Matthew B. Crawford Books

From the author of the landmark "Shop Class as Soulcraft," a brilliant, first-of-its-kind celebration of driving as a unique pathway of human freedom, one now critically threatened by automation. Once we were drivers, the open road alive with autonomy, adventure, danger, trust, and speed. Today we are as likely to be in the back seat of an Uber as behind the wheel ourselves. Tech giants are hurling us toward a shiny, happy self-driving future, selling utopia but equally keen to advertise to a captive audience strapped into another expensive device. Are we destined, then, to become passengers, not drivers? "Why We Drive" reveals that much more may be at stake than we might think. Ten years ago, in the New York Times-bestselling "Shop Class as Soulcraft," philosopher-mechanic Matthew B. Crawford -- a University of Chicago PhD who owned his own motorcycle shop -- made a revolutionary case for manual labor, one that ran headlong against the pretensions of white-collar office work. Now, using driving as a window through which to view the broader changes wrought by technology on all aspects of contemporary life, Crawford investigates the driver's seat as one of the few remaining domains of skill, exploration, play -- and freedom. Blending philosophy and hands-on storytelling, Crawford grounds the narrative in his own experience in the garage and behind the wheel, recounting his decade-long restoration of a vintage Volkswagen as well as his journeys to thriving automotive subcultures across the country. Crawford leads us on an irreverent but deeply considered inquiry into the power of faceless bureaucracies, the importance of questioning mindless rules, and the battle for democratic self-determination against the surveillance capitalists. A meditation on the competence of ordinary people, "Why We Drive" explores the genius of our everyday practices on the road, the rewards of 'folk engineering', and the existential value of occasionally being scared shitless. Witty and ingenious throughout, "Why We Drive" is a rebellious and daring celebration of the irrepressible human spirit

Why do some jobs offer fulfilment while others leave us frustrated? In this inspiring and persuasive book, Matthew Crawford brings to life the immense psychological and intellectual satisfactions of making and fixing things, arguing that the skilled manual trades may be one of the few sure paths to a good living.

A philosopher and mechanic extolls the virtues of manual labor, describing how the satisfactions and challenges of creating with one's own hands promotes a sense of connection to life that office work suppresses.

"Crawford investigates the challenge of mastering one's own mind by showing that our current crisis of attention is only superficially the result of digital technology, and certain assumptions at the root of Western culture are the root of the cause"--Publisher information.

In this wise and often funny book, a philosopher/mechanic systematically destroys the pretensions of the high-prestige workplace and makes an irresistible case for working with one's hands.

Focusing on the needs of novice gladiolus enthusiasts, this book offers straightforward guidance on understanding and cultivating these flowers. Written in accessible language, it avoids technical jargon, making it ideal for beginners while still considering the interests of amateur growers. Although it is oriented towards commercial cultivation, the instructions are equally applicable to small gardens, ensuring that both aspiring and experienced gardeners can benefit from its practical advice.

Wir leben in einer Welt, die uns mit immer mehr und immer dauerhafteren Außenreizen bombardiert, nicht zuletzt durch Werbung. Wir verwenden einen Großteil unserer Aufmerksamkeit darauf, diese Reize zu verarbeiten, anstatt uns fokussiert und konstruktiv mit unserer Umgebung und uns selbst zu beschäftigen. Wir eignen uns die Welt kaum noch aktiv an, statt dessen wird sie uns aus zweiter Hand aufgedrängt — über die Vermittlung der Medien und nach den Vorgaben der Wirtschaft. Wie kann man unter solchen Bedingungen eine autonome Individualität entwickeln? Der Philosoph Matthew B. Crawford fordert: Wir müssen wieder lernen, uns zu fokussieren. Und wir müssen uns einen direkten Zugang zur Wirklichkeit erschließen — durch konkrete Tätigkeiten, zum Beispiel ein Handwerk oder eine Sportart. Nur auf diese Weise wird es uns gelingen, zu einem authentischen Individuum zu werden, das sich nicht nur durch äußere Einflüsse definiert, sondern sich durch eigenes Tun in der Welt behauptet.

Was ist erfüllender: weltfremde Bildschirmarbeiten oder mit ölverschmierten Händen eine Harley zu reparieren? Für den Philosophen und Mechaniker Matthew B. Crawford ist die Antwort klar: Sein Weg aus der Sinnkrise führt ihn direkt in die eigene Motorradwerkstatt. Und er stellt fest: Die manuelle Arbeit verschafft mehr Befriedigung und birgt größere intellektuelle Herausforderungen als jede Bürotätigkeit.