Shop Class as Soulcraft

An Inquiry into the Value of Work

By: Matthew B. Crawford

Narrated by: Max Bloomquist

A philosopher/mechanic's wise (and sometimes funny) look at the challenges and pleasures of working with one's hands

“This is a deep exploration of craftsmanship by someone with real, hands-on knowledge. The book is also quirky, surprising, and sometimes quite moving.” —Richard Sennett, author of The Craftsman

Called “the sleeper hit of the publishing season” by The Boston Globe, Shop Class as Soulcraft became an instant bestseller, attracting readers with its radical (and timely) reappraisal of the merits of skilled manual labor. On both economic and psychological grounds, author Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a “knowledge worker,” based on a misguided separation of thinking from doing. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance and a moving reflection on how we can live concretely in an ever more abstract world.

Old paths were the best

A great narration of an excellent book. Should be required reading for parents, teachers, and anyone who helps guide young people into adult life.

Quite an analysis and deconstruction of modern management

While this is an interesting dissertation on the nature and goals of modern management and how it has enabled the destruction of craftsmanship, it really fails to directly instill any sense of “get into your shop and do stuff” like a book from Nick Offerman or Adam Savage.

Really enjoyed this

This book has caused me to reflect on how I approach my daily work and how I raise my kids. I’m generally pretty handy and do a lot of my own house projects which has rolled over to my kids. I’ve always struggled at depth though. I’m just good enough to do damage. But my knowledge and skill is only a few steps deep and not to a level of mastery outside of my work. I would love to instill a love of tools and self-reliance that this book preaches. Glad I found it.

Like it, but.

The entire book was great up until the last ten minutes of chapter 9. That's when the listen got political. It really turned me off. So, ten minutes before the end of chapter 9 the book is basically over. Enjoy

a worthwhile read multiple times over

I've listened to this book 2-3 times and have been educated, validated, and entertained by it. I also find it very relatable in that I also have a college degree, but have chosen to work a trade as a painting contractor. So not only do I get to work with my hands and see the results of my work, I get to listen to audiobooks while I do it!