What do you think?
Rate this book
A Craftsmans Legacy: Why Working with Our Hands Gives Us Meaning
Today, even as so many of us spend hours in front of screens and in the virtual world, there is a growing movement that recognizes the power in the personal, the imperfect, the handmade. Eric Gorges, a metal shaper, taps into that hunger to get back to what's real through visits with the fellow artisans he has profiled for his popular public television program. In this book, he tells their stories and shares the collective wisdom of calligraphers, potters, stone carvers, glassblowers, engravers, wood workers, and more while celebrating the culture they've created. Filled with insights about the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of craftsmanship, A Craftsman's Legacy identifies the craftsman's shared values: taking time to slow down and enjoy the process, embracing failure, knowing when to stop and when to push through, and accepting that perfection is an illusion. Gorges extols the benefits of getting out of one's comfort zone and the importance of learning the traditions of the past in order to carry those values into the future. Along the way, Gorges tells his own story about leaving the corporate world to focus on what he loves. This is a book for seekers of all kinds, an exhilarating look into the heart and soul of modern-day makers--and how they can inspire us all.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published May 7, 2019
104 people are currently reading
2029 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 20, 2022
Eric Gorges is the host of a show called The Craftsman's Legacy on PBS. Each episode introduces a craftsperson - be it a furniture maker, a potter, a weaver, a calligrapher, a glassblower, you name it - into whose world Eric enters and attempts, as a novice, to experience. He, himself, builds custom motorcycles, so it's all about what people are creating with their hands. This book travels through those fields and the philosophical lessons learned from physical labor.
Initially, the book reads very much like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which Eric admits as an influence. Yet there is a slow-growing revelation in this text, stemming from the reason he was forced to leave his employ in the tech industry; a series of frightening events that dropped him square in the center of a brutal struggle to salvage his existence. It would be too easy to say his passion saved him. More did he resurrect himself through re-dedicating his life to the labor such passion demanded.
There is great authenticity to be found in Mr. Gorges' work, if you're patient with it. Which is, of course, what all true craft requires.
Initially, the book reads very much like Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which Eric admits as an influence. Yet there is a slow-growing revelation in this text, stemming from the reason he was forced to leave his employ in the tech industry; a series of frightening events that dropped him square in the center of a brutal struggle to salvage his existence. It would be too easy to say his passion saved him. More did he resurrect himself through re-dedicating his life to the labor such passion demanded.
There is great authenticity to be found in Mr. Gorges' work, if you're patient with it. Which is, of course, what all true craft requires.
December 30, 2019
It's been a long time since I felt the need to take notes and copy quotes while reading a book. There's so much here about life in general, not just about being a craftsman.
April 3, 2020
In the fine tradition of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance and Shop Class as Soulcraft, A Craftsman's Legacy is a spiritually uplifting read that transported me to a special place I left only reluctantly. I am grateful for the experience. All three books emphasize that artisans fulfill a purpose and role in their community, and that practice, humility and patience lead to proficiency.
There is a striking similarity between the artisans' paths in this book and the typical way one becomes a shaman: illness makes life so unbearable one must accept one's destiny to serve as intermediary between the spiritual and the material realms. Eric Gorges, host of the show and author of this book, had a lucrative secure job in an office but was unfulfilled. He was unmotivated to change until breakdown/breakthrough led him to seek another way to live. He now builds custom motorcycles and is living his best life. Many of the other craftspeople had similar experiences.
We accompany Gorges as he meets with 25 artisans and tries his hand at their crafts and we learn a great deal about artisanship and, most importantly, about crafting a meaningful life. Gorges' reflective musings are profound. "Knowing what we're here for, and what we must protect, is another way that we can all find peace" (112). "The universe will let you know one way or another if you are where you should be. It's up to you whether or not you listen, whether or not you want to keep going further down that road" (208). "When you find your purpose, you still shoulder worries like anyone, but at least the grand question What am I doing here feels answered" (209).
