Lost Crafts [Hardcover]

Editors of Chambers (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2009

This charming book is an engaging introduction to a range of traditional crafts and activities. Almost 100 skills are described and illustrated, from trout-guddling to lacemaking, beekeeping to dry-stone walling. Whether wanting to learn a new craft, explore social history or reminisce about pastimes from a bygone age, readers of all ages will lose themselves in Lost Crafts. And with more of us choosing green and ethical lifestyles, there has never been a better time to rediscover these sustainable pursuits.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fascinating book which will inspire everyone, whether as a practical guide or just a brilliant read. There are things here which I have always wanted to try out - and now I can! -- Miranda Krestovnikoff, presenter of BBC's Coast A wonderfully informative catalogue of the kind of knowledge we are losing but would be wise to preserve. -- Zac Goldsmith, environmentalist This is a great book which everyone should read. Although some of these crafts may be associated with a bygone era, they are as relevant today as they have ever been and there is something for everyone to learn. Hours of amusement! -- Jimmy Doherty, presenter of BBC's Jimmy Doherty's Farming Heroes 20081106 It's a treasure... a lovely book, full of fascinating information and useful advice. Splendid on hedge-laying -- I am now hooked on Hooper's hedge hypothesis -- and on threatening an unproductive fruit tree with an axe. However, I am worried that each time I pick it up it falls open at 'Milking a cow'. I have no cow: is the book trying to tell me something? -- Adam Hart-Davis, writer and broadcaster 20081119 A blend of social history and practical instruction, this handsome book will have you coopering, whittling and smocking in no time. McGovern makes the dream of never shopping again seem like a reality, and teaches a sobering lesson about the extent to which, until recently, the things we had were made by us or by people we knew, so we valued them more and wasted them less. -- Melissa Katsoulis, The Times Christmas Books 2008: Back to basics, The Times 20081128 From arts to crafts, here's a perfect Christmas present for the credit crunch. Una McGovern's Lost Crafts: Rediscovering Traditional Skills is a serious book telling you how to set about all those things you have been paying other people to do, such as beekeeping, coppicing, milking a cow, skinning rabbits, pickling, smoking and making cider, lemonade, butter, cheese, jam and marmalade.Of course, most of these are easier done in the country than the inner city, including foraging for wild food - berries, nuts and mushrooms. You are advised to pick black-berries before September 29 because that is when the devil is supposed to urinate on them. On reflection, choose recipients of this present carefully. -- Christopher Hudson, The Daily Mail "The pictures worth 1,000 words: Illustrated Books Round Up" 20081212 A delightful new book -- Geoff Ward, Mysterious West Podcast Week 75, Western Daily Press 20081212 In an era when we are re-thinking our habits because of the rising costs of food and fuel, a revival of traditional ways of life has perhaps never been so relevant. -- The Scots Magazine 20090201 [A] terrific book, which I've been reading avidly. I strongly recommend it, and also the new companion volume, Lost Lore, which covers a variety of clever everyday stuff, not all of it absolutely needed every day. -- John-Paul Flintoff, The Sunday Times 20090923

About the Author

This internationally renowned reference publisher continues its celebrated tradition of excellence into the present day with such informative and authoritative works as the Chambers Crossword Dictionary, Chambers Encyclopedia, Chambers Biographical Dictionary and the all-new Chambers Dictionary of Quotations.

Chambers is based in Edinburgh, as it always has been, and employs editors with a wide range of skills on dictionaries and other titles for a variety of users, including students and teachers of English as a foreign or second language. As well as the core business of publishing dictionaries and thesauruses, Chambers also publishes a range of titles on grammar and usage, single-volume reference titles on science, history, biography and quotations, as well as titles for Scrabble® and crosswords.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Chambers (January 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0550104267
• ISBN-13: 978-0550104267
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #938,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Coffee Table Book, May 22, 2011

By 

Holly M. Jasper "Another English Major" (Iowa, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lost Crafts (Hardcover)

Two stars might be a little harsh, but I barely flipped past the first few crafts mentioned. I was hoping for a bit more detail... it's really just too short. "Coffee table book" is really the best way to describe it; blurbs and lots of pictures. Nothing that you couldn't learn via Wikipedia... Actually, you would definitely learn MORE from Wikipedia.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars lots covered here, September 20, 2010

By 

Victoria L. Seale "foxylady" (new mexico) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lost Crafts (Hardcover)

This is a big book that covers alot of ground, sometimes too quickly and not in depth enough for what I was looking for.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars well produced book on a variety of different crafts / trades, September 2, 2010

By 

HaveSomeTimetoJustRead? - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lost Crafts (Hardcover)

would make a good idea book for small scale farm, independent living type reading. rated 4 insttead of 5 stars for lack of comprehensive detail.