The handbook is structured into nine main chapters that cover the lifecycle of a woodworking project:

: Reviewers from Amazon and eBay highlight its top-notch illustrations and "reassuring humor," noting it is a practical guide meant to be used in the shop rather than just sitting on a shelf.

: Intermediate woodworkers or ambitious beginners who already have access to some shop equipment, as some projects require specialized tools like routers or lathes.

: Instruction on sketching plans, building scale models, and creating accurate cutting lists to ensure "measuring twice and cutting once". Essential Techniques :

: Practical advice on workspace layout, whether you are working in a large barn or a small apartment corner. It includes visual glossaries for both hand tools and shop machinery.

: Carved leaf scrolls, eagle's heads, and veneered flower pendants. Reader Insights