As a consultant, I help high school and college students plan for adulthood. I wish they would read this. This book is a testament to the value of doing one thing well, in contrast to being well-rounded. Moreover, in almost every college application essay, students claim they are "passionate about" x with nothing to show for it, no tangible strides toward it, no sacrifices made. Passion is demonstrated by action, not merely emotion or thought. Instead, students make excuses ratified by their parents, educators, and policy makers. They claim they don't have access to the materials, knowledge, space, equipment, people, ideas. Gorges calls their bluff. People need "the steady application of practice, passion, and time" (215). Almost anything can be learned from the Internet. It's crucial to persevere until a door opens, even just a slit. Sometimes it takes years, but if it's truly a passion, it's worth it. Adults must step in to guide students to "flex that muscle" to try, to be a beginner, and create. (119).
I wish all teachers shared this sentiment from Akira the potter who doesn't want his students to copy what he does and "craft in a manner that could only come from them....as a means of discovery and self-discovery" (212).
Would that all students grasped that one's work is usually a curving path, that people fail often. "It's so important to push against our comfort zone. We grow by stretching ourselves, by opening ourselves up and making room for new knowledge. Nathan spoke to me about the richness and value of failure, how maybe we're not really built to learn from success. Our minds do not glom onto it in the way that they do with failure" (123-4).
We learn the special relation of craft through time. One works in the moment, engages with the material to determine what it wants to be, while envisioning and manifesting its unfolding into a final product. The artisan "is partly a vessel for the craft--shepherding it along across time and space....it places him [or her] along a continuum of craftsmen and...he [or she] occupies one space in that line" (84). It is akin to "a conversation flowing through time" (131). One may be born with the desire to create, but it takes time to find the right outlet.
Gorges says this of the stone carver, but it relates to every craft: "Respect touches each and every part of this craft. There's respect for the centuries-old techniques. There's respect for the tools, which can easily break from the friction with the stone itself, which is a gift from the Earth and, in the case of Michelangelo's marble, an opportunity to touch history. There's respect for the people and craftsmen of the past, to whom [one] owes [one's] livelihood. And then there's respect for the future generations, who will inherit all of it because people ...deemed it worthy enough to keep the traditions alive" (84)....and they recognize their responsibility to...contribute to its future" (87).
The story of Kevin the swordsmith/ bladesmith was particularly fascinating because he "had to be something of a Renaissance man: equal parts historian, artist, scientist, mathematician, and detective" (137). Craft enables one to draw upon and combine many interests. One who does not know cannot imagine the complexity of the craft: "carbon distribution that matches the historical period in which they originated....the molecular structure of the metal and...the carbon deposits within that metal" (138). And most work is like that in some way. To become expert, one learns the nuances.
This book is wonderful. It is lyrical, informative, surprising, beautiful. Highly recommended for young adults and those who work with them, as well as anyone interested in creativity and craft.
There is a striking similarity between the artisans' paths in this book and the typical way one becomes a shaman: illness makes life so unbearable one must accept one's destiny to serve as intermediary between the spiritual and the material realms. Eric Gorges, host of the show and author of this book, had a lucrative secure job in an office but was unfulfilled. He was unmotivated to change until breakdown/breakthrough led him to seek another way to live. He now builds custom motorcycles and is living his best life. Many of the other craftspeople had similar experiences.
We accompany Gorges as he meets with 25 artisans and tries his hand at their crafts and we learn a great deal about artisanship and, most importantly, about crafting a meaningful life. Gorges' reflective musings are profound. "Knowing what we're here for, and what we must protect, is another way that we can all find peace" (112). "The universe will let you know one way or another if you are where you should be. It's up to you whether or not you listen, whether or not you want to keep going further down that road" (208). "When you find your purpose, you still shoulder worries like anyone, but at least the grand question What am I doing here feels answered" (209).
