Humans have been building with stone for thousands of years, dating back to the ancient pyramids and the Sphinx. Compiled in 2007, based on the votes of people worldwide, the official "New7Wonders of the World" list includes Chichen Itza, Brazil's Christ Redeemer statue, the Colosseum, the Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China, Petra in Jordan, and Machu Picchu - all structures made of stone. The fact that every one of these iconic structures is made of stone is a testament to the beauty and resilience of this building material. You can bring the aesthetics of stonework to your house and property with help from The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks & Stone: Stonework Projects and Techniques Explained Simply. This book is designed to walk homeowners through the process of developing, planning, and implementing a stone building project. Starting with the basics, you will learn about the common types of stone and where natural stone is found throughout the United States, as well as how to gather your own fieldstone. You will learn how to use stone as a building material, including where to acquire it, as well as how it is cut, sold, and used in various projects. You will learn what tools you need for stonework and how to start working with dry stone, how to work with mortared stone, and the correct way to pour and mix cement.

This book will even teach you how your children can be involved with your stonework projects. You will save significant money and increase the value of your house by building your own stone structures in and around your home. This book provides detailed instructions that make seemingly complex projects easy. You will learn how to build stone walls, mailboxes, and fireplaces. You can enhance your backyard with the addition of a stone patio, arch, barbeque pit, rock garden, and a pond, complete with a stone bridge. If you have an existing stone structure on your property, you will learn how to restore it and give it the face-lift it needs. If your property has a structure beyond repair, this book will help you recycle its stone or bricks. Additionally, dozens of stonecutting experts were interviewed for this book, providing insight and experience in using stone as a building material.

With The Complete Guide to Building with Rocks & Stone, you will learn how you can start using stone for everything from new projects to restoring existing stone structures. For anyone considering a stone building project, this book is an excellent resource for you.