This book tells the story of several American craftspeople who carry on the traditional skills of their forefathers (and foremothers).

C. Malcom Watkins writes about craftspeople he knew when he was growing up in New England. Later he spent time researching the history of traditional crafts in America, and discovered craftspeople around the country.

Tom Melham tells whittling and other woodworking skills, and of nautical woodworking. Andy Leon Harney delves ioto traditional potterymaking and related skills. Cynthia Russ Ramsay tells about basketmaking, weaving, quilting, and other fabric skills.

Clay Anderson delves into the many skills practiced by craftspeople of the Ozark Mountains. Beverly Spotswood focuses on the many unique toys made at home by rural craftspeople — toys of wood, cloth and other materials. Patricia L. Raymer finishes up by reporting craftsmaking in the period immediately prior to the publication of this book in 1975.

The top-notch writing is accompanied by the world-famous photograhy of the National Geographic. There are many photographs of the works produced by the craftspeople. I only wish I had some of these fine examples of Americana to sell on eBay!