Every Tool's A Hammer: Life Is What You Make It

Kindle Edition
321
English
N/A
N/A
06 May
In this New York Times bestselling “imperative how-to for creativity” (Nick Offerman), Adam Savage—star of Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters—shares his golden rules of creativity, from finding inspiration to following through and successfully making your idea a reality. Every Tool’s a Hammer is a chronicle of my life as a maker. It’s an exploration of making, but it’s also a permission slip of sorts from me to you. Permission to grab hold of the things you’re interested in, that fascinate you, and to dive deeper into them to see where they lead you. Through stories from forty-plus years of making and molding, building and break­ing, along with the lessons I learned along the way, this book is meant to be a toolbox of problem solving, complete with a shop’s worth of notes on the tools, techniques, and materials that I use most often. Things like:

Reviews (213)

A book on information architecture that doesn't know that's what it is

Adam Savage is probably best known for hosting 14 years of Mythbusters before moving on to his own projects and activities. He recently wrote the book Every Tool’s a Hammer. I’ve recently added it to my list of books every UX Designer should read. Seems like a bit of a mismatch, on the surface. Adam makes things with his hands, with actual physical tools, in a workshop, where he passes them on to clients or advertisers, or uses them on a TV show, or whatever. A UX Designer like me makes things with little electrons on big screens, with expensive software, in whatever workspace I happen to be occupying but most likely a cube farm, where I pass them on to product owners or project managers or developers, or whatever. Hell, I don’t even make the final application in most cases, just prototypes, and even then, I crank out a lot of flat prototypes. Compared to what I do in my garden, or my woodshop, or my knitting, UX Design can feel like it’s a long distance away from Maker culture. And yet, in his introduction, Adam says this: "“CODING IS MAKING!” I said enthusiastically to that young man. Whenever we’re driven to reach out and create something from nothing, whether it’s something physical like a chair, or more temporal and etherial like a poem, we’re contributing something of ourselves to the world. We’re taking our experience and filtering it through our words or our hands, or our voices and our bodies, and we’re putting something into the culture that didn’t exist before. In fact, we’re not putting what we make into the culture, what we make IS the culture. Putting something into the world that didn’t exist before is the broadest definition of making, which means all of us can be makers. Creators. Everyone has something valuable to contribute. It’s that simple. It is not, however, that easy." The next 296 pages of the book go on to explain what it means to be a maker, and how to be a successful one. The skills and experiences that Adam talks about and illustrates with stories from his own life are shared among makers and include: * Using your passion to kick-start your desire to make things * Finding inspiration on a regular basis * The importance of both techniques and tools, and how to build comfort with both * Collaboration I would estimate that roughly a third of the book is dedicated to collaboration, either through examples or recommendations on how to collaborate better with your peers and with those who work for you. While it’s clearly not a book about managing people, it’s definitely a book that acknowledges that no one creates in a vacuum, and how you work with the people around you will significantly impact how your creations turn out. * Using deadlines to prune your decision trees * Handling the inevitable mistakes This is probably another third of the book, if one counts “ways to avoid making mistakes” and “ways to handle mistakes” as a single topic. Let’s face it, if you’re making something you’re also making mistakes. Some mistakes are both bad and permanent, and some mistakes are iterations that lead us to a better state on the other side. Understanding the difference between the two, and what to do about both of them, is a crucial life skill. * Information architecting your space And here’s the other third, really. From how you structure your to-do lists to make your work understandable and keep your momentum going, to how to structure your workshop so that you can work within your values, to how to iterate and evolve your own work (using collaboration and mistake-making as guide rails) a huge bit of the book is dedicated to a love of information architecture without ever muttering the words together. Adam doesn’t focus on the usual IA topic of “structuring somebody else’s stuff”. This is seriously meta “information architect your information architecture” stuff. Without being forceful, Adam makes it clear that honing your craft through observation, organization, structure, and iteration, will allow you not only to apply those skills to the tools you work with, it will also allow you to make yourself into a better designer. And that’s some hard stuff to learn, yo. Adam Savage is the kind of writer who doesn’t throw other people under trucks. He rarely (if at all) references mistakes others made around him. When he’s telling stories about both success and failure, he’s the main feature. At first glance, this might seem almost egotistical, and sometimes a the stories feel a little shallow, but it’s really quite polite. Even if we only looked at his 14 years on Mythbusters it’s clear that if he wanted to tell stories about other people’s mistakes, he’s seen things. But those stories aren’t his to tell, or at least, he doesn’t tell them. He approaches the book the way he would a conference session, handing out praise to the people who have helped him succeed and turning a blind eye to the mistakes of the people who’ve failed and learned around him, unless he’s quoting them directly. He tells some funny and heartwarming stories of growing up with parents who encouraged him to make and do and build. He explains both what went wrong and what could have gone wrong in various project, activities, and life decisions he’s made. He avoids showing us gory photos of all his injuries. He shows us lots of his own sketches, sculptures, checklists, process notes, and finished things. Most importantly, he reminds us that making is creating, that designing is never easy, that even if we were all given the exact same specs the things we’d create would be unique to each of us. Adam reminds us that we’re all growing, and that growing is good. So yes, definitely a book I now recommend, because it outlines the culture and decisions that makers, including UX Designers, struggle with daily. And it reminds us that despite those struggles (or in some cases because of them), making things — even arranging electrons on a screen — is a hell of a lot of fun.

