During the woodturning renaissance of the 1970's, one man emerged as the primary inspiration for scores of woodturners. His name was Bob Stocksdale. Unpretentious and extraordinarily talented, Stocksdale was a master at finding the natural beauty in wood for his functionally elegant bowls. His love for exotic timbers, his careful attention to selecting just the right piece, and his gifted use of simple tools were the trademarks that gained him celebrity status and set the standard for excellence in the contemporary wood art movement. In 1987, author Ron Roszkiewicz had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend a week in Stocksdale's home workshop to hear him describe his life, work, thoughts, and opinions. With text transcribed directly from audiotapes and never-before-seen photographs, The Perfect Wooden Bowl illustrates more than just how a turning legend shapes, sharpens or finishes - it's a snapshot of an American original.