A Cabinetmaker's Notebook (Woodworker's Library) [Paperback]

James Krenov (Author)

Book Description

Series: Woodworker's Library | Publication Date: March 1, 2000

Cabinetmaking at the highest level is an art, a discipline, a philosophy—even a way of life—in addition to being a useful craft. In this book one of the greatest living cabinetmakers reflects on the deeper meanings of his craft and explains for less accomplished workers how the right attitudes toward materials, tools, and time can increase the joys of this complex activity. Craftspeople in every medium will be inspired by this account of getting started and developing habits that lessen the difficulties of a complex craft.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

James Krenov is the author of The Fine Art of Cabinetmaking, The Impractical Cabinetmaker, and Worker in Wood. He directs the Cabinetmaking Program at the College of the Redwoods, one of the premier woodworking programs in the United States. He lives in Fort Bragg, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Linden Publishing (March 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0941936597
• ISBN-13: 978-0941936590
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #150,852 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Woodworker's Classic, August 5, 2000

By 

Douglas Stowe (Eureka Springs, AR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Cabinetmaker's Notebook (Woodworker's Library) (Paperback)

A Cabinet Maker's Notebook! It is the book that shook me awake to the possibility that woodworking can be a means of clear expression and personal growth. My own copy is not from this edition, but was printed in 1976. It was given me by friends that knew my interest in woodworking and wanted to make sure that I got off to the right start.

Krenov is the most influential of American woodworkers. No woodworker's library is complete without this classic.

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most influencial modern book on cabinetmaking, July 8, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: A Cabinetmaker's Notebook (Paperback)

First published in 1975, The Cabinetmaker's Notebook is a modern classic for those who wish to persue cabinetmaking as a mode of sensitive self-expresion. That may seem like a mouthful, but you either build cabinets because you need to store things, or for some less practical reason. As Red Green says "If your wife doesn't find you handsome, she should at least find you handy". That is one reason beyond the practical, A kind of I want to impress people stage. But when you get beyond that; the house is full of furniture, and your wife actually wishes you would come in from the shop once in a while, what keeps you out there? If it is a desire to do your best work, with the best tools and wood you can find then this book may be for you.

Why do I call it the most influencial book of its kind? Well partly because it influenced me, but it also struck a cord when it first came out in the seventies and the woodworking revival was underway. It is pretty much as valid today as then. Krenov, who grew up in the U.S., wrote these books while living in Sweden. They proved so popular that a school was created stateside at which he still teaches. Krenov's insights are of some use to people who persue other crafts.

The most likely volumes to share shelf space with this and other Krenov books are; George Nakashia The Soul of a Tree (worth it for the pictures alone) and Sam Maloof Woodworker (ditto)

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most influential modern book on cabinetmaking, September 2, 2004

By 

Doh (Pickering, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Cabinetmaker's Notebook (Woodworker's Library) (Paperback)

The most influential modern book on cabinetmaking, July 9, 1998
Reviewer: A reader
First published in 1975, The Cabinetmaker's Notebook is a modern classic for those who wish to pursue cabinetmaking as a mode of sensitive self-expression. That may seem like a mouthful, but you either build cabinets because you need to store things, or for some less practical reason. As Red Green says "If your wife doesn't find you handsome, she should at least find you handy". That is one reason beyond the practical, A kind of I want to impress people stage. But when you get beyond that; the house is full of furniture, and your wife actually wishes you would come in from the shop once in a while, what keeps you out there? If it is a desire to do your best work, with the best tools and wood you can find then this book may be for you.
Why do I call it the most influential book of its kind? Well partly because it influenced me, but it also struck a cord when it first came out in the seventies and the woodworking revival was underway. It is pretty much as valid today as then. Krenov, who grew up in the U.S., wrote these books while living in Sweden. They proved so popular that a school was created stateside at which he still teaches. Krenov's insights are of some use to people who pursue other crafts.

The most likely volumes to share shelf space with this and other Krenov books are; George Nakashima The Soul of a Tree (worth it for the pictures alone) and Sam Maloof Woodworker (ditto)