Woodworker's Central Woodworker's Gazette Gazette Archive 7/10/01

A Book Review by Circe Jones Title: Art of Woodburning Author: Betty Auth Published by: Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. 387 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016-8810 ISBN 0806927550 Price Softcover: $17.95 (Canada $24.95 ) 128 color pages I was extremely pleased with this book. I have several books on wood burning, but found this one to be the most "well rounded". I have one book for which I paid over $50.00 only to find it seemed an advertisement for the author's wood burning equipment, (which was expensive, and would therefore limit many of us in the willingness and/or ability to own such equipment.) Other books I have are excellent, but limited in what they show. This book, I found had information which would be of interest to anyone who has never picked up a tool, or for someone like myself, who has been wood burning for a while and is completely self-taught. This book, I feel, would easily serve several levels of wood burning ability. I found the pictures of burnings on different woods (usually samples are shown on the same type of wood) extremely helpful. This author took a drawing and duplicated it on different woods to show the varied affects. Again, I never do the same thing twice and much of the wood and material I choose to use is "found wood", so I thought this very interesting. Further, the author, once again did not limit herself in her samples, but showed several ways to use color along with several medias. In the projects, the photos and step by step instruction were excellent and easy to follow. She used one of my favorites: "a picture speaks a thousand words". Her description of each step was well written and easy to understand. Many books (and magazines) I have read on various "how-tos" all too often show "how it is done" only, but upon following along, one gets the feeling the author left too much out for the inexperienced to complete the project with any form of satisfaction. I did not find this in this book. On a scale of one to ten, my vote would be a ten. Circe Jones 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