35 pages • 1 hour read
Matthew B. CrawfordShop Class as Soulcraft
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2009A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Shop Class as Soulcraft, Matthew B. Crawford, a mechanic with a doctorate in philosophy, emphasizes the value of vocational work, critiquing society's shift towards college-prep education while underscoring what we lose by devaluing manual labor. He argues for a deeper connection with tangible tasks and shares his experiences to illustrate how working with one's hands fosters problem-solving, creativity, and self-reliance.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Matthew B. Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft resonates with readers for its thoughtful exploration of manual labor's philosophical and practical merits. Praised for blending personal narrative with social critique, the book sometimes overgeneralizes modern work cultures, yet successfully champions the self-sufficiency and satisfaction in skilled trades.
Who Should Read Shop Class as Soulcraft?
Readers who appreciate Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig or Walden by Henry David Thoreau will enjoy Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew B. Crawford. This book appeals to those interested in philosophy, manual labor, and the search for meaning in a technology-driven world.