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onlymattjohnson's review against another edition
3.0
A good summary of various DIY projects and how they impact the lives of working people in the USA.
yooperann's review
4.0
Mark Frauendfelder and his colleagues at Make get lots of credit for encouraging a new generation to use their hands for something other than Angry Birds and Nintendo, though perhaps not as much credit as they take. It's the contemporary version of the Whole Earth Catalog, encouraging people to compost, raise chickens, make music, and perhaps home-school their kids.
The author's ambitions often get carried away, but that just makes for a better story, and he's humble enough to admit when he just can't pull something off. Entertaining and perhaps useful.
The author's ambitions often get carried away, but that just makes for a better story, and he's humble enough to admit when he just can't pull something off. Entertaining and perhaps useful.
sun_dog's review
3.0
I was looking forward to hearing the thoughts of one of the leaders of the DIY movement, and to a degree it was as I'd hoped--a homespun tale of his adventures in making things by hand, learning how things work, and fixing it yourself. There was a goodly dose of the philosophy and even research on the value of Doing It Yourself. The author has led an interesting life and is a down to earth and likable guy.
At times however, it ended up reading like a diary. While a larger story or section might be worth adding to the book, the writing execution can often fall into a "...and then I did this, and then this happened, and I talked to this cool guy and he said this, and then we had lunch, and I finished the chicken coop. My family and I still aren't sure if we like it." Erm, right. After fifty pages on that story, I'm not sure I liked it either...
So, double points for the topics, his unique place in the field, and a likable author. It would have been better with a conscious effort at a story arc and tending the 'story garden' better to make sure all the pieces belong and fit together. "Here's a bunch of stories about my efforts in DIY" is just ok.
At times however, it ended up reading like a diary. While a larger story or section might be worth adding to the book, the writing execution can often fall into a "...and then I did this, and then this happened, and I talked to this cool guy and he said this, and then we had lunch, and I finished the chicken coop. My family and I still aren't sure if we like it." Erm, right. After fifty pages on that story, I'm not sure I liked it either...
So, double points for the topics, his unique place in the field, and a likable author. It would have been better with a conscious effort at a story arc and tending the 'story garden' better to make sure all the pieces belong and fit together. "Here's a bunch of stories about my efforts in DIY" is just ok.
iwantamonkey's review
4.0
Good read. Chronicles Frauenfelder's attempts at connecting with himself, the land, and his family via DIY projects -- successes and failures demonstrated. Profiles of the other (professional) DIY-ers are interesting and a welcome addition to his story.
clairelorraine's review
4.0
Simultaneously inspiring and guilt-inducing, this book by the editor of Make magazine had a pretty cool concept - each chapter focuses on a different giant DIY project Frauenfelder took on, like raising chickens or making his own musical instruments. I loved when he deconstructed "givens" like having a lawn around a suburban home and explained the history behind the present reality. I wasn't too crazy about reading 20-page detailed accounts of the steps he took to modify his espresso machine so that it would be the perfect temperature. But maybe you're into that kind of thing! His tone was warm, honest, and engaging, and despite his slight inevitable(?) tendency to get a little preachy, I'm inspired by Frauenfelder's maxim to just GO FOR IT, mistakes be damned! However, something Frauenfelder never addressed was gender, but all the DIY pros he went to for advice were men. It's great that Frauenfelder was trying to interest his daughters in things like electronics, but reading this did make me wonder why these worlds of "go for it, just make mistakes!" are dominated by men. It's not really Frauenfelder's fault, but at times while reading this, I felt like I was getting ignored by the bros at Guitar Center. Where's da ladies? Can I do this stuff, too? ...Yeah!
librijenne's review
3.0
Frauenfelder takes an entertaining but shallow look at some of the projects he took on throughout the first decade of the 2000s. I had hoped for more of a critique of the "throwaway world" as hinted in the title. The book peters out in the second half.
awelfle's review
5.0
[bc:Made By Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World|7763699|Made By Hand Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World|Mark Frauenfelder|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1276390823s/7763699.jpg|10637881]
I’m what you would call a consumer. I use an iPhone which I’m sure I’ll replace every two years. I eat out a lot. I buy cheap clothing that wears out in a few years. You can find me at Target at least a couple times a week. I’m not proud of it, but take it as you will. I’m busy, or more likely, lazy.
But I’ve always been fascinated with Do-It-Yourselfism. Also called the Maker culture, it’s a response to consumer culture that often results from an existential crisis about consumerism and unsustainability.
I just got done reading "Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World" by a hero of mine, Mark Frauenfelder. He’s a co-editor of my favorite blog, BoingBoing, and we actually corresponded once about pencils, another interest of mine.
Anyhow, this book documents his journey from someone who, like me, is interested in maker culture but not ready to jump in, into a full-on maker who created a guitar out of cigar boxes, raises chickens in his city home, and several more DIY ventures. Although the narrative doesn’t really provide instructions on how to do these things, he outlines his journey and instills inspiration.
Some takeaways from the book that resonated with me:
* When you make it, or fix it, you form a deeper connection to your possessions, making it easier to save and reuse rather than throw away and buy new.
* You have to learn to make mistakes. A Maker will embrace mistakes and see them not as a failure, but as a learning experience.
