I have just bought a very old near-ruinous stone house in Italy with theidea that I can fix it myself -- so I am a complete novice so far as stonemasonry techniques are concerned. I found this book excellent: Mr McRavenmust be pretty old by now (he says he started building with stone in the1940s)but that gives his work even greater authority & authenticity. Itis easy to read, lots of B&W photos and lots of little hand-drawn diagramsalongside the text. Clearly written, he teaches traditional methods, andencourages great patiences while your mortar dries, you choose the rightstone etc. If you are an expert this is probably not the book for you. If you are wanting practical help & guidance this is an excellent book tostart with.