I was always curious about woodworking but had no idea how to even start. This book’s ten-day plan is perfect for that mindset. Day one is just about getting your hands on a piece of wood and a plane, which was less scary than I thought. It’s honest about the time and effort required, which I really appreciated, and it stopped me from buying a bunch of expensive tools I don’t need yet. I got through it and actually made a small box, which shocked me. It’s a good, practical start, even if it did make me realise I need more patience than I thought for the finer details.

It’s a decent plan, but I found the pace slightly too fast for my schedule. The day-by-day format is a great idea, but I couldn't always find a solid hour to practice each day, and the chapters are pretty dense. When I fell a day behind, it felt a bit stressful, but the chapters are short enough that I could catch up on a weekend. The best part is definitely the realistic view of what you can achieve in ten days—I didn’t feel bad about my wobbly first dovetail. I just wish it had a bit more leeway for real-world interruptions.

I’ve watched a million YouTube videos and read so many forum threads, but nothing truly clicked until I followed this book's plan. The first day made the whole thing feel approachable—it wasn't about mastering a skill, just about making a simple cut. The step-by-step for planing was brilliant, and the troubleshooting section on day six saved me from throwing my saw across the room. It’s exactly what I needed to go from dreaming about woodworking to actually doing it. Ten days later, I have a small shelf on my wall that I made with my own hands, and I’m officially hooked. This is a fantastic investment for any curious beginner.

The guide is well-structured and the writing is friendly, but I think it slightly underestimates the physicality of the work. I'm not the strongest person, and I expected the planing to be a bit easier than it was. However, the book does give you a good warning on day one that it's a real physical activity. I appreciated the advice on adjusting technique and the realistic milestones. It’s good, but not a magical solution—you still have to put in the sweat. Overall, a useful and honest guide for a complete novice like me.

It’s a good, honest 10-day plan, but I have to admit I felt a little frustrated by day three with the gear section. It gives you a great breakdown of options, but I still felt a bit overwhelmed by the choices at the hardware store. However, sticking with it was worth it. By day five I was sawing square cuts, which felt amazing. By day ten I had a simple cutting board, and the sense of accomplishment was the real pay-off. It gave me a clear picture of what regular practice looks like, though, and I’m not sure I have the time for it long-term. But it answered my big question, which is what I wanted.