* It’s environmentally and morally the right thing to do. It creates less waste, promotes open-source living, global citizenship, and provokes critical thinking and problem solving skills.
I’m what you would call a consumer. I use an iPhone which I’m sure I’ll replace every two years. I eat out a lot. I buy cheap clothing that wears out in a few years. You can find me at Target at least a couple times a week. I’m not proud of it, but take it as you will. I’m busy, or more likely, lazy.
But I’ve always been fascinated with Do-It-Yourselfism. Also called the Maker culture, it’s a response to consumer culture that often results from an existential crisis about consumerism and unsustainability.
I just got done reading "Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World" by a hero of mine, Mark Frauenfelder. He’s a co-editor of my favorite blog, BoingBoing, and we actually corresponded once about pencils, another interest of mine.
Anyhow, this book documents his journey from someone who, like me, is interested in maker culture but not ready to jump in, into a full-on maker who created a guitar out of cigar boxes, raises chickens in his city home, and several more DIY ventures. Although the narrative doesn’t really provide instructions on how to do these things, he outlines his journey and instills inspiration.
Some takeaways from the book that resonated with me:
* When you make it, or fix it, you form a deeper connection to your possessions, making it easier to save and reuse rather than throw away and buy new.
* You have to learn to make mistakes. A Maker will embrace mistakes and see them not as a failure, but as a learning experience.
* It’s environmentally and morally the right thing to do. It creates less waste, promotes open-source living, global citizenship, and provokes critical thinking and problem solving skills.
gardenjess's review
4.0
An interesting story - written by a man who became an editor at Make Magazine, Mark Frauenfelder became intrigued with the DIY culture, and adopted some of it in the lives of his and his family. I was very intrigued by the parts regarding working on your espresso machine, and the part on raising chickens. The big take away is just try it! Don't be afraid to break it. True for many things, no?
lblewis01's review
2.0
Instead of a look at the psychology of making things by hand, or stats about the DIY trend, this book is mostly stories about the author's attempts at DIY projects... not at all what I was expecting, and as a DIYer, I was not impressed with his projects, especially since he is the editor of MAKE magazine and I would have expected him to already be able to "make"
brandie185's review
5.0
So I just think this is a wonderful book that has made my dream for chickens become even more serious than it was before! Because chickens are cute and practical and I think everyone should have some! I will admit thoguh, at times I was torn: keep reading or stop and go try what Frauenfelder was talking about (yes, I now want to make some instruments, do some wood carving, build something, make something, anything, everything!). This is a book I want to keep forever and ever. But I also want others to read and love it. I think I need to buy two copies of this book. One to keep and one to share. I loved it just that much. (And also, I want to go and check out all the books and blogs and other things he mentions so I really do need to have a copy to keep!). This is going to be a book that leads me to more books, that lead me to more books, and so on and so on. And I love those sorts of books as well.
To date I haven't yet tried anything specifically talked about in the book. Because of life. But that's okay. This book isn't a how-to guide. It's more of a motivational book - his main message is get out there and do it. You will screw up. It won't be perfect. And that is not only okay, but really really great. And just to prove that, he doesn't just talk about his successes, but shares the stumbling that took place along his journey! I just loved the whole book. One of my favorite quotes in the book came from Mister Jalopy (one of Frauenfelder's friends)
People are afraid they are going to screw something up, that they're going to ruin something. And unfortunately, it's valid -- they will. You will scrw stuff up. Things will be broken. But that's one step to overcome to get on the path of living this richer life of engagement, of having meaningful connections to the objects around you. It's that necessary step you have tot take - the courage to screw things up - so you're able to fix things, or make stuff from scratch or to refurbish stuff to live according to your standards.
Wow. That spoke to me. Because I get it - fear of failure holds me back. It holds back others I know. Failing is scary and I believe we are taught from a young age something to be avoided at all costs. And I think we'd be much better off if we threw that kind of thinking out the window. =)
So you should absolutely read this book. Then you should overcome fear of failure. And just get out there and do. Because doesn't that sound like so much fun? =)
To date I haven't yet tried anything specifically talked about in the book. Because of life. But that's okay. This book isn't a how-to guide. It's more of a motivational book - his main message is get out there and do it. You will screw up. It won't be perfect. And that is not only okay, but really really great. And just to prove that, he doesn't just talk about his successes, but shares the stumbling that took place along his journey! I just loved the whole book. One of my favorite quotes in the book came from Mister Jalopy (one of Frauenfelder's friends)
People are afraid they are going to screw something up, that they're going to ruin something. And unfortunately, it's valid -- they will. You will scrw stuff up. Things will be broken. But that's one step to overcome to get on the path of living this richer life of engagement, of having meaningful connections to the objects around you. It's that necessary step you have tot take - the courage to screw things up - so you're able to fix things, or make stuff from scratch or to refurbish stuff to live according to your standards.
Wow. That spoke to me. Because I get it - fear of failure holds me back. It holds back others I know. Failing is scary and I believe we are taught from a young age something to be avoided at all costs. And I think we'd be much better off if we threw that kind of thinking out the window. =)
So you should absolutely read this book. Then you should overcome fear of failure. And just get out there and do. Because doesn't that sound like so much fun? =)
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