A swift fun read with some technical issues

Adam, Love your book and your spirit. Great storytelling. Great energy. I'll recommend the read to my like-minded kids. In a second edition, you might consider updating the 'object at rest stays at rest' issue as described in a previous review and your discussion on friction (page 73.) In my engine, because I use oil, the combustion of fuel is the significant source of heat, not friction. There is also no 'friction' per se between electrons in computers. The heat generated in a processor is similar to that generated by filament lights or resistive heaters where 'high' energy electrons (envision highly agitated particles) release some of their potential energy to the resistor/processor medium by way of heat and come away with less energy (or less agitated, as it were.) Keep at the great writing and making... I'm going to go read more of your book. Munk Davis.

Every Tool’s A Hammer

I went into this book a casual Mythbusters fan and an admirer of Adam. Even with me setting aside any amount of fandom, I found a lot of revelatory information and anecdotes within. I’m in a creative field and some of Adam’s words are certainly instructive and I plan to employ them where I can. Adam’s writing comes off like his on screen personality and that’s a good thing. The book is as entertaining as it is educational.

Amazing in so many ways

I knew I was a fan of his projects. I met him at a convention nd found Adam charming and kind. Now I have read his book and found he is a person that truly inspires me to reach for my goals and dreams. I can't wait to meet you again and share all of my maker/teacher adventures! Thank you, Adam Savage for this gift of joy.

Adam Savage is a HERO

I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who is an artist, writer, coder, builder, ANYTHING. If you make anything you need to read this book. That’s all there is to it. And I’ve gotten so many ideas and had so many revelations from this book alone. It’s so relieving to hear someone of such influence talking about the problems that defined my life as a child and still define my life now. I nearly cried on the third page because I was so relieved that I wasn’t alone in the universe, that my creative struggles were understood, that my emotional struggles were understood… I mean, just to hear someone with that much influence admit to having the same insecurities as a maker and as a person that I have… I can’t explain how, but it was so uplifting. I just had this feeling like maybe I really can do this after all. It’s absolutely a must-read. Adam Savage helped me to find and embrace the maker, the explorer, and the inventer in me as a child, but most of that got driven out of me as I grew up and recently I'm finding myself having trouble finding things I truly love. I'd convinced myself that I'm not a maker, not an adventurer, not an inventer, not a writer... That I'm just some fool who spends too much time daydreaming about things that I'll never do, things that never will be, and things that never happened. This book showed me that the only thing stopping me from doing and being these things is my own mentality about them. Hearing Adam giving permission to take things too far, to love things beyond what seems safe, to have an obsession and follow it until it becomes a reality is inspirational. Because of this, I'm taking my art and my writing more seriously, and when I start feeling like what I'm writing about is something that's only interesting to me and everyone else will find crazy, I remember that there's another perfectionist out there who has invested years into making the most accurate replicas of the most obscure objects and having the most complete collections of things that fascinate him and sharing that endeavor and that fascination without worrying what other people think, and that this person has found and founded communities who love these things, or who love the endeavor, just as much, and that gives me the confidence to do, to say, to write, and to make the way I want to do, say, write, and make. And because of that I've found again my love for the things that I say I love. They've become real and true and my own again. I don't know how else to explain it. This book is a must-read!

