Best book for a novice?

Did you try the Review forum under books ?

Here is the link—> Book Reviews

Also there is a book called The Complete Woodworker that is popular, especially good for

hand tools as it doesn’t cover power tools. Probably can get it at your public library.

Been in print forever. Would be a good place to start I would think.

Try the books by David Charlesworth, they are very good on technique. Also, The Technique of Furniture Making by Ernest Joyce is a goldmine of information.
Jim

-- It always looks better when it's finished!

Virtually too many to menton. First you need to decide which type of woodwork you’re looking to start with and search for that. Whether it’s carving, turning, furniture, etc….

-- Mother Nature created it, I just assemble it. - It's not ability that we often lack, but the patience to use our ability

Like Monte said, there are a bunch of books out there.

That said, here are my favorites:

Sharpening: http://www.tauntonstore.com/tauntons-complete-illustrated-guide-to-sharpening-thomas-lie-nielsen-070737.html

Hand Tools: http://www.shopwoodworking.com/hand-tool-essentials

Hand Tools: http://www.amazon.com/Hand-Tools-Their-Ways-Workings/dp/0393322769/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358683988&sr=1-1&keywords=hand+tools

Joinery: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Illustrated-Guide-Joinery/dp/1561584010/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1358684053&sr=1-5&keywords=hand+tool+joinery

These should get you going. All great books.

-- Mike

Thank you for the references to both specific books and to the thread on book reviews.

-- Building stuff with my daughter (5). Pretty new to woodworking, I mostly sew...

The Woodwright’s Shop books have a lot of cool projects
done with hand tools. I learned a lot from reading them.

Don’t know what your budget allows? You can purchase many books through the Amazon site. My internet home away from LJ’s. As Monte pointed out “where do you want to start?”

I believe you mentioned being an educator and like to sew? Did a question with the MN woodworkers Guild, to find out how they learned todo woodworking. Books are great. I have way too many.

Look at what Mafe does with hand tools in an apartment if that is your limitation. If you really want basic there is the Readers Digest Book of Handtools.

You can check out Charles Neil woodworking or the Woodwhisperer, for video instruction which are informative, but mostly power tool oriented.

Taig Fried has a great book which he used when he taught.

Good Luck.

Mark Adams was an educator and now owns and manages the Marc Adams School of Woodworking, but again he is more powertool oriented. The Woodwright Shop is all about handtools!

Gonna stop now…LOL

-- Cau Haus Designs, Thomas J. Tieffenbacher

A lot of books put out today are “cookie-cutter” books. Some of the older books out there might contain better information but they will also have a lot less pictures.

Lee Valley Tools sells a lot of good woodworking books.

-- Dwight - "Free legal advice available - contact Dewey, Cheetam & Howe""

this is a great book to start with touches on just about everything nicely with enough, but not an overwhelming amount of detail

-- It's made of wood. Real sturdy.--Chubbs Peterson