Frank PhilbrickThe Backyard Lumberjack

I bought this book as a replacement for a book my dad gave to a friend. It's a great book for anyone with a wood-burning stove or fireplace, or who lives in the woods, or appreciates being self-sufficient, or just likes trees. I have not personally read much of it, but he said it's a great read and full of information. Even as a paperback, its beautiful cover makes a nice addition to his decor in the room that houses his woodstove.In addition, I was delightfully surprised by the care the seller took in packaging and sending the book to us. Although it was listed as a used book in good condition, it arrived in perfect condition, wrapped in cardboard, and tucked into a bubble-wrapped mailer. Many thanks.

This has to be one of the most entertaining and well-written how-to books I've ever read. The father and son authors have a fun-loving, down-to-earth style that delivers plenty of humor along with the practical facts. As such, this is a great basic primer for folks wanting to cut firewood from small woodlots. The emphasis is on chainsaws for cutting and hand tools (mauls) for splitting. There's even a section about lumberjack competitions. It gives short shrift to any discussion of power splitters or cutting your trees for lumber. This is about firewood, fun, safety, exercise, and a little tradition thrown in. A thoroughly enjoyable read!

This is a very good choice for the backyard lumberjack. Perhaps I missed material on the various cut-wood handling devices available. The peavey(?) is mentioned, however. That is in my view, a very useful and important tool. I'd suggest exploring sites in the "northern" area of the country for specialized tools designed to save one's back and time. Humor in the book was appreciated; well done!

This book was exactly what i needed. I'm from NYC and moved upstate to a house in the country with a wood stove. Heating oil was expensive, but wood was free and plentiful if you knew how to cut it. This book helped me to cut down trees and heat my house safely and effectively. A must for anyone who wants to harvest trees safely and effectively.

Good book, but some info on felling did not follow the pictures, so it was difficult to visualize the process. This book is worth a read but check the info with a experienced chainsaw user before following the info. No replacement for working with someone who is well versed in the use of a tool like a chainsaw.

It starts with picking the tree, how to fell it and buck it and split it and stack it. Can it get more complete than that? I even appreciated the author's sense of humor. I sent a book to my father, He even learned a thing or two from it (so my step mother informed me). Don't know what fell and buck mean? Get this book.

These guys are good, entertaining writers. They kept me reading because they really capture the satisfaction and culture of "bringin' in the wood." There are good concepts in the book. But, I was looking for a little more skill instruction and technical direction.

Great read for those looking to start home heating with wood or for anyone that likes to read humorous family stories. The stories are great and the description and examples of tools and products are very good. Even if you are an expert there is something to learn in here. Great Read!

I could not justify/afford a full HSE safety course on chainsawing, so opted for this book.I have already recommended this to many friends.I found it informative & entertaining.It covers a broad range, not just about chainsaw use, but other useful info, like safety & how to chop & stack wood.I found that the book gave me all the information I needed for tree management on our 3.5 acre smallholding, in addition to some 'men & motors' style entertainment value.

Packed full of sound advice, the owner uses a multitude of charming stories to illustrate his point and to lighten what could have been a very dry subject. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book over a couple of cold winter nights in front of my wood burning stove, and my only gripe is that it ended all too soon.Nice job - when's part 2 out?

very good

Purchased for advice on wood chopping, contains plenty of info in an easy to read and digest format. In addition contains a selection if amusing and stories, well worth the investment.

Lots of good advice.