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Product Description Published September 1, 1997, The Slate Roof Bible is the first comprehensive book on the topic of slate roofs since 1926. It contains 200 photos, some in color, and an additional 175 black and white drawings. This two-part book tells you why older slate roofs should be preserved, if they can (and how to determine that), and how to identify the various types of roof slate. It details the history of the slate roofing industry in the United States and in Wales (the Welsh started virtually all the slate quarries in the United States), and explains how the finished roof slates were made. The second half of the book is a detailed, step-by-step repair manual, indicating what tools to use, where to get them, and how to use them. It describes what goes wrong with older slate roofs and how to remedy the problems, and includes chapters on how to safely work on slate roofs, plus complete flashing details, chimney repair and rebuilding, how to install and recycle slate roofs, and more. Written in simple, easy to understand laypersons' terms, this is one book no slate roof owner, architect, historian or contractor should be without. Review " The Slate Roof Bible gives a concise history of the slate industry on both sides of the Atlantic, and the types and colours of slates to be found. Although the author is American, he is descended from Welsh migrs who left with the collapse of the Welsh slate industry around the turn of the century, and this is reflected in the early chapters. The later chapters cover in some depth the design, installation, and maintenance of slate roofs. Also covered are tools, safe working practices, and important details on chimneys, flashings and gutters. This is well done, with clear illustrations and photos - an excellent example of how to produce a practical guide. The first book to be written on the subject of slate roofs since 1926. -- The Permaculture Magazine Information Service [England] " The Slate Roof Bible is a fine book, filled with fascinating information about slate: its history, the industry, and the way to work with it properly." "I've been working with slate for a long time; still, I learned from this book some valuable hints and techniques that I've been able to put into practice." -- Fine Homebuilding, July 1998 "Five years of meticulous research, thousands of miles traveled to slate quarries all over the world, particularly Wales, has produced The Slate Roof Bible - and a surprise. This book, potentially tedious reading, is instead a delight. Full of history, lore, and useful advice, Jenkins has written a fascinating book, spiced it with humor and warmed it with his own passion for the subject." -- Doylestown Intelligencer Record [Philadelphia] "Jenkins tells his tale with pizazz and rollicking humor, offering anecdote after anecdote about what people do, and do not do, to their slate roofs." -- Boston Sunday Globe From the Publisher Jenkins Publishing is proud to announce that The Slate Roof Bible was presented with the prestigious National Roofing Contractors Association 2001 GOLD CIRCLE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY. One such award is given annually within the 4,700-member international trade association in the "SERVICE TO THE INDUSTRY" category. From the Back Cover Interest in slate roofs is increasing as people recognize their historic value as well as their beauty and practical durability, yet books on the subject are rare. The author's expertise in slate roof restoration provides us with a detailed and authoritative work. Beautifully illustrated and written in layperson's term, the Slate Roof Bible reveals hard-to-find information about every aspect of slate roofs, from their historical beginnings to modern slate-roof-restoration trade secrets. Complete with historical data, dialogues, anecdotes, and how-to information, this is an invaluable resource for slate roof owners, architects, historians, contractors, do-it-your-selfers, builders,