The Shaker Legacy: Perspectives of an Enduring Tradition, by Christian Becksvoort. 234 Pages. Clothbound. To truly understand and appreciate the distinctive Shaker furniture that has attracted such enthusiastic interest from collectors, one must first come to know who the Shakers were and wat was their perspective on life and work. In this spectacular new book, author Christian Becksvoort offers as compelling a portrait of Shaker life and work as has ever been assembled. Filled with superb color photographs of great examples of Shaker woodwork, the book also includes a detailed history of the Shakers in America with an emphasis on the concepts of "harmony" and "order" that governed their lives and their work. If you are to read only one book this month or this year, we heartily recommend The Shaker Legacy. $40.00 (BK-0259)