Basic guidance for the home carpenter, starting where he might be with recommended tools, labeled house parts, and an illustrated glossary. The focus is on improvements, not repairs; projects range from laying tile to adding rooms. Ermeling breaks down every operation, whether it's using a ladder or pouring foundations, and he breaks up the text with detailed illustrations, boxed do's and don't's, numbered steps, etc.--all of which makes for a handy, encouraging reference.