“Anarchism” is such a dirty, loaded and misunderstood word that I truly hesitated to use it as the title of the book “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest.”
Several people have suggested that I chose the word as a marketing ploy. If I did, then I’m a marketing moron because the book’s title has hurt sales. My mailbox has been stuffed by people who will never buy the book simply because I used that word.
But it is the right word. And when I see the word used in context and used correctly, it gives me hope.
Woodworker Adam Godet in Washington, D.C., has started a blog at his site: godetfurniture.com. And the first post is his take on the topic of anarchy in the workshop. It’s a good read, and I’ve added his blog to by RSS feed – and crossed my fingers.
— Christopher Schwarz
Sad to hear that proper use of a word could turn off so many people who are clearly unaware of its meaning. It’s one of the problems with discourse in the US. So many have substituted a simple set of beliefs for actual thought, using words like ‘anarchist’, ‘socialist’, and ‘fascist’ as though they simply mean ‘un-American’. Clearly their true meaning is no where to be found in the statements that contain them. When did we take that wrong turn and become a society where ignorance ceased to be embarrassing and rather become a goal?
Cheers — Larry
You’re saying some people actually opted not to buy the book simply because of a word? Seriously? Well, I’d hate to hear that anyone got a bad case of the vapors before getting past the first chapter. With all the heat lately, that could turn tragic. For those of us with a bit more spine or perhaps a slight bent toward looking at things a little differently, the book is well worth the price and time to read it. More than that, it maps out a great approach to the craft with a philosophy that I think even more gelatinous readers would approve of. I have a couple of people in mind who I suspect are closet anarchists who will be receiving copies for the holidays this year. The title is dead-on appropriate.
Anarchism aims to strip labor of its deadening, dulling aspect, of its gloom and compulsion. It aims to make work an instrument of joy, of strength, of color, of real harmony, so that the poorest sort of a man should find in work both recreation and hope. –Emma Goldman
Hi Chris,
I have ordered this book and can’t wait for it to arrive. You were recently here in my backyard (Teaching the “Sawing Secrets” class at the Woodwright’s School) and unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts I could not take the course. So I decided to purchase “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” to help me with my recently acquired “Way of Life”/Philosophy/Hobby of traditional woodworking. As far as I am concerned, I would think anyone who is familiar with you and your vast body of written and recorded work, if they were even a little hesitant because of the title, that they would get out a dictionary and actually look up the meaning of the word Anarchist/ Anarchy instead of writing you a letter renouncing the book. One of the reasons I love reading your blogs, books and other materials I usually learn the obvious, but also something about literature, philosophy and history. Thanks for all you do for the Traditional woodworking community and I for one love the title.
Maybe some people do have a problem with the word anarchist, but they should understand that the context Chris is using it in is a lot closer to “Pennsylvania Amish” than “French Revolution.”
It is as political as growing your own food… And some people believe that is the most powerful political statement possible. They may be right.
what people misunderstand the word anarchism? These are the same people who thing socialism and communism are the same thing. 😀
Chris,
I loved the book. You are not only one of my favorite woodworking authors but one of my favorite authors . . . period. Frankly, you had no choice but to title the book as you did. Calling it anything else would be insincere.
The book arrived while my wife is waiting with bated breath for the opening of — you guessed it, Ikea. I have already warned her that any furniture that shows up for me to assemble will be summarily chopped into bits and burned (I guess I would just be skipping to the last step in the life cycle). So, your book hit a real note with me.
My favorite line: “as user friendly as a tube top.” I almost wet myself laughing at that one.
Maybe people do not want to mix woodworking and politics and that is why they shy away from the book. I do not know if Chris’s book touches on politics, but judging by the political comments above, the book certainly seems to evoke political statements from it’s readers. Why? Why talk about socialism and communism on a woodworking blog? Is the tone of the book similar to a recent editorial in Popular Woodworking that denounced capitalism? (These are honest questions, not retorical ones.)
To be sure, the book has nothing to do with politics and what I know of Chris, he avoids political discussion like a cheap coping saw. Whatever his politics may be, he keeps it entirely to himself. The “Anarchist” reference is simply a point of view outside of what I guess you could describe as gross and unthinking consumer culture; where too often we as individuals get suckered into paying for junk. Nobody likes to spend their money on things (furniture) that won’t last beyond a couple of years and what’s worse, having to pay ridiculous prices for it. Not when there’s an option anyway. If you can call yourself a woodworker, even one of the armchair variety, you can’t help but appreciate the call to craftsmanship. That applies even if you’re not a hand tool guy and have a shop full of power equipment. The discussion on building the tool chest is the best I’ve seen in quite some time, the last good one being in a book put out by Jim Tolpin some years back.
I’ve got to think that those who are turned off by the title are probably not in your target market. I’ve heard the arguments to change it and I can’t get behind any of them. You’re not selling beer or any other mass marketed widget. I think you’re hitting your mark.
