This (in the UK) was pretty much the cabinet makers bible
between 1909 (1st edition) and 1938 (fifth edition).

The last (6th edition) came out in 1952,
but had been rewritten to emphasise man made
material and machine tools. Not the same at all.

It was succeeded by "Encyclopedia of Furniture Making"
By Ernest Joyce as the standard reference.

Back to the earlier book; this review is
of editions 1-5, which do not vary significantly.

This not a book for tool-a-holics; it does
indeed have good introductory chapters
on which tool is which, but is quite
brief (by galoot standards).

Paul said (edited)

"This was not aimed at amateurs; it was aimed at either technical colleges,
as a reference (*not* a tutorial), or working cabinet shops (hence the
quality of the example plans).

In short, if you know how to use tools, and want to make fine furniture,
this is an excellent book; all 384 pages of it.

It runs rather expensive in the s/h market, due (I think) to rarity."

Comes up fairly often on eBay, usually in the UK. With patience (not a
virtue I am known for, but being tight is)I picked up a VG copy in G dust
wrapper of the 4th ed for GBP 4.99, acceptable. Currently Abebooks.com has
copies from GBP 20 upwards. Nice to dip into. 

Also recommended from that period are:

Bernard Jones - The Complete Woodworker, and 
              - Practical Woodworker (4 vols)
Paul N Hasluck - Cassell's Cabinet Work & Joinery, with some colour
illustrations usually commands a high price and has so far eluded my
purchase attempts. At nearly 600 pages dwarfs Modern Cabinet Work, nearly
400 pages. Starts at Abebooks at GBP 25.

Most of The Woodworker series of books can be recommended.

Cheers
Peter

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