"This slender volume is a practical how-to guide for home crafters and outdoor enthusiasts. Four nicely formatted chapters, heavy with simple illustrations, showcase knots that are suitable for general use, camping, climbing, and maritime activity. Individual entries begin with brief commentary on the history and appropriate use of each knot, followed by clearly written, very easy-to-follow, step-by-step tying instructions. Among the 40 entries are, for example, the "Cat's Paw," commonly used as a hitch hook for slings; the "Alpine Butterfly," used by mountain climbers to attach carabiners to climbing ropes; and the "Anchor Bend," perfect for securing boats. This handy guide is recommended for the reference shelves of public and school libraries." -Booklist Online-- -.