Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown

"Good Work: The Chairmaking Life of John Brown" by Christopher Williams is the first biography of Welshman John Brown, one of the most influential chairmakers and writers of the 20th century. The title was an expression John Brown used for a noble act or thing; he once mused about creating a "Good Work" seal for truly beautiful, handmade goods.

The book is not primarily about plans, jigs or techniques. Instead it aims to challenge the way you look at woodworking through the lens of one of its most important 20th-century figures. Anyone interested in handwork, vernacular furniture, workshop philosophy or iconoclastic characters will enjoy it.

Chris Williams spent about a decade with John Brown in Wales, building Welsh chairs and pushing the vernacular form further. The book recounts their work together, from the day Chris nervously called John Brown until his mentor died in 2008. It also offers essays from people close to John Brown: Nick Gibbs, his editor at Good Woodworking magazine; Anne Sears, his second wife; his nephew David Sears; and his son Matty Sears, now a toolmaker. In addition, 19 of John Brown's best columns from Good Woodworking are reprinted.

Chris shows how he and John Brown built chairs in the later years, with methods different from those in "Welsh Stick Chairs" and details never published before. He covers the tools John Brown preferred and gives more than enough information to build a beautiful Welsh stick chair. There are, however, no dimensioned plans. Honouring his mentor's wishes, Chris shows how to build a chair the way John Brown taught: there are dimensions and the techniques are clearly explained, but some things are left for you to work out, so the chair becomes your own and not just a copy.

Facts:
Author Christopher Williams
208 pages in full colour
Historical photographs, many never published before
Linocut illustrations by Molly Brown, John Brown's daughter
Heavy coated paper with matte finish
Sewn binding, heavy boards covered in cotton cloth
Durable laminated dust jacket
Made in the USA
Language English