The Difference Makers: 30 Contemporary Makers, 30 Remarkable Stories

by Marc Adams

Marc Adams is justly celebrated for the woodworking school in Indiana that bears his name. It’s the largest woodworking school in the US, so as you’d imagine, he has had the opportunity to work with outstanding makers and craftspeople of all kinds. He chooses 30 of those he considers the best, to profile in his book, “The Difference Makers: 30 Contemporary Makers, 30 Remarkable Stories.”

Some of the artists and artisans profiled in the book may already be familiar to you as woodworking writers, teachers and tool makers. The mix is eclectic – furniture makers, luthiers, sculptors, tool makers, engravers and more. Each chapter profiles the maker’s life and how they attained excellence in their particular craft. Then Adams analyzes the maker’s work and explains why and how it is outstanding, and shares some insights and anecdotes. The book also includes a gallery of each maker’s work.

The book is designed to inspire, entertain and educate. If you’ve been fortunate enough to take a class with one of the makers, the book will remind you of the highlights of the class. If you haven’t, the book might spark the desire to head to Indiana – or just enjoy the works of the dream team Adams curated.

The makers include: Julie Bender, Garry Knox Bennett, Michael Cooper, Michael Dubber, John Economaki, W. Patrick Edwards, Michael Fortune, David Franklin, Chris Gochnour, Scott Grove, Garrett Hack, Jeff Headley & Steve Hamilton, Michael Hosaluk, Silas Kopf, David Lamb, William “Grit” Laskin, Steve Latta, Po Shun Leong, Thomas Lie-Nielsen, David Marks, Darrell Peart, Binh Pho, Frank Pollaro, Stephen Proctor, Paul Schürch, Alf Sharp, Tom Stangeland, Malcolm Tibbetts, John Christopher White and Kathy Wise.

The book is impressive looking, large and square and printed on a heavy and coated #100 stock (the nicest and smoothest paper available). Like all Lost Art books, the pages are sewn together and bound with fiber tape for extra longevity. The book is hardbound with the boards covered in cotton cloth, and the entire package is wrapped with a long-wearing full-color dust jacket.

260 pages. 11” x 11”. Made in the USA.

Pages: 260
Binding: HC
Publisher: Lost Art Press