4 comments about New Masters of Woodturning: Expanding the Boundaries of Wood Art.

1. While the choice of what artists to include in this book might be somewhat arbitrary, the authors have done an excellent job of presenting examples of the cutting edge of woodturning and sculpting. Excellent photos of the artist's work and frequent examples of how they work serve to make this book of great interest to turners and non-turners alike.
   
   An excellent coffee table book at a very attractive price.



2. Fabulous photography of work by new masters pointing out the direction wood turning is going as an art form. It was great seeing some of the artists that I know and would have picked if I was the author.



3. This is another great book from Kevin Wallace and associates. The book highlights multiple existing woodturning masters. Whether you are looking for inspiring art or just want to see how it's done this book overachieves in many areas. You'll be happy you bought it.



4. This book is a truly inspiring and well-rounded review of woodturning work created by turners who are well-known for their efforts and accomplishments in the field. Descriptions of how these artists got started, their studios, their inspirations and their thoughts on turning provide the reader with a familiarity that adds depth to the beauty of each piece. The photography is excellent.

5 comments about Taunton's Complete Illustrated Guide to Box Making (Complete Illustrated Guide).

1. This book provides great information for box making whether you are a veteran woodworker or a novice. Illustrations and pictures are very useful for conveying information described in written format. Highly recommended!



2. This book is very informative , easy to read & understand.If you know nothing about turning, it might be a little much. I've played with my lathe about 3 months now & wanted to get serious about the hobby.This book hit the nail on the head!



3. Like all the Taunton's Guides, this one is well written with lots of color illustrations. It has sections on all the phases of box making (wood preparation, joinery, finishing, lids, joinery, linings, etc., and it covers multiple ways to accomplish each of these steps. More comprehensive discussion of joinery and finishing, if you want it, can be found in other books from Taunton's dedicated to those topics. This book does not have plans for specific projects, but rather explains the concepts so that you can invent your own box designs. Some of the methods are quite complex and can't be fully understood with a single reading, but the information is all there and if this kind of work appeals to you, this book can teach you to make nice boxes, simple or elaborate.



4. The book gave me several new ideas for design as well as new techniques for creating beautiful boxes. It was well illustrated but could have included some specific plans.



5. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers here. This is a nicely organized book covering a multitude of relevant subjects, but there's very little useful detail in here. I think Taunton made a mistake by trying to stuff too much into too little space. I'm a decent intermediate woodworker and thought this book would help me with some of the things I struggle with in making decorative boxes. But I already knew about 75% of what's in this book. Besides too little detail, the photos, although plentiful, are too small to be of value. Sorry Taunton, a nice effort, but this one misses the mark for me.

5 comments about Great Book of Dragon Patterns: The Ultimate Design Sourcebook for Artists and Craftspeople.

1. I purchased this book for my 12 year old son for Christmas never thinking that it would be as big of a hit as it was! He loves dragons and is quite a good artist, so it was perfect. He could not put it down. I highly recommend this book!!



2. I bought this book for tattooing purposes and it really wasn't all that helpful. Good info on the history and legends of dragons but most of the pictures were pretty cheesy. Works good for general art reference though.



3. I bought this book for my 13 yr. old son. He loves to draw, and collects dragons, but never drew any dragons. With this book, he got some info, and some patterns ready for him to trace or to make his own dragon with! He loves this book!



4. This is my favorite addition to my reference Library. It has great dragon patterns from whimsical to fierce looking dragons. Wonderful material to inspire any artist no matter what their mediums.



5. must have for dragon lovers. wonderful art work. many different dragons are shown.

5 comments about Furniture Repair & Refinishing (Ultimate Guide).

1. This is a great introduction book to furniture repair.

   The book is organized in these main sections:
   1. Tools and materials 63 pp.
   2. Structural repairs 98 pp.
   3. Preserving an original finish 20 pp.
   4. Stripping, finishing, and hardware restoration 43 pp.

   The most valuable for me was the section on structural repairs. Over 20 projects that need various repair jobs, each is done, step by step, illustrated with lots of clear, full-color photos.

   This book would well-equip you to handle most repairs of a non-conservation nature (not highly valuable pieces).

   Brian, if you're listening, I'd like to see you do a book this size on touch up, repair and color matching!




2. If you only wish to buy one book on repair of old furniture, this is the book. The author is a true specialist within the field and everything is explained and illustrated excellently. In addition it's a very pretty book with many fine photos. The only little flaw is that the info on refinishing is a little scattered. Anyway, the info is there. Go buy the book!



3. Along with the other book I purchased I should now be able to restore some old pieces that I find or already have. I will be quite busy doing these repair.



4. After my grandmother went into a nursing home 3 years ago, I aquired the old kitchen furniture she had. Consisting of a square table (complete with a green Formica top!), 4 matching chairs and a hutch. Dating back to the late 1950's or early 60's, every piece needed some refinishing. And 2 of the 4 chairs were rather wobbly. This book addressed all of the issues I was concerned with, including clean-up, stripping the old finish, applying the new finish and repairs. When you balance the value, monetary or sentimental, of your furniture against the price of this book, it's as much of a good investment as the furniture itself.
   
