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The Editors Mailbox

UPDATE: Book Giveaway: Civil War Woodworking by A.J. Hamler

Betsy Engel, contributor

5 users recommend

Photo: Courtesy of Linden Publishing

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Civil War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for Woodworkers and Reenactors by A.J. Hamler.
Linden Publishing, 2009.
$24.95; 160 pp.


This book looks good for woodworkers, civil war buffs and even reenactors. Civil War Woodworking: 17 Authentic Projects for Woodworkers and Reenactors contains projects, from easy to moderately difficult, for 17 authentic Civil War items and includes historical information about the pieces. The book is also filled with period photos and reenactments showing the reproductions in use. Examples of some of the projects include a folding camp stool, a five board bench, and an officer’s field desk.

Lucky wwe11 is the winner. Her comment was chosen at random.

Check out the current giveaway, The Chairmaker's Workshop.

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New Englanders: Here's a chance to learn about period furniture making

Comments (86)

WoodworkingIdea writes: I realize that I am late...
Is it still possible to enter this contest?
Posted: 2:56 am on March 2nd

likwan writes: Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
Posted: 11:24 pm on March 1st

whataheyu writes: Would appreciate this book.
Posted: 10:59 pm on March 1st

anthkris writes: My father is in a civil war re-enactment group. I know he would love this!
Posted: 8:50 pm on March 1st

erotic42d writes: I would love to win this Thank You for this great giveaway fancyfeet45@earthlink.net
Posted: 7:59 pm on March 1st

naynays1 writes: This sounds like a great one. My Brother-in-law would just love it.

mightynaynay(at)cs.com
Posted: 4:50 am on March 1st

naynays1 writes: What a wonderful book! My Bother-in-law would just love it.

mightynaynay(at)cs.com
Posted: 4:48 am on March 1st

Sunnyvale writes: My husband would love it, he needs a new "project."
Posted: 12:00 am on March 1st

nesta67 writes: Looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Posted: 11:39 pm on February 28th

Headbum writes: I would like this book to add to my library. I like more rustic projects and simple constructions with simple hand tools and this book seems like it would fit that quite well. I love reading and looking at books that show and explain how man made the items he needed and used with what he had at hand. I know who ever wins this book will like it.
Posted: 11:35 pm on February 28th

kaschmid3 writes: im always interested in quality woodworking. this would be awesome to have
Posted: 2:43 pm on February 28th

wwe11 writes: This looks like a god book.
Posted: 7:06 am on February 28th

mandm07082005 writes: I would love to win this for my 11 yr old son. He loves to build things and this would be a great book for him to expand his skills.
Posted: 10:39 pm on February 27th

juau4 writes: Fascinating!
Posted: 5:41 pm on February 27th

roseh2o19 writes: I'm leaving a comment.
Posted: 4:10 pm on February 27th

degeesaman writes: This is great. Finally a detailed description of items for reenactors to build in the off season. Why has no one thought of this before?
Thanks,
Danny G.
Posted: 9:52 am on February 26th

MikeM writes: I'll buy a copy if I don't win. Does anyone else watch movies for glimpses of old furniture?
Posted: 9:22 am on February 25th

frank T writes: As a history buff, this looks like a "must have"..
Posted: 9:16 am on February 25th

mccrusn writes: Interesting possibilities...I have some friends who are reenactors....and I'd definitely be interested in trying some of the projects.
Wish me luck....:-))
Posted: 6:36 am on February 25th

KenderCh writes: What a wonderful book! I love the bench on the front cover!
Posted: 6:36 am on February 25th

swbwood writes: I am interested in the historical account of the wood working during the civil war times. This book would be a wonderful addition to my wood working library.
Posted: 2:54 am on February 25th

Rjones25 writes: It's interesting to see how craftsmen left their work to take up arms, and in some cases left their workshops to do woodworking on the battlelines.
Posted: 8:03 pm on February 24th

Ziggywag writes: I love the bench shown on the cover. I could really use that near my front door so I'd love to win this book to learn how my husband can build it.
Posted: 1:48 pm on February 24th

woodeye1 writes: Wish me luck!
Posted: 11:22 am on February 24th

howardw writes: this book looks quite interesting. No table saws or bandsaws? oh my!

Posted: 11:04 am on February 24th

dkerfoot writes: Me, me, me! Pick me!
Posted: 11:03 am on February 24th

rondeal writes: Great Subject! I really enjoy going to reenactments and looking at all the things people make to help in transporting you back in time!
Posted: 10:44 am on February 24th

wmalcolmg writes: "very interesting" My grandfather fought in the "war between the states" and I'm sure he did some wood working. Count me in. Malcolm G
Posted: 9:14 am on February 24th

forummfg writes: I would love to read this book, it's always fun to see how the woodworkers did it back in the day when they didn't have all the cool tools we have today.
Posted: 8:28 am on February 24th

PeteMohr writes: Count me in! Always looking for good books.
Posted: 7:45 am on February 24th

fireball212 writes: This looks like a very useful and informative book for any woodworking civil war buff to own. Thanks for the chance to own a copy.
Posted: 7:24 am on February 24th

dglitter writes: My husband will love this-thank you!
Posted: 6:54 am on February 24th

hyperbole writes: I am amazed by the quality of workmanship of old all with handtools.

