I had a copy of this as a kid and read and re-read it to the point that the cover was more tape than original material. A wonderful guide to doing things yourself, and a welcome antidote to today's passive consumer paradigm of childhood. A fair number of the materials called for are hard if not impossible to find today, but the spirit of adaptation and improvisation that imbues this book will inspire the reader to find substitutes. Some parents may suspect the fair number of projectile- launching devices described, but the book is infinitely less violent than most child-oriented television shows and never fails to stress safety. My friends and I learned a lot of practical mechanics and crafting skills, developed our hand-eye coordination, and never shot anything more fragile than a plastic figure. We did a heck of a lot more damage to each other and our environment playing soccer and broomstick polo. My own future children will unquestionably have a copy of _The American Boy's Handy Book_ when they're old enough.

I read this book in the fourth grade and did many of the projects, Trapping, camping, snow forts, skits and plays, magic, all the things an American boy (or girl for that matter) will find exciting and fun.

I have given the American Boys Handy Book to the children of many of my friends. It will spur anyone's creative thinking, young or old!

If you like this one check out the American Girls Handy Book written by Beard's sister.

I bought this for my urban, "not-into-reading" nephews when they were 11 and 9 years old, thinking that they might not ever crack the cover, yet today (they are now 17 and 15) I found it in their bookcase well-worn. They say they've really enjoyed it, and tried several of the projects. Although its style is antique, and not quite as easy to follow as the "...for Dummies" type of how-to books, and some of the topics may no longer be of interest, I highly recommend it for all kids (boys and girls). I am buying it for my young daughters (and myself), expecting our family will enjoy it for many years to come.

Topics include "Snowball Warfare" and a whole section on Winter, "Home-Made Boats," "Novelties in Soap Bubbles," "How to Camp Out without a Tent," "Dogs," "How to Make Puppets and a Puppet Show," and "How to Make Various and Divers Whirligigs."

If you want to get your kids out from in front of the TV or computer and foster their creativity, buy this book and open it!

If you want instruction on defensive revolver techniques, this is the book for you. No nonsense, no fluff, just good hard information on how to do it. Not for pistol owners, this book applies to revolvers. Methods in this book are used and referred to by instructors at a well-known firearms academy in Paulden, Arizona.

This book is extremely informative and extremely well written. The fast draw photo sequencing is invaluable. Despite being written some 40 years ago, it is NOT outdated, even in reference to the equipment used. This book is worth every penny.

I love this book because i am a revolver aficianado (probably rare for a 27 year old today) with a CCW who has an affinity for the "men's guns". ie- no nonsense, get the job done workhorses. This description aptly fits Jordan's writing style as well. I like it and wish all instructional books were this well written. He even interjects exciting and humorous anecdotes (although not quite "PC") about his career as a lawman with the Border Patrol and otherwise. This is a forum from a Type-A who has been there and done that in an *** kicking manner, and is a good read for any sports enthusiast needing the perspective of a never-say-die fighter. One quote stands out clearly, and that is, "with enough determination you can win even when you appear to be losing--just keep shooting!" I could not have said it better! Enjoy this book if you can find it--- I special ordered my copy at Batnes & Noble.

Although the six hours refers to someone with experience and possessing all the tools and wood, the design is perfect for people (me, for example) with no woodworking experience. Because I had little experience, I had to refer to Tom Hill's extraordinary Ultralight Boatbuilding, which though written for a skilled woodworker includes important details left out of Six-Hour. There are only a few things I would want to change to Six-Hour:
There are two lists of materials, one on p. 11, one on p. 58. They do not match. The one on 11 has a frame bottom, but this is not in 58, and 58 does not list the keel. They mention a "full sized pattern" for the gussets on p. 18, but no such pattern exists. They also might as well include the butt block procedure for two 4x8 pieces of plywood in the main part of the book because most places on the planet do not have 4x16 pieces of marine grade plywood. Also, readers should work hard to find a source of cheap bronze screws before they start (the project requires about 120 of them--not the 50 given in the text--and they are expensive!) It would also have been nice if they had photographs showning the canoe at main stages in the process. The above minor points did not detract from the 30 hours or so of pure enjoyment I had in using this book to build a canoe. I hope the authors come out with the sailboat version they promise.

