Woodworker's Central Woodworker's Gazette Gazette Archive 6/16/01

A Book Review by Aaron Gesicki Title: Practical Scrollsaw Patterns Author: John Everett Published by: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 387 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016-8810 ISBN 1861081626 Price Softcover: $14.95 (Canada $21.95 ) 128 color pages Author Everett is a Welshman, and the Guild of Master Craftsman Publications publishes his book. My experience has been that this would generally indicate a high level of technical content and craftsmanship. There are only a handful of projects that even caught my attention in a small way. Most of everything here is the kind of stuff you'd find at the annual high school fundraiser craft fair. This book is ten to fifteen years too late. Pat Spielman and his collaborators have gone far, far beyond anything this book has to offer in any facet of scrollsaw use. Some books with much more merit have been reviewed previously (see the WWA Archives). Am I negative about this book? Absolutely. Would I buy it? Never. Do I recommend it? No. In fact, if scroll saws interest you, go to a good bookstore or newsstand and preview a copy of one of Spielman's books or the periodical SCROLL SAW WORK SHOP. Just one issue of this diverse magazine will give you far more service and use than will this book. Aaron A. Gesicki Sparta, WI Editor's Note: Sterling Publishing has graciously donated several books for review which are passed on to our members free of charge in exchange for thoughtful, honest reviews. Thank You! And you can usually find their titles at a discount from Barnes And Noble