Donald Knight
Posted: 2:26 am on February 24th

wildflower00 writes: I love the history of furniture and I would LOVE to learn how to recreate some of the great furniture first made hundreds of years ago
Posted: 11:40 pm on February 23rd

OregonSplinter writes: It would be nice to read how woodworking was done in that era.
Posted: 10:55 pm on February 23rd

lazybear writes: The projects in this book would be great to reproduce at a civil war reenactment. I always thought of setting up a woodworking tent at reenactments using only tools that were available during the 1860's.
Posted: 9:17 pm on February 23rd

gdblake writes: A friend of my oldest son is a civil war reenactor plus my son is looking for some simple woodworking projects. This book looks like it would be of high interest to both of them. Wish me luck.

gdblake
Posted: 8:04 pm on February 23rd

iamddo writes: I was a military member a bit late - like Vietnam. But I'd still like to make some old war items.
Posted: 5:39 pm on February 23rd

chuck82380 writes: Im just getting back into workworking and I would love some history projects.
Posted: 4:27 pm on February 23rd

McDonald writes: Download the chapter on the field desk free at this address

http://www.woodworkerslibrary.com/product.php?productid=18000&cat=0&page=

Posted: 3:15 pm on February 23rd

McDonald writes: I would love to make the officer’s field desk for a friend.

Posted: 2:47 pm on February 23rd

GoYouSalukis writes: Count me in...
Posted: 1:58 pm on February 23rd

Woodman1047 writes: My Brother-in-law is a re-enactor.
I've built some projects for him, this would be more ideas of what's next.
Posted: 1:29 pm on February 23rd

Dave Worsencroft writes: I would love to build some of the projects included in this text. Wow what a great book
Posted: 12:22 pm on February 23rd

bko writes: I would love to have this book! It looks great!
Posted: 12:21 pm on February 23rd

atoma writes: Sign me up, baby. My kids and me are history buffs and would love to have this.
Posted: 11:00 am on February 23rd

myntric writes: I'd love to win this!
Posted: 9:49 am on February 23rd

Jollyroger writes: Hey, sign me up. It would be great to make some authentic gear for the reeanctors around here. I know they would love it.
Posted: 8:17 am on February 23rd

Triumph1 writes: I am almost finished reading "A Splintered History of Wood" and could use another excellent read! Sign me up!
Posted: 7:12 am on February 23rd

wojo777 writes: I'm sure it was a great uplifting activity in the midst of war. Sometimes, it's just good to get away in the shop and remove the stress of everyday life and focus on a piece of art instead.
Posted: 11:17 pm on February 22nd

jhonbaker writes: Please? I promise to write a stunning review.
Posted: 11:14 pm on February 22nd

Oldtyme writes: I enjoy building these type projects
Posted: 9:28 pm on February 22nd

XxBowieTipxX writes: As a neo-Confederate and social anachronist, I take an interest in woodworking of the 1860's.
Posted: 7:47 pm on February 22nd

philsfire writes:

we can learn a lot from the old ways.
Posted: 7:12 pm on February 22nd

jh0217 writes: I have always been amazed at what our ancestors were able to build with the hand tools available to them. I enjoy trying to reproduce pieces using their methods. This book would be a great help to me.
Posted: 5:39 pm on February 22nd

John1910 writes: This would be an excellent addition to my library. I have been researching wood working from medieval time to present to see how various tools and construction methods have changed.
Posted: 5:34 pm on February 22nd

shrogers4 writes: I've read some great reviews on this book and would love to add it to my library. Thanks for the opportunity.
Posted: 5:13 pm on February 22nd

Water_Doc writes: This looks like a great book! Thanks for offering!
Posted: 3:58 pm on February 22nd

geppetto425 writes: I'm currently reading "The Joiner and Cabinet Maker" by Cristopher Schwarz & Joel Moskowitz. It's amazing what our ancestors could make without power tools! This sounds like another great book on how they made stuff back then....
Posted: 3:28 pm on February 22nd

Moontoad writes: I just finished reading Ambroses "Americans at War" containing chapters on Grant at Vicksburg and Custer's war years. I wonder how much furniture was moved along with the troop movements.
Posted: 1:38 pm on February 22nd

JadeEagle writes: What a wonderful opportunity to learn about civil war era woodworking. I love gaining new skills. Thanks for the opportunity to add this book to my library.
Posted: 1:17 pm on February 22nd

Harrisx writes: The illustration for the field desk looks great. Can't wait to win this one, especially of I can learn some of the old skills. Can't say enough about people who research these techniques and designs, so that our rich history is not forever lost. Thank you.
Posted: 1:00 pm on February 22nd

Woodsmithy writes: Sounds like an interesting book, that I'd like to read.
Posted: 12:43 pm on February 22nd

