The smorgasbord of details for wood
construction offered by William Dost
and Elmer Botsai is based on their
personal investigations, industry literature,
other experts, and even "homeowner
reports." However, the university
professors caution that in many
cases they "disagree with what is considered
standardized detailing." They
recommend that readers discuss differences
with local code officials to
avoid difficulties.
The admonition that the book
contains the author's personal opinions
is given startling emphasis in the
chapter on hardboard siding. That
chapter consists solely of a letter from
an attorney representing the American
Hardboard Association (AMA)
threatening lawsuits if the authors
dare to publish their views on this
material. The letter is followed by a
plaintive statement by Dost and Botsai
that they lack the