Product 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 explores 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 colour photographs by Peter Forbes, the book is a moving and inspirational testament to a new/old way of life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #247120 in Books
• Published on: 2007-07-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 144 pages

About the Author
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, building them for for family homes, schools, camps
and outbuildings.

Customer Reviews

The landmark book on simple living.
Buy this book if you admire people who walk the walk. This book i have had for two years now and I continue to go back to beceause it moves me, inspires me and reminds me there are others like me who are living lightly on the earth and doing it with such grace and beauty that It has to be the right way of living. Simply wonderfull and has blessed my life since its day of purchase thankyou Bill Coperthwaite for giving this to the world.

Beautiful!
This is a beautiful book, written to be read by a lake, in solitude - quietly and thoughtfully. Lovely photos and inspiration from the usual sources - Gandhi, the Nearings, Ruskin and Thoreau. A must for anyone building a library on simple living, handcrafting and dreaming of peaceful existence. Drift away.......