Insight into a maker's mind

I enjoyed this book for two reasons. First, it provides a fascinating insight into the mind of an accomplished maker. Adam shares, in often very personal ways, his journey through life so far--both the overall direction of a person compelled to make and obsess in an eclectic number of areas, and the happy circumstances, hard lessons, and unpredictable paths on the way. If you enjoyed the infectious enthusiasm you've seen on screen, you'll very much enjoy this aspect of the book. But the main point of the book seems to be much more about encouraging the reader to act on their own interests and to create--to Make--in whatever field they find a deep connection with. As he puts it, it's permission to follow those interests down whatever rabbit holes they lead, that this is a positive thing we can do in our lives and not something to hide away. As well, it's about the tools and techniques that he's found useful in his making--from simple lists to custom-built tool boxes. A few of these are one-of-a-kind-Adam--and those are fun in exactly the way you can imagine--and in other cases he's describing his own take on some proven industrial practices (e.g., the 5S methodology of optimizing a workspace). There's even a section on what kind of glue to use for various materials, and why not to use glue in the first place. You do not need to be someone who thinks of themselves as a "maker" to enjoy this book. But it seems like Adam's goal would be to give you a push towards following that geeky interest in the back of your mind, to find that family of like-minded people, and to help up the people who follow behind you. An excellent message, especially to young people.

Adam Savage has nuggets of info to dispense to the Maker community.

This book took me a month to read. It is densely packed and that caused me to have to start and stop quite often. But, Adam Savage does have words of wisdom to dispense to his readers. If you are a maker, or even a general creator or artist, his 20+ years of film and stage work has given him insight into the 'messy' creative mind and how that can hinder oneself in being productive with their creative process. He identifies his own foibles and talks about how he over came these follies, or modified them to work to his benefit. List making, Deadline setting, Shop cleaning and Tool Organizing is all talked about , and he presents the concepts to the maker in a way that they can utilize them in their own unique crafting world. He does not try to force his way of thinking or doing, he gives examples and tries to encourage the reader to modify their methods to be more productive. From his own words at the end of the book, "In the world of making... There's space for all of us" I like that.

This book changed my life (I’m not kidding)

Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of Adam Savage. When I heard that Adam Savage was writing a book I was stoked! I pre-ordered the book right away. I have been on a journey of sorts for the past few years. I started a job in carpentry after bouncing through a couple of careers. I discovered that I am good with tools and enjoy the work that I do. What I could not figure out was how to use these skills outside of work in a way that reflects my personality and flows from my obsessions. This book has helped me solidify who I am as a maker and inspired new ideas for projects. It has also, become my guide to building my work philosophy. Here is the part where readers will think me a little hyperbolic. This book is changing my life. As soon as I finished the chapters on lists I began putting it into practice with astounding results! I have ADHD without the hyperactivity and have struggled to implement any kind of organization to my life for as long as I can remember. Something about how Adam describes it or maybe It’s my admiration made it click. The next day at work I was left in charge of myself and another person with a long convoluted list of tasks to do. I immediately used the tools that are given in this book to reorganize and optimize the list so that we were able to accomplish everything without stress. Myself and my colleague agreed that the lists I made were key to our success.

Not a "Maker", But A Good Read for Inspiration

I'm a huge Adam Savage fan and I actually bought this book for my fiancé but picked it up myself on a whim. If I could give "half" ratings, I would give it a 4.5 because I genuinely enjoyed it! If felt like a conversation between the author a reader, or like I was given a motivational presentation from one of the best. It's definitely written like Adam talks, which is one of the reasons why it was so fun to read. If you like watching his Tested One-Day Builds or Favorite Tools videos, then you'll recognize his diatribes and the excitement he exudes when he gets to talking! I'm not a "maker", but am aspiring to be more creative in my life and felt like this book helped me give myself permission to try new things even if I don't get it right the first time or even the second and third. The end of the book felt a little slow, but that's mostly because I don't use a lot of the tools that he talks about but I'm sure that for anyone who is experienced in making would find it interesting and maybe even helpful.

Great Life Lessons for Makers and Beyond

For perspective on my review, I'm a fan of Adam Savage and a fan of making generally. I also dabble in a variety of types of making (sewing and writing among them by Adam's definition). If you are a maker, this is a great book full of great tips, tricks, and life lessons about how to be a better maker and how to have joy and success in your builds. If you don't think of yourself as a maker, I think this is still a great book. You might start reading and discover that by Adam's definition you are a maker, or you might just learn a lot of interesting strategies for how to think through problems, communicate, and share ideas that can be applied to anything in your life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though as a maker I'm very different from Adam Savage. There were some amazing lessons about life, about communication, and about committing to what you're passionate about that I think are applicable to everyone. Is there a maker in your life you'd like to encourage? This would be a great book for them, whether they're brand new to it or have been making for years.

