The Better Homes and Gardens Handyman's Book, red, 3 ring binder, 1951, sells
for $8.00 to $40.00 on used book sites. It's a good mix of old techniques
and new, crappy products. It is written from the point of view that everyone
can (and does) do dovetail joints, brazing, and small motor repair (all of
which are beyond me, but I like the atmosphere).
It's just right for our house in the Vineyard, a 1950's bastardization of a
1770's center hall colonial.
Christopher Gray