I woke at 4 a.m. this morning, my brain boiling with some thoughts on beds and coffins to build for the “Furniture of Necessity” book. And while barfing these notes into my laptop, I received an e-mail from David Savage.
Yes, that David Savage.
He wrote a review of “The Anarchist’s Tool Chest” for his blog. Read the whole amazing thing here. Or if you are incapable of clicking things, here’s an excerpt.
A real quality book, nice binding, good paper and a typeset that look good. I have had your book on my night stand for several months now remaining to be read. I have been a professional woodworker now for over 35 years and wood work books tend to hit the wall before I get past chapter one. Amateurs writing with utter conviction about something they don’t really know tend to get me cross. Schwarz is an amateur but somehow through a lifetime of woodieness he avoids the wall. Since starting this wonderful tome I have come to carry it about with me, almost closer than a good friend.
If Savage had thrashed me, I would have been just as honored. His woodwork is mind-blowing, and his writing is like getting bludgeoned by a hardbound copy of “The Sun Also Rises.” (That is a compliment.) He’s a regular contributor to many magazines that I read. For a sample of his prose, start here.
So, it’s a good day.
— Christopher Schwarz
Congratulations for this review, Chris. Did he also write to you concerning TMAPAP? He appears to really know his woodworking, so I was curious.
Michele P. Pagan Luke 10:27-28 “Love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, mind and strength… and your neighbor as yourself….”
Congratulations, you should . . .!
Thanks for the link to David’s site, Chris. I enjoy his no BS approach regarding tools, it’s very refreshing. Already signed up for his emails, soon to order the dvd (looks intriguing). Now, how do I get to Devon?
Nice shirt! Sign up for his newslettters – they are really informative.
Roger
ALL of you should click on the links above and read the review mentioned in this post in its entirety. It is a good read, about a book that enjoyed so much , I bought two copies so I could have it in both cover colors.
Congratulations Chris ! You deserve this praise ! You’ve earned it ! And thanks again for being a clear, strong and major voice toward real craftsmanship. That perhaps will be your legacy….
That was an AWESOME review! I bet it had you dancing a little jig inside your head as you read it.
Congratulations!
Rock On.
Just read the full review and think that it’s pretty awesome that a well respected woodworker like Mr. Savage would speak so highly of the book. I just finished it and am re-reading it all over again. And when I’m not reading, I’m working on cleaning up the old woodworking tools I inherited so I can build a proper toolchest for them to live in.
Funny how most woodwork forums show David a total lack of respect. David has just shown you Chris the respect you deserve.
Woodgods.
I do not get the world sometimes. David is the Alan Peters of this generation.
Chris my heartfelt congratulations, a big high five, and a glass raised high in your honor Well done sir!
I had the privilege of learning in David Savage’s atelier for a month whilst I was travelling last year. I dearly wish I could have spent the year with him in his atelier. It’s a remarkable environment and he and his crew are remarkable people. David’s eye for detail and no BS approach to making is exemplary.
Chris, congratulations on a well deserved review. Now, I must go and start re-reading that book!
Recently my son picked up my copy of the Anarchists Tool Chest off my desk and said “This looks like an important book” I said yes, it’s a really good book, and I asked him why he said it looked like an important book. My son picked it up and said “well for starters it’s black and it has a look that says Fuck a book jacket!”
Pretty well sums it up.
Wow! I think you just nailed the next a T-shirt slogan!!