Comments on: NS Recommends: Shop Class as Soulcraft

By: Mary Lee

Mary Lee — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 05:48:20 +0000

I am a female and have a profession where the only mind is used, yet I snapped up this book in a heartbeat. intended as a birthday gift for a blue collar brother I first am reading it, actually devouring it. A must read before you ever consider entering a post-secondary institute!! Thanks to the author, an amazing gift to the 21st century generation.

By: Ride log: Holiday weekend wrenching - Nathaniel Salzman

Ride log: Holiday weekend wrenching - Nathaniel Salzman — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 03:47:27 +0000

[...] log: Holiday weekend wrenching 6.6.10 motorcycles June 1, 2010 — Last October I read a book about the pleasure of working with one’s own two hands. In a way, all that Shop Class as [...]

By: NS Recommends: Absinthe & Flamethrowers - Nathaniel Salzman

NS Recommends: Absinthe & Flamethrowers - Nathaniel Salzman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:48:22 +0000

[...] “deep smarts” concept dovetails very nicely into what Matthew Crawford talks about in Shop Class as Soulcraft regarding the hands-on nature of real expertise. As valuable as education is, no book can ever [...]

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:44:01 +0000

Thanks Rosy, and welcome to the site!

Zen is mentioned throughout this book and is now on my reading list. I’ve even asked for it for Christmas.

By: Rosy

Rosy — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:42:21 +0000

Terrific post, makes me want to run out and get that book, now!
Evokes “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” which I read years ago and which had a profound effect on my life.

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:18:02 +0000

Took one “Shop Class” back in junior high with an instructor who had sawed off 3 of his fingers… never took another one. I know that has nothing to do with the book but I like eggs… ;-)

After I finish “9 Lives” I’ll check this book out.

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:13:50 +0000

For an additional perspective, I happened upon this review on the AARP website.

By: Eric Almendral

Eric Almendral — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:42:09 +0000

Great post. This is getting added to my reading list.

By: Nathaniel Salzman

Nathaniel Salzman — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 02:07:46 +0000

Side note: Mr. Crawford did not dumb down the language of this book one little bit. I found myself firing up my trusty Dictionary.com iPhone app on several occasions to make sure I was fully grasping his nimble use of very specific language. Just like the common-sense work ethic he describes in the book itself, he relies on the reader to take responsibility for their own understanding of what he’s written. It’s not Shakespeare or anything, but if like me you’re used to reading web content, this book will likely make you wake up parts of your reading brain you haven’t had to use in a while.