THE CRAFTSMAN

Sean Runnette narrates this contemplative work on making physical things by sociologist Richard Sennett. Runnette's thoughtful pacing and pleasing tonal palette create a meditative space for savoring these moving perspectives. Sennett leaves no physical detail unexamined as he explains why, from ancient clay bricks to Stradivari's violins and today's software creations, the tacit knowledge necessary for craftsmanship is the result of communal effort that spans generations and requires a special kind of communication between master and apprentice. Sennett's detailed research on the making of things throughout history, expressed with poetic dignity in his reading, brings his philosophical insights down to earth while reminding us of the uplifting joy of doing something well for its own sake. T.W. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MAY 2018]