'A Manual of Wood Carving' by John J. Holtzapffel and Charles Godfrey Leland is an essential guide for those interested in learning the art of woodcarving. In this book, the authors introduce the principles and techniques of woodcarving and emphasize its applicability to ornamentation. This manual is the first to describe the sweep-cut, a technique that is the key to good and bold carving. It covers a wide range of topics, from the tools and woods used in carving, to carving in the round and repairing wood carving.