As a consultant, I help high school and college students plan for adulthood. I wish they would read this. This book is a testament to the value of doing one thing well, in contrast to being well-rounded. Moreover, in almost every college application essay, students claim they are "passionate about" x with nothing to show for it, no tangible strides toward it, no sacrifices made. Passion is demonstrated by action, not merely emotion or thought. Instead, students make excuses ratified by their parents, educators, and policy makers. They claim they don't have access to the materials, knowledge, space, equipment, people, ideas. Gorges calls their bluff. People need "the steady application of practice, passion, and time" (215). Almost anything can be learned from the Internet. It's crucial to persevere until a door opens, even just a slit. Sometimes it takes years, but if it's truly a passion, it's worth it. Adults must step in to guide students to "flex that muscle" to try, to be a beginner, and create. (119).
I wish all teachers shared this sentiment from Akira the potter who doesn't want his students to copy what he does and "craft in a manner that could only come from them....as a means of discovery and self-discovery" (212).
Would that all students grasped that one's work is usually a curving path, that people fail often. "It's so important to push against our comfort zone. We grow by stretching ourselves, by opening ourselves up and making room for new knowledge. Nathan spoke to me about the richness and value of failure, how maybe we're not really built to learn from success. Our minds do not glom onto it in the way that they do with failure" (123-4).
We learn the special relation of craft through time. One works in the moment, engages with the material to determine what it wants to be, while envisioning and manifesting its unfolding into a final product. The artisan "is partly a vessel for the craft--shepherding it along across time and space....it places him [or her] along a continuum of craftsmen and...he [or she] occupies one space in that line" (84). It is akin to "a conversation flowing through time" (131). One may be born with the desire to create, but it takes time to find the right outlet.
Gorges says this of the stone carver, but it relates to every craft: "Respect touches each and every part of this craft. There's respect for the centuries-old techniques. There's respect for the tools, which can easily break from the friction with the stone itself, which is a gift from the Earth and, in the case of Michelangelo's marble, an opportunity to touch history. There's respect for the people and craftsmen of the past, to whom [one] owes [one's] livelihood. And then there's respect for the future generations, who will inherit all of it because people ...deemed it worthy enough to keep the traditions alive" (84)....and they recognize their responsibility to...contribute to its future" (87).
The story of Kevin the swordsmith/ bladesmith was particularly fascinating because he "had to be something of a Renaissance man: equal parts historian, artist, scientist, mathematician, and detective" (137). Craft enables one to draw upon and combine many interests. One who does not know cannot imagine the complexity of the craft: "carbon distribution that matches the historical period in which they originated....the molecular structure of the metal and...the carbon deposits within that metal" (138). And most work is like that in some way. To become expert, one learns the nuances.
This book is wonderful. It is lyrical, informative, surprising, beautiful. Highly recommended for young adults and those who work with them, as well as anyone interested in creativity and craft.
April 28, 2021
Eric Gorges is the host of a television show, but I don't watch television. I borrowed this book from the Library based on the title. On the other hand, the premise of the television show in question sounds fascinating. Mr. Gorges travels the country and interviews Craftsmen, people that make a living using their hands. Gorges interviewed Wood Turners, Carpenters, Blacksmiths, Calligraphers, Glass Blowers, and so on.
Along the way, Gorges explores his history with Metal Shaping and how it shaped his life. Gorges would get debilitating panic attacks. Eventually, he quit his day job and opened a shop making custom motorcycles.
Craftsmen connect the distant past to our present. Their skills are the culmination of millennia of work. Maybe I will check out the show if it is still on the air.
Along the way, Gorges explores his history with Metal Shaping and how it shaped his life. Gorges would get debilitating panic attacks. Eventually, he quit his day job and opened a shop making custom motorcycles.
Craftsmen connect the distant past to our present. Their skills are the culmination of millennia of work. Maybe I will check out the show if it is still on the air.
