I thought a Review page might prove to be of interest, so here it is.
Please keep in mind that any review here, is personal opinion.
Books have always been a great passion of mine; from novels, short stories, poetry, history, diaries, country books, natural history,through to books related to particular interests I've had through the years. I've even written a couple, myself. When I discovered woodturning in 2003 it was just another excuse to start a new collection! So here are the books I read, or refer to, most often. Each has been of some help to me, some have been of inestimable help, but all, without exception, have helped to make the learning curve less painful.
I haven't included publisher, ISBN, or price Etc., because, frankly, it seemed too much effort for no reward. If you would like any of the books listed a title and author search on Amazon should locate the book for you. If not, drop me an email with the book's title and I'll email you the details.
And remember...sales of one book often underwrite the next, so you could be contributing to your own next treat!
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If you ever find a copy of this 1887 book, buy it! It is full of usable information, line diagrams, techniques, and, by virtue of it's age, history and general turning interest.
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Published in 1955 this is still considered a worthwhile book to have. All the basic techniques are covered, and are as useful now as they were then.
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Published in 1953, this is a much more basic tutorial type book. It still has things to offer the learning turner, and provided you are able to make allowances for the developments in tools and equipment it has much to offer.
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As the title implies, this was one of the first "modern" books aimed at learning turners. As with the previous four books, allowances need to be made for the age of the book, but, again, there is much of interest in there for turners of all abilities.
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You should buy this simply for interest, if nothing else. There are some very strange projects and turned objects in here that I doubt you'd find elsewhere. I love dipping into this book from time to time.
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A Classic with a capital "C". Once again this is an old book, and might otherwise be considered too old to be of use, but this is far from the case. The Child family have a deservingly respected reputation amongst woodturners the world over, and Peter Child is the founder of the woodturning dynasty, and his book is packed with information that is as valid now as ever.
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This has to be one the most complete books available for the turner. I know that many people consider it too in-depth, but that was the author's intention. It addresses just about every question you might have regarding wood, it's usage, preparation, properties, techniques, tooling, design, and practice. It's a superbly produced and written book, that will remain a classic for a very long time.
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And another classic with a capital "C"! Never has a title so correctly summed up a book. From first steps through to advanced techniques, this book covers it. Tool use is covered from picking up the tool, sharpening, and use, and all with clear instruction and excellent pictures and diagrams. A must have.
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I love this little book by Phil Reardon. The book looks, and reads, almost like a private diary, with it's unusual script font, and line drawings by Phil's wife, Mo. The writing is succinct and humorous, and the techniques are described fully, and with due consideration for the learning turner.
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This is a great book for the learning turner, specifically, but is a great source book for other turners looking for ideas for small items to turn at shows or demonstrations. The "two-in-one" in the title refers to the flip-page format, where techniques are on narrow flaps at the bottom of each page, and the projects on the larger flaps above. This allows a new turner to follow a project with the technique instruction always there to see, without having to turn backwards and forwards.
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Another useful, though old, book. Some of the projects may seem outdated, but, once again, a useful addition to any turners library.
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This is one of my least favourite books, but still full of interest for a new turner.
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A Guide to Advanced Techniques by Hugh O'Neil is in my top five books. This is another book that you can read through, read it through again, have a coffee and read it again, and each time you'll learn something new. Similar in style to Mike Darlow's, The Practice of Woodturning, it is a book with huge ambitions for itself, which it achieves with effortless ease.
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The Nitty Gritty of turning for profit. A must. Full of advice based on years of experience, very helpful tips and tricks, and Reg's typical light-hearted style.
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This is a beautifully produced book, with much to inspire the more advanced turner in it. The book reeks of the different attitude to some turnery that seems prevalent in the US. This could almost be a coffee-table book for lovers of wooden objects, rather than a series of projects for the more advanced turner. Well worth buying.
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This book by Ann & Bob Philips must have been a breath of fresh air when it was published. It covers many decorative techniques for use on turned objects, rather than solely concentrating on the turning process. It should still prove useful to learning turners for this alone.
