The Knot Book by Geoffrey Budworth
Hachette UK, 2012 (originally 1985) ISBN 9780716023159
This is what the title says - it is a book on ways of joining rope to itself or solid objects. It does not cover fancywork, splicing or other branches of work in cordage. There are 160 pages, packed in about equal quantities with clear illustrations and descriptions, following some introductory matter on ropes and techniques. No index - unfortunately. As may be expected, there are all the familiar knots and some variations. Some readers may prefer other names and some may want to tuck another way. So what - beginners will be safe if they stick to the book. The test of a book on a well-covered subject is not how it deals with what most other books do, but what is the reason why this is the book to buy if you already have too many of the others. For one thing this gives us proof that Matthew Walker was not the only man to have a knot named after him. I do not know a book with as many personalized knots as this one. There are many knots or variations that I have not seen described elsewhere, and a lot of these are aimed at general and everyday users, rather than the purely nautical ones of many earlier books. When most books cost pounds, this one is exceptional value at pence. Anyone interested in knots should have it to add to their knowledge.
Percy W. Blandford