Arch,
I have the Gary Roberts book and reccomend it highly. Gary is a memberof the
Austin club, Central Texas Woodturners Assc., so I have been able to see a
lot of his work over the past few years. It is a step above what you'll
usually see at most local shows, and will hold it's own at national
symposiums. The book has projects starting at the "intermediate" level and
works up. It gives dimensions on the pieces shown, as well as the cuts
required to produce a similar product. I can't compare it to the other
books, as I haven't seen them yet. I know Darlow's earlier book on the
basics is pretty good. Hosaluk is a different type of turner from most I
know. His work is what I'd call freestyle. It is interesting, but some of it
is out toward the edge! So if you're wanting to go toward the "artsy " side,
you probably need his opinion.
Good luck, Happy holidays.

Ken Moon
Webberville, TX
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"Arch" wrote in message
...
Books for beginning turners have been well discussed here, but there
hasn't been much opinion and advice re books for we 'a little
fa(u?)rther alongers' who want to enter the 21st century. (or at least
the last half of the 20th) I hear footsteps from Walmart's cheap
imported salad bowls so I need to move onward & upward. It's gift
_receiving_ time and I'm considering four fairly current books to help
me compete with the far East:

Hosaluk's "Scratching the Surface"
Darlow's: "Woodturning Design"
Robert's: "Masterful Woodturning"
O'Donnells': "Decorating Wood"

Perhaps these authors consider different aspects, but I'm not likely to
be gifted with all four. Maybe my old Raffin classic on bowl design is
sufficient, but somehow buying it didn't make me an artist. I just know
one of the above will. Your unbiased reviews? Opinions? Advice? Other
book suggestions? Incredulous laughter? Arch

Fortiter,