I had my library request a copy through interlibrary loan. It took a while to work through the people ahead of me, but I got it eventually. The librarian just had to be persistant and on top of resubmitting the request. I think the copy I got had a label from Tuckahoe library in the County of Henrico. That is in Virgina.
As to worth, that is up to you. It does cover the entire building process, jigs and measurements and I have not found any glaring errors, but I am still working up to my first build, so take that with a spoon of salt.
I did post a question in this thread on a bracing variation.
http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/f...built-a-Tenor-Based-on-the-Denis-Gilbert-Book
In further searching I found a Facebook account for a Uke builder who has used this bracing.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Olomana-Ukulele-Co/121394394551591
I sort of look on books, YouTube and other builders as part of the entire education. sort of like a selfguided apprecticeship.
The one thing I see consistently is the Hana Lima plans and instruction book. The onnly objection (if you could call it that) is that uke seems to be overbuilt. whatever that means. If I sell some more stuff on CL I hope to put the money towards a purchase from them.
There is another book I got through the Library, "Ukulele Design and Construction by D. Henry Wickham". It is geared around a set of plans which did NOT come with book. I think they are a seperate purchase. Again, it gives you other ways things can be done, but I can't speak as to whether it is a "good" book on construction.
You might want to reasearch this forum for "Youthelele" for a simpler building method. I plan to do a variation of that for the few instruments I plan to build.
EDIT: sheesh! I gotta start checking thread dates.