Customer Reviews

Know Your Woods

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have got the 1959 edition, but have the feeling the book has not changed much since then. In 1959 this was an above-average book aimed at the general public. It illustrates the woods treated by distribution maps, botanical line drawings and black-and-white photographs. Content was pretty good, with the names, both scientific and trade names, very much in order.

Today it indeed looks quite dated, and the black-and-white photographs do look sad. These days, a much more attractive book with the same content could be put together. However, I don't really know any book that actually does this (and the most likely candidates cost a lot more). All in all, I'd still recommend this book for a wood library, although obviously it would be a poor choice as a first (or second or third) book. There are more attractive books on the market today, and this is dated, but not really superseded.

I don't understand why anyone would publish a book anymore with black and white illustrations. I know this is supposed to be a classic and all that so it's my own fault for not checking when I read the description. I don't even know why I'm keeping it; I'll never read it. You have to wade through tons of technical jargon and lengthy chapters that would be much better served by some large color photographs. Maybe that makes me shallow, I don't know, but there are much more 'complete guides' out there on this topic these days.

I needed a book to help me identify some wood used to do some finishing work in my home.

I searched through many. many books--as I wanted a somewhat modern book and one that offered pictures to help identify the patterns.

This book appeared to fit the bill. It had a nice..clean, new ,modern cover..with what looked to me to be a modern printing style...so I purchased it.

Well--this book did help me to a point --it does have some pictures and text meant to help you identify different wood...............BUT--it turned out that this book was RE-PUBLISHED...by the son of the original author.He really did a nice job reconfiguring the cover and such....the problem is that this fact is not mentioned on any of the information I viewed in order to decide which book to buy. This book was originally published as a hard cover in 1975....then again republished in 1985.None of this info was told to the viewer either.

Overall--I believe that this book was well written and did offer information to the reader. Good information !!!.....but I cannot help but feel cheated over not being told the actual background of this book within its informational writings one uses to choose.

Tryig to get some basic information on woods and trees and countrys or locations or cutting methods etc ? This will be a good book for you to begin with.It is sold at a very reasonable price and is certainly well worth what I paid for it...for that I have no complained--it was very fairly priced. Also---the amount of work put into this book...clearly shows-- and for that---I salute the original author..Albert Constantine.

The book is very thorough and suits my needs....It would be 5 star winner if it had been in color

This book seems to be complete and informative for basic information about the subject matter. It is a good reference for basic information. The reader must look elsewhere for detailed information (such as would be of interest to engineers, scientists, and luthiers).

"Know Your Woods, A Complete Guide to TREES, Woods and Veneers", first copyrighted in 1959, has photo illustrations of woods and trees and wood grains....some, you may not find elesewhere. It has been brought up to date by Harry Hobbs, with the original author's guidance, Albert Constantine Jr.

Purchased for my husband, who loves eveything wood, from tree to carving,to hiking

it is a thorough paperback encyclopoedia on the subject of all things wood.

The chapters include anything you could ask: Drugs from trees ( chemotherapy from yew and juniper), State trees, trees from distant parts of the globe, even Woods of the Bible, as well as more technical discussions on appearance, qualities, naming and identification.

IF YOU DOUBT THE VALUE OF WHAT IS BEING DESTROYED TODAY, BY FIRE, AXE, GIRDLING, POISON, THIS BOOK SHOUD WAKE YOU UP WITH ALL ITS WONDERFUL DETAIL.

This is before we get to discussions of wildlife habitat, erosiion, upped insurance rates, and loss of natural carbon sequestration. A TREE can stand alone.

Maybe I'm just lazy but the lack of color photos in this book is a negative for me. I have read many great fact and interesting trivia and I do enjoy the book.

I have the 1959 edition of this book and I have to say it's been invaluable! Covering everything from tree bark to the nuance of woodgrain, KYW is essential reading in wood expertise.

This item was sent in a timely manner in great condition. The book is interesting and informative.