January 27, 2020
This book reminds of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which was published when I was in college. Its a collection of stories about how craftsmanship brings meaning to people's lives. I work in an office, and although the work I do is technical I can still value and see the need for people that work in mechanical, construction, and agricultural fields. In fact I watch YouTube videos about a farrier in Scotland that works on dairy cows. There is something captivating about how much compassion this farrier puts into his work. Not everyone is made for academics or running startups, some of just need to follow our own paths.
June 24, 2021
I was informed on this book at Powell's Bookstore in Portland during a conference. I visited the bookstore searching for a spirituality book and was curious about this book and it's subtitle, "Why working with our hands gives us meaning." Both books compliment each other wonderfully! Gorges selects unique in craftspeople who provide great philosophical reflections on how creation of crafts, art, and handmade items provide new ways of looking at our rushed hurried world. I enjoyed the quotes throughout.
December 27, 2019
I certainly hope the regular edition had photos, because the author's descriptive skills were not up to the task of explaining all the traditional skills, especially blacksmithing.
January 10, 2020
Really thoughtful book. If you're a "maker" like I am, this will touch your heart.
February 24, 2019
I often look at handcrafted goods and think that I could never create something so beautiful, but as Gorges astutely states in his book, "everyone has a day one."
Gorges book sparks inspiration as you read the struggles and successes of various craftsmen--glass blowers to furniture makers, jeans makers to a hatter, a yarn spinner to a swordsmith, and many others. But his story is the most inspiring--leaving a lucrative corporate job to work as an apprentice to a craftsman after struggling with anxiety so severe he struggled to leave his garage. Now, he's a successful owner of Vodoo Choppers where he designs and builds motorcycles, and he's the TV host of his own show on PBS.
Reading this, you can't help but want to pick up your old hobbies, whether that's knitting, woodworking, or even scribbling in a child's coloring book. He reminds you that you're never too old to go after your dreams, and anyone can succeed if you put the hours in. As children, we all had the desire to be artistic and create, and there's no reason to leave that behind as we age.
This is the perfect book for anyone who feels stuck and needs inspiration to find their next path, or just needs a reminder that you can do anything if you go out and start trying.
Gorges book sparks inspiration as you read the struggles and successes of various craftsmen--glass blowers to furniture makers, jeans makers to a hatter, a yarn spinner to a swordsmith, and many others. But his story is the most inspiring--leaving a lucrative corporate job to work as an apprentice to a craftsman after struggling with anxiety so severe he struggled to leave his garage. Now, he's a successful owner of Vodoo Choppers where he designs and builds motorcycles, and he's the TV host of his own show on PBS.
Reading this, you can't help but want to pick up your old hobbies, whether that's knitting, woodworking, or even scribbling in a child's coloring book. He reminds you that you're never too old to go after your dreams, and anyone can succeed if you put the hours in. As children, we all had the desire to be artistic and create, and there's no reason to leave that behind as we age.
This is the perfect book for anyone who feels stuck and needs inspiration to find their next path, or just needs a reminder that you can do anything if you go out and start trying.
November 19, 2019
In much of the developed world where work centers around computer screens, this is a refreshing examination of artisans who use their hands to make things. The book's chapters are theme-titled but several of them focus on a particular artisan and their craft: a potter, furniture maker, stone carver, glassblower, calligrapher, etc. The author's own biography is creatively interwoven throughout: he worked in the tech industry, developed mental health issues which were relieved as he became a motorcycle maker. Having experienced skilled mechanics and carpenters myself I've often thought that it takes as much smarts to be a good artisan as academic, business leader or politician and this book fed that conviction. I highly recommend it if you need a break, like I did, from disembodied concepts, ideas and screens. It is likely to increase your appreciation for artisans and to inspire you to rub your hands before heading toward a work of your own.
July 7, 2019
Many dedicate their lives to seeking wealth and material items. Here are a series of vignettes about people who eschew materialism to find joy and fulfillment by working with their hands. They might be called craftsmen, artisans or artists. Author Eric Gorges profiles their unique worlds, and ties their stories together with observations on the creative life: The battle for perfection, the pursuit of beauty, and the peace that accompanies focus and determination. Gorges traded a career in a cubicle for a workbench and discovered a new life. Read this book for inspiration and affirmation.
