Craftsman of the Cumberlands: Tradition and Creativity

Very few books about woodworking leave you a better person than you were before you read them. This book belongs in that rare company. As a professional woodworker who also has a PhD in English, I read a lot of books on woodworking. Probably too many. Craftsman of the Cumberlands is one of a very few books about woodworking I've read which have moved me to tears. Chester Cornett's story is heartbreaking, and at the same time, his determination to stay true to his powerful vision in his work is inspirational. This is not a DIY manual. Excellent DIY for the types of chairs described in this book are J. Alexander's Make a Chair from a Tree and Drew Langsner's The Chairmaker's Workshop. If you read either of those books, and then attempt a ladderback chair yourself, and then read about Chester Cornett's working conditions, you will be moved by his amazing tenacity. You'll probably also be inspired to shut the hell up about the trivial annoyances you think of as your "problems," pull up your britches, and get back to work. I know I was!

my enjoyment in reading about building chairs has lead me to read many books. this book explains some history as to where the chair was actually and made in rural America. sort of a text book view.

Thank you!

Not worth the money.