Craftland

“Craftland . . . is an impassioned and inspiring account of the extraordinary men and women still doing traditional artisanal work in Britain . . . [Fox] has a great eye for a telling detail.”—The Sunday Times

“Craftland is a book that shimmers with love for a dwindling world of meticulous, patient labour . . . Deftly written and well researched.”—The Guardian

Beautifully written and (charmingly illustrated) . . . His chronicle of the decline of the traditional trades is staggering.”—The Wall Street Journal

James Fox’s superb new book Craftland . . . brings his critical intelligence to platform the usually silent process of mastering a craft.”—New Statesman

“Craftland is a rare achievement—part cultural study, part love letter, part preservation effort . . . It’s a book for anyone who cares about heritage, hardworking and authenticity. It’s a thoughtful, beautifully rendered tribute to the hands and minds that make the world.”—Mrwatchmaster

“It is so rare to come across a book brimming with fresh news and seasoned with hope. James Fox uncovers a largely hidden history which is still alive all around us today. I read it in two gulps with delight.”—Andrew Marr, British broadcast journalist and author of The Making of Modern Britain

“A dazzling combination of evocative prose and meticulous research, Craftland is an impassioned undertaking and novel portrait of the country’s past and how we might rethink our future.”—Kate Bryan, author of How to Art

“Absolutely wonderful. I absolutely love it! He’s describing a mostly lost world, but it seems more relevant almost by the hour; globalization and modernization are never far from my thoughts, and in these incredibly specific and fascinating stories, I feel like I’m discovering the origins of the modern world around me.”—Xand van Tulleken, co-host of A Thorough Examination and contributor to BBC Morning Live

“This hugely absorbing book is full of stories of crafts, craftspeople, communities, and creativity over the ages. They are such important stories to tell, and they are told so compellingly. Wonderful.”—Michael Morpurgo, author of War Horse

This book unexpectedly rewired my brain . . . Each story of craft, each person he spoke to, is so deeply interesting . . . I could not put it down.”—Book Riot