Customer Reviews

Colonial Craftsmen: And the Beginnings of American Industry

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A wonderful history/reference book for those interested in colonial era crafts as well as the artist/craftsman looking for vintage design styles and techniques. If possible, get the early hardbound edition that includes elements deleted in later softcover printings.

During the past years, I have extensively studied the Colonial period in Amrerican history. I devoured all the material I could find on the subject but, as of yet, have found no other book that can compare to this one. It brims with information, much of which could be practically applied, if one so chose. Colonial Craftsmen takes a deep look at each trade of this era, and developes a strong history behind each, as well. We come face to face with Paul Revere as he is casting bells, and watch with suspense as Samuel Casey disapears from history after committing a serious crime. During all of this, we also learn these men's trades. We cast a silver tankard, shape a Windsor chair, and pump our bellows under the chestnut tree with "smithy". If anyone is interested in "common man" kind of history, then this book is for him. I find it especially delightful that as I read, I can relate to what I would be doing in that time. A must read for all history enthusiasts from eight to eighty.

Most of us have no idea of how the objects we use on a daily basis were made. In Colonial times, people were much closer to the processes and people that produced their consumer goods. In "Colonial Craftsmen", the noted illustrator Edwin Tunis has produced a beautiful book that explores the techniques used by early American craftsmen. If you were ever curious about how candles were made or shoes sewn in the Eighteenth Century, this is the book for you.

Edwin Tunis was one of the great author/illustrators of young adult non-fiction. "Colonial Craftsmen" is brimming over with beautifully intricate pencil drawings. This is the type of fascinating book, in which a young person can lose themselves. Along the same lines, the other great author/illustrator of American material culture is Eric Sloane. Any book by these two prodigies will be loved by all those with an interest in American history and its material manefestations.

I purchased both Colonial Craftsman and Colonial Living, and while there is necessarily some overlap, I found both to be fascinating and informative, offering information which is generally difficult (or at least time-consuming) to uncover. The illustrations are excellent as well. I write radio scripts, some of which are historical in nature, so having this kind of information at my fingertips is very helpful.

I have two of Edwin Tunis's books now (Frontier Living and Colonial Craftsmen). I purchased both specifically for the historic illustrations. If you need to know what historic objects look like (to draw or otherwise replicate them), if there's a Tunis book for your time period, you'll be a happy camper. Colonial Craftsmen also provides a good explanation of how things were made in Colonial America. This is sometimes marked as a children's book, but the quality of information is high, and the images make it worth having in any adult historian's personal library.

I now own three of Edwin Tunis' books. The drawings are wonderful -- detailed. The writing clear, concise. I can pick up this book and go to ANY page and start reading. You can read it from cover to cover too. I'm sorry this author is no longer with us ... I'm hoping to have all of his books in my personal library.

An insightful peek at pre-indistrial America for the age of industry when everything was still made by hand. Insightful, well illustrated, very informative.

A must have for anyone interested in the period.