   My only gripe, and it's a minor one: A lot of items like aniline stains and upholstery items for chairs are things you're not going to find at your local Home Depot or corner hardware store. It would have been nice if the author had provided a list of reliable internet and mail order suppliers.



5. Another fantastic book on how to repair wood furniture. I was able to correctly, and easily repair several old furniture items. Highly recommend this book for those who are involved in furniture repair, as I am.

2 comments about Jean-Michel Frank: The Strange and Subtle Luxury of the Parisian Haute-Monde in the Art Deco Period.

1. Wonderful detailed photos and knowledgable time line for the great designers work and designs. Many photos of the shop in paris and how the rooms are put together.
   Great resource book.



2. The contributions of Jean-Michel Frank to modern interiors are timeless and compelling. He created a sense of spaciousness and luxury in Paris apartments that was pure genius. Not much was known about this designer and his too-brief career; this book is a wonderful exploration of the man and his creation of interiors and furnishings. Great photos too.

5 comments about The Only Wiccan Spell Book You'll Ever Need: For Love, Happiness, and Prosperity.

1. i was looking all over for a good spell and information on wicca and couldnt find a good book then my boyfriend got me this book for valentines day and i couldnt stop looking at it and trying out new spells and reading about wicca it self. its a wonderful book im glad i have it thanks.
   
   love,
   Andrew daleigh



2. This book is very useful, and definitely helpful for those who are new to Wicca, and those who have practiced it for years.



3. I bought this book for my daughter who chosen the wiccan path. She really enjoys it almost as much as I do being a green witch. She said it is great for those who are new to the craft as well as to those who have been practicing it their entire life. I often see her reading this book when I go to visit her, infact she has opened it so much that the cover is wore out!



4. Just when you think every possible book on Wicca had been published already.Along comes this fine book on Wiccan spells and interpretation.This spellcraft book is ideal for camping sabbaticals and day-hikes in the wilderness.It's not weighty enough for a serious ponderous look.Yet,it can not be dismissed as a feather-weight either.You can't even use it as a 'Pagan Breviary' really.You can use it as quick resource for your heathen inspirations and ideas for Wiccan devotional ritals.Do yourself a favor,and read a copy of this excellent wicca-craft book.Bright Blessings & Blest Be!



5. It seems to me that magic is just another form of positive affirmations/prayers/spiritual practice. I enjoyed reading this and still refer to it every now and then.

5 comments about I Don't Know How to Cook Book: 300 Great Recipes You Can't Mess Up.

1. Really great book for my daughter who is a college student and does not know how to cook at all. It was a xmas gift for her and she has already made two dishes out of it and is very proud of herself.



2. My Wife and were stuck cooking the same things over and over again until we got this cook book. Reciepes are easy to follow and they wonderful.



3. This cookbook is excellent! Inexpensive meals that are perfect for my two sons that are away at college. Easy and clear instructions help them to fix meals that only take a few minutes to prepare. Makes a perfect gift!



4. This book is laid out well, with a straightforward approach to directions for each recipe that will appeal to the tentative beginner. The recipes are geared for the beginner's palate, with no exotic ingredients or trendy food combinations. The recipes' ingredients are readily available and recipes each call for just a few ingredients. (Even advanced cooks can be overwhelmed by recipes with dozens of ingredients.) There is also some handy information at the back of the book, including a glossary of cooking terms.
   This book will appeal to young adults who have recently gone out on their own, but have evolved to a level where top ramen is not purchased by the case. And, along with a care package of recipe ingredients or kitchen utensils, it would make an excellent gift for your 20-something relative or friend. 50 Ways to Leave Your Mother



5. I hate to cook, love to eat. Follow the directions, yummy stuff. Has enough to chose from for any taste bud.

5 comments about The Handplane Book.

1. Wow everybody loved this book!!?? I guess it depends on what you are looking for. I want to build my own planes. This book is not useful for that. The only illustrations, which are sparse, are pictures of planes. So if you love tools and want to read about planes this is probably as great as everybody says, but if you actually want to build a plane this book will not be any help. I did find the discussion of Stanley and other old planes very useful though when going to the flea markets to look for old hand tools. Thats why I gave it a 4. If you want to build a plane I would give it a 2.



2. I've been using hand planes for basic tasks for years but never got the performance I felt they were capable of. This book has given me the information I needed to really tune all my planes. It is a pleasure to run a plane down a board and get a perfect shaving thin enough to see through!
   
   I'm now using planes for things other than fitting a drawer or easing an edge. And my shop is often a quieter place because of it!



3. Some years ago a purchased the book this author wrote on Handtools and have read it about ten times. In that book the author made mention of this book he wrote on handplanes but I was not all that interested. Then in the last few years I have purchased a number of handplanes and began using them and realizing what wonderful and almost sensual tools they are. It was then I ordered the author's book of Handplanes and realized why he wrote an enire book on this subject. I can only say if you have an interest in handplanes of any kind, or age, or conditon this is the book to have. It covers everything you would want to know, including how to tune, reconditon, buy, sharpen, use, and identify about any handplane made. The photos are sumptuous. I cannot say how much I appreciete this book. I just keep reading it over and over and putting the information to work in my shop.