A book on information architecture that doesn't know that's what it is

Adam Savage is probably best known for hosting 14 years of Mythbusters before moving on to his own projects and activities. He recently wrote the book Every Tool’s a Hammer. I’ve recently added it to my list of books every UX Designer should read. Seems like a bit of a mismatch, on the surface. Adam makes things with his hands, with actual physical tools, in a workshop, where he passes them on to clients or advertisers, or uses them on a TV show, or whatever. A UX Designer like me makes things with little electrons on big screens, with expensive software, in whatever workspace I happen to be occupying but most likely a cube farm, where I pass them on to product owners or project managers or developers, or whatever. Hell, I don’t even make the final application in most cases, just prototypes, and even then, I crank out a lot of flat prototypes. Compared to what I do in my garden, or my woodshop, or my knitting, UX Design can feel like it’s a long distance away from Maker culture. And yet, in his introduction, Adam says this: "“CODING IS MAKING!” I said enthusiastically to that young man. Whenever we’re driven to reach out and create something from nothing, whether it’s something physical like a chair, or more temporal and etherial like a poem, we’re contributing something of ourselves to the world. We’re taking our experience and filtering it through our words or our hands, or our voices and our bodies, and we’re putting something into the culture that didn’t exist before. In fact, we’re not putting what we make into the culture, what we make IS the culture. Putting something into the world that didn’t exist before is the broadest definition of making, which means all of us can be makers. Creators. Everyone has something valuable to contribute. It’s that simple. It is not, however, that easy." The next 296 pages of the book go on to explain what it means to be a maker, and how to be a successful one. The skills and experiences that Adam talks about and illustrates with stories from his own life are shared among makers and include: * Using your passion to kick-start your desire to make things * Finding inspiration on a regular basis * The importance of both techniques and tools, and how to build comfort with both * Collaboration I would estimate that roughly a third of the book is dedicated to collaboration, either through examples or recommendations on how to collaborate better with your peers and with those who work for you. While it’s clearly not a book about managing people, it’s definitely a book that acknowledges that no one creates in a vacuum, and how you work with the people around you will significantly impact how your creations turn out. * Using deadlines to prune your decision trees * Handling the inevitable mistakes This is probably another third of the book, if one counts “ways to avoid making mistakes” and “ways to handle mistakes” as a single topic. Let’s face it, if you’re making something you’re also making mistakes. Some mistakes are both bad and permanent, and some mistakes are iterations that lead us to a better state on the other side. Understanding the difference between the two, and what to do about both of them, is a crucial life skill. * Information architecting your space And here’s the other third, really. From how you structure your to-do lists to make your work understandable and keep your momentum going, to how to structure your workshop so that you can work within your values, to how to iterate and evolve your own work (using collaboration and mistake-making as guide rails) a huge bit of the book is dedicated to a love of information architecture without ever muttering the words together. Adam doesn’t focus on the usual IA topic of “structuring somebody else’s stuff”. This is seriously meta “information architect your information architecture” stuff. Without being forceful, Adam makes it clear that honing your craft through observation, organization, structure, and iteration, will allow you not only to apply those skills to the tools you work with, it will also allow you to make yourself into a better designer. And that’s some hard stuff to learn, yo. Adam Savage is the kind of writer who doesn’t throw other people under trucks. He rarely (if at all) references mistakes others made around him. When he’s telling stories about both success and failure, he’s the main feature. At first glance, this might seem almost egotistical, and sometimes a the stories feel a little shallow, but it’s really quite polite. Even if we only looked at his 14 years on Mythbusters it’s clear that if he wanted to tell stories about other people’s mistakes, he’s seen things. But those stories aren’t his to tell, or at least, he doesn’t tell them. He approaches the book the way he would a conference session, handing out praise to the people who have helped him succeed and turning a blind eye to the mistakes of the people who’ve failed and learned around him, unless he’s quoting them directly. He tells some funny and heartwarming stories of growing up with parents who encouraged him to make and do and build. He explains both what went wrong and what could have gone wrong in various project, activities, and life decisions he’s made. He avoids showing us gory photos of all his injuries. He shows us lots of his own sketches, sculptures, checklists, process notes, and finished things. Most importantly, he reminds us that making is creating, that designing is never easy, that even if we were all given the exact same specs the things we’d create would be unique to each of us. Adam reminds us that we’re all growing, and that growing is good. So yes, definitely a book I now recommend, because it outlines the culture and decisions that makers, including UX Designers, struggle with daily. And it reminds us that despite those struggles (or in some cases because of them), making things — even arranging electrons on a screen — is a hell of a lot of fun.