We have made these as part of youth programmes in Western Australia. They take us about 30 hours to build with groups of 4 to 5 working on them. These people have never made anything before so progress is slower than you would first think. They are a great project, we use cheap ply and paint them well seems to work fine. The group gets a great deal for the building process. I keep meaning to build one for myself, perhaps this time round I will

I have taken a class a Buffalo State College with John Montague, the author. In the class I built the weekend skiff, a row boat/sail boat. I have also built the 6-hour canoe with high school age kids in the Adirondack Mountains at a summer camp. It took a group of 6 kids to build 2 canoes and approximately 4 days working about 4 hours per day, this includes painting the canoe which is not part of the 6 hours of building the canoe. The directions are easy to follow and the cost is very inexpensive. The canoes have lasted 2 summers so far and look to withstand many more. They are made of marine grade plywood. Have fun building one yourself.

Basic Bookbinding may seem underwhelmingly dull in comparison to all the other books on bookbinding available today-no gorgeous vividly-colored photographs, no sophisticated page layouts, no selection of cute or thematic projects to work on once you've learned the techniques, no unconventional material, no gallery of artists' works...NO FUN, right? But I've been both an experimental and traditional bookbinder for 12 years, and I have yet to come across a book that covers the BASICS of the craft the way A.W.Lewis's does.

It is really important to master the nitty-gritty of the CRAFT...precision of measurement, the right stitches and knots, putting the skeleton of a book together so that you understand WHY/HOW it works, and KNOW it'll last a hundred years...and only THEN should one go off and explore the big "candystore" of fancy papers, funky found-object covers, and clever bindings. When I want inspiration, I leaf through yummy picture books like Shereen LaPlantz's COVER TO COVER, or Linda F.Kenzle's PAGES...but when I want to put an archival journal of medieval proportions together so that my great grandchildren can read it someday, I return to Basic Bookbinding. My respect for the great bookbindinders of the past is renewed by this very technical, unpretentious and stern manual.

If it's short on innovation, keep in mind that this Basic Binding book is a reprint of the 1952 edition! Learning from this book feels less like a weekend crafts class, and more like an apprenticeship with some terse old master.

Gave nice clear instructions. Good graphics and explenations. I used it with my kids, and even they understood it.

I have wanted to carve wood for some time, but had no idea how to go about learning. Most of the books I've looked at were either too technical or too advanced for me. Finally, this book has given me the confidence to begin. The discussions are well written at a level that's good for a beginner like me. I read the entire book in about 3 hours and am now going back and starting my first project. The projects look doable and I know what I'm supposed to be learning in each one. Unlike most books, this one doesn't assume a progression from project to project so that you have to do them all--whether they interest you or not. I like being able to focus on whittling or chip work and being able to put off other types until I have a reason to do them.

Just as the title says this is a good introductory text for the person interested in starting woodcarving. There is not a lot of in-depth information about each type of carving, but there is enough to get you started in the right direction.

Types of carving included are line, relief, in the round, bird, and carved gifts, with a few patterns of each type. If you already know the basics of your type of woodcarving, a more detailed book would be a better investment. If you are curious about what tools you might need, some basics of types of wood, a few patterns for your first project, how to get your tools really sharp, basic techniques of making cuts, and how to finish your projects this book will serve you well. Also included in this book are sections on starting a woodcarving club and lists of publications, tool and wood suppliers, books, and sources of glass eyes and bird feet.

If you do decide to continue with woodcarving I strongly urge you to find a woodcarving club in your area. The help the members can give you is invaluable.

I have NOT seen this book, but I saw the PBS special it is based on and that was 5 stars. I am in fact desperately looking for the video of it. Breshnahan is able to fuse his art, a sense of environmentalism, and a back to basics attitude to produce works of clay that are magnificent in of themselves, but the process behind making them is even more so. A great American artist.

This is an extraordinary book. Richard Bresnahan's life, and his pottery, reflect ancient traditions of Japanese pottery and Midwestern pragmatism. His arrival at St John's University where he establishes not only a new pottery but an inspiring lifestyle. This is the story of craftsmanship, spirituality, self-sufficiency and an environmentally alive way of life. The photos of the pottery are exquisite. The explanation of where the pottery fits into the tradition is informative. The story of the man - Bresnahan - and his passion for pottery is inspiring. You will learn about pottery in this book. More importantly you will be exposed to a way of living, a lifestyle of craft and an approach to the environment that is truly spiritual. I have been reading the sumptuous hard bound... but there is also a ... paperback version. This book would be an excellent gift book for any friend who is a potter or passionately involved with another craft. Bresnahan's life and work will inspire you to get out of the fast lane and find a more integrated way of living. You will return to this book over and over again. I have - and each time I learn something new, or some new insight breaks through the busy routines of family and work. The text is clear and to the point. The artfully done photos are a delight in themselves, with detailed captioning that describes the pottery piece, how it was fired and how it might fit into the ceramics tradition. A special thanks to the Afton Historical Society Press for putting out such a wonderful book.

