Bossqng's report looks at the role of labor unions (which have been trying to block non-union solar construction projects), workplace hazards in solar manufacture, and the inadequacy of most solar jobtraining programs. Touchy stuff, and of critical importance to a movement which has been hesitant to confront it. Some other highlights: . • Few job opportunities for low-income and minority group members are being opened up, especially in the inner cities,. because current solar development efforts ,are focusing on the installati.on of expensive, highly engineered-hardware on new, single-family, suburban homes. • With the assistance of the federal government, big business is rapidly moving into the solar marketplace and introducing mass production, capital-intensive manu-• facturing techniques that are reducing the potential number of solar jobs. • • Federal funding is being channeled into large-scale, capital-intensive solar technologies that produce far fewer jobs/dollar than decentralized solar technologies. Included in the study are a series of recommendations, including a greater focus on low-income urban applications of solar technologies; restrictions on urion and big business involvement in solar; and a shift of emphasis from large-sq1.le solar hardware to distributed, small-scale energy technologies. Hmmm ... -MR C HANDSON) The Work Book,_Ken Kem and Evelyn Turner, 1979, $7.95 from: Owner Builder Publications Box817 North Fork, <;A 93643 Kern and Turner add a new look at the psychological costs and benefits of owner ' building to their previous work on the technical, legal and econo·mic dimensions of that process. Considerable family stress i~ common during the often prolonged, exhausting and scary process, often becoming the final straw causing break-ups of relationships. On the other hand, gains in selfconfidence, skills, and sense of achievement can add immensely to personal a,.nd family life. A good warning to potential owner-builders of lurking pitfalls and problems to be weighed in deciding whether or not it.is right for you. -Tom Bender Tage Frid Teaches yvoodworking: Book 1-Joinery, $11.95;Fine Woodworking Biennial Design Book, $8.95; Fine Woodworking Design Book Two, $15.95; Fine Woodworking Techniques, $13.95; all available from: The Taunton Press 52 Church Hill Road Box255 Newtown, CT 06470 Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking is the first of three books on furniture-making by a Danish master cabinetmaker. Frid's explanation of why joints work or don't work, clearly presented details of how ~o make joints, outstanding sections on mate'- rials, tools, jigs, production techniques and how to salvage mistakes make this the finest book on basic woodworking I've yet· seen. Frid feels that with judicious use of both hand and power tools, attentidn to the ,basics of business operation, and elimination of factory overhead and middleman ma'rkup by working·directly with customers, good quality individually-designed furniture can compete well with mass-produced furniture. Highly recommended for any woodworker. Biennial Design Book and Design Book Two together contain over 1750 photographs of some of the finest woodworking being d~ne in Ameri~a today. Not just Aug./Sept. 1980 RAIN Page 7 ~ ~ • • ~ /l.A,,j -~ ¥~' •artsy-fartsy stuff or backyard plywood specials, but a revival of good solid construction, sensitive design and good use of materials. A gallery of ideas, dreamstuff and accomplishments with which to measure , .what you see, buy or make. • Fine Woodworking Techniques contains fifty of the best technical articles from the first seven.issues of the magazine. Making tools,·solar lumber drying, gluing technolf :uJIJJJl'{D) minndiJL. TUJt'(d) """'1t.dia. ogy and techniques, 'hand dove!ails, technical considerations of various finishes, why certain woods were traditio·nally used in different parts of chairs, the basics of bowl turning, us,ing spalted wood, restoration techniques and special hints and tools that make work better, easier and faster. Together, these books, along with Fine Woodworking magazine itself, document one sector of our economy moving to the durable, good quality, creative local production necessary for ·a sustainable society. And they're'all done with the same thor- ' oughness, accuracy, clarity, attention to detail and quality as the woodworking t11ey • cover. If the publishers ever put together a repott on the economics and operation of small production woodworking shops, they will have made available the basic resources for small-shop furniture production! - Tom Bender
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