Short got come good tips out of every chapter to handy man jobs around the house, a very useful asset when the man of the house is away from home, and the old faithful man of all trades has gone into defense work. I found the best instructions on the selection and use of basic tools that I remember seeing, and simple background on elementary engineering principles. Then he goes on to specific subjects such as concrete, brickwork, plastering, painting, roofing, heating, plumbing, insulation, and special problems raised by fuel shortage, and so on. Good handbook.