This book offers a wonderful, comprehensive look at the world of F1. Readers are given a rare inside look at everything from car construction to the important role that fitness training plays in a driver's preparation. The text is simple and straightforward and, graphically, the book is a real treat.

This book will sit proud on your shelf next to other classic Formula One books. It contains excellent detail and information that any true F1 fan would appreciate from statistics about manufacturers, to details on the pit crews functions, to the car itself. While this may be a little out of date (F1 cars change every 6 months) it is none the less a collectors book. Beautifully layed out, excellently written

This is a wonderful collection of patterns that can be completed by scroll sawyers of all skill levels. Each basket is made by cutting a single layer of wood and then stacking and gluing the layers on top of each other. The end product is a basket, candydish, or napkin holder that appears to be woven in the style of those expensive Longerberger baskets now popular on the "Tupperware Party Circut". I have now completed three of these baskets. The amazing thing is no one has yet been able to figure out how they were made. Even my woodworking friends were amazed by this new technique. Patterns for 10 wooden baskets are provided in this 60 page full sized pattern book. Each pattern is accompanied by a photograph of the finished basket and the book opens with a chapter explaining the entire process through text and photos . The patterns call for wood between 1/4 and 1/2 inch in depth, but I have successfully made baskets with 1/4 inch plywood and 3/4 inch pine. The patterns can be enlarged or shrunk on a coppier and wood types and thicknesses can be varied to create a wide variety of objects. A scroll saw or fret saw is needed to complete these projects.

This book has idea very good about you use your scroll saw, the patterns are easy to follow, they are simple idea but very very ingenious, excellent, buy it, you won't waste your money

I am just starting to make caft projects. I am interested in paper cutting, but I have to say that I am a bit daunted by the intricacy of cutting that is required by almost all of the projects in this book. I think the key is to have the right tools, which are conveniently listed in the book. You really do need several different sized scissors. So, in order to do many of these projects, unless you have already invested in paper cutting tools, you will need to buy some good scissors. Most likely you can't just use what you have around the house. However, an initial outlay of cash is almost always required whenever you begin any handmade craft.

The authors describe basic technqiues, and present a few basic projects, but quickly move to what I would consider more advanced projects. I did enjoy the silhouette and paper flowers projects, which I consider to be two of the easier ones. Furthermore, the authors are good about providing detailed instructions and step-by-step photos. I think as I gain experience, I will attempt more elaborate projects, but I think this book would be best for those who have already mastered the techniques of paper cutting.

Because the book never claimed to be for the beginner, the only reason I took one star off was due to the lack of variety in the style of projects. They seem to be geared toward people who like crafts with a Scandenavian or country feel to the design. However, the cutouts are applied to a variety of objects such as lampshades, tins, place mats, clocks, cards, shelf edging, picture fames, etc.

I think the Waltons do a good job of presenting instructions and providing templates. The only limit is one's experience with paper cutting.

The Waltons have written a variety of craft and interior decoration books over the years. This book is a great example of their work. They give easy to understand instructions with photos of the projects at every step of the way. They also give templates to photocopy for each of the projects at the end of the book. Although the design style of the projects are primarily country, the techniques can be applied to other styles as well. Projects for all levels of experience are represented. The Waltons start off with a list of basic techniques, equipment, and materials, but move on to more advanced projects later in the book. You will need the different sized scissors listed because some of the projects require intricate cutting. The projects range from embellishing tins to frames to giftbags to cards.

I ordered this book thinking that it's many illustrations would make things "simple." But let me tell you, if you do not consider yourself an avid sewer and very familiar with your sewing machine, don't even consider getting this book. It will drive you insane. It's definitely written for people who have a very good understanding beyond "just the basics."

One reason this book is difficult to follow is that it focuses on VERY tailored covers. Not the kind you find at SureFit or the local linen store. The designs require measurements of your furniture piece from every conceivable angle.

If you love measuring and working out mathmatical formulations for hours...get this book. If not, look somewhere else.

I am so pleased to see a book that demands proper measurements and all the specific instructions on any project you intend to do. This should ensure your labor's not to be in vain. If I'm doing the work, I plan for the sewing to be perfect.

This is *the* book if you want to seriously recover furniture. These ain't throw slipcovers, that's for sure. Good instructions with lots of diagrams and details to help you make beautiful custom-fitted covers for most any upholstered furniture.