From Back It's nice to know a hundred knots, but those who do usually find that just a dozen or so meet their needs. Here's a practical collection of the essential knots for simple boat work, with a few others thrown in just because they are beautiful and useful. Illustrated with clear and simple diagrams, it has easy-to-follow text. It includes a drop-down chart to match needs to specific knots as well as a guide to fiber characteristics to help you select the right rope for the job. This slim volume can be carried in a pocket until the sailor-in-training knows them all by heart.