A swift fun read with some technical issues

Adam, Love your book and your spirit. Great storytelling. Great energy. I'll recommend the read to my like-minded kids. In a second edition, you might consider updating the 'object at rest stays at rest' issue as described in a previous review and your discussion on friction (page 73.) In my engine, because I use oil, the combustion of fuel is the significant source of heat, not friction. There is also no 'friction' per se between electrons in computers. The heat generated in a processor is similar to that generated by filament lights or resistive heaters where 'high' energy electrons (envision highly agitated particles) release some of their potential energy to the resistor/processor medium by way of heat and come away with less energy (or less agitated, as it were.) Keep at the great writing and making... I'm going to go read more of your book. Munk Davis.

Every Tool’s A Hammer

I went into this book a casual Mythbusters fan and an admirer of Adam. Even with me setting aside any amount of fandom, I found a lot of revelatory information and anecdotes within. I’m in a creative field and some of Adam’s words are certainly instructive and I plan to employ them where I can. Adam’s writing comes off like his on screen personality and that’s a good thing. The book is as entertaining as it is educational.

Amazing in so many ways

I knew I was a fan of his projects. I met him at a convention nd found Adam charming and kind. Now I have read his book and found he is a person that truly inspires me to reach for my goals and dreams. I can't wait to meet you again and share all of my maker/teacher adventures! Thank you, Adam Savage for this gift of joy.

Adam Savage is a HERO

I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who is an artist, writer, coder, builder, ANYTHING. If you make anything you need to read this book. That’s all there is to it. And I’ve gotten so many ideas and had so many revelations from this book alone. It’s so relieving to hear someone of such influence talking about the problems that defined my life as a child and still define my life now. I nearly cried on the third page because I was so relieved that I wasn’t alone in the universe, that my creative struggles were understood, that my emotional struggles were understood… I mean, just to hear someone with that much influence admit to having the same insecurities as a maker and as a person that I have… I can’t explain how, but it was so uplifting. I just had this feeling like maybe I really can do this after all. It’s absolutely a must-read. Adam Savage helped me to find and embrace the maker, the explorer, and the inventer in me as a child, but most of that got driven out of me as I grew up and recently I'm finding myself having trouble finding things I truly love. I'd convinced myself that I'm not a maker, not an adventurer, not an inventer, not a writer... That I'm just some fool who spends too much time daydreaming about things that I'll never do, things that never will be, and things that never happened. This book showed me that the only thing stopping me from doing and being these things is my own mentality about them. Hearing Adam giving permission to take things too far, to love things beyond what seems safe, to have an obsession and follow it until it becomes a reality is inspirational. Because of this, I'm taking my art and my writing more seriously, and when I start feeling like what I'm writing about is something that's only interesting to me and everyone else will find crazy, I remember that there's another perfectionist out there who has invested years into making the most accurate replicas of the most obscure objects and having the most complete collections of things that fascinate him and sharing that endeavor and that fascination without worrying what other people think, and that this person has found and founded communities who love these things, or who love the endeavor, just as much, and that gives me the confidence to do, to say, to write, and to make the way I want to do, say, write, and make. And because of that I've found again my love for the things that I say I love. They've become real and true and my own again. I don't know how else to explain it. This book is a must-read!

