How to Build Shaker Furniture

Rating:
Summary: Not up to snuff
Review: I dislike books with misleading titles. This one containes mostly the authors watered down ideas of Shaker furniture. The whole effort is sub-par: poor quality photos, and crude drawings yeild a low quality book. If you want authentic Shaker pieces, try Kassay, Rieman or the new book The Shaker Legacy. Don't waste your money on this one.

Rating:
Summary: A wide-ranging discussion of Shaker furniture
Review: In this book, Thomas Moser mixes instruction with philosophy, and both are much improved as a result. He lays out the Shaker philosophy early on in an effort to explain Shaker design, and then he shows how to realize the classic Shaker forms in clear, concise hand-drawn illustrations. This book recalls Eric Sloane's similar books about the technologies of early America; it's a must if you're interested in classic American forms.

Rating:
Summary: Drawings are a highlight
Review: In this interesting volume I found the drawings of Shaker furniture by Christian Becksvoort to be excellent. They augment the text by Moser and give it depth.

Rating:
Summary: The best woodworking book I own...
Review: Over the years I've collected several woodworking books. I find this book one that I come back to again and again for ideas and inspiration. Unlike most of the project focused books on the subject, Moser communicated the tenants of the craft. He stresses the basics that you need to know to be successful whether it's a bed or a dresser you're building. This book just makes sense. When you combine it with a more technically detailed book like "Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking" you've pretty much covered the range of "stuff" you need to know. I have friends in Europe and Singapore who have become interested in woodworking. The first book on the subject that I've given to both of them is Mosers. I highly recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: Not up to snuff
Review: This book is superb. Moser writes extremely well, with clarity, precision and an overabiding love for the subject. He is a master craftsman in both wood and words.