This extraordinary book provides not only case studies from all around North America, [including costs, monthly energy expenses, and profiles of the owners] it goes further by introducing philosophical studies on the zen of living large in a small space, freeing the mind for the pursuit of inner happiness by removing the contemporary stresses of maintaining not only large living spaces but also the 'things' that fill today's mega houses. While i had already decided before i found this book to downsize from the 3300 square feet of my present home to something in the area of 1000 square feet, this book made me realize i could go much further, and now my dream home is under 300 square feet! I am being relentless in the my pursuit, giving away or selling all the dregs that make up my former life.