Alden Amos (1938–2015)

Opinionated is an understatment. He knows a fair amount about spinning with a wheel and about weaving. He knows very little about crocheting and needlework. He has a very bad habit about overwhelming you with a lot more details than you need, but assuming that you know the one little detail you were looking for.

(If his way were really the only proper way of doing things, an awful lot of people would have gone naked over the centuries, which even he admits.) On the other hand, he at least show more does explain why he likes his way of doing things, and that might just be enough to get you out of trouble without duplicating his methods. show less

Amos is opinionated and terribly entertaining. The book meanders and winds down many a dead-end, but with Amos as tour guide, even rope-making is entertaining. This book provides an excellent overview of spinning equipment and yarn construction. Some find his style abrasive, but if you don't take him any more seriously than he takes himself, you won't be offended. Be sure to read the footnotes--they're half the fun.

Broad in scope, authoritative and with occasional flashes of brilliance. The lighthearted, rambling approach will charm some, repel others. Highly useful to those able to filter out the author's often coy or arch interruptions of his own scholarship. Note that the focus is on wheels -- there's relatively little information on the use of drop or supported spindles.

Amos is very knowledgeable, and famously opinionated on all subjects. Not the rank beginner's best choice for a first spinning book, but absolutely worth the weight in reference material and humor. Includes 70-page explanatory glossary, and an extended bibliography complete with opinions on usefulness. This is one of the most comprehensive explanations of spinning, prep and equipment, but is light on spindle-spinning.