Furniture Making and Cabinet Work

the long version

This work is a real gem; it’s surprising how current a book written in 1949 can feel. Incredibly comprehensive at 600 pages, it provides a thorough guide to furniture/cabinet work as well as home design and renovation. Pelton uses language that is comfortable and readable. He is at pains to put the reader at ease and encourage hands on engagement in woodworking. The book includes a great many black and white plans, materials lists, charts, and helpful hints. There is little or no talk about machines and how they're used, but this information can certainly be found in other books and, in any event, would be hopelessly outdated here. Especially interesting is the in depth discussion of built-ins...these ideas alone are worth the price of admission. Pelton's discussion of relevant ideas, skills and inspirations will certainly coax the somewhat reluctant woodworker on a voyage to become a more accomplished craftsman.