Customer Reviews

The Penland Book of Handmade Books: Master Classes in Bookmaking Techniques

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I was fortunate enough to see a copy of this book prior to distribution and was extremely impressed. As I type this I am looking a wide shelf of "books on books" and must admit that less than half of them really were worth the price of admission. Granted, I gain a little something from each of them, but only a few of them truly provide that something extra or uniqueness that brings me back again and again as either a reference or for inspiration.

I believe that this one will be one I go to for both. It is that good.

As the publisher's description indicates, Penland has pulled out all the stops and have tapped their talent pool of true MASTERS of the book arts for this book. The contributors are like a Who's Who in the book arts field. The illustrations and photos are well done, clear instructions and wondrous books to gawk at for inspiration.

If you are a veteran book artist, you will appreciate the book for its depth and may even be a bit challenged by it. If you are a novice, you will be given the rare opportunity to learn from the best in the country and be moved to bring your work to new levels.

It should be noted that this book is NOT all a guide on how to make several different types of books or bindings. It does provide insight and guidance on how to make certain aspects of books, including a small, wooden "shrine" to hold a tiny coptic stitch book. If you know Dan Essig's work, you'll immediately recognize his contribution. Dan shows you how he makes at least one of this book forms. Eileen Wallace's contribution displays her common sense but very precise approach to book binding. If I were to summarize the book in a few words, it would be, "Talented book artists show you how they do what they do."

If you are looking for a book of JUST binding methods, don't buy this book. If however, you are looking for an insight into creative processes as performed by masters of the craft, all bound into an inspiration-filled tome - buy it.

I do highly recommend this book...it deserves to be in your art/fine craft library.

This book is more than just a collection of the work of a number of outstanding bookmakers amd bookbinders. It is also an explication of the approach of each artisan to his/her art, and a step-by-step illustration of one of each person's projects. The photographs are also outstanding.

Each chapter is excellent, but my own favorite is the chapter by Barbara Mauriello on Box Construction. It combines a charming and thoughtful essay with striking illustrations of the wide range of her work.

Penland is excellent. Its instructors and classes excellent. But while this book covers a wide range of material from skilled, respected bookbinders, THIS BOOK IS NOT EXCELLENT.

The essays and instructions have been cruelly edited, dumbed-down and glossed-up. For chrissake, THEY AIRBRUSHED JIM CROFT'S HANDS. If you live out in the boonies as he does, working with your hands, living off them, day and night, your hands do not come to the camera with a manicure. And they airbrushed Julie Leonard's lovely gap-toothed smile! Etc. These are artists of well-repute, and they deserve much better from a publishing house.

The good this book does is heighten awareness of the advanced glories of the book arts today -- but that is grossly undercut by the fact that, through the editing, the awareness is inherently flawed. This is a book for the coffee table, not the student, or the binder. It could perhaps be useful as an illustrated bibliography -- people, places, and techniques to seek out. But why buy for that reason, when you could rent it from the library?

This book is worth it just for the gallery - book after book from top creative bookbinders. Dan Essigs books inparticular are especially inspiring, but the entire book is full of great artists, and the step by steps are a great peek into how they create. Any creative bookbinder would be happy to have this in their library!