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A Worldwide classic volume by a worldwide favourite turner. I have read this book many times now, and still enjoy dipping into it, but it does seem to have dated far more drastically than some of the older books listed here. This may be due to the largely black and white photography, or because work in what might be called, "Dale's style", has become so common place that it has aged the book prematurely. A must have book, none the less.
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Another must have by one of the front runners in world turning.
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Dave Register's style will no doubt be well known to most, if not all, UK turners, as he has been a regular magazine contributor for many years. His step-by-step books are superbly written, with crystal clear instruction, clear photographs, and detailed analysis of the processes involved. Amateurs and above can learn something form these books.
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See above
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One of the first of an apparent new breed of books for turners, Mark Baker's book is bound to become a modern classic. There is a feeling of the book being a new approach, which has as much to do with superb photography detailing the processes and techniques, as it does with Mark's detailed and considered text. Packed with projects ranging from novice to advanced.
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Another in my top five books. Michael O'Donnell is known worldwide for not only his turning, but also for the advances in tooling he is responsible for under the O'Donnell brand. The book is almost a step by step from log to finished article, with much in between. Read in conjunction with the accompanying video/DVD this is a woodturning course in itself.
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This is a book that I have never seen on the second-hand market, which I can only attribute to the fact that people simply don't want to get rid of it. Another well produced book, full of tips, tricks, projects and advice. Some of projects will stretch even advanced turners, but equally there is so much for the learning turner.
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Another modern-day classic, by Ray Key. I bought this book without opening it, simply on the title and name. Initially I was very disappointed to read that it was a revision of the earlier, Woodturning & Design, and felt quite cheated. But having delved inside, soon realised that it was a truly revised edition - no correcting spelling mistakes and punctuation and dash out a new cover version here. So even if you already have the earlier edition this has much more to offer.
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This is a gloriously produced book, with superb photography and text. It is almost a biography in style, and is filled with interest for any turner.
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Another top five; Ray Key's classic book in it's first edition. Of it's era I can't think of another book which dealt with design in such a forefront manner. This is another book that you will read and re-read, and still come back to time and time again. Timeless.
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I can't rave about this book enough. It is the only one of it's kind that I know of; an actual history of the single most popular turned item today. How many of us turn bowls without a single thought to their antecedents? The book is written with a passion that feels quite unequalled. The photography is excellent. The access granted to the author on our behalf, has led to an historical catalogue of turned artifacts that most of us would never have seen. And just like the older books listed at the start of this list, the photographs in The Wooden Bowl will provide every tuner with inspiration. This is a stunning book that deserves a far wider audience than the woodturning world can provide. Buy two copies now, and give one to a non-woodturner for Christmas!
Not in my top five because this has a whole category of it's own.
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Another top five book. Stunning photography, stunning work, in-depth insight into the work of a master bowl tuner, and his contemporaries. This is another book that deserves a far wider audience. Dip in and be inspired.
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The comments above are equally applicable to this book. Tony Boase has left a legacy in his work, his books,and the memories of friends and colleagues, that will endure for far longer than I imagine he would ever have imagined possible. It was through these two books that, as a new turner, I became aquatinted with the work of some of the finest, most inspiring turners around. Almost every photograph is a tutorial in it's own right. Keep it close to hand and dip often.
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No list would be complete without mention of the Uk's only dedicated magazine, Woodturning. This is the first five issues collected and bound as a special edition. I've only ever seen this copy - which I bought on eBay for pennies!- and it's a real treat. One problem with magazines is that they can't please all of us, all the time, but woodturning does a good job. I know so many turners who don't take the magazine, and can never quite understand why. Surely it's the best way to keep updated with new ideas, techniques, gossip and news, tools, and trends?
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The magazine publishes collections from time to time, containing the "best" of the published articles. These are worth while getting even if you take the magazine. How often have you trawled through dozens of editions to find something?
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Can I have six in my top five? Well I will then! This is another inimitable book, written in Dave's warm, witty style with lots to offer turners everywhere.
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