Books › The Craftsman › Books like it
If you loved
Books like The Craftsman
A contemplative and deeply grounding exploration of the profound human need to do a job well for its own sake. These 12 books are the closest matches in mood, pace and themes, with what each one shares with The Craftsman.
- reflective
- grounded
- intellectually stimulating
- quietly inspiring
- 01
Shop class as soulcraft
Matthew B. Crawford · 2009
A philosophical antidote to the modern cubicle that celebrates the profound satisfaction of making and fixing things.
- 02
The Rise of the Creative Class
Richard Florida · 2002
An analytical exploration of how creativity became the defining economic and cultural force of modern American society.
- 03
The World Beyond Your Head
Matthew B. Crawford
A philosophically rigorous and deeply tactile defense of paying attention to the physical world in an era of digital fragmentation.
- 04
Die protestantische Ethik und der Geist des Kapitalismus
Max Weber · 1930
A methodical, intellectually rigorous excavation of how religious anxiety accidentally built the modern capitalist machine.
- 05
The Gift
Lewis Hyde · 1999
A thoughtful, interdisciplinary meditation on the true nature of creativity and the cultural value of art as a gift rather than a commodity.
- 06
The clean coder
Robert C. Martin
A stern but deeply motivating mentorship session on what it means to be a true professional in the software industry.
- 07
Deep Work
Cal Newport
A rigorous, clarifying manifesto for reclaiming your attention and finding quiet mastery in a world of constant digital noise.
- 08
Linchpin
Seth Godin
A punchy, urgent manifesto that challenges you to stop being a cog in the machine and start making art at work.
- 09
Talent is Overrated
Geoff Colvin
A methodical and empowering dismantling of the genius myth that replaces awe with an actionable roadmap to mastery.
- 10
Mindset
Carol S. Dweck · 1007
A paradigm-shifting exploration of how our underlying beliefs about our own abilities dictate the boundaries of our success.
- 11
What technology wants
Kevin Kelly
A sweeping, optimistic reframing of technology as a living, evolving force deeply intertwined with human destiny.
- 12
The motivation to work
Frederick Herzberg
A methodical, paradigm-shifting exploration of the psychological forces that make us actually care about our daily labor.
