This delightful book presents a wide variety of baskets with the author's view of "temporary" and "permanent" uses, and hundreds of photographs to illustrate his text. Basketmaking is a hand process that has never been mechanized and continues virtually unchanged in each part of the world. Here are found Asian, American and European ceremonial baskets, some of which support lavish facades of feathers and shells, as well as humble work baskets and those made quickly to satisfy a moment's need. Many traditional methods of converting plant materials into baskets are described with pictures of their constructions and discussions of their unique qualities.