The bookshelf arrived in 2 boxes, one super long and the other super heavy. While a bit difficult, I managed to get all of the pieces out of the boxes and into my living room.  Once I had all the pieces laid out, assembly was super easy with the tool provided.  It took me about an hour and a half from start (opening the boxes) to finish but that included breaks while watching TV. Once I finished I knew there was no way I could to lift the bookcase on my own without my husband's help. Once he arrived we both realized that we needed to take off the top in order to get the bookshelf in our study. So we used the tool provided &  easily removed the top, moved the bookshelf in the study, then reattached the top.  This is a very sturdy bookshelf  and can't wait to rearrange my books and knickknacks on it.