I was truly surprised by Pawson's book. From the reviews of others, I was expecting a good deal, and hoped it would be as good as Morrow's Guide to Knots, but adding some information not included in that very good book. When the book arrived, it seemed so slim (actually 160 pages, however) and compact, I couldn't see how it could compare.

However, it's a marvel in presenting a wealth of information very clearly. I think it is considerably more informative than the Morrow book, and also gives clearer explanations and illustrations.

It has very many useful knots that Morrow and most other small books do not have, such as the Alpine Butterfly, Ashley's Bend, Buntline Hitch, and the Klemheist knot, gives good information on splicing that Morrow completely omits, and has a lot of useful tips everywhere. The illustrations are truly first rate.

I was surprised though at the omission of the tautline hitch or Tarbuck knot (either would have sufficed). Indeed there were no "ratcheting" loop knots given that slide open or closed to the degree desired, then locked -- a truly useful class of knot that shouldn't have been omitted. If another knot had to go to make room, the only two that could have gone, in my opinion, are the Jury Mast Knot and the Thief Knot. (Admittedly, the Thief Knot is interesting, and I guess that if you need the Jury Mast Knot, you REALLY need it. But that's not one person in 10,000 these days.)

Morrow's is probably more complete for the fisherman.

I highly recommended "The Handbook of Knots" as a first book on knots, and for most people it will really be all that they ever need, except for the sliding loop knot omission. But if you do need a sliding knot, the Tautline Hitch is actually a Rolling Hitch tied on its own standing part after looping around the object being hitched, so since the book gives the Rolling Hitch, if you know this relationship between the knots, then you're all set and probably won't ever really need another book.

Unless you become fascinated by the subject, in which case you'll need Ashley's book.

Overall, Pawson's book sets a new standard among the smaller, conveniently-sized, highly practical knot books.

For anyone wanting to know more than the very basics, Ashley is a must: an absolute best. No one has ever done it better, and this is the standard reference work.

There are a handful of modern knots that aren't here in this edition, but that's very minor quibbling. The only people that will care about this, are people who will absolutely need Ashley's book in any case!

For the person wanting to get started, while he or she may soon find the need for Ashley's book, there is so much information that overload is bound to occur. I'd recommend "The Handbook of Knots" by Des Pawson for the beginner who doesn't want to put that much effort into it and wants a fast start. But as Ashley pointed out as his reason for having only one book, instead of also having a simplified book, the fact is that even children who were really interested in the subject proved themselves able to make even the most complex knots from his complete book, so he felt no need for a simpler book. If you have that degree of interest, then indeed you need nothing else, but if you're looking for quick, easy, yet everything you need to know to get going pretty well, then some of the smaller books are better choices (and I think the above-mentioned Pawson book is best.)

This book makes an excellent selection of knots. Four stopper knots, including ways of making them in series; eight hitches, including very thorough coverage of various ways to tie the clove hitch including under tension; eight loops; four running knots; eight bends; seven knots for eye hooks; five knots for flatted hooks; two bends and a stopper knot for fishing line; two fishing line loops; two swivel hitches, and quite a few decorative knots.

So this is not 70 knots for the sailor, since quite a few are for fishing, but it's a really solid core of knots for sailing. I'm not well able to judge its broadness for the fisherman but it certainly seems to cover the bases.

The pictures are good, the instructions are good... you really couldn't want anything more except for the book to stay open more easily. But, there's no way they could have accomplished that while giving you so many pages (254) in a compact book you can easily take with you. This book is an excellent buy.

This book has rather few knots, and instead of making every one of the few knots count and making sure to hit all the basics, it wastes space on some knots most people won't ever need. ...

On the other hand, with the built-in cords, it would make an appealing-looking gift for kids. But, the gimmick of having little cut-outs for the ropes to go through when practicing knots fails, because the cardboard readily tears with an ordinary kind of pull.

But, the average person will learn a useful knot or two from this book... if nothing else, your kid will be pleased to find out how to tie his sneakers just as securely as doubleknotted, but untying with a single pull, and looking very similar to a regular knot but kind of cool. That knot could be worth the price of admission... but overall something like Morrow's Guide to knots is far superior and not much more money.

Overall, I felt the book was a gimmicky semi-ripoff, but that's not being quite fair, because the average person will pick up a few useful knots from it, whereas they might just be intimidated or confused by a more comprehensive book.