The Dock Manual: Designing/Building/Maintaining
My writing of service and how-to journalism has always been guided by the belief that given the reasons why, folks are more likely to do the job right than if simply told how to go about some esoteric task. Knowledge converts the drudgery of work into understanding. Understanding puts you in control, which is where you should be as the owner/operator of your very own water and sewage system. So in common with my other how-to books and articles, The Dock Manual is not just a how-to book, it's also a "why?" book. I also believe that no matter who the reader--from novice to expert--that person should enjoy the read and learn something. "How-to" books are about work; reading the book shouldn't be. So while ensuring that my writing is jam-packed with good information and tricks of the appropriate trades, it's important to me that the book (whether one of mine or one I am reading) also be a good read. Respect for the environment, too, is another theme that runs through my service journalism. Not the trade-car-for-bicycle or eat-only-lettuce-fertilized-with-natural-gnats'-poo sort of radical stuff, but most definitely there are ways any member of humanity can minimize his or her impact on earth while still maintaining a lifestyle compatible with comfort and convenience. And this holds particularly true for that sensitive interface between land and water that is so important to our survival yet so easily damaged (and so easily preserved, for that matter). The Dock Manual explains how to take advantage of all that your shoreline has to offer while minimizing the disruption to existing surroundings.