Books by Mike Abbott

Living Wood - From Buying a Woodland to Making a Chair
 

Mike's latest book Living Wood, now in its second edition, is intended both as a practical manual and an inspirational guide and falls into four distinct sections:

• Becoming a green woodworker - Mike's story, from growing up in the woodlands near Bristol to owning a share in a woodland in Herefordshire;
• Setting up a woodland workshop - the process of buying a woodland and developing the facilities including an access track, a woodland workshop and kitchen and a compost toilet. Mike also covers methods of harvesting wood both by hand and with machinery for woodwork and for firewood;
• Fitting out a woodland workshop - plans for a shelter, updated designs for a shaving horse and a height-adjustable pole-lathe, new information on tools and a detailed chapter on sharpening;
• Making ladderback chairs - new techniques for ultra-tight joints without glue, which make use of the irregular shrinkage of wood as it dries out. Also new designs including armchairs and rocking chairs and details of seating with bark and with rope;
• The book finishes with a chapter outlining the green-wood revival over the last thirty years plus useful information on "woody"organisations, suppliers and books.

The book is beautifully illustrated by Mike's wife Tamsin, and has useful colour and black and white photos. This book is packed with accessible information on how to make woodland products ranging from Mike's famous baby-rattles to a portable woodland shelter. If you are dreaming of buying a wood, have already bought one, or just love woodland, Living Wood is a book that will inform your mind and lift your spirits.

Smallwoods Magazine - summer 2002

The autobiographical section is both amusing and educational. This book is beautifully produced and I will definitely be putting a lot of the information it contains into practice. A must for anyone interested in green woodworking at any level.

Permaculture Magazine - Summer 2002

Title:	Living Wood - From Buying a Woodland to Making a Chair
Author:	Mike Abbott
Publisher:	Living Wood Books
ISBN:	0-9542345-1-0
Size:	210mm x 275mm
Extent:	240 pages
Illustrations:	200 line drawings, 130 photographs including an 8-page colour section
Retail price:	£16.95
Publication:	22nd May 2004
Synopsis:	An inspirational mixture of autobiography and practical handbook, taking the reader through the process of buying a woodland, harvesting the timber, setting up a woodland workshop and making a range of superb chairs.

 
Living Wood Books
Greenwood Cottage
Bishops Frome
Worcester
WR6 5AS
Tel: 01531 640005 (8am to 7pm)
e-mail: abbott@livingwood.co.uk

 
All cheques should be made payable to "Abbotts' Living Wood Ltd."
Post and packaging is free.