This book shows its age in every possible way: the man in the three-piece suit (and hat, natch) laying cement block, the advice to use a thin sheet of asbestos to make your stovetop toasting rack reflect heat better, to the instructions for turning a sewing machine into a jigsaw... Do I need to go on?

Not only are there useful facts buried in here, but just flipping through it demonstrates how much life has changed since 1949. There are rough outlines of how to build a coal storage box in your basement (6'x7'x7' holds 6.5 tons; 6'x'8'x8' holds 8 tons; and 6'x9'x9' holds 9.75 tons), plus advice on "reading" your stoker fire. One can attach a small electix motor to the old reel mower to make work light. (The modified mower is of course pictured in the hands of a thick man wearing a white short, sleeves cuffed, with a wiiide tie that ends a full five inches from his belt.) My favorite illustrations may be the ones of a man in a suit vest, tie, and wire-rimmed glasses upholstering his own furniture. "...additional stuffing such as hair, moss, fiber, etc., may be required." And who doesn't have some moss and fiber around the house?

This thing is crying out to be scanned by Lileks. ( )