November 18, 2020
A great and inspiring read
July 20, 2020
Overall, an enjoyable read about women and men who are still making things "the old fashioned way". Comparisons to Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values are no doubt inevetiable since the author, Eric Gorges, also works on motorcycles.
What I liked about the book was it covers a decent range of topics. Sculpture, blue jeans making, spur making, a wide range of "the arts". It also covers other cultures like Japanese sword making, and Native American flute making. So you do get a pretty decent spread of people and trades.
The downsides for me were that I think the author included himself in the book too much. Yes, I suppose you could argue that creating a television show is a "craft" but I wouldn't exactly call it working with your hands. Also, the author spends a fair amount of time talking about his anxiety whihc hats off to the author for all he has accomplished and overcome but that really doesn't fit the whole "working with your hands" theme the author has going on otherwise.
I also thought it overlooked the wide range of culinary arts that are also dying off. You can walk into any grocery store in America and buy a loaf of bread, a block of cheese, a bag of cookies and you'll probably have a hard time pronouncing some of the ingredients listed on the bag. I think the author overlooked all of America's bakers, cheesemakers, craft brewers, distillers, wine makers, etc in this book. Now slow down, because yes, the author does mention craft brewing but only in terms of how those breweries are all owned by major companies. And if we were talking about Kraftig then yes the author would be correct. But look around other large towns (and some small) and you'll find plenty of places that aren't and they're doing adventurous new things. Also, in fairness, the author does have a short section on chocolatiers but it's brief and doesn't define much terminology. For example, I know what "tempering" means because I've been working as a baker for over a decade and one of the things I love about my job is the way that a few simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, eggs, butter than be combined and become a loaf of bread, a child's birthday cake, etc etc. But I don't think the average reader is going to know what tempering chocolate is and the importance of it when it comes to a piece of chocolates shine, snap, and the way it feels on the tongue.
I did enjoy the parts about legacy and mentorship. As a father, there's things I want to pass on to my kids, the value of hard work and in finding a job you love is pretty high up on that list. I think the author does a good job of talking about that legacy and with a decent amount of varied subjects. I have not seen the t.v. show this seems to accompany but it does sound like something I would enjoy.
What I liked about the book was it covers a decent range of topics. Sculpture, blue jeans making, spur making, a wide range of "the arts". It also covers other cultures like Japanese sword making, and Native American flute making. So you do get a pretty decent spread of people and trades.
The downsides for me were that I think the author included himself in the book too much. Yes, I suppose you could argue that creating a television show is a "craft" but I wouldn't exactly call it working with your hands. Also, the author spends a fair amount of time talking about his anxiety whihc hats off to the author for all he has accomplished and overcome but that really doesn't fit the whole "working with your hands" theme the author has going on otherwise.
I also thought it overlooked the wide range of culinary arts that are also dying off. You can walk into any grocery store in America and buy a loaf of bread, a block of cheese, a bag of cookies and you'll probably have a hard time pronouncing some of the ingredients listed on the bag. I think the author overlooked all of America's bakers, cheesemakers, craft brewers, distillers, wine makers, etc in this book. Now slow down, because yes, the author does mention craft brewing but only in terms of how those breweries are all owned by major companies. And if we were talking about Kraftig then yes the author would be correct. But look around other large towns (and some small) and you'll find plenty of places that aren't and they're doing adventurous new things. Also, in fairness, the author does have a short section on chocolatiers but it's brief and doesn't define much terminology. For example, I know what "tempering" means because I've been working as a baker for over a decade and one of the things I love about my job is the way that a few simple ingredients like flour, water, yeast, eggs, butter than be combined and become a loaf of bread, a child's birthday cake, etc etc. But I don't think the average reader is going to know what tempering chocolate is and the importance of it when it comes to a piece of chocolates shine, snap, and the way it feels on the tongue.
