Quick verdict
If you want a single, illustrated guide to building outdoor tables, chairs, benches, planters, and trellises, this Randy Johnson book is a solid pick. At USD 19.99, it offers a practical range of projects with American Woodworker's build-it-better approach, and it gives you a low-stakes way to try several classic designs.
Who it suits
This suits woodworkers who like working from printed plans and want a variety of outdoor pieces without buying five separate project books. The book covers the furniture types that show up most often in a backyard: a classic Adirondack chair, sturdy benches, tables, planters, and trellises. It also fits anyone who enjoys the Build-It-Better-Yourself series format, where each project is explained with clear illustrations.
What stands out from the listed details
Randy Johnson is credited as the author, and the book is part of the Build-It-Better-Yourself Woodworking Projects series from American Woodworker. The book is a first-edition trade paperback from the 2010s, with illustrated features throughout. The project list is clearly laid out: tables, chairs, benches, planters, trellises, and more. It's not a single-project plan book but a collection, which makes the price easy to consider next to the cost of buying separate plans for each piece.
Meaningful trade-offs
Because this is a used copy listed in Very Good condition, you're getting a book that may show some handling but should remain intact and readable. If you're picky about crisp pages or pristine covers, that could matter. Also, the emphasis is on outdoor and garden projects specifically. If you're looking for indoor furniture plans like desks or bookcases, this isn't the book for you. And while the series is aimed at a range of skill levels, beginners may still need to look up some terms or techniques as they work through a project.
Product note
Outdoor & Garden Furniture by Randy Johnson
The full listing reads "VG+ | Outdoor & Garden Furniture by Randy Johnson | American Woodworker Plans PB." For USD 19.99, you get a first-edition trade paperback from the Build-It-Better-Yourself Woodworking Projects series. The book covers detailed instructions and plans for tables, chairs, benches, planters, trellises, and more, with a classic Adirondack chair included. It's illustrated and authored by Randy Johnson, with the American Woodworker name behind it.
What's genuinely useful here is the variety. If you have a yard that needs furniture and you like to build, one book can cover several pieces. The downside is that it's not a comprehensive indoor furniture guide, because it's specifically outdoor and garden focused. Also, since the copy is used, you should be comfortable with a book that is described as Very Good rather than new.
Bottom line
If you're shopping for woodworking furniture plans and specifically want outdoor projects, Randy Johnson's Outdoor & Garden Furniture offers a practical, well-illustrated starting point. You get a collection of plans for the most common backyard builds in one volume. Just remember it's a used trade paperback in Very Good shape, and its strengths are outdoor furniture, not every furniture type you might dream up. For that specific use case, it's worth putting in your cart.
