There are many knots books published recently that present about 100 different
knots with cursory information and glossy color pictures (often of absurd apparent
applications of the knots!). In contrast, Ashley's book is in black'n'white, but his
images are usually as good or better, and his associated text generally has more
to say. Although he has some couple hundred practical knots, don't believe ABOK
is in any way "complete"--nor are others, which proclaim that in their title, as per
the shameless desires of book marketers. Of course, with Ashley, one also gets
a whole bunch of decorative stuff, too.
To learn better about some particular application, get a book in that field--such
as rockclimbing or caving or fishing (Ashley worked in the age before synthetics,
so there is much missing for that). With knotters, though, Ashley is a standard
of reference.
As for The Ency.of Knots & Fancy Rope Work, there are probably many in this
knotty community who find its treatment of decorative work passable or better;
but for practical knotting, aside from it being a collection of MANY images, it is
laughable (more funny if you didn't pay much for it), with an incredible load of
nonsense in gems such as "The Half Hitch Lineman's Loop has no practical value",
"The Cross Turn Bend is an unusual [I'll say!] way to make a bend with a cross
turn in the middle." and "The Crossed Hitch Weave has crossed hitches placed in the
ends as shown." --whatever THAT matters!? For a great bulk of the knots presented
here, the thought will be "huh? WHY is this here??". I can only imagine that
Hansel and Gretel had a jolly time sitting around and making things up!!
(It is plain hard to find another explanation, really!?) It amazes me that this mass of stuff
got published ever. It must succeed just by pure volume (at which few bother to look).
--dl*
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