I did enjoy the parts about legacy and mentorship. As a father, there's things I want to pass on to my kids, the value of hard work and in finding a job you love is pretty high up on that list. I think the author does a good job of talking about that legacy and with a decent amount of varied subjects. I have not seen the t.v. show this seems to accompany but it does sound like something I would enjoy.
June 24, 2019
*I won this book through Goodreads Giveaways*
Eric Gorges' A Craftsman's Legacy that is based off his PBS show of the same name.
He made a book profiling and writing about many of the same people featured on his show.
He takes you through his own journey of behind a curious kid playing around with spare wood & metal in his basement, to suffering from panic attacks and leaving a cushy job at Xerox, because he felt he was called to do something with his hands-- he was called to create. So he left Xerox and opened up his own custom motorcycle shop in Detroit, Michigan, called Voodoo Choppers.
He takes you through people & craftsmen (& women) all over the U.S.-- chocolate makers, potters, calligraphers, furniture makers, engravers, glass blowers, blacksmiths, clock makers, and so many more. He explores not only how they got started in their particular crafts, but the history of said craft, as well. Some of these people are not only very skilled at what they do, but are sometimes only one of a handful of people who can do it.
"... I doubt that there's anyone in America who has an empty garage, room, closet, it drawer in their house. So despite our technological advances, we're busier than ever, our lives more frazzled. We're moving faster than we ever have. And we're also disregarding things as quickly as ever.
That's why the handmade object, created with care and detail, embodying a history and tradition, is enormously powerful. It can cut through so much and speak in ways that we don't often hear, or that we've forgotten. Crafts and craftsmanship can move us, help us feel alive, and restore our sense of humanity."
" Creative fulfillment is not something to achieve and keep, like a college degree or an Olympic medal. It resides in the process of making the table, not in the satisfaction of sitting at it."- Peter Korn, furniture maker
" There is no work-life balance... It's work, and you fit life in around it."- April Wagner, glassblower
" We're seeking tradition to create meaning. "- Geri Littlejohn, musician & flutemaker
Eric Gorges' A Craftsman's Legacy that is based off his PBS show of the same name.
He made a book profiling and writing about many of the same people featured on his show.
He takes you through his own journey of behind a curious kid playing around with spare wood & metal in his basement, to suffering from panic attacks and leaving a cushy job at Xerox, because he felt he was called to do something with his hands-- he was called to create. So he left Xerox and opened up his own custom motorcycle shop in Detroit, Michigan, called Voodoo Choppers.
He takes you through people & craftsmen (& women) all over the U.S.-- chocolate makers, potters, calligraphers, furniture makers, engravers, glass blowers, blacksmiths, clock makers, and so many more. He explores not only how they got started in their particular crafts, but the history of said craft, as well. Some of these people are not only very skilled at what they do, but are sometimes only one of a handful of people who can do it.
"... I doubt that there's anyone in America who has an empty garage, room, closet, it drawer in their house. So despite our technological advances, we're busier than ever, our lives more frazzled. We're moving faster than we ever have. And we're also disregarding things as quickly as ever.
That's why the handmade object, created with care and detail, embodying a history and tradition, is enormously powerful. It can cut through so much and speak in ways that we don't often hear, or that we've forgotten. Crafts and craftsmanship can move us, help us feel alive, and restore our sense of humanity."
" Creative fulfillment is not something to achieve and keep, like a college degree or an Olympic medal. It resides in the process of making the table, not in the satisfaction of sitting at it."- Peter Korn, furniture maker
" There is no work-life balance... It's work, and you fit life in around it."- April Wagner, glassblower
" We're seeking tradition to create meaning. "- Geri Littlejohn, musician & flutemaker
November 2, 2021
A great piece of inspiration. A gentle reminder of the not so gentle world, the struggles we all go through, and the way events shape our lives. A Craftsman's Legacy tells us about a group of individuals who remained persistent though hardships and pitfalls, but ended up finding their way.
