Customer Reviews

Potters Book

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first chapter of this book should be read by every potter before their first day of class. That is to avoid being scoffed at. Seriously, if you are someone who is involved with clay on any level, read this book.

This is the first treatise by a potter on the workshop traditions which have been handed down by Koreans and Japanese from the greatest period of Chinese ceramics in the Sung dynasty. It is the outcome of twenty-five years' work in the Far East and in England, and deals with four types of pottery, Japanese raku, English slipware, stoneware, and Oriental porcelain.

The author shows us how to apply pottery standards similar to those which hold good for other forms of art, such as music and literature. The student of pottery learns how to adapt recipes of pigments and glazes, and designs of kilns, to local conditions. In the last chapter a vivid workshop picture is given of the making of a kiln-load of pots stage by stage and problem by problem from start to finish. The position of the individual or artist-potter in an industrial age is also touched upon.

This is a book primarily for the hand of the craftsman and the school, with a strong interest for all lovers of pots and for those who are interested in the cultural relationship of East and West.

"Mr. Leach has worked for a quarter of a century first in the Far East and more recently in England, and his output combines the best qualities of both worlds."--Times Literary Supplement.

A must read for any serious potter.

The Leach family continues the same tradition, producing amazing work. Too bad this is not being rebulished.

This book is a must have for anyone in pottery. Bernard Leach was a pioneer in pottery and he deserves to have this book read. It is full of wonderful information, although a little out dated, but it's humbling to see how much beautiful pottery he made without electricity and propane gas and by guessing temperature via glaze rings. It's amazing to read and very inspiring.

Bottom Line: If you're a potter, this book will inspire you to create more.

This is now perhaps no more a historical document. Very sadly many potters have taken the book to be the bible of pottery, accepting all that is written without question. However the observations and comments within it are one man's only, and this shows considerable prejudice. Take care as there are many approaches to ceramics and it is flawed to consider anyone is the correct path. More than any other document this book has distorted generations of potters to consider that the Japanese rural tradition is superior to anything else, and hence has led to almost the homogenisation of studio ceramics. Explore other ways!