The problem of this study was to determine the suitability of available industrial arts textbooks for classroom use in the subject area of power mechanics. Criteria used in determining the subject matter content and format suitability of the textbooks were selected from previous research and applied to the textbooks by five jurors. Only one of the eight textbooks evaluated for subject matter content was found suitable for use in courses in power mechanics, while all of the textbooks were found suitable when evaluated for format. In order to conduct a comprehensive industrial arts power mechanics program, teachers must rely on supplementary materials in classroom instruction because of the low levels of subject matter suitability of the textbooks.