Cheers
Pat (dyslexicdba)
I don’t talk about politics in the book. I am not political. Period.
The “anarchism” is a tendency to live and work outside the normal institutional, corporate and governmental structures. Woodworkers do that when they build furniture. I merely point this out and try to explain how special it is, and what that means for the future of the craft.
Oh, and the chest itself – and its design – is a very important part of the book.
Thanks for the replies; I’m convinced. (I wish I could edit my previous comment; I meant to refer to an End Grain essay titled “Workshop Radicals”, not an editorial). I’m placing an order for the book. Now how do explain $37 to my wife? Maybe a different End Grain article will help, the one on how to hide the loot when your wife has detective skills.
Its difficult to separate politics from day-to-day worldview and ontology. The book indeed makes no mention of who to vote for, and contains no suggestions for providing universal healthcare. However, to take seriously its (excellent) observations on the nature of disposable-good economics and to reject avoidable cycles of consumerism by opting for heirloom grade tools is indeed a radical and potentially tumultuous road to walk.
I’ve often felt a bit lonely amongst other woodworkers. Wealthy retirees, the fancy-boat-obsessed, and power-tool jocks are not necessarily people I have much in common with other than a reverence for wood. I love to talk about tools and techniques with people once I know their interest, but it can get a little awkward as soon as I mention that I prefer to unplug and don’t really want to add more power tools to my garage. The publication of this book is certainly going to help change that, and as expected, has already launched a visible surge in the online hand-tool world.
Its certainly true that those who are so turned off by a term without reading the text are not likely to be receptive to the messages in general, and are doing themselves a great disservice. The beauty in this book will be how those who already entertain its core premises will feel validated, connected, and warmed by the company of the author and other readers. I have already taken much heart in seeing the comment on this blog and other similar sites.
We are out there, and my hope is that its only a matter of time until this new wave of ethical woodworking spreads rhizomorhically throughout the world.
As for the $37 price… the book has already saved me thousands on planned purchases. If it helps you sell a single tool you honestly don’t need, you are probably there.
I’ve learned not to hide anything from my wife. Its a fool’s path. Better to just marry right to begin with. My wife screeched “its so pretty” when she saw the Stanley #5 I grabbed yesterday for twice what Chris paid for his but still a very reasonable price given its awesome condition. Sorry guys, she’s mine.
It was a bold move to give the book that title, and the fact that you did it makes me respect you all the more. It’s a shame that anyone would let their negative connotations of a word keep them from reading one of the best woodworking books ever written. I doubt that anyone in the craft who takes the time to read the book will find anything to disagree with. “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” is a timeless and inspiring book, the fact that it has been published and is being read gives me hope. Thanks Chris, well done.
In addition to Chris’s reply regarding doing woodworking as anarchism, is his decision to recommend that you only need 50 quality tools to do woodworking. That’s also living outside the norm for many woodworkers.
(I just ordered my copy too by the way.)
Chris,
I think the title is perfect. Those that “judge a book by its cover” or, in this case, “title,” do not know what they are missing. Quite frankly it sounds like they need to read more to expand their vocabulary. I appreciate the book and its message. Thank you and don’t stop writing!
Chris, I was only half-aware of your work and wasn’t in a mood to buy more woodworking books until I ran across this title — I can’t remember where. I immediately loved the title, loved the concept, and am fast becoming a fan. So if you’ve lost some readers just because of the A-word, you’ve also gained at least one.
I just sold my 10″ sliding compund miter saw…
Jeremy,
Welcome, sir, to a very interesting part of the territory.
And just remember this: The map is not the territory. That is very important. And I don’t use the word “very” very often.
Thank you.
I had one meaning in mind for the word “Anarchist” before the book came out, and when it was announced, I went to the dictionary for clarification. It supported my understanding of what the word meant.
After reading this post, off I went again to other, less used sources of word definitions. No change, as they all fell into line with my original concept for the word, being; lives without rules, rejects authority, coercion, domination, parasitism, exploitation and oppression, derived from a Greek term which means ‘without rulers’, and has shifted from one side of the “acceptable ideology” line to the other many times over history.
Now I might be missing something here, and there may be a meaning to this word that I am unable to comprehend, but based on what I do believe it to be, I thought the title “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest”, written by Christopher Schwarz, was nothing less than an absolute hoot, and probably the most ironic title for a book that I ever could imagine. The title, combined with who wrote it is the reason I bought the book. I bought it because I believe the author to be someone who “rules” woodworking, is an “authority” on the subject, “dominates” the industry and “rejects” the nontraditional until proven otherwise. In other words, using “Anarchist” in the title of a book about “woodworking” that was written by “Christopher Schwarz” is, for me, absolutely epitomizes the meaning of of the word “oxymoron”, and makes having the book that much more enjoyable.
‘A’ for Anarchy might the be true “Scarlet Letter” for many. Their loss. Keep up the good work, Chris.