Insight into a maker's mind

I enjoyed this book for two reasons. First, it provides a fascinating insight into the mind of an accomplished maker. Adam shares, in often very personal ways, his journey through life so far--both the overall direction of a person compelled to make and obsess in an eclectic number of areas, and the happy circumstances, hard lessons, and unpredictable paths on the way. If you enjoyed the infectious enthusiasm you've seen on screen, you'll very much enjoy this aspect of the book. But the main point of the book seems to be much more about encouraging the reader to act on their own interests and to create--to Make--in whatever field they find a deep connection with. As he puts it, it's permission to follow those interests down whatever rabbit holes they lead, that this is a positive thing we can do in our lives and not something to hide away. As well, it's about the tools and techniques that he's found useful in his making--from simple lists to custom-built tool boxes. A few of these are one-of-a-kind-Adam--and those are fun in exactly the way you can imagine--and in other cases he's describing his own take on some proven industrial practices (e.g., the 5S methodology of optimizing a workspace). There's even a section on what kind of glue to use for various materials, and why not to use glue in the first place. You do not need to be someone who thinks of themselves as a "maker" to enjoy this book. But it seems like Adam's goal would be to give you a push towards following that geeky interest in the back of your mind, to find that family of like-minded people, and to help up the people who follow behind you. An excellent message, especially to young people.

Adam Savage has nuggets of info to dispense to the Maker community.

This book took me a month to read. It is densely packed and that caused me to have to start and stop quite often. But, Adam Savage does have words of wisdom to dispense to his readers. If you are a maker, or even a general creator or artist, his 20+ years of film and stage work has given him insight into the 'messy' creative mind and how that can hinder oneself in being productive with their creative process. He identifies his own foibles and talks about how he over came these follies, or modified them to work to his benefit. List making, Deadline setting, Shop cleaning and Tool Organizing is all talked about , and he presents the concepts to the maker in a way that they can utilize them in their own unique crafting world. He does not try to force his way of thinking or doing, he gives examples and tries to encourage the reader to modify their methods to be more productive. From his own words at the end of the book, "In the world of making... There's space for all of us" I like that.

This book changed my life (I’m not kidding)

Full disclosure: I am a huge fan of Adam Savage. When I heard that Adam Savage was writing a book I was stoked! I pre-ordered the book right away. I have been on a journey of sorts for the past few years. I started a job in carpentry after bouncing through a couple of careers. I discovered that I am good with tools and enjoy the work that I do. What I could not figure out was how to use these skills outside of work in a way that reflects my personality and flows from my obsessions. This book has helped me solidify who I am as a maker and inspired new ideas for projects. It has also, become my guide to building my work philosophy. Here is the part where readers will think me a little hyperbolic. This book is changing my life. As soon as I finished the chapters on lists I began putting it into practice with astounding results! I have ADHD without the hyperactivity and have struggled to implement any kind of organization to my life for as long as I can remember. Something about how Adam describes it or maybe It’s my admiration made it click. The next day at work I was left in charge of myself and another person with a long convoluted list of tasks to do. I immediately used the tools that are given in this book to reorganize and optimize the list so that we were able to accomplish everything without stress. Myself and my colleague agreed that the lists I made were key to our success.

Not a "Maker", But A Good Read for Inspiration

I'm a huge Adam Savage fan and I actually bought this book for my fiancé but picked it up myself on a whim. If I could give "half" ratings, I would give it a 4.5 because I genuinely enjoyed it! If felt like a conversation between the author a reader, or like I was given a motivational presentation from one of the best. It's definitely written like Adam talks, which is one of the reasons why it was so fun to read. If you like watching his Tested One-Day Builds or Favorite Tools videos, then you'll recognize his diatribes and the excitement he exudes when he gets to talking! I'm not a "maker", but am aspiring to be more creative in my life and felt like this book helped me give myself permission to try new things even if I don't get it right the first time or even the second and third. The end of the book felt a little slow, but that's mostly because I don't use a lot of the tools that he talks about but I'm sure that for anyone who is experienced in making would find it interesting and maybe even helpful.

Great Life Lessons for Makers and Beyond

For perspective on my review, I'm a fan of Adam Savage and a fan of making generally. I also dabble in a variety of types of making (sewing and writing among them by Adam's definition). If you are a maker, this is a great book full of great tips, tricks, and life lessons about how to be a better maker and how to have joy and success in your builds. If you don't think of yourself as a maker, I think this is still a great book. You might start reading and discover that by Adam's definition you are a maker, or you might just learn a lot of interesting strategies for how to think through problems, communicate, and share ideas that can be applied to anything in your life. I thoroughly enjoyed this book even though as a maker I'm very different from Adam Savage. There were some amazing lessons about life, about communication, and about committing to what you're passionate about that I think are applicable to everyone. Is there a maker in your life you'd like to encourage? This would be a great book for them, whether they're brand new to it or have been making for years.

