About the book
Inspired by his From the Ground Up blog for the New York Times, a beautifully written memoir about building and brotherhood
Confronted with the disappointments and knockdowns that can come in middle age—job loss, the death of his mother, a health scare, a divorce—Lou Ureneck needed a project that would engage the better part of him and put him back in life's good graces. City-bound for a decade, Lou decided he needed to build a simple post-and-beam cabin in the woods. He bought five acres in the hills of western Maine and asked his younger brother, Paul, to help him.
Twenty years earlier the brothers had built a house together. Now Lou saw working with Paul as a way to reconnect with their shared history and to rediscover his truest self. As the brothers—with the help of Paul's sons—undertake the challenging construction, nothing seems to go according to plan. But as they raise the cabin, Ureneck eloquently reveals his own evolving insights into the richness and complexity of family relationships, the healing power of nature, and the need to root oneself in a place one can call home. With its exploration of the satisfaction of building and of physical labor, Cabin will also appeal to readers of Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Matthew Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft, and Tracy Kidder's House.
Editions of Cabin
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780670022946
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780143122081
- EBook
- ISBN 9781101544273
Read an Excerpt
Inspired by his From the Ground Up blog for the New York Times, a beautifully written memoir about building and brotherhood
Confronted with the disappointments and knockdowns that can come in middle age—job loss, the death of his mother, a health scare, a divorce—Lou Ureneck needed a project that would engage the better part of him and put him back in life's good graces. City-bound for a decade, Lou decided he needed to build a simple post-and-beam cabin in the woods. He bought five acres in the hills of western Maine and asked his younger brother, Paul, to help him.
Twenty years earlier the brothers had built a house together. Now Lou saw working with Paul as a way to reconnect with their shared history and to rediscover his truest self. As the brothers—with the help of Paul's sons—undertake the challenging construction, nothing seems to go according to plan. But as they raise the cabin, Ureneck eloquently reveals his own evolving insights into the richness and complexity of family relationships, the healing power of nature, and the need to root oneself in a place one can call home. With its exploration of the satisfaction of building and of physical labor, Cabin will also appeal to readers of Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Matthew Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft, and Tracy Kidder's House.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cabin about?
Inspired by his From the Ground Up blog for the New York Times, a beautifully written memoir about building and brotherhood
Confronted with the disappointments and knockdowns that can come in middle age—job loss, the death of his mother, a health scare, a divorce—Lou Ureneck needed a project that would engage the better part of him and put him back in life's good graces. City-bound for a decade, Lou decided he needed to build a simple post-and-beam cabin in the woods. He bought five acres in the hills of western Maine and asked his younger brother, Paul, to help him.
Twenty years earlier the brothers had built a house together. Now Lou saw working with Paul as a way to reconnect with their shared history and to rediscover his truest self. As the brothers—with the help of Paul's sons—undertake the challenging construction, nothing seems to go according to plan. But as they raise the cabin, Ureneck eloquently reveals his own evolving insights into the richness and complexity of family relationships, the healing power of nature, and the need to root oneself in a place one can call home. With its exploration of the satisfaction of building and of physical labor, Cabin will also appeal to readers of Robert Pirsig's Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Matthew Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft, and Tracy Kidder's House.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Cabin?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > Memoirs
Where can I read a sample of Cabin?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780670022946
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Cabin?
Lou Ureneck
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Cabin is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780670022946) and paperback(ISBN 9780143122081) and ebook(ISBN 9781101544273)
Where can I buy Cabin online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Cabin from below