Download or read book Cr ft written by Alex Langlands and published by W. W. Norton. This book was released on 2018 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An archaeologist takes us into the ancient world of traditional crafts to uncover their deep, original histories.

Download or read book Cr ft written by Alex Langlands and published by W. W. Norton. This book was released on 2019-01-15 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Hypnotic.... [Langlands] begins to see not just the beauty of an object.... but the deeper purpose for which each has been created." --New York Times

Download or read book The Wordhord written by Hana Videen and published by Princeton University Press. This book was released on 2022-05-10 with total page 296 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An entertaining and illuminating collection of weird, wonderful, and downright baffling words from the origins of English—and what they reveal about the lives of the earliest English speakers Old English is the language you think you know until you actually hear or see it. Unlike Shakespearean English or even Chaucer’s Middle English, Old English—the language of Beowulf—defies comprehension by untrained modern readers. Used throughout much of Britain more than a thousand years ago, it is rich with words that haven’t changed (like word), others that are unrecognizable (such as neorxnawang, or paradise), and some that are mystifying even in translation (gafol-fisc, or tax-fish). In this delightful book, Hana Videen gathers a glorious trove of these gems and uses them to illuminate the lives of the earliest English speakers. We discover a world where choking on a bit of bread might prove your guilt, where fiend-ship was as likely as friendship, and where you might grow up to be a laughter-smith. The Wordhord takes readers on a journey through Old English words and customs related to practical daily activities (eating, drinking, learning, working); relationships and entertainment; health and the body, mind, and soul; the natural world (animals, plants, and weather); locations and travel (the source of some of the most evocative words in Old English); mortality, religion, and fate; and the imagination and storytelling. Each chapter ends with its own “wordhord”—a list of its Old English terms, with definitions and pronunciations. Entertaining and enlightening, The Wordhord reveals the magical roots of the language you’re reading right now: you’ll never look at—or speak—English in the same way again.

Download or read book Craeft written by Alexander Langlands and published by Faber & Faber. This book was released on 2017-10-31 with total page 361 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the modern world we are becoming bombarded by craft. Hand-made tools, artisan breads and craft beers are all part of a pantheon of goods designed to appeal to our earthier selves, our sense of tradition, quality and luxury, all brought together through a personal touch - objects to savour in a world of meaningless mass manufacture. But once, craft - or more specifically, cræft - meant something very different. When it was first written down in Old English, over a thousand years ago, it had an almost indefinable sense of 'knowledge', 'wisdom' and 'power'. To be cræfty was to be truly intelligent - but in a way that is almost inconceivable to us today. Through a series of mini-histories, detailed craft analyses and personal anecdotes, archaeologist, historian and broadcaster Alex Langlands goes in search of the lost knowledge of cræft. Fusing stories of landscapes, personalities and mesmerising skill, with back-breaking hard work, this book will convince readers - for their health, wealth and well-being - to introduce more cræft into their lives.

Download or read book The Boatbuilder written by Daniel Gumbiner and published by McSweeney's. This book was released on 2018-05-22 with total page 155 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At 28 years old, Eli "Berg" Koenigsberg has never encountered a challenge he couldn't push through, until a head injury leaves him with lingering headaches and a weakness for opiates. Berg moves to a remote Northern California town, seeking space and time to recover, but soon finds himself breaking into homes in search of pills. Addled by addiction and chronic pain, Berg meets Alejandro, a reclusive, master boatbuilder, and begins to see a path forward. Alejandro offers Berg honest labor, but more than this, he offers him a new approach to his suffering, a template for survival amid intense pain. Nurtured by his friendship with Alejandro and aided, too, by the comradeship of many in Talinas, Berg begins to return to himself. Written in gleaming prose, this is a story about resilience, community, and what it takes to win back your soul.

