Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!

by Roy Underhill

Roy Underhill of PBS's "The Woodwright's Shop" has written what could be the world's first-ever woodworking novel: "Calvin Cobb: Radio Woodworker!" It's a screwball comedy set in 1937 about a woodworker who heads the U.S. government's agricultural "Broadcast Research" division.

Along with his staff of four women (all severely injured WWI volunteers), Calvin studies "broadcast seed, nutrient and amendment distribution technology and practice" – that is, what happens when the poop actually hits the fan.

But the four women are more interested in developing the world's first supercomputer (using abandoned punch-card machines), and Calvin is more interested in woodworking ... and in one particular woman: Kathryn Dale Harper, host of the radio program "Homemaker Chats."

How best to woo her? Why, a radio show: "Grandpa Sam's Woodshop of the Air!"

It's an almost-overnight sensation (for measured drawings, write to "Grandpa Sam's" and be sure to include a 3 cent stamp to cover the cost of duplication). But – as Calvin discovers – success breeds jealousy ... a dangerous thing when one's enemy has friends in high places.

Can Calvin and his friends save the world through woodworking, one listener at a time? Perhaps – but first, they'll have to save themselves from Nazis, the clutches of the FBI, bureaucracy and wooden legs that break at inopportune times.

Genres: Woodwork

Hardcover

First published November 10, 2014

Reviews

[James Willcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very creative and fun story telling. Roy sets the scene with accurate historical details that effectively portray the 1930's political and social environment as the US hurtles toward WWII. Calvin is the naive everyman whose research in the distribution of fertilizer leads to unexpected revelations. Considering the current political mess that is being slung, Calvin is the perfect hero for our time. There are a few errors and the ending was abrupt and hurried. Overall the story made me smile often, cringe at some of our nation's history, and finally marvel that we make all work out in the end.

[Jeff Youngstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun 1930s comic political thriller. The version in my head was directed by Howard Hawks. The political threads, though period appropriate are depressingly relevant here 80 years later. The plot could have used a few more passes with a smoother to tighten up the joints and clarify the presentation, but it barrels right along and is fun to read.

[Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Roy's show, especially his corn ball jokes and outlandish stories, you'll enjoy this book. While there is some woodworking as the title suggest there is surprisingly little. This is an adventure story primarily set in our nations capital. It also contains a good deal of history and I imagine the descriptions of how DC changed because of the New Deal are accurate.

[Seestars · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far so good. Started reading this out load with my husband, but he finished it when he had to travel solo for work. Now I'm finishing it on my own.

I love that this is written by Roy Underhill. He always has a great presence on his TV show. He really could have been a novelist if he wanted. Some folks have so much talent.

[Stephen Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun all the way through!

[Bill Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun until the end.