There is something remarkably satisfying about making *things* with your hands, regardless of how they come out, because the act of making in itself is the satisfying part.
I read this book at a time where, as a craftsman myself, I was struggling to find purpose, worth, or any reason to keep doing what I'm doing. While this book isn't trying to reinvent the wheel and bring groundbreaking information to the forefront, there's no need for it. It's the same kind of story over and over; we do something, we struggle, we fail, and we repeat until we succeed. That's by intention. If you can get this reality drilled into your head, it's easier to go through you day to day knowing this is part of the process.
I really enjoyed the book and the straightforward writing in this book. It's definitely one I'll come back to when I need that reminder.
There is something remarkably satisfying about making *things* with your hands, regardless of how they come out, because the act of making in itself is the satisfying part.
I read this book at a time where, as a craftsman myself, I was struggling to find purpose, worth, or any reason to keep doing what I'm doing. While this book isn't trying to reinvent the wheel and bring groundbreaking information to the forefront, there's no need for it. It's the same kind of story over and over; we do something, we struggle, we fail, and we repeat until we succeed. That's by intention. If you can get this reality drilled into your head, it's easier to go through you day to day knowing this is part of the process.
I really enjoyed the book and the straightforward writing in this book. It's definitely one I'll come back to when I need that reminder.
July 27, 2020
This book was suggested to me by a colleague. I began it back when I had a long drive to campus, prior to the pandemic. I don't do well listening to audio books when I'm not otherwise engaged (I do better with hard copy books), so I just barely finished it. I liked the different perspectives that were shared, both from the author's experiences as well as various craftspeople. I don't feel like I'll ever achieve that level of expertise at anything, since I do not invest that kind of time, but I do find a lot of joy and satisfaction in creation. I also felt reminded that handcrafted items have a value that is sometimes seen in higher prices, which are justified by the higher quality and uniqueness.
August 19, 2020
This little book is one of the best books I have read. I am not a crafter, although I love to cook, so perhaps I am a crafter of food. I have never watched Eric's show on PBS, but will look for it in the future. I loved the variety of crafts that he explored in this book. The best thing about each interview was the life lessons each person shared. Perhaps we have all lost the value we hold in what our hands are able to do. One of the quotes by Julio Ramon Ribeyrt that i love is "We find only one tool, neither created nor invented, but perfect: the hand of man." The book is full of this kind of wisdom that made me think of what is possible if we have an imagination.
May 20, 2022
This book is just delightful. Gorges weaves his own history in with those of craftsmen he's gotten to know with a humility and transparency makes the book a pleasure to read and really makes you feel like you're one of his personal friends. He has clearly written this with great care, and he lovingly honors the trades and the dedicated craftsmen who practice them. The end result is that you come away equal parts inspired and appreciative of the craftsmen of whom he writes.
I will say, however, that if you haven't watched his show, definitely read the book first. The book discusses only a handful of the craftsmen he's interviewed, but the flow and pacing is so well executed that having prior knowledge of those interviews may disrupt the flow for you. Definitely do watch his show afterward, though!
I will say, however, that if you haven't watched his show, definitely read the book first. The book discusses only a handful of the craftsmen he's interviewed, but the flow and pacing is so well executed that having prior knowledge of those interviews may disrupt the flow for you. Definitely do watch his show afterward, though!
August 23, 2022
Fascinating book about people who work with their hands to create special things. I have long admired those who can worth with ordinary beginnings and come up with extraordinary things. Eric is a host of a PBS TV show with the same name. Each chapter starts with a tidbit of his own story (corporate world worker, unhappy with his life, until he learns that that stems from missing the part about working with his own hands in metal working and then motorcycle building.), before he interviews the person featured in the chapter. Was so enthralled with this book that I sought out YouTube episodes of his show.
Great easy read.
Great easy read.
