HOOK

62 HOOK THE HANDY BOOK OF KNOTS by Geoffrey Budworth & Richard Hopkins There is an art to tying knots. While most of us can do a simple double knot or /e our shoelaces in a bow, how o en have we stopped to truly appreciate the ar/stry behind what we are doing? using a single thread of string or rope, we are crea/ng some- thing stable and secure. But there is an en/re world of knots out there wai/ng to be discovered, and Geoffrey Budworth and Richard Hopkins have brought all of this mys/cal knowledge together into one place, and pre- sented it to us to devour to our heart's content with The Handy Book of Knots. The book is not a repository of just a few knots, but rather a com- pendium of over 150 different ways to /e a knot and create something unique and incredibly useful. Knots have, of course, been used heavily on the seas for genera/ons, with sailors learning all sorts of differ- ent knots to /e the rigging of their ships into place. Spelunkers and moun- tain climbers have also made great use of knots as they climbed deep into a cave system or high up into the Heav- ens. The thing is, any knot can be used anywhere, for any reason. The Handy Book of Knots segregates their wares by the technique needed to create the final product, with chapters on such things as overhand knots, figure-of- eight knots, bowlines, wrap-and-tuck knots, and more. At the same /me, each knot in the book is color coded into five categories as to its general and usual use: boa/ng & sailing, house & garden, outdoor pursuits, caving & climbing, and cra s. Leaf through the pages and you'll find instruc/ons on how to create a Stevedore Knot, a Double Fisherman's Knot, or an Ossel Hitch. Each knot is The Hidden Wisdom of Animals Nature has much to teach us, if only we would stop and listen, pay a0en/on, and agree to learn. Authors Kate Siber and Kaitlynn copithorne have aggregated over forty different lessons various creatures of the world are trying to teach us. The book is colorful and beau/ful to behold, with each page lovingly decorated and illustrated to highlight the animal mentor in ques/on. Rather than a fully scien/fic look at how these animals perform their amazing feats, however, the book is more of a metaphysical look into what we can learn from the concepts of their feats. Examples range from how pigeons are able to return home from anywhere in the world, to how jellyfish are able to just go with the flow, to how foxes know how to be flexible. The lessons are part of a greater wisdom that we, as human beings, would do well to learn and integrate into our lives, "What are your vows, promises, or pledges?" asks the book. "What do you keep returning to with faith and love?" Every sec/on forces the reader to look in- wards and ask themselves hard ques/ons. But at the same /me, they offer us the chance to celebrate ourselves, with lessons from crickets - who know how to sing, oc- topuses - who know how to be different, and whale sharks - who know how to be gen- tle. The book feels like it is geared toward children, perhaps around ages ten-to-twelve or so, but its wisdom and lessons are valuable to one and all. This book reminds us that we are all on this planet together, and that we all possess magical traits and abili/es that lie just under the surface. shown in great detail through color photographs and given step-by-step instruc- /ons, promising that anyone with the desire can learn these knots and /e their way to glory. So whether you're looking to create a Harness Bend or a Sailmaker's Whip- ping, you'll find what you need within the pages of The Handy Book of Knots This book reminds us tha t we are all on this planet together, and that we all possess magical traits and abilities that lie just under the surface. Five categories as to its general and usual use: boa ting & sailing, house & garden, outdoor pursuits, caving & climbing, and craf ts.

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