Easy, interesting read - good message

My only exposure to Adam before reading this book was through his role on Mythbusters. As a big fan of the show, I was interested to read this book, and I wasn't disappointed. Ultimately, this is a book about inspiring you, the reader, to go out, follow your interests, and produce something for the world. Each chapter covers an important lesson or two- organization, momentum, having the humility to ask for help - each described using Adam's varied experience working at Industrial light and magic, Mythbusters, or elsewhere. This book is well-written - I don't understand where the reviews saying it isn't are coming from. There are no grammatical errors. Plus, Adam took the time to interview other makers, including people who work at Pixar and at least one woodworker. The book is replete with diagrams and pictures of some of Adam's creations. Overall, this book is an easy, breezy read. If you're a maker (broadly defined... Everyone with a job produces something of value to the world), or if you're interested in learning a little bit about Adam's backstory and how he thinks, I recommend this book.

Making is hard, and that's ok: you are not alone!

Important advice for new makers; important refresher for experienced makers. Note: This is a not a how-to in the traditional sense. This is more approach-based, addressing mental and philosophical tools for getting over mistakes and set-backs (larger or small), criticism (good or bad), examining time management (and those dreaded deadlines), and exposing the truth about creativity: it's messy; things happen; everything we set out to do never ends up how we imagined it (for better or worse). Adam is not afraid to name-drop (this is very much a personal perspective being presented, so his life experiences are the first points of reference, as you would expect in that regard), but even the greats are just as susceptible to the perils of making as the rest of us. No one is immune, and this is important to remember to overcome perfectionist paralysis, indecision, heartbreak, and procrastination: you are not alone, and that's ok.

Practical plus philosophical

A nice and easy read that incorporates practical ideas for the planner, schemer and DIY guy including list making, drafting and revisions as well as some philosophical gems. Adam basically gives a swift kick in the pants to those of us who are afraid of failing, trying something new whether in types of projects you attempt or even late-in-life career changes, and those of us who worry about what others think of our dreams, passions and obsessions.

Great book! Listened to it multiple times!

Fantastic book. I've listened to it three times, not joking. It's not just about Adam and his life, but has many great maker secrets and suggestions to make your builds better. I have, and continue to learn a great deal from Adam and am truly appreciative of him for sharing his knowledge.

Delightful and surprisingly introspective

I enjoy reading about artists' processes, and as a maker I am always looking for inspiration and ways to get better at making. One of my favorite chapters of the book was about list making as a personal project management method; I can take this advice and apply it to my own practices. I enjoyed learning about Savage's journey from child to grown up maker. His period in NYC as a dumpster diver mirrored my own fond experiences from those days. I loved reading about the specific labors of love he poured obsessive energy into over the years. And the generous inclusion of so many photos and drawings really added to the message. I've already incorporated some suggestions into my own making. I expect to reread this book in the future to remind me about others I would like to take with me.

Inspiring for makers of all levels

This book was an amazing glance into the life of a self-made, very successful maker that chronicles his failures along with this triumphs. I appreciate the conversational tone with which the book is written along with the nice imagery that is often difficult to bring to bring in the written word. Fans of Adam and Tested may find some of the stories repetitive from his many videos and interviews, but they aren't in the book just as filler material but are used for emphasis throughout. I found the book very well thought out, the topics discussed in an appropriate amount of depth, and will likely be reading portions of the book again for inspiration. I'm not sure if there is going to be another book in the future, but based on this book I would definitely be buying the next one from Adam.

It’s perfection from a completist.

So a lot of people are reviewing this book saying the sentences are run ons, the timeline is confusing. Adam himself states that he has never done this before and he learned as he went. I personally enjoyed reading a book that wasn’t perfectly written for once. I enjoyed reading about his personal accomplishments and achievements. As you read these you can clearly see how each experience got him to where he is now. He also explains some of his techniques and methods he uses. He didn’t have to write this book at all but didn’t to try and get the maker in all of us to come out. My only regret is not getting a signed copy of this book from him, that’s the only thing that could have made it better.

#makerlife

I have loved Adam Savage since first sight on MythBusters. When I heard he was writing a book, I knew it was something I would need to read. While I expected an autobiography (it is partly that), I was surprised that what it really is is a study of the life of a maker. If you have never looked at a blank slate, in whatever medium you love, with wonder and excitement, I am afraid you may not enjoy this book. There are literally whole chapters on adhesives and cardboard. As a life-long maker even these chapters resonated with me. I learned a few things as well. I will be trying some of his planning methods to counteract my impulsive and impatient nature.

