The History of Woodworking Tools is a classic reference work by William Louis Goodman, offering a comprehensive survey of the development of hand tools used in carpentry and joinery from antiquity to the modern era.
Goodman traces the evolution of tools such as the axe, adze, saw, plane, chisel, and drill, showing how each emerged, adapted, and refined across cultures and centuries. Drawing on examples from Europe and North America, he combines archaeological evidence, historical records, and technical illustrations to present a detailed account of craftsmanship through the ages.
The book is richly illustrated with photographs, line drawings, and charts prepared by Goodman himself, making it both a scholarly resource and a visually engaging guide. Beyond technical detail, it highlights the ingenuity of artisans and the cultural significance of woodworking in shaping human civilization.