Best Woodworking Books | Rob's Top 9 References

Best Woodworking Books. Rob Cosman discusses his favorite top nine woodworking reference books that he uses and recommends
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[davidb]

Book 1: Encyclopedia of Furniture Making - Ernest Joyce
Book 2: Woodworking (series) - Ian Kirby
Book 3: A Reverance for Wood - Eric Sloane
Book 4: Tage Frid Teaches Woodworking
Book 5: How To Build Shaker Furniture - Thomas Moser
Book 6: The Workbench Book - Scott Landis
Book 7: Cabinetmaking the professional approach - Alan Peters
Book 8: Anything by Roy Underhill
Book 9: Wood! - Eric Meier

[benmoore]

I really like this style of video. I love getting to watch Rob talk about his passion and those who inspired him. Watching him flip through pages and going off on a little bit of a tangent reminds us that he’s a human being and not the mythical woodworking genie he is.

[mikestewart]

Thanks for the suggestions. I really enjoy the wealth of videos available--I'm especially impressed by you and Paul Sellers--but there's a lot to be said for a book. I'm reading Christopher Schwartz, lately, and clearing room in my "shop" to start an Anarchists workbench (sort of). I think Lost Art Press looks like a great resource for anyone interested in reading about woodworking, but a couple of your suggestions look like my next purchases. I don't have a particular style, yet, but the Shaker esthetic really appeals to me, so I'll probably be looking at that next.

[cj.tj.]

Honestly Rob. Your opinion is byfar the one i find, i can connect with the most. It challenges me to do even better. My Mom would see the work that I had completed and She would say, Son, you are a perfectionist, ...and she was right.!
I have never stoped. At good enough.
That has carried with me my entire life.
In 8 days.from today, that will have been half my life now. I have so much more i want to accomplish. An with your help. I am on that path. Thanks for all you teach us here on the Youtube.

[josiahutah]

Thanks for sharing, Rob! I almost bought a Japanese joinery book then realized many of the joints stemmed from the soft wood species available to eastern carpenters. I then found this video because I'd like to better understand joinery for Americans using tools and hardwood species that are available for us.

[stephenbamford]

If nothing else, this one is a testimony to the integrity of Rob Cosman. Without a doubt it is refreshing to see someone acknowledge mentors and authors. None of us gets to where we are unless we have folks like Rob Cosman and the crew he works with to bring us this information. The information, videography, sound and spirit of this effort are greatly appreciated. Thank you for these and for all your efforts bringing these ways to wounded veterans. What an excellent way to salute vets!

[countrymagic]

As a long time newbie woodworker (off and on) I watch many YouTube videos to help me learn and this is how it brought me to Rob Cosman's channel. I have looked at purchasing some woodworking books, but got overwhelmed with all the many different subjects on woodworking. Didn't know if I would get a lemon of a book or what. This recommended list from Rob Cosman helps. I have a small metal shed as a work shop I use for myself. Not as a business, but for me. It is my sanctuary and I feel at peace and content when I able to get out there. Now I have a somewhat direction to lean towards on books. Thank you Rob Cosman for your list of books which have inspired you through your journey. Best wishes, Mike

[dkg]

Thanks for a great list of books, I already have some but will definitely have a look for the others. Just a suggestion, it would have been helpful to have the list shown below the video as it would save having to go back through the video to get the titles and authors.

[attaboywoodworkingbezuiden]

Rob is such a good teacher. He can easily write a book. I am sure his books will sell easily. What you waiting for Rob!

[michaelrickert]

Great video. I have most of these books. Tage Frid is my 'go to' book. Sliding dovetail book shelves is my goal with Frid's help. Iowa, US.

[paulrutgers]

Great video as usual! I did a quick search for each book in a used book site while I watched. With the exception of Kirby’s books, which I couldn’t locate quickly, all can be bought for a little over $80 including shipping.

[barkebaat]

Ernest Joyce / Alan Peters and Tage Frid are trusted, old guides of my workshop shelf too. As a Norwegian furniture maker I found Tage Frid closest to the tradition I was schooled in, and remember being surprised by the familiarity I found in his approach - so it would seem regional / geographic differences are a real thing.
Oh! And let's not forget 'Understanding Wood' by Bruce Hoadley -- it'll set you straight on the 'material' side of things :-)

[wrstew]

Underhill was highly instrumental in getting my wood juices flowing. Often with blood stains on him, he started and mostly finished the rough work in 24ish minutes. AND gave a historical rationale with the visual proof that it could be done by anyone. Genius man that I would love to spend time with. Christopher Schwarz has built for, editor of, retired to full time publisher of wood working books, and salty as any old sailor. Really enjoy trying to keep up with him. And of course the Upper Peninsula guy who we all should punch the button and subscribe to is a treasure trove of how to add why not to woodworking.

[twcmaker]

I'm with you on the Alan Peters book The Professional Approach. A great book from a wonderful craftsman.

[smtitmas]

Great video. I really like this "slightly off topic" approach to your regular woodworking videos. I have two of these books and combined with the rest of them from your list it will most certainly help me weed through the plethora of useless information masquerading as woodworking knowledge from the internet. Its true, to the making of many books there is no end, and it is tiresome. Thxs for pointing out the good ones.

[DirtySamsqwaNch]

I was hoping the Family Handyman series would have made your list. My dad was an illustrator for Family Handyman magazine until 1985 then became art director following Terry Redlin leaving to pursue his dream of painting. His name was Ronald Chamberlain RIP (7-8-22) He was an incredible artist/illustrator who loved woodworking also

[leehaelters]

Rob, my heart soars like a hawk to see that you reached first for Joyce! Dan Bummit of Glocester, Mass., showed it to me when I first started work for him, so many years ago. My first reference, and always the last word. I always look for it when YouTubers list their books, and never see it mentioned, which I try to correct with a comment.

[petelopez]

Great ideas for Christmas gifts for the wood worker.

[joehirschegger]

Good to see you back! I love watching Roy Underhill on his PBS show.

[Danny-ulsq]

Thanks for that video. You're right, there are lots of YouTube videos and other web based info sources. As a newbie wood worker, I have found that the variation in opinions and in many cases the poor quality of that information can be at least confusing and at worst totally misleading. By all means, a wood worker needs to find the path that best suites the individual, but the foundation information that the path is based on and supported by needs to be solid. Thank you for the videos. when I do what they say it works.