4. I inherited a standard Stanley bench plane from my Dad. After I tried to sharpen it, I had know idea why it was chattering and gouging the wood I was trying to plane. From reading this book I got it properly sharpened and tuned. Now it works great. Also, I found out that I had placed the iron on backwards, and that I really did not need to buy a honing guide or expensive stones to sharpen the iron well enough to do the job.



5. If you are a dedicated hands-on woodworker, or simply of the armchair variety, this beautifully written and lavishly illustrated book on handplanes should be on your short list. I recenly met the author, Mr. Garrett Hack, at a woodworking conference in Williamsburg, Virginia. He speaks to a live audience in much the same way that he writes; with great organization, clarity, and enough anecdotal sidebars to really make the discussion lively. After reading the book through, cover to cover, I ordered my first handplane... a Lie-Nielsen No. 4 iron bench plane... and am now rereading the book to learn how to tune this beautiful tool, sharpen it, and commence making those paper-thin, elegant shavings..

5 comments about Shop Drawings for Craftsman Interiors: Cabinets, Moldings & Built-Ins for Every Room in the Home (Shop Drawings series).

1. This book contains very good drawings of various craftsman details. Everything from front doors to various builtins. The author shows the historic details and how to recreate them with modern construction methods and materials. There are no color photos, but none are need for the type of book it is. I would love to have this author release a book on Craftsman Exteriors!!!!



2. This is a great book for the craftsman wanting to actually build Mission style furniture. While designs for many pieces are not included, the concepts of design and construction can be used to make pretty much any item you can dream up. A craftsman style entertainment center? Stickley would never have dreamed of it. You can combine a few designs and he would be proud of what you conceived.



3. The built-ins shown in this book are just what my old house needs to make it rustically "modern". I've hired a team of Amish carpenters to build them, as I don't trust my skill in that area just yet. Great book!



4. We own a home built in the Craftsman era, and are currently remodeling / restoring it. I have bought several books about home rehab, Craftsman furniture, etc., and was disappointed with every one of them. Then I purchased this book. The level of detail regarding moldings, for example, is incredible. The complete set of dimensions including radius data for the cove are included. Not only are all the major variants of Craftsman design illustrated and specified, the original drawings for cabinets are shown and then separate, updated drawings that conform to modern kitchen design standards are presented. Anyone who is interested in the architectural details of the Craftsman era should own this book. It is a MUST HAVE!



5. If you're looking forward to doing the interior trim of a craftsman or Roycroft style home this is the only book you need. It has page after page of clear shop drawings of all the trim that will need to go in every room of the house, and covers every interior trim eventuality throughout the entire house.
   
   Crown, base, casing, chair and picture rail moldings are shown in detail. Cabinet work for kitchen, bath, dining and living rooms, beams, columns, paneling, and doors are all shown in detail with full construction and assembly drawings.
   
   This book, a few power tools, and access to a lot of oak is all it will take to create comfortable, inviting interiors that look like they're a hundred years old. Even if you aren't finishing off a craftsman house the book is great reading to fully understand the style, and could easily be the impetus for a lot of shop projects.

5 comments about The Bandsaw Book.

1. Every chapter is filled with knowledgeable experience gained from using many different types of bandsaws. Lonnie Bird has taught woodworking and the use of power tools such as the band saw for many years. Having used a bandsaw in the past and getting ready to do so again after a 15 year hiatus, I thought I should bone up on the facts. Lonnie had information I never even considered before. His treatment of bandsaw blades and their use is invaluable and complete. This book will be readily available in my shop for quick reference whenever I need it on bandsaw tuning or blade selection.



2. I bought the bandsaw and figured I better have a book to help me along. I bought this book with the hopes it would help. It has and will some more in the future.
   
   I did find some of the information redundant as to what was written in the owners manual. But, there are great sections on how to tune up your saw, jigs, projects and a whole lot more. This book is in my shop with me and I find myself referring to it.
   
   I would recommend for both novice and seasoned woodworkers. There is just a lot of good useful information.



3. I bought this book because I've been in the market for my first bandsaw for a few months. I've been researching the topic a lot and came across a recommendation for this book in a forum somewhere. Given Amazon's great price I thought what they heck. I found this book to be very informative and pointed out a lot of things I should be looking at when determining which saw to buy that I had not though of. It did this without knocking any brands or given slanted praise to any brand either which I really liked. I don't really like taking a recommendation from an author who recommends a brands that sponsors him. Definitely worth the money and the time.



4. If you are thinking about buying a bandsaw or are new to them, get this book! This book is packed with information that is helpful for buying new or used saws. It explains the differences in blades and what you need for different uses.
   
   This book will save you money and guide you to the right saw for your needs. Well worth the price!



5. I knew I wanted to buy a 14" bandsaw, but knew nothing about bandsaws and wanted a good overview. It accomplished that.
   
   I get the impression that the author expected the reader to select the topics of interest and just read those. As a novice, I read the entire book straight through and as a result, got a bit tired of the repetition I went through.
   
   It is an easy read and I learned effectively. I still have a couple questions, but was able to narrow my saw selection to two.