Review: The Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual & Giveaway

Summary: Reader’s Digest and The Family Handyman—the world’s largest home improvement magazine—have teamed up to produce 528 pages of up-to-date, authoritative home improvement information.

Since 1973, millions of people have bought, used and loved Reader’s Digest Complete Do-It-Yourself Manual. Other home improvement books have come and gone over the years, but none has covered the subject more comprehensively.

This new edition preserves the best elements of the original—including the clear and accurate step-by-step instructions and can-do attitude—while adding new photos, illustrations and wisdom from the archives of The Family Handyman magazine.

The result? A practical and colorful guide that follows the original’s unique proposition: With the right instructions, tools and encouragement, the average homeowner can successfully complete many typical home improvement projects and repairs! -- Reader's Digest

Over the past few weeks, I think I've provided some pretty decent gift ideas for the upcoming holiday season... if I do say so myself. Well, now I've found another one. It's THE READER'S DIGEST COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL, and it's ideal for rookie or seasoned handymen and handywomen.

THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL has been around since 1973, and I can only imagine how many people it's helped with home improvement. This 530+ page book is newly updated and includes instructions from The Family Handyman, the world's largest home improvement magazine.

I am probably the least qualified person to review this book because I do absolutely nothing as far as fixing things around the house go. I can change light bulbs and paint, but that's about my limit. On second thought, maybe it's a good thing for me to review THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL because I am definitely starting without any knowledge base.

I think this reference book for all things "handy" is fantastic. I'm not exactly saying that I feel I could tackle any job around the house, but I definitely know where to look before calling someone for help. There are specific instructions for both basic and complicated jobs, and the pictures are extremely detailed. I was very impressed with the thoroughness of THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL.

I want to give you an idea of the projects covered in THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL because the range is amazing. The book is divided into the following chapters: Your Home, Hand Tools, Power Tools, Fasteners & Adhesives, Plumbing, Electricity, Home Climate, Interior Repairs & Improvements, Painting & Wallpapering, Exteriors, Landscaping, Windows & Doors,  Concrete, Masonry, & Asphalt, Woodworking & Furniture Repairs, Metals & Plastics, Healthy Home & Emergency Repairs, and Storage Projects. There are dozens of projects in each section!

I think THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL is a must-have resource for every home regardless of the owners' skill levels. Highly recommended!

Thanks to FSB Associates for providing a review copy of this book.

Giveaway alert: I have a copy of THE COMPLETE DO-IT-YOURSELF MANUAL to share with one lucky reader. To enter, just fill out the form below before December 17th at 11 :59 p.m. EST. I will randomly select and notify the winner the following day. This contest is open to those of you in the U.S. only. Good luck!