Queen Anne Furniture: History, Design and Construction

I agree with all the other reviews and can't really add much, except to say the photos are many in magnificent full colour, and he even has photos of incomplete pieces which is great for seeing how they are put together (I am specifically thinking of the easy chair). He does not stick to strict Queen Anne but covers the subtle variations such as the Gaines chair (one of my favourites) ... this book is a true gem and since receiving it I can hardly put it down. A great resource and would make a fantastic present for someone interested in woodwork. Queen Anne furniture would have to be near the pinnacle of woodworking but with this book it seems reachable. Truly excellent. Wish that author would write some more on other periods (ie ALL other periods from early medieval to modern). I would not hesitate to collect them all.

Recognizing that Queen Anne furniture is one of the timeless and most beautiful designs, I realized, on starting my first project, that I hadn't the foggiest idea of the history, the elements, or the construction techniques of Queen Anne furniture. This book has it all. The sections on history and the making of the cabriole legs in themselves make this book a "must have," both for the collector and for the cabinetmaker. To top it off, there are scaled plans for several projects, and some time-saving techiques for construction. If you get only one book on Queen Anne furniture, this is the one.

Norman is obviously as incredibly talented an author as he is a cabinetmaker. I couldn't say enough about how great a job he did with the content of this book and drawings. I only wish he would write another one for each of the 18th century styles( Federal, Chipendale, etc) This is definately the bible for 18th century reproduction cabinetmakers. Please write another one Norman!

This is a great book, a must have for anybody involved in woodworking. 250 years ago, Norm's life would probably be in danger for writing something like this. All the construction details are there, but the verse is so compacted that it does take a while to comprehend. We now need 30 other books like this one for every other furniture style.

Vandal's book is a true, timeless classic. Suitable for the advanced woodworker, the combination of clear drawings, beautiful photographs and pertinent construction details make this a must-own title for any serious woodworker. Unlike many furniture books which offer clunker designs and silly directions, Vandal's book offers in-depth insight into design and construction of antique furniture. A must own book. Simply one of the best.