A Cabinetmaker's Notebook (Woodworker's Library)

Reading this is like sitting at a table with an old craftsman, hearing about his life and his passion for wood and lumber. This book has little to offer the production woodworker or weekend hobbist building shelves out of plywood. Rather, this book delves into the life of James Krenov, his travels, his perspective, and his view of his life as a woodworker/cabinetmaker. If you have ever felled a tree, sawn it open, and discovered a beautiful piece of wood lying beneath the bark, then you will appreciate this book.It is well written, with a flow that suggests Mr. Krenov is talking with you as his apprentice, expressing his opinion of important observations he has made during his career. I found it fasicnating the he admitted he sometimes begins a project with building the drawers or doors first. He explains himself and his reasoning, which helps clarify his methodology. I was able to extract several new philosophical approaches that I shall incorporate into my own woodoworking.This book will likely appeal to a very small, but appreciative audience. I would recommend it highly to any woodworker who harvests his or her own wood, usually works with air-dried lumber, exotic lumbers, or custom pieces.

This book is well written and James Krenov certainly has had much expertise and ability as a cabinet maker. His use of some very exotic woods is fascinating. Pictures of his work prove him to be an exceptional woodworker. It may be that it is not a book that will help me to progress from the little bit of knowledge and experience, I now have, to improve my craft that limits me from rating this book higher. I will never, ever, be able to work with many of the woods he has used; places he has visited; how he feels about things but not one step-by-step instruction or lesson on making any specific joint for instance. Unless one want to read about what a guy thinks about wood, craftsmanship...and several other things (i.e. pets) this may be an interesting book for you. It is written more like a diary (okay notebook) than a book of instruction / teaching / developing skills... It is not worth the price I paid - for me.

From a philosophical point of view this is more a journal of the relationship one man has with the timber he works with rather than a how to guide. I love it as, in my opinion, it ties the living energies of the maker and the materials he works with together. I have had similar experiences, while working with wood, that he describes and above all it made me realise that I wasn't mad or if I was I was in the good company of others that are more sensitive to the world around them than those focusing on the time sheets and making a quick buck. Inspirational reading for the right person.

An enjoyable read but would have been nice if all the pictures were in color - only a few are. You might want to spring for a more expensive copy to see some of his pieces in their full glory. Krenov's story is an interesting one and although the text is not very structured (not divided in named sections) and tends to ramble, there were a lot of great anecdotes from his life as a woodworker.

This could be a book about anyone with a true passion for his work. It's not just woodworking, anything could be the topic. Here is an artist with a vision and belief in what he does. It has great value to him and he refuses to compromise his values to make things easier. He shares a great amount of background/personal information, which gives the reader a base for understanding his passion in woodworking. A truely fantasic person. I only wish I could have spent some time visiting with him.

This was a very inspiring woodworking book. This is not your typical "how-to" book but instead more of a "why-do" book. It was interesting to read about Krenov's childhood, his travels around the world and his passion for wood. The many photos of Krenov's furniture pieces were also great - lots of good detail shots. This was the first Krenov book I've read, but it will definitely not be my last. If you want to be inspired to learn more and do better in your craft - read this book!

This is really a book about Krenov's philosophy concerning the joys of woodworking, with little if nothing about actual techniques. Much autobiographical material. If you're into his work, and his ideas, then this is a must-read. He lives a very interesting life, almost Thoreau-like. I found it a very interesting read.

The difference in quality and design of anything is found in the details. In one of the first lectures I heard Krenov give was when he said that most of us had been taught to build furniture that failed. I cannot think of one person in the room who would have disagreed. I knew that from experience too. What Krenov teaches is time tested as well as designs that apply to anything made of wood.

I’m very good at buying and starting to read books but very poor at getting to the end of them. This is the first book I’ve read all the way through in a long while. Written in an honest and unassuming way it is more about the philosophy of why you would want to make something in wood to the best of your ability rather than technique or how to do make a particular joint.If I was to have one small criticism it would be that many of the black and white photos were too dark for my liking and the detail of the workmanship wasn’t illuminated better however this doesn’t detract from the message the book is trying to convey.

Huge doses of fundamental philosophy given with rare humility and a precious glimpse into an age when life was lived so differently from today. His writing is redolent of Charles Hayward, former "Woodworking Magazine" editor. As a worker in wood I have had difficulty in putting this book down and feel sure I will return to re-read it time and again. Couldn't be more highly recommended !

This book will give you a delightful and immensely valuable insight into the mind of a master. It's like sitting quietly in the presence of a wise man as he muses about his life. It is simultaneously completely about working wood to the highest possible standards, and also about how to live a good life. You will be curiously touched and refreshed by it.

master writer and master cabinet maker who knows the subject inside out

This is for xmas