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Type of bind: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 153
EAN num: 9780521056489
ISBN number: 0521056489
Label: Cambridge University Press
Manufacturer: Cambridge University Press
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 220
Printing Date: March 24, 2008
Publishing house: Cambridge University Press
Sale Popularity Level: 2141715
Studio: Cambridge University Press
Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
Taking their inspiration from the ancient skill of blacksmithing, the authors of this book take a fresh look at the mental processes involved in the accomplishment of goals. They analyze the way people apply what they know in order to reach a particular end, whether it is material or conceptual, routine or novel. The authors, anthropologists Janet and Charles Keller, provide an account of human accomplishment based on a detailed study of contemporary blacksmiths. The cognitive realm of blacksmithing is of particular interest because it relies on visual imagery and physical virtuosity rather than verbal logic, the conventional yardstick of cognition.
User popularity level:
Rated by buyers 
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Gilmore gave this excellent book a 1 star rating because it was about anthropology, not blacksmithing. Duh.
This is a 5 star book about anthropology, and more generally, human cognition. It demonstrates that the traditional way we classify things -- by category (all hammers go together, all screwdrivers, all foods, all clothes), is misleading, because in real usage, categorization goes by function. So this hammer goes with that anvil. This bread goes with that meat and that mustard. Why? Because they are used together.
The book is filled with deep insights that come about through careful observation. Yes, the authors observed blacksmithing (hence the title), but this is a book about human cognition, not about blacksmithing.
It is most unfortunate that the book was given a low rating because it wasn't the topic the reviewer wanted it to be.
If you care about understanding people, this is a great book.
Rated by buyers 
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This is an anthropology book and has nothing to do with hands on blacksmithing.
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