Download or read book Cr ft An Inquiry Into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts written by Alexander Langlands and published by W. W. Norton & Company. This book was released on 2018-01-02 with total page 353 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: “Hypnotic.… [Langlands] begins to see not just the beauty of an object.… but the deeper purpose for which each has been created.” —New York Times Faced with an endless supply of mass-manufactured products, we find ourselves nostalgic for goods bearing the mark of authenticity—hand-made tools, local brews, and other objects produced by human hands. Archaeologist and medieval historian Alexander Langlands reaches as far back as the Neolithic period to recover our lost sense of craft, combining deep history with detailed scientific analyses and his own experiences making traditional crafts. Craft brims with vivid storytelling, rich descriptions of natural landscape, and delightful surprises that will convince us to introduce more craft into our lives.

Download or read book Diary of an Early American Boy 1805 written by Eric Sloane and published by Courier Corporation. This book was released on 2008-01-01 with total page 130 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpts from a teenager's diary interspersed with the author's comments and illustrations depict the lifestyle and crafts of rural New England.

Download or read book The Prince of Denmark written by Graham Holderness and published by Univ of Hertfordshire Press. This book was released on 2002 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fictional re-writing of the Hamlet story is set in a time somewhere between the Scandinavian Dark Ages (out of which the tale of Hamlet came), and the Renaissance society of Shakespeare's play. The novel searches past and future, in T.S. Eliot phrase, looking before and after. Beginning at the end of Shakespeare's play, where the Norweigian prince Fortinbras takes over the empty throne of Denmark, its then backtracks to the year of Hamlet's birth, and the great duel fought between his father King Amled and Fortinbras' father Prince Fortenbrasse. in the light of this history, as a new ruler takes over Denmark after Hamlet's death, the conflicts and alliances between ancient Viking chivalry, Renaissance realpolitik and Christian forgiveness are dramatically explored.

Download or read book Why We Make Things and Why it Matters written by Peter Korn and published by Random House. This book was released on 2015-02-05 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Why do we make things? Why do we choose the emotionally and physically demanding work of bringing new objects into the world with creativity and skill? Why does it matter that we make things well? What is the nature of work? And what is the nature of a good life? This January, whether you're honing your craft or turning your hand to a new skill, discover the true value in what it means to be a craftsman in a mass-produced world. Part memoir, part polemic, part philosophical reflection, this is a book about the process of creation. For woodworker Peter Korn, the challenging work of bringing something new and meaningful into the world through one's own efforts is exactly what generates authenticity, meaning, and fulfilment, for which many of us yearn. This is not a 'how-to' book in any sense, Korn wants to get at the 'why' of craft in particular, and the satisfaction of creative work in general, to understand its essential nature. How does the making of objects shape our identities? How do the products of creative work inform society? In short, what does the process of making things reveal to us about ourselves? Korn draws on four decades of hands-on experience to answer these questions eloquently in this heartfelt, personal and revealing book. 'If you are in the building trade or just love creating things as a hobby, you will find this book fascinating' The Sun

Download or read book Craft written by Glenn Adamson and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2021-01-19 with total page 401 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice A groundbreaking and endlessly surprising history of how artisans created America, from the nation's origins to the present day. At the center of the United States' economic and social development, according to conventional wisdom, are industry and technology-while craftspeople and handmade objects are relegated to a bygone past. Renowned historian Glenn Adamson turns that narrative on its head in this innovative account, revealing makers' central role in shaping America's identity. Examine any phase of the nation's struggle to define itself, and artisans are there-from the silversmith Paul Revere and the revolutionary carpenters and blacksmiths who hurled tea into Boston Harbor, to today's “maker movement.” From Mother Jones to Rosie the Riveter. From Betsy Ross to Rosa Parks. From suffrage banners to the AIDS Quilt. Adamson shows that craft has long been implicated in debates around equality, education, and class. Artisanship has often been a site of resistance for oppressed people, such as enslaved African-Americans whose skilled labor might confer hard-won agency under bondage, or the Native American makers who adapted traditional arts into statements of modernity. Theirs are among the array of memorable portraits of Americans both celebrated and unfamiliar in this richly peopled book. As Adamson argues, these artisans' stories speak to our collective striving toward a more perfect union. From the beginning, America had to be-and still remains to be-crafted.

