Most serious woodturners, as well as many social historians, anthropologists, re-enactors, green woodworkers, revivalists, restorers and museum curators know Robin Wood and admire and respect his work in tracing the history of the production and use of turned wooden tableware.  Those who have met and talked to him, know him as a knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and intelligent man.  I guess that this book sums up all of these attributes, making it essential reading for anyone with a passion for wooden objects, be that as a maker, user, student, collector or simply an admirer.  It is one of those books for which the word "definitive" is the only appropriate adjective.  Hence I shall use it: I believe this book to be the definitive work on the subject of The Wooden Bowl, its origins, its place in history, its creation and use.  It some ways it is a "learned" book, yet it remains immensely lively and readable.

If you have never had the pleasure of watching Robin create bowls on his foot-powered pole lathe, replicating the methods of our forebears which he has painstakingly researched, relearned and reconstructed, then this is an omission on your part which you should correct at the earliest opportunity.

The book is lavishly illustrated with excellent colour photographs, clear line art and excellent illustrations of classic works of art, iconography and previously unseen sources.  The dust jacket photograph itself almost justifies the price of the book!  The material in the book is logically split so that after covering the origins of the lathe itself (4000 years ago), the timbers used (alder being the most common for hundreds of years - see our timbers page!), stepping through the various historical periods in succession, a look at the last years of specialist bowl turners prior to the modern era, an overview of the creative method used to create a bowl on the pole lathe, the work is rounded off by a comprehensive section of credits, a bibliography - and a proper index.

Having known Robin for a number of years, I had been eagerly awaiting the publication of this work for a year or more.  I was able to purchase a copy at the launch and have been avidly reading it since.  I am not in the least bit disappointed.  And for the benefit of the cynics who are sure that all of this copy is pure unashamed sales "guff" - I paid hard cash on the nose to get my copy - and at the published price.  It was a bargain!!

Take my advice: don't miss this book.

Decorating Turned Wood
by Liz & Michael O'Donnell

OK, so you've seen books on decorating your woodwork.  And anyway you don't like coloured wood.  You've seen it all before and nothing moves you.  In that case:
Hang on to your hat!
because in the immortal words of John Wayne, as he rode off into the sunset, rode out of the West, fell off his horse or whatever else he did:
You ain't seen nothing yet!
(Yes, grammatically appalling but I think you get the message.)  This is the book on how you can develop your woodturning beyond its current boundaries that you will want - you need -  to own.

Visually this is the most exciting woodturning book I have ever picked up.  This is not a book about colouring wood.  It is not a book about carving wood.  It is not a book about turning wood.  It is all of these things and a lot more besides.  I must admit that I am not a fan of colouring and modifying turned objects: at least I wasn't until I read this book.  I am a convert thanks to the efforts of Liz and Michael O'Donnell.  This book is simply superb.  The authors don't preach, they don't lecture, they simply inspire and they do so in a manner more compelling than in any book I have come across.  The photography (all the work of the O'Donnell family) is luscious, the graphics are the epitome of clarity, the range of techniques and methods covered is huge.  Whilst being, to a degree, a "How to" book it is more, for me, a "Well why wouldn't you want to create such beautiful objects" book!  If this book doesn't inspire you and get the creative juices flowing, then the whole panoply of the art and craft of the world are wasted upon you.  Don't miss it whatever you do!

Turning Green Wood
by Mick O'Donnell

Whilst sharing a title, being sourced from the same stable and penned by the same master of his craft, I would suggest that the "Turning Green Wood" book and video are not simply alternative forms of the same material.  Some of the project work shown on the video is explained in the book, in which  form it gives ample scope for thorough study and understanding, but the book also includes information on the structure and drying of wood that I have never seen better - or even equally - presented elsewhere.

This book is about turning green wood, but is not for green woodturners.  We can all learn from the information collected here, even before the project section gets started.  The photos are superb, in full colour and show tool action never previously captured.

Many have struggled to master the use of the O'Donnell swept-back grind gouge: struggle no more.  This book shows as clearly as anyone could want exactly how to handle the gouge.  Maybe we should expect Mick O'Donnell to be able to explain the grind he "invented": expect it or not, he most certainly can.  This book has earned a permanent place in my collection of woodturning favourites.

Two in One Manual: Woodturning
by Phil Irons

This book is distinguished by an interesting and unique format: each page is split horizontally in two so that each comprises two leaves.  The top section is dedicated to the project under consideration, whilst the bottom covers the techniques required for the project.  Hence any technique section can be opened alongside any page in the projects section, ensuring the the appropriate (and cross-referenced) information is always to hand.  Add to that the fact that the book is written by an expert in the field and I'm sure that you'll agree this is a superb "How To" book, ideal for beginners.

The Two-In-One Manual of Woodturning is written by one of the UK's (albeit Australian-born) top professional woodturners, Phil Irons, of hollow form fame.  However the range of projects in this lively book covers a wide range of techniques and abilities, forming a progressive learning environment.  The associated techniques cover the whole gamut from obtaining and conversion of suitable lumber, through tool selection and sharpening, workholding, the techniques of turning and woodfinishing.  The standard of photography in the copious illustrations is excellent and there are ample demonstrations not only of the "rights" but also of the "wrongs" so that the learning experience can be both thorough and rapid.  Highly recommended and first class value..

©1997-2006 P. Hemsley.  The information on this website is the copyright property of Peter Hemsley.  Coeur du Bois and The ToolPost are trading styles of Peter Hemsley.  Whilst reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, no liability can be accepted for errors in this information nor for contingencies arising therefrom.  If you are inexperienced in any aspect of woodworking, we would strongly counsel that you take a course of formal instruction before commencing to practice