.

The Owner Builder

This book is a testament to Mackie's most treasured desire: to reproduce the life and style of the pioneers. Recognized throughout North America, Europe and Asia as the foremost builder of log houses, he provides a thorough, expert and practical guide for anyone undertaking such a DIY project. More than a technical manual, the profusely illustrated book is as much a photo essay. Thirty of the pictures cover the construction of Mackie's home on Ontario's Shanty Lake and a smaller retirement home where he now lives.

Log Home Living

[Review of earlier edition:] One of a '10 Essential Books for Every Log Home Owner' in their 10th Anniversary Issue.

Log Home Design Ideas

[Review of previous edition:] The homes shown are beautiful, with a great deal of exposed joinery; Mackie's step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations show how everything is done.

Library Journal

[Review of earlier edition:] Allan Mackie, who has been building log homes with his own hands for decades, offers a literary gift to those who entertain the idea of building [a log cabin] the old-fashioned way.... The prose is as clear as Yosemite's sky at dawn, and illustrations and photos provide plenty of guidance when you're up to your elbows in timber. Mackie doesn't mince words, and he doesn't glorify the process -- but he does impart the satisfaction of building something extraordinary.

Log Home Living

A good read for those planning to venture into the log home-building process, Mackie's wry prose takes the reader step-by-step through the entire process, aided by hundreds of full-colour photographs and detailed diagrams and drawings. Based on Mackie's experience in creating Ardea, his log house on Shanty Lake, this new edition includes a chapter that covers the building and finishing of two additional log houses, which were only in the planning stage when the original book was published. The book is a testament to Mackie's most treasured desire -- to reproduce the life and style of the pioneers.

Homes and Cottages

Regardless of what stage you find yourself today, dreaming, planning, building or living in your log home, and it doesn't matter if you plan to build a handcrafted or milled home, this new book belongs in your library. It is an educational, fun and inspirational book about log homes that I believe you will thoroughly enjoy.

Log Home Blog

The author's most treasured wish is to reproduce the life and style of the pioneers and in this new edition, he builds on his original work with two additional log home plans. You'll find more than builder advice in this one though. Mackie also addresses issues such as building ecologically and harvesting trees.

Daily Star