Today we received our third printing of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” from the printer in Michigan and – of course – it was raining the entire time.
After the last two shipments of books that were delivered during rainstorms, I decided to spend some coin on some tarps. I now have tarp riches that most Arkansas boys would only dream of. Blue ones. Green ones. Big and little.
The new printing has a few new features compared to the first two printings:
1. The cover is a charcoal gray cotton cloth with white debossing.
2. We’ve added a complete and amusing index prepared by Suzanne Ellison.
3. I corrected a couple typos that escaped the scouring on the second printing. Plus I updated a couple sections of the book on some small technical matters — nothing of significance to most people.
4. I wrote a new ending to the book.
Yup, when the first printing was shipped I was still at Popular Woodworking Magazine. And the book ends on that note. And now I’m full-time at Lost Art Press and a contributing editor to Popular Woodworking – a significant change.
So here, for your reading pleasure, is the new ending to “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest.”
Date: Nov. 18, 2011
Shortly after I wrote the final paragraph (above) of my original text, I sent
the first printing of this book to the presses. Then I had time to think – a
dangerous thing.
Some people (not me!) write books in hopes of changing the world. As a
lifelong writer I can tell you that what usually happens is that a book really
changes only one person – the author. After forcing myself to face the stupid
things that institutions do to individuals, it became impossible for me to go
to work every day for one of these large institutions.
Lucky for me, my wife and I had paid off our mortgage in 2008. We had
no debts or obligations, other than our utilities and the cat food bill. So I quit
my job. It was the happiest day of my life – right behind the birth of my two
children and my wedding day. (Right honey? Did I say that right?)
Since the day I walked out of my fantastic dream job in June 2011 I have
focused all my energy on publishing books and blog entries that promote the
cause of handwork – my true love.
By the time you read this, I might be handing you a carton of fries via
some Midwestern drive-through window. But when I’m not cleaning out the
grease trap for the deep-fryer or adjusting my hairnet to conceal my receding
hairline, I’ll be writing outlines during my breaks for my next book.
Next up: Furniture design.
Other than the above changes, it’s the same book – no need to buy another one. The new gray-cloth version will start shipping next week. Same price – $37.
— Christopher Schwarz
Still love the first addition. Kind of like your first born.
Good stuff. And for what it is worth, I would buy fries from you any time!
Oh no, the Schwarz Effect!!! Blue Tarps on ebay just jumped 40% and I just got Fries at the local drive through… yup another 40% price spike.
😛
Literally laughing out loud!
There’s that word again: “debossing”. I am SO glad I retired.
Seriously, though – Chris, you have made a very courageous step (leap?) into the abyss, and I applaud you for it. You have two of the things that will help you survive the leap. The first is a supportive and loving family. The second is a *great* amount of talent. I hope that your other readers/fans will join me in spreading the word.
I coulnt agree with Tom more. I have given copies of his book to every beginner woodworker I know. Anytime someone asks me how I got interested in my hobby (maybe next line of work) I send them a picture of his book and a link to LAP. My hope is his book will inspire them, give them a little bit of confidence in handwork, and perhaps a tad of his Anarchist message might seep through.
I had my doubts but the new version is quite handsome. A wise one once told me “once you go black ….”. Or was it “Sadleback”?
Congrats all around. I’m thrilled you can do this.
I hope to pay our mortgage off someday sooner rather than later, and be able to change a few things for myself. It’s hard as heck on a factory workers salary, but we knocked an extra digit off the number this year, and either way it beats making a landlord rich(er).
What’s that old saw?… Everyone buys real estate during their lifetime. Some buy it for themselves and some buy it for somebody else.
Strange enough…. I seem to NEED a second copy of this book … My first edition just seems sorta ” old ” now…. The black cover looks good…. and new. Next pay day I guess….
Hi Chris,
Your story continues to inspire me. I, like many, many others, am a huge fan and I’m rooting for your continued success. I retired in June after 31 years of working for large institutions, both government and private, and I can’t begin to describe how free I feel. After being mostly a power tool woodworker for most of my adult life, I have been making the transition to mostly hand tools, thanks to you, Roy Underhill, and Jim Tolpin, and that has been even more rewarding than I ever thought it could be.
I will be buying another copy of the ATC but it will be for my brother who retired in 2010. He is a mostly power tool woodworker who is interested in the advantages of hand tools. I can’t think of a better introduction to that part of the craft than your book. Thanks from both of us.
Jim
You sir, appeal to my aesthetic sensibilities, no easy task. The black and silver is a strikingly beautiful combination. If I wasn’t so cheap, and didn’t already own a first edition, I would definitely be getting a copy of this gorgeous edition. I still might.
“…what usually happens is that a book really
changes only one person – the author.”
How true that is. But if the change is good, then the book was worth writing.