Download or read book Riddles at Work in the Early Medieval Tradition written by Megan Cavell and published by . This book was released on 2020-03-05 with total page 328 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first collection devoted solely to early medieval riddles, Riddles at work showcases recent research in this popular, new field. It brings together studies of Old English and Latin riddles, authors at various stages of their careers and a range of approaches, aiming to map out both the state of the field now and its future directions.

Download or read book Fewer Better Things written by Glenn Adamson and published by Bloomsbury Publishing USA. This book was released on 2018-08-07 with total page 273 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the former director of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, a timely and passionate case for the role of the well-designed object in the digital age. Curator and scholar Glenn Adamson opens Fewer, Better Things by contrasting his beloved childhood teddy bear to the smartphones and digital tablets children have today. He laments that many children and adults are losing touch with the material objects that have nurtured human development for thousands of years. The objects are still here, but we seem to care less and know less about them. In his presentations to groups, he often asks an audience member what he or she knows about the chair the person is sitting in. Few people know much more than whether it's made of wood, plastic, or metal. If we know little about how things are made, it's hard to remain connected to the world around us. Fewer, Better Things explores the history of craft in its many forms, explaining how raw materials, tools, design, and technique come together to produce beauty and utility in handmade or manufactured items. Whether describing the implements used in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony, the use of woodworking tools, or the use of new fabrication technologies, Adamson writes expertly and lovingly about the aesthetics of objects, and the care and attention that goes into producing them. Reading this wise and elegant book is a truly transformative experience.

Download or read book Nine Lives of William Shakespeare written by Graham Holderness and published by A&C Black. This book was released on 2013-09-12 with total page 349 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Acclaimed as the greatest dramatist of all time, William Shakespeare needs little introduction. Or does he? Going beyond Shakespeare the writer and actor, Graham Holderness explores the fact and fiction, tradition and myth, surrounding Shakespeare's life. Combining biography and fictional narrative, Holderness takes a fresh critical approach to the problem of piecing together a definitive account of Shakespeare's life and work from scant historical information. Instead, this study builds upon and examines the many theories that surround the life of this well-known, yet remarkably unknown man. Nine Shakespeares are presented: writer, player, butcher boy, businessman, husband, friend, lover, Catholic and portrait. By carefully critiquing these biographies and reimagining these nine men, Nine Lives of William Shakespeare creates a unique picture of how this playwright became Shakespeare as he is understood today. Shakespeare Now! is a series of short books that engage imaginatively and often provocatively with the possibilities of Shakespeare's plays. It goes back to the source – the most living language imaginable – and recaptures the excitement, audacity and surprise of Shakespeare. It will return you to the plays with opened eyes.

Download or read book The Tunisian Crochet Handbook written by Toni Lipsey and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2021-12-07 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From fiber artist Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Craft, an introduction to the craft of Tunisian crochet—a unique crochet style that looks more like knitting—with 20 projects for beginners. There are hundreds of books that explore traditional crochet, but there are few that reference the concept of Tunisian crochet or present it in a modern, approachable way. The Tunisian Crochet Handbook introduces this fascinating and rewarding technique with a wide array of stitches and design possibilities. The goal of this book is to guide crocheters step-by-step through Tunisian crochet, starting with tools and yarns, transitioning into how-to’s and stitches, and finishing with easy but engaging patterns. Every shawl, garment, and accessory featured takes makers beyond the basics, introducing new stitches to expand their skill sets. In this way, author Toni Lipsey is reintroducing crochet and encouraging makers to explore the craft further with each new design. Crochet continues to grow in popularity, and this guidebook offers a new take on the timeless classic, one that readers won’t be able to find anywhere else. Includes instructional sections and patterns, complete with the necessary schematics and styled, chic photographs.

