The Case for Working with Your Hands

One of the most influential thinkers of our time * Sunday Times *Masterly * Economist *The best book I have read for ages … a profound exploration of modern education, work and capitalism … I happen to know it is in [Education Secretary] Mr Gove’s in-tray … its analysis applies with horrible precision to our education system – Matthew d’Ancona * Telegraph *A philosophy of how life should be lived, how children should be educated and how economies should be run … Full of interesting stories and thought-provoking aperçus enlivened with humour … Important, memorable and enjoyable – Louis de Bernières * The Times *A next-generation Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance to rally the millions who feel emotionally disconnected from work * Financial Times *A powerful new book – David Willetts, Universities and Science Minister * Telegraph *Persuasive and timely * The Times *A deep exploration of craftsmanship by someone with real hands-on knowledge. Quirky, surprising and moving – Richard SennettA stunning indictment of the modern workplace … Crawford points in the direction of a richer, more fulfilling way of life. This is a book that will endure – Reihan Salam * The Atlantic *A beautiful little book about human excellence * New York Times *

Matthew Crawford is a philosopher and mechanic. He has a Ph.D. in political philosophy from the University of Chicago and served as a postdoctoral fellow on its Committee on Social Thought. Currently a fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture at the University of Virginia, he also runs Shockoe Moto, an independent motorcycle repair shop.