May 4, 2020
Eric Gorges is a fascinating person when you watch his show, A Craftsman's Legacy, and the people he features are equally interesting. This book starts off with that and delves into working with our hands, the hand made items, such as furniture, we purchase being ones we intend to last and have for years to come vs ones that don't because of being mass produced. You see how people give their creations meaning, how skills are important, and how quality demands respect. Definitely worth a read and highly recommend.
February 3, 2022
I wasn't a maker for most of my life. But late in life I started making things and now I can't stop. These kinds of books have a great deal of wisdom that I wish I had known sooner about the value of making. This is an excellent book if you are a maker, or a wanna be. The book intersperses the authors experience as a mechanic (motorcycle mostly) with other events in his life that led him in this direction. It stays interesting as he recounts hiking experiences with making experiences, with people experiences and so on.
July 24, 2020
A Splendid Read
Written in a gentle voice, the authors' passion for the subject matter shines through in each page. If you are not sure what constitutes being a maker, Eric Gorges and Jon Sternfeld guide the reader through several wonderful and unique examples. Included is autobiographical information that illustrates and furthers the subject in a humble tone. An inspiring and rich book.
Written in a gentle voice, the authors' passion for the subject matter shines through in each page. If you are not sure what constitutes being a maker, Eric Gorges and Jon Sternfeld guide the reader through several wonderful and unique examples. Included is autobiographical information that illustrates and furthers the subject in a humble tone. An inspiring and rich book.
June 29, 2025
I enjoyed reading this book. I loved how engaging the author was... as he explained how working with our hands gives us meaning. Even though the book is entitled "Craftsman..." he made it clear that whether you are painting, sewing, using a drill, what have you...you will find meaning in any type of work you love doing with your hands.
The author made the reading very understandable and interesting. He shared his struggles along with his triumphs. I give this book a five-star rating easily!
The author made the reading very understandable and interesting. He shared his struggles along with his triumphs. I give this book a five-star rating easily!
July 23, 2019
While the life stories/interviews of various craftsmen across many disciplines was well done, I REALLY wanted the book to answer "Why Working with Our Hands Gives Us Meaning". Unfortunately, it doesn't even come close to doing so. No psychological theories, no statistics on how tangibles prolong life, not even suppositions by the author.
January 8, 2020
"Human beings simply cannot create perfection with our hands. We can make things eye-perfect, but measurements will never lie. An object made by hand will have that human stamp on it. That's what gives a piece its soul. Rather than turn away from this reality, various cultures have decided to lean in to this fact."
July 15, 2020
Authentic
Eric Gorges’ book explores,his journey to being a craftsman and then a TV host. While his show is promoted/mentioned throughout the chapters, I cut him some slack as the meaningful soul searching parts are worth it. There’s not much practical here but plenty to ignite the urge to find your creative calling.
Eric Gorges’ book explores,his journey to being a craftsman and then a TV host. While his show is promoted/mentioned throughout the chapters, I cut him some slack as the meaningful soul searching parts are worth it. There’s not much practical here but plenty to ignite the urge to find your creative calling.
December 6, 2023
A series of reflections on what being a craftsman or an artist, working with our hands, does for our souls. It's largely derived from a TV show, or so I gathered. I appreciated the sheer variety of artists: they're not just Manly Men carpenters and welders, but glass-blowers, swordsmiths, weavers, etc.
July 14, 2019
If you've watched any of the episodes of the author's PBS show, this book documents the same craftspeople. Eric also weaves memoir-type texts into various chapters which give the book depth. The spattering of quotes throughout the book is a thoughtful touch.
September 12, 2020
I love Eric Gorges TV series, and enjoyed learning more about his personal journey. His thoughts on working with our hands have also made me want to pursue some of my non-keyboard-driven interests more.
January 7, 2024
As someone who grew up in a house where my dad was and still making things from scrapes of materials, and me being a crafter it was an interesting read. It also makes one appreciate hand made items more instead of purchasing items from big box stores.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews