An Ax to Grind: A Practical Ax Manual, is published by the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service. It is a great compilation of information about axes, from some history, to how to repair an old axe. The book does not go into any significant debt, but the information provided is very valuable, and well worth a look.
To the best of my knowledge, this book is in the public domain, and a copy can be obtained
here (large PDF),
here, and several other places online.