Alexander Langlands is a British archaeologist and medieval historian. He is a regular presenter for the BBC and teaches medieval history at Swansea University. He currently resides in Swansea, Wales.
"A coherent and enjoyable argument for ‘not just a knowledge of
making but a knowledge of being.’"
*Guardian*
"I am in no way crafty, but this book had me yearning to thatch my
own roof just to be in touch with the physical and attendant mental
labor of putting something useful together."
*Pamela Paul, New York Times*
"Langlands excavates the scintillating history of our truest
superpower: making clever things with our hands.… I am damn
grateful for this book."
*Nick Offerman, author of Paddle Your Own Canoe*
"Erudite, deftly argued, well written and timely—Langlands weaves
together the basic human desire to use our hands to make things
with tradition, landscape and the natural world. A delightful book
that should be widely read."
*Robert Penn, author of The Man Who Made Things Out of Trees*
"Alexander Langlands is spot-on: crafting isn’t just about creating
beautiful, useful objects. It’s about reclaiming the knowledge,
wisdom, and power that link us to the collective history of
civilization. Craft is what makes us human."
*Carleen Madigan, editor of The Backyard Homestead*
"Alex Langlands is probably the only person who could have written
this wonderful book, drawing as it does upon his extraordinary
combination of experiences as an archaeologist and as somebody who
has actively learned such a huge range of the traditional crafts
which he explains. This is literally heritage in action, and
artistry which produces practical rewards."
*Ronald Hutton, professor of British history, University of
Bristol, and author of The Triumph of the Moon*
"Part how-to, part memoir, the book gets at what it means to make
things with your own hands, and how this experience connects us
both to the past and to our present sense of place."
*American Scholar*
"Whether it’s the small-batch hot sauce or the rage for craft beer,
today’s consumer wants tradition, quality, and artisan everything.
Langlands offers a fascinating history of what’s setting trends
today."
*Booklist*
"An engaging read imparting a wealth of historical knowledge with a
touch of infotainment. With current interest in authentic arts and
handmade goods, this unparalleled scholarly work will appeal to
both specialists and casual readers."
*Library Journal (starred review)*
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