I am a greedy reader of all types of books, particularly those on woodworking, but I have to admit that many are ... well sort of dry. 

They are good instruction and serve to teach us new techniques but they leave out the personality of the writer. I have found the unique exception to this in Woodworking Wit & Wisdom , Thirty Years of Lessons from the Trade by Jim Tolpin. 

This book is a delight to read because it is simply sixty short lessons or essays on his learning experiences as a professional woodworker.  You will learn from him many old tricks of woodworkers that will make your work more fun, more efficient and better overall. 

I was intrigued by the back cover which I think sets the stage for the whole book. The following “did you know?” questions are posed;

• The three most fundamental and essential tools can’t be bought

• Sanding is the slowest, most tedious and most counter productive way to prepare a surface for finishing

• The absolute strongest bends are made without bending the wood

• A scrap of tar paper and a chunk of scrap wood comprise one of the most precise layout tools available to a woodworker

• There is no such thing as a mistake in woodworking

If you are jumping at the chance to learn the answers, you must read this book. There are no plans or projects, just plain time honored woodworking technique. Through this book, Jim Tolpin can become your new woodworking “Best Friend”.

Click on the picture if you would like to buy the book.

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