Why We Make Things and Why It Matters by Peter Korn

This is one of my favorite autobiographical / philosophical books. Peter tells a great story, and this is a deeply personal account of his life and the lessons he has taken from it. From his early days of carpentry on Nantucket, through to the establishment of the school, this is a hard hitting account of his life. I believe that his central premise is valid – we make things as we work on who we want to be. And yet the book is so much more than a few philosophy take-aways. I particularly enjoyed the audiobook, and if that is a format you enjoy from time to time, you could select this as a great companion for a road trip.

However, regardless of format, the book is one that I feel deserves a place in every woodworking library.