Joel's Blog

If You're Happy And You Know It Stamp Your Feet

07/31/2012

Okay, I get it. I have a seven year old. We hear this song a lot. But I can't help it, I'm happy and I want you to know it. Linden Publications has reprinted The Village Carpenter. And to make things even better they did it from scratch, not from the tired old scans that Cambridge University Press used. The pictures are clear, the type is crisp, it's a real book not a bad copy of one.

So I am happy. "The Village Carpenter" is a nostalgic mix of life at a village carpentry shop in the late 19th century coupled with accounts of how work was actually done. If you are a fan of Joiner And Cabinet Maker and you want a sequel in some senses this is it. It could easily have been an account of Thomas's son or grandson if they had stayed in their village. It's more romantic and less practical than the earlier book, but no less a good read. The real difference is that the later book was written long after the author left carpentry for greener pastures, and long after the life of a village carpenter was a reality of most of Britain.
There are accounts of it being a follow-up book in the same vain as "The Wheelwright's Shop" by George Sturt (sadly out of print), but the book stands on it's own.

The picture is of my original first edition and the new paperback.
For me seeing it back in print is like finding out that an old friend has returned to town.
Welcome back!

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07/31/2012 Matt Cianci http://thesawwright.com

Joel

I'm very glad to hear such a wonderful book has finally been reprinted....I always wondered why Rose's story never got more attention in the current hand tool revival. I think his book is far better than Sturt's and more applicable to furniture makers and country craftsman.

Matt

07/31/2012 Rick Lapp

One of my earliest inspirations! I retread it just last spring. As Chris would say "highly recommended".

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