One is always suspicious of any book which claims to be the “ultimate” of its kind but this glossy tome does a reasonable job of introducing the subject. Despite the principal focus of the publisher, some of the material would be of more interest to dressmakers and home craftsmen; nevertheless, there is enough to keep most modern sailors busy. Most of the categories of two-and three-dimensional knots are reviewed using a large number of colour photographs, with a section on projects at the end. Given the glossy, coffee-table nature of the book, it would be easy to obtain a practical manual at a lower price but the book would make a handsome gift for a sailor. 394 pages.

Ian Stewart, July 2012

ISBN number: 978 1 4081 5726 8