Woodworker's Central Woodworker's Gazette Gazette Archive 7/10/01

A Book Review by Robin Glembotsky Title: Furniture-making Projects for the Wood Craftsman Author: Furniture & Cabinetmaking Magazine Published by: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 387 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016-8810 ISBN 1-86108-140-5 Price Softcover: $14.95(Canada $21.95 ) 128 color pages This book is a compilation of 24 projects by master craftsmen. It contains a variety of projects from chairs to desks to cabinets. This is not a step by step, how-to book, but rather a book assembled to challenge the intermediate woodworker and inspire the more advanced woodworker. Many of these items are award winning and yet each can be accomplished with some advanced skills and patience. These projects require a baseline of knowing things like basic joinery, design steps and working with various types of wood, as well as being familiar with hand tools. Each piece is it's own chapter. The chapter starts out with an overview of the piece and a brief reason for the piece. Then each part is broken down. Some talk about each part of the project, such as base, doors and top and bottom. Others talk about areas that are specific to that piece, like door attachment or bowing, and assume the reader understands the basics enough to build the unit, and just needs help with the finer points. Dimensions are given, but plans are not the norm. The pictures are excellent and the drawings show everything necessary to create these outstanding projects. Specialty items such as creating an arc or creating linen folds are explained completely, often with a drawing or picture to accompany the description. There is no one style of design in this book. All are original works of art and all are a joy to see. If you are looking for a book to inspire, challenge and advance your woodworking to a higher level, this may be it. Robin Glembotsky Editor's Note: Sterling Publishing has graciously donated several books for review which are passed on to our members free of charge in exchange for thoughtful, honest reviews. Thank You! And you can usually find their titles at a discount from Barnes And Noble