<DIV>Sound, technical advice is the first order of business in this collection of several excellent articles and 24&nbsp;projects&nbsp;from <I>Woodcarving</I> magazine. Far from being just a selection of patterns, this guide reviews the fundamentals of the craft and is addressed to carvers of all skill levels.&nbsp;Special attention is paid to the finicky V-tool, which suffers from a reputation for being difficult to use, and carvers are also&nbsp;instructed on&nbsp;how to sharpen tools properly, choose the perfect wood, apply&nbsp;a&nbsp;variety of finishes,&nbsp;and&nbsp;work with gold leaf. The projects&nbsp;include pineapple finials,&nbsp;decorative moldings, and signs with carved&nbsp;lettering;&nbsp;challenging advanced work&nbsp;is to be found in&nbsp;plans for an eagle-decorated lectern and a&nbsp;seated Buddha. Color photos illustrate&nbsp;the step-by-step directions for all projects, and sidebars offer tips for success.</DIV>