Tom Wolfe starts with a sapling straight from the hillside and takes the carver through each step to create a charming cane. He begins with prepping the sapling, helps the reader think through the design of the spirit that will emerge, and explains the various carving techniques that are needed to do the work. Finally he shows the painting and finishing steps, included ways to conceal unexpected problems.

House spirits can be found almost anywhere in the wood and timbers of the home. Tom Wolfe shows you how to coax them out of their hiding places with power tools. Five patterns are included. Tom provides step-by-step instructions with over 230 color photographs. These projects will challenge the beginner and will fascinate the more advanced power carver.

Expert advice on carving expressive cane toppers from basswood blocks. 4 detailed step-by-step tutorials for creating expressive canes. 6 joinery methods for strong and durable joints between cane topper and staff. How to source and prepare staffs from found wood. Tips for adding joint covers, hand grips, and custom features. Guide to basic cane construction techniques.

The protagonist of Tobias Wolff’s shrewdly—and at times devastatingly—observed first novel is a boy at an elite prep school in 1960. He is an outsider who has learned to mimic the negligent manner of his more privileged classmates. Like many of them, he wants more than anything on earth to become a writer. But to do that he must first learn to tell the truth about himself. The agency of revelation is the school literary contest, whose winner will be awarded an audience with the most legendary writer of his time. As the fever of competition infects the boy and his classmates, fraying alliances, exposing weaknesses, Old School explores the ensuing deceptions and betrayals with an unblinking eye and a bottomless store of empathy. The result is further evidence that Wolff is an authentic American master.

Finally, a book for power carvers by a power carver! Learn to carve realistic facial features with confidence and ease. Concisely illustrated, step-by-step directions for carving the human head. Disciplines and guidelines pertaining to facial layout and proportion are coupled power carving techniques. Ten projects and plans.

Carving Woodspirits: Beyond the Basics takes a woodcarver beyond basic face carving instructions. This step-by-step tutorial guides the carver through carving a detailed woodspirit face on a walking stick.

A complete guide to creating realistic portraits in wood from a champion carver. Learn the techniques for carving hair, skin, muscle and more. Following a step-by-step project with more than 350 color photos and 50 drawings that provide useful anatomical references, you'll be guided to completely sculpt the piercing features of a Native American warrior wearing a wolf headdress.