Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual    by Family Handyman Order:  USA  Can Readers Digest, 2014 (2014) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Here's a great book to start the New Year with - the newly updated Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. Get it for yourself or as a not so subtle hint to the handyperson in your life. And in need, it makes an excellent door-stop as well. It's well organized, beautifully illustrated (in full color), and comprehensive. Sections address: Your Home, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Fasteners & Adhesives, Plumbing, Electricity, Home Climate, Interior Repairs & Improvements, Painting & Wallpapering, Exteriors, Landscaping, Windows & Doors, Concrete, Masonry & Asphalt, Woodworking & Furniture Repairs, Metals & Plastics, Healthy Home & Emergency Repairs and Storage Projects. My husband has built our log home pretty well from scratch over the last decade (still finishing touches to do!) So I asked his opinion. He tells me that the volume provides a good introduction to all tools, electric and otherwise. And it addresses a wide variety of household projects, documenting them thoroughly for ease of implementation. He was also impressed by the consistent availability of useful illustrations and images. A novice myself (I generally act as gofer), I looked at a couple of sections I might need to take on - Re-covering a chair (after feline claws did damage) and Critter Control (squirrels in our roof space). For the former, the step-by-step photographs make it very clear how to proceed. The latter includes a useful tip on pairing mousetraps. And I like the look of the section on storage projects as well - always need more of those! This Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual is a handy, dependable resource. Though a lot of information is available on the Internet these days, it tends to be quite variable in quality. This manual makes a very good, reliable place to start. I gave it to my son for Christmas to get him started! Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews