Nice book

All of Charles Platt's books are great and this is no exception. This is a project based book with the intent on learning how to use basic hand tools. Some of the projects are a bit basic for the more advanced learner. However, one often finds that he or she can be taught a new trick or two (or maybe never learned the proper way to use a certain tool). I like how there is an "errata" - basically a website that has corrections for the book. That way confusion is kept to a minimum.

A really high quality and interesting book.

I was not sure what to expect from this book. I have enjoyed getting into maker culture but I have no background in using tools. I learned about tools as my cub scouts did, just as I learnes about electronics with them through Platt's excellent Electronics and More Electronics books.
This book is covers the basics on common tools, and gives projects to practice with.

Fantastic book for my nine year old son, he is loving it! He's learning about ALLLL the tools dad has in the garage, I foresee many weekend projects coming up with them together. Very informative with a LOT of great color pictures. Great resource!

This book is a gem. If you're lucky, you learned these skills by osmosis when you were young. Too many people (myself included) did not. This book is perfectly structured to teach a young adult, new homeowner, eager parent, or someone in search of an open-ended hobby. The chapters sequentially introduce new skills, with achievable projects that will lead to new ideas of your own. For the tools needed, specific manufacturers and part names are suggested, but the author freely admits there are several varieties, and favors none. There are well-written asides to add depth to your understanding, and direction for where you might gain even more knowledge. The style of writing is so good that you can picture the author sitting with you, talking you through a project and sharing what he knows--patiently, eagerly, and humbly.

Children learn by playing--doing something, adjusting, trying again, not particularly concerned with the final result, just enjoying the process. It's harder for adults to learn. We don't like the embarrassment of being unskilled; we want the rapid good outcome, and we don't always have open-ended time to practice and explore. This book will make the most of your time, with a minimum of perceived embarrassment, and a make an achievable and respectable final product.

This book is ideal for those who want these creative, constructive, and useful abilities. Maybe you'll work through these chapters and projects with your children. You can. Maybe you have dreams of making a wooden toy for your grandchildren. You will. Perhaps you have visions of attacking larger woodworking projects from those books that naturally assume you know your way around a shop. You'll get there. This book can be the beginning. I highly recommend it without reservation.