Download or read book Knitting for Radical Self Care written by Brandi Cheyenne Harper and published by Abrams. This book was released on 2022-01-04 with total page 164 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From knitting expert Brandi Harper, a must-have pattern book for modern knitters, with essays on self-care and sourcing creativity. There is no such thing as being “kind of” a knitter—the wobbly scarves and that oversize sweater you tried to shrink all count, too. Each contribution that you make to the world through knitting is meaningful, but maybe you’ve slowed your commitment to this craft, or you can’t seem to find the time to be creative. There’s a lot to be distracted by, and the path forward isn’t always clear. Brandi Harper aims to bring those challenges to the forefront and help you unearth the immense benefits that knitting has to offer. In her debut book, Knitting for Radical Self-Care, Harper offers tips and suggestions for carving out time for creativity, alongside beautiful patterns to try yourself. The book includes 10 original and diverse style patterns inspired by revolutionary women of color, and Harper will speak to these women and their immense impact on her life and our world. The patterns include detailed instructions, alongside her original prose, all designed to inspire.

Download or read book Material written by Nick Kary and published by Chelsea Green Publishing. This book was released on 2020-09-24 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "An important book, brimming with insight."—Nicholas Evans, author of The Horse Whisperer A master craftsperson explores the ways in which working with our hands reveals the essence of both our humanity and our relationship with the natural, material world In our present age of computer-assisted design, mass production and machine precision, the traditional skills of the maker or craftsperson are hard to find. Yet the desire for well-made and beautiful objects from the hands (and mind) of a skilled artisan is just as present today as it ever has been. Whether the medium they work with is wood, metal, clay or something else, traditional makers are living links to the rich vein of knowledge and skills that defines our common human heritage. More than this, though, many of us harbor a deep and secret yearning to produce something – to build or shape, to imagine and create our own objects that are imbued not only with beauty and functionality, but with a story and, in essence, a spirit drawn from us. Nick Kary understands this yearning. For nearly four decades he has worked on commission to make fine, distinctive furniture and cabinets from wood, most of it sourced near his home, in the counties of South West England. During this time, he has been both a teacher and a student; one who is fascinated with the philosophy and practice of craft work of all kinds. In Material, Kary takes readers along with him to visit some of the places where modern artisans are preserving, and in some cases passing on, the old craft skills. His vivid descriptions and eye for detail make this book a rich and delightful read, and the natural and cultural history he imparts along the way provides an important context for understanding our own past and the roots of our industrial society. Personal, engaging, and filled with memorable people, landscapes and scenes, Material is a rich celebration of what it means to imagine and create, which in the end is the essence of being human, and native to a place. As Kary puts it, “Wood and words, trees and people, material and ethereal – it is here I love increasingly to dwell.” Perfect for fans of The Hidden Life of Trees or Norwegian Wood, Material is a rich, inspiring read for woodworkers, potters, craftspeople, bibliophiles and anyone who enjoys working with their hands.

Download or read book The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater written by Alanna Okun and published by Macmillan + ORM. This book was released on 2018-03-20 with total page 175 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Curse of the Boyfriend Sweater is a memoir about life truths learned through crafting. People who craft know things. They know how to transform piles of yarn into sweaters and scarves. They know that some items, like woolen bikini tops, are better left unknit. They know that making a hat for a newborn baby isn’t just about crafting something small but appreciating the beginnings of life, which sometimes helps make peace with the endings. They know that if you knit your boyfriend a sweater, your relationship will most likely be over before the last stitch. Alanna Okun knows that crafting keeps her anxiety at bay. She knows that no one will ever be as good a knitting teacher as her beloved grandmother. And she knows that even when we can’t control anything else, we can at least control the sticks, string, and fabric right in front of us. Okun lays herself bare and takes readers into the parts of themselves they often keep hidden. Yet at the same time she finds humor in the daily indignities all crafters must face (like when you catch the dreaded Second Sock Syndrome and can’t possibly finish the second in a pair). Okun has written a book that will speak to anyone who has said to themselves, or to everyone within earshot, “I made that.”