I have eagerly awaited the arrival of Christopher Schwarz’ latest book, The “Anarchist’s Design Book“, since he first hinted at it with the working title “Furniture of Necessity” way back in 2012. The term vernacular furniture was bantered about in those early days and really peaked my interest and excitement. Furniture built by common folk to fulfill their particular needs. Solid, functional pieces that fit within a commoner’s budget and skill and was meant to be used. No status symbol pieces or exotic this or that, just functional pieces from basic materials with a folk art effect towards beauty.
Early hints came from blog posts about the virtues of cut nails. Then came the six-board chest. Then posts about building coffins, an aumbry and then bits of information on staked furniture. All along the way I waited patiently for this book to congeal and come into being. Finally I have this book in my hands and have read it through and continue to revisit section after section picking up a new piece of information with every go around.
The book was well worth the wait!
OK, the obligatory statement about the quality of the physical book. The quality of the books produced by Lost Art Press is of the highest quality. In their own words:
” “The Anarchist’s Design Book” has 456 pages that are sewn for long-term durability. The book is 8″ x 10″, casebound and sheathed in thick hardback boards that are covered in cotton cloth. We’ve also painted the edges of all the pages with a black paint to protect them from moisture and damage – a detail common on early books.” Lost Art Press
Now a little about what is in the book. The concepts that Mr. Schwarz puts forth are both simple and inspiring. A seat-of-your pants design approach to building furniture pieces that have a simple beauty but are, first and foremost, meant to be used. All with a provenance that can traced back through antiquity. To top that off, the joinery is simple as can be. Now if you have been to my blog before, you know that I actually have an affinity for and seek out complex joinery, but….not every piece needs to be built with over-the-top joinery. Sometimes a person just needs quick and solid. As well as beautiful, IMHO. In fact, if your goal is simply to outfit your home with solid, functional furniture, then the techniques in “The Anarchist’s Design Book” are the quickest path to that goal with the least amount of outlay for tools.
If you have been following the Lost Art Press blog, or Mr Schwarz blog on Popular Wooodworking or reading Popular Woodworking Magazine over the last few years, then you have been introduced to the construction techniques and forms found in “The Anarchist’s Design Book“. If, however, this is your first exposure, then the techniques and forms may seem a little jarring. Rest assured, their efficacy is both proven and sound.
So, how much design information is in this book with design prominently in the title? None or a vast amount, depending on how you approach it. If you’re looking for a laundry list of “thou shalts”, then you may be disappointed. If however you read in between the lines and step back and look at the whole, then you are in for a treat. Design is quietly there on almost every page. Almost as a subliminal message at times, but there none the less. Mr. Schwarz presents furniture forms in their most basic state and gives the why and wherefore in the making of them so that they are optimal in function. What, if anything, you do beyond that, is up to you.
This book speaks to me because I have instinctively been going down this path on my own already. I have never wanted to build furniture that was “fancy” or “precious” or a “show piece”. I want the furniture I build to be used, even used up, if it comes to that. I’ve been in homes where the furniture made me uneasy. Afraid to sit myself down or set down a glass…not in my home. Not now, not ever. “The Anarchist’s Design Book” will go a long way in helping me to stay on my chosen path of functional furniture. If this type of furniture appeals to you or you simply need to furnish your home, “The Anarchist’s Design Book” is worth the price of admission and, quite frankly, a whole lot more.
So once again I find myself patiently waiting. This time for a tapered reamer and a few other items to be delivered by the big brown truck.
For what it is worth from an average hobbyist….well done Mr. Schwarz!
Greg Merritt
HILLBILLY DAIKU 
You’ve rekindled a fire in me to get this book.
Glad to hear it. The projects and techniques are solid and seem to be accessible to most skill levels. I plan to tackle some of these projects and will do a follow up post.
Didn’t get inspired to build your own tapered reamer? It’s easy-peasy and quite rewarding. And it has the added virtue of giving you a closer understanding of the tool and how it works.
No lathe? No problemo. Just use a spoke shave with care and you too can do it.
LOL…the thought crossed my mind. I even looked up the plans and everything. For now I’ll go with how Mr. Schwarz demonstrated the process in the book.
Yep, I’m enjoying it quite a lot, too. Between this book and the Hayward books it is Christmas in March.
The Hayward books are awesome too!
Thank you for taking the time and trouble to review this book. I fear I shall have to wait until my birthday in August but it is definitely on my mental list. Your writing and your plans are a real inspiration.
Thank you Jae for the kind words! August isn’t too far off, but I hope you can get your hands on it sooner than later.
Unfortunately many of his books are out of my financial reach if his price tag is $100 in this country it’s just over $200. Once upon a time our dollar was stronger than yours but our government decided to bring it down to compete in the world market. As for me this hasn’t brought me any financial benefit only stopped my spendings so it’s a loss, loss for all. I will never be able to enjoy a single book produced by Chris, you may wonder how we ever survive in this country. I don’t know we just do.
Try the library. Perhaps presumptuous of me to assume you’re in Canada, but a lot of his books are in the public library system in Canada.
Can you get them electronically? At US$23.50, that at least gets closer to affordable…
wow really I did not know that, fantastic news but pdf does not beat holding a well made quality book as Christopher makes in your hands. Computers get outdated and corrupted even destroyed but a quality book will out live generations which is why I try and opt down that course more often than not but in this case where I simply cannot afford the ridiculous high prices in Australia I will have to download it even though it churns my stomach to sit behind a screen to read. Sometimes if I’m lucky I can buy something cheaper from overseas than I can here but it usually always comes down to the shipping fee. If they are kind and honest they will charge actual shipping prices which will be affordable but others charge what they want which is always ridiculously high. A great eg is the Aurio rasps. The company charges only $12 for shipping any where in the world but LN will charge $40 – $80 for the shipping alone. Ridiculous.
Not sure if this helps, but here is an Australian supplier.
http://www.henryeckert.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=38_52_60&product_id=1291
Thanks Greg.
Yeah, I’d rather read paper. Though I’ve started ordering both when I can: it’s nice to have a copy I can read on a tablet and be less worried about dripping something on it.
I have a birthday coming up very soon. This will be requested of my wife. BTW, a very good review.
Thanks Jeff. Felt a little awkward writing it, but I think it is a very good book.
thank you for the review! I agree with your comments on wanting to make furniture to be used! It must welcome use, right?
Exactly! I want the stuff I build to be functional and hopefully good looking, but not to a point that people hesitate to use it.
Greg, 2nd mention on LAP blog…. No time soon you’ll be writing a book with those guys…
Crossing my fingers for that!
LOL…I wouldn’t get your hopes up. Who am I to write a book?
Who indeed…… Not a crazy idea really….a book about a Handsome sailor(Pirate peg-leg Greg) with boyscout badges earned and shown as archives on this blog ( and many others no doubt), you’ve got the hillbilly brand starting to be established ….a proud American family…you’re already telling part of your story here, so who knows eh?.( I’d buy it…. And I could provide the Canadian translations for you.! )
See Greg I’m not the only one….
I’ll translate to Portuguese for free! :O
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