Reviews"An impressive book that effectively conveys the textural qualities and sensitivity of this master craftsman's use of wood" -The New York Times"Today's increasing reverence for nature, truth, simplicity and the independent spirit makes the life, work and philosophy of George Nakashima especially meaningful."-Town & Country"From [Nakashima's] tables and chairs flows the unadorned beauty of the rhythms of nature."-Smithsonian"George Nakashima, the foremost master of the craft."-Time, "An impressive book that effectively conveys the textural qualities and sensitivity of this master craftsman's use of wood" - The New York Times "Today's increasing reverence for nature, truth, simplicity and the independent spirit makes the life, work and philosophy of George Nakashima especially meaningful."- Town & Country "From [Nakashima's] tables and chairs flows the unadorned beauty of the rhythms of nature."- Smithsonian "George Nakashima, the foremost master of the craft."- Time, "An impressive book that effectively conveys the textural qualities and sensitivity of this master craftsman's use of wood" -The New York Times "Today's increasing reverence for nature, truth, simplicity and the independent spirit makes the life, work and philosophy of George Nakashima especially meaningful."-Town & Country "From [Nakashima's] tables and chairs flows the unadorned beauty of the rhythms of nature."-Smithsonian "George Nakashima, the foremost master of the craft."-Time
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SynopsisOn a farmlike compound near New Hope, Pennsylvania, George Nakashima, his family, and fellow woodworkers create exquisite furniture from richly gained, rare timber. Tables, desks, charts and cabinets from this simple workshop grace the homes and mansions and executive boardrooms of people who prize such excellence. In this lavishly illustrated volume, George Nakashima shows us in intimate look at is artistry, his philosophy., A master woodworker shares his experiences and techniques. "... Like his designs, the text is graceful and evocative." -Portfolio, A master woodworker, George Nakashima, shares his experiences, techniques and devotion to his medium in this text. A beautiful book in which this remarkable Japanese American craftsman and philosopher impresses us with his devotion to discovering the inherent beauty of wood so that noble trees might have a second life as furniture. The first part of this meditative book reveals the development of Nakashima as a spiritual artist and the influence of life in an Indian ashram in the 1930's. The second reveals the inner truth and nature of the different trees with which he works,, On a farmlike compound near New Hope, Pennsylvania, George Nakashima, his family, and fellow wood-workers create exquisite furniture from richly grained, rare timber. Tables, desks, chairs, and cabinets from this simple workshop grace the homes and mansions and executive boardrooms of people who prize such excellence. In this lavishly illustrated volume, George Nakashima allows us in intimate look at his artistry, his philosophy, his life. It is the portrait of an artisan who strives to find the ideal use for each plank in order to "create an object of utility to man and, if nature smiles, an object of lasting beauty." The author's search for the meaning of life took him as a young man to Paris, Tokyo, and Pondicherry, India. In India, he found the inner peace for which he had been searching and began to find ways to work with timber. He writes movingly about the grandeur of ancient trees and stunning figured woods and explains how he selects and prepares his materials. Above all, he impresses us with his devotion to discovering the inherent beauty of wood so that noble trees might have a second life as furniture. The Soul of a Tree looks at the world through the eyes of an artist and evokes the joy of living in harmony with nature.