One of the oldest and most widespread of building materials can provide livelihoods for craftspeople and entrepreneurs, and attractive durable, safe and fire-proof housing for all. This general survey describes the varieties and uses of stone as a building material - whether cut or field-stone - and how to extract, work and use it.;This second edition contains a new chapter on stone and the environment which emphasizes the importance of planning, waste recycling, and quarry rehabilitation as part of the extraction process. There is also a new appendix outlining procedures for testing stone's flexural and compressive strength and discussing the importance of slip resistance.