Dean7 writes: What a great find! I never really thought about woodworking in the Civil War era. Of course it’s obvious once it’s mentioned. I would really like to have a copy of this book, especially if it has actual projects to build.
Posted: 11:30 am on February 22nd

RalphBarker writes: I enjoyed woodworking during the Civil War (what my cousin called the War of Northern Aggression) - peaceful and therapeutic compared to all that flying lead. ;-)

Posted: 10:48 am on February 22nd

308defense writes: This book sounds interesting because of the fact I live in the middle of several of the battles of the Civil War. The second reason I would like this book is I am also a wood worker.
The third it would make a great addition to my Civil War Library, and I would love to be able to learn more about the furniture of that period.
Thanks
Posted: 10:09 am on February 22nd

AJHamler writes: Hi, all. This isn't an entry, but I wanted to respond to Chris, who asked if the Southern projects are yellow pine. My book doesn't have Northern/Southern projects, per se -- the projects here were used by both North and South -- however, I do discuss regional differences in wood choices. The bench on the cover, for example, if built from pine would most likely be yellow pine if built in the South, but white pine if built in the North.

A.J.
Posted: 9:55 am on February 22nd

wooden_wonders writes: This book looks like it is right in line with my interests. I make mainly primitive reproductions from 150+ years ago, so this is the right time frame. Also, many of the items used in the war would have been everyday, plain items. The fancy stuff stayed at home. I enjoy making reproductions of items people would have used then and passed down to subsequent generations. I look forward to reading this book when I get the chance.
Posted: 7:38 am on February 22nd

ocean8535 writes: awesome, civil war woodworking rocks!
Posted: 3:48 am on February 22nd

JimFuller1 writes: I love to see projects that actual people have made in the past especially distant past. And, I can't remember the last time I had a 1 in 16 chance of winning anything. lol

Cool.

.
Posted: 2:18 am on February 22nd

walter2 writes: This book sounds very intersting to say the least .I have been looking for woodworking projects of Civil War, Robert E. Lee's field desk for one. I am also a Civil War buff as well.I would love to have a copy of this book in my librery. thanks to all; Walter
Posted: 1:11 am on February 22nd

Lori K writes: I am into woodworking and my husband is into history, so this book would be great for us to share. Thanks for the chance.
Posted: 1:02 am on February 22nd

cahudson42 writes: Interesting to see if the Confederate pieces are mostly SYP - and the North? Walnut? Cherry? or what?
Posted: 12:18 am on February 22nd

remainder writes: This book belongs in my civil war era home.
Posted: 9:09 pm on February 21st

b33tl3 writes: Looks like an interesting book.
Posted: 8:19 pm on February 21st

Larrythewoodguy writes: Sounds like a good read thanks for a chance to win it.
Posted: 6:51 pm on February 21st

plabrocca writes: This looks like an interesting book. I always like to see how things used to be made before all the modern technology.
Posted: 6:45 pm on February 21st

hubiedoo517 writes: As a history buff and a member of the EAIA(Early American Industries Association) I would like to read a copy of this book. Thanks for the chance to win, Again....

Hubert Kunnemeyer
Posted: 5:01 pm on February 21st

rsfarris writes: I highly respect Doug Stowe's woodworking abilities and his views and opinions on woodworking. So if Doug recommends it as a very good book for woodworkers with a love for history, that is good enough for me. It sounds like it would be a great addition to my collection.
Posted: 4:44 pm on February 21st

MrHudon writes: Woodworking and History my 2 favorite things, would love a copy..
Posted: 4:42 pm on February 21st

dfrangipane writes: I've been a woodworker since 1980 and an avid civil war buff since 1999, I even had the good fortune of being an extra in Gods and Generals. This sounds like a great book to own.
Posted: 2:55 pm on February 21st

LarryMarshall writes: I've seen this book and would love to have a copy of it. There are several projects I'd like to do.

Cheers --- Larry
Posted: 2:41 pm on February 21st

bcoan writes: Civil War troops camped where I live in North Carolina. My home is over 200 years old. Projects such as these would fit right in around here!
Posted: 2:20 pm on February 21st

kolwdwrkr writes: Not only would this book be educational to me, but also inspirational. I am always looking for ways to sharpen my design skills, and to be able to see examples of previous works of history will surely enhance that. It is also nice to have a good selection of woodworking books on hand, for those days where you just want to sit by the fire and read.
Posted: 1:10 pm on February 21st

DougStowe writes: I won't enter, as I already have a copy, and had the privilege of reading it before it went to press. It is a very good book, particularly for a woodworker who also has a love of history.
Posted: 10:57 am on February 21st

Eriewood writes: Awesome !
I've never heard much discussion related to this particular subject so it is of great interest to me.
I used to live in Cold Harbor Virginia, just outside of Richmond Virginia, and the area is all battlefields. I had to walk through the old trench's and fox holes while hunting behind my house there. If I don't win this book, I will still be looking to purchase it for my collection.
Thanks.
Posted: 10:39 am on February 21st

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