We live in a world full of new and exciting things. Someone always seems to come up with a "better' way to do something. But the ancient art of knotting (and other rope work) is still useful in the modern world. This book proposes to teach the beginner ten useful knots, as well as some additional basic rope-working skills. It began as a primer for people who sign on as crew on one of the many reproduction sailing shipls available today. The informatin in this book will show anyone the basic rope skills that will cover 90% of the tasks that need to be done on a sailing vessel of any size, hostoric or modern. But beond that, those skills are usefu anywhere that cordage is used. So whether you ever go to sea or not, these knots will stand you in good stead.