A Handmade Life
In Search of Simplicity
Published on 1. September 2003
Book
Hardback
144 pages
978-1-931498-25-8 (ISBN)
Description
William Coperthwaite is a teacher, builder, designer, and writer who for many years has explored the possibilities of true simplicity on a homestead on the north coast of Maine. In the spirit of Henry David Thoreau, Emily Dickinson, and Helen and Scott Nearing, Coperthwaite has fashioned a livelihood of integrity and completeness--buying almost nothing, providing for his own needs, and serving as a guide and companion to hundreds of apprentices drawn to his unique way of being. A Handmade Life carries Coperthwaite's ongoing experiments with hand tools, hand-grown and gathered food, and handmade shelter, clothing, and furnishings out into the world to challenge and inspire. His writing is both philosophical and practical, exploring themes of beauty, work, education, and design while giving instruction on the hand-crafting of the necessities of life: house, tools, clothing, and furniture. Richly illustrated with luminous color photographs by Peter Forbes, the book is a moving and inspirational testament to an new/old way of life.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
White River Junction
United States
Illustrations
67 colour plates, 10 b&w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 250 mm
Width: 250 mm
Thickness: 17 mm
Weight
703 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-931498-25-8 (9781931498258)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
William Coperthwaite is a native of Maine who has travelled the world in search of folk-art techniques and subsistence skills. Impressed by the beauty and intelligence of the traditional central Asian nomadic tents called eyurtsi, Coperthwaite adapted and introduced to North America yurt design and construction, building them for for family homes, schools, camps and outbuildings. William Coperthwaite is a native of Maine who has travelled the world in search of folk-art techniques and subsistence skills. Impressed by the beauty and intelligence of the traditional central Asian nomadic tents called "yurts," Coperthwaite adapted and introduced to North America yurt design and construction. In the past four decades he has participated in building more than three hundred yurts for family homes, schools, camps, and outbuildings. Awarded a doctorate from Harvard University's School of Education for his work with Eskimo villagers, Coperthwaite has taught in a variety of innovative educational settings.