[Cob] Introduction & Cobber's Companion

[Tom Gorman]

Hello-
I'm a new subscriber to this list and just recently 'discovered' cob  
as an alternative means of building a home.  My partner and I have  
been thinking and talking and researching for some time about buying  
or building a house and while surfing for information about heating  
and stoves I found a mention of a 'rocket' stove and following that  
thread lead me to cob- it was a revelation!  In so many ways it fits  
our ethics, priorities, desires, needs and dreams while eliminating  
much of what we assumed were the 'necessary evils' of buying or  
building a house (mortgages, realtors, contractors, nasty chemicals  
and materials and on and on).  I may have the unrealistic enthusiasm  
of a 'newbie' right now, I don't know (and don't care- it's fun and  
inspiring).  A cob house, or hybrid including cob, cordwood or  
strawbale seems to me to be an avenue to achieving a kind of  
responsible, creative and attainable independence along with a  
healthy and exciting (and wanted) change of lifestyle.  Anyway, I'm  
reading all I can on cobbing and it's related subjects in books, this  
list's archives, etc., etc. and we're signing up for a workshop in  
the spring.  I've seen The Cobber's Companion by Michael Smith  
mentioned and recommended in a lot of places, but have discovered  
that it has gone out of print (and people are selling it used for  
$100!).  I understand that much of the information is probably also  
in the other books like The Hand Sculpted House,  The Cob Builder's  
Handbook, etc., but I find that every book has it's own perspective  
and unique hints.  I thought I'd post here and see if anyone who has  
a copy might be willing to work out a loan arrangement just so I  
could read it.  OK, that's all from me for now- I'm sure there will  
be much more soon!
Tom Gorman
NY