A Craftsman’s Legacy

Why Working with Our Hands Gives Us Meaning

By: Eric Gorges, Jon Sternfeld - contributor

Narrated by: Eric Gorges

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

Today, even as so many of us spend hours in front of screens and in the virtual world, there is a growing movement that recognizes the power in the personal, the imperfect, the handmade. Eric Gorges, a metal shaper, taps into that hunger to get back to what's "real" through visits with the fellow artisans he has profiled for his popular public television program. In this book, he tells their stories and shares the collective wisdom of calligraphers, potters, stone carvers, glassblowers, engravers, wood workers, and more while celebrating the culture they've created.

Filled with insights about the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of craftsmanship, A Craftsman's Legacy identifies the craftsman's shared values: taking time to slow down and enjoy the process, embracing failure, knowing when to stop and when to push through, and accepting that perfection is an illusion. Gorges extols the benefits of getting out of one's comfort zone and the importance of learning the traditions of the past in order to carry those values into the future. Along the way, Gorges tells his own story about leaving the corporate world to focus on what he loves.

This is a book for seekers of all kinds, an exhilarating look into the heart and soul of modern-day makers - and how they can inspire us all.

©2019 Eric Gorges (P)2019 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

It's a Kind of Magic.

I am not a reader, my attention span is quick to leave me in times when I need it the most. Over the last couple of years I have uncovered this part of me that was always screaming to be revealed and I did not know what it was. I am an Artist. I would say mostly a craftsman, but in all honesty...I listened ( and actually read most!) to Eric Gorges speak and every word was like it was stolen from my head/heart. I honestly have felt that i need to break from everyday working world for a while but first i needed to secure my future and really narrow down my interests in crafts. I still have not made the leap, but his words have been SO meaningful. Every chapter it seemed like i just wanted to scream THIS IS ME EXACTLY! And I cannot thank the author enough. I listen to the book now almost every night when I go to sleep...his words to me are like a lullaby, relaxation as i drift into a calm state listening to the description of fine craft and someone who loves and appreciates is just as much as I do. Detail is dying...love for leaving something behind is dying. I often find myself collecting and bringing old hand tools back to life because I am so infatuated with the thought that someone loved and used these tools years ago when heart and soul went into craftsmanship. Keep it alive! Thank you sososo much!

Some spew information, some tell a story.

Information is everywhere. From the manuals on our benches to the phones in our hands; who needs it. This author took said information and turned it into a story, his-story. We will always have questions that our souls demand answers for - a few are found in this book. Thanks for sharing some of your story with us Eric.

I dig it.

I understand and can relate to the author. He puts his ideas out in very clear and concise words. He comes off as just a regular guy. I really enjoyed it.

Groundbreaking! Surprising and totally Enjoyable!

This book was unexpectedly well rounded and pertains to so many facets of life. I can’t imagine anyone not enjoying it and going back to these chapters for continued inspiration! Really loved this sleeper.

Loved it

Thank you Eric for writing this book, it has made me even more passionate about pursing the dream of starting my own business.

Thoughtful look at the emotional origins of what we make

What a great surprise. I thought this was going to be more of a DIY kind of book. I was pleasantly surprised that the focus was more on the author and various other craftsmen themselves. It walked though the forces (since childhood) that drove these people to design and create what they do.

Nicely Done

Good narration. Appreciate someone taking the time and creating the effort to memorialize the stories.

Loved this book.

As a craftsmen myself this book resonated with me and the stories were relatable. The author did a great job and I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a way to disconnect from the world and make something with your hands.

So Many Lessons in This Book!

Whether you are into crafts and working with your hands or not, you need to read this book. I love the stories of craftspeople shared through Eric’s lens interweaved with his own story through panic and anxiety into craftsmanship. There are so many career lessons within for all of us. This is one of the best books I’ve read this year, and I highly recommend it.

Great for makers

The stories in this collection were interesting and did a great job of shining a light on makers. I think it would have been better to read versus listening to it—not sure why—but as interesting as the stories were, it was hard to stay focused. Maybe it’s because this was a recap of one man’s experience interviewing others, and not those interviews themselves. Worth a read, especially if you’re a maker.