I used an earlier version of the Simplified Design series back when I studied structural mechanics in school. Since those days the author has changed, but the books continue to be an excellent resource for designers and builders. Like others in the series, Building Foundations is written for readers who understand algebra, plane geometry, and trigonometry-over the heads of some, but a good middle ground between simple rules of thumb and consulting an engineer. At the beginning, author James Ambrose describes the frequent need for alterations after the foundation is built, which reflects my own experiences. "Great accuracy and perfection