What makes us tick

For all of us makers, whether the meticulous type with everything in it's proper place or the creative genius with little care for the mess we make, this book is about our inner selves. The creative spirit and sheer bloody mindedness that propels us into and through projects just because we want to find out what is at the other end. Full of wonderful insights, self deprecating humor, and an understanding of what it means to be a maker. To be a human. Every Tool's A Hammer is a great read and enjoyable adventure.

Best book I have ever read

Best book I have ever read. Really helped me snap out of a rut, and mentally prepare to enter the most productive phase of my life so far! I highly recommend EVERYONE read this book.

On the process of making, its tools, and creative psychology

Few people who have enjoyed access to cable television in the past twenty years are unfamiliar with the show Mythbusters, particularly the colorful hosts Adam and Jamie. In this semi-autobiographical first book from Adam Savage, he talks about some of the things he's learned from a lifetime spent making things, leaving out much of the technical cruft (which can be found elsewhere) in favor of heady topics like mindset and the psychological benefits of cleanliness and routine. True to it's title, the book also devotes time to the discussion of favorite tools and the lessons they can impart to beginning creators as well. A good light read for makers, Mythbusters fans, and anyone adjacent.

Inspirational and educational

I didn't really know what to expect when I got this book in the mail, I hoped it would be fun the way Mythbusters was so fun, but I was blown away by how much I learned and how much I felt inspired to be creative. That doesn't come naturally to everyone, and the way Adam described how to give yourself permission to follow your obsessions opened my eyes in a way I never expected when I opened the book. I can't wait to give a copy to my cousin who is graduating from college and isn't sure what he wants to do next. I feel like a book like this could really help him and others who want to do creative things but don't know how.

A wonderful view into the mind of Adam Savage

The best way I can describe this book is part autobiography, part how-to, part...well, I'm not sure what. In this book Adam talks about his life as a maker - what motivates him, where he came from, what he has learned over the years, etc. The book is somewhat of a how-to guide for makers of all types - whether you are heavily into prop building, cosplay, hacking (the good kind!), or whatever you make. I have not yet completed the book, my available time to read is somewhat limited, however I m thoroughly enjoying the book - and learning a bit in the process. If you are a fan of Adam Savage or his work, this book is a must-read.

A Good, Fast Read

First, I must correct a bonehead error at the bottom of page 9: Savage identifies a resting object's tendency to stay at rest as the first law of thermodynamics. It isn't. It's Newton's first law of motion. That said, I enjoyed this book immensely. I haven't been a make for some time, but I recognized the truth of his recommendations. He's made such cool stuff! It's also a fast read. I got the book on Monday and finished it by Saturday. I'm surprised at the negative review that accuses Savage of not actually designing and building his creations. The reviewer must have been in a bad mood. Savage's message is honest, kind and positive. Read this book.

Low Contrast Print

The printing is of faint brown on tan paper, makes it hard to read unless you have very bright light. What little I have read looks very interesting, but print is hard to see. Black print on the tan paper would have been a better choice. May return for Kindle version, print in sample is much clearer.

Love this book!

I'm a big fan of Adam Savage and the Mythbusters show, so I bought this with very little expectations going in. I am not a maker, per se, yet I found the thoughts and recommendations from the book to be super relevant to my own personal and professional life. I highly recommend it for its honest take on what it takes to be creative and to enjoy your work, and all the ups and downs that come with it. My 13-year old son is also reading it and I think it speaks to him even more than it did me, especially for their shared love of cosplay.

If you are a maker novice to veteran read this book.

I have been a fan since the first time I heard the now famous line about rejecting reality and substituting your own. This book made me understand some things about my own process that I guess I intuitively knew but had never articulated. In short I recommend this book for anyone who has ever had an idea they wanted to transform from the realm of theory to the physical plane.

Extremely positive and encouraging advice for the shop

Lots and lots of great advice for making whatever your making in your shop. Adam gives general descriptions of materials from tools to glues and lots of positive reinforcement for making in general. Lots of stories from both Adam as well as other makers from around the world. I think he subconsciously got in my head as I reorganized my own workspace as I was off and on reading this book. It's a real thought provoking and idea giving read. Adam if you read this I personally thank you for giving us this gift of knowledge and wisdom.

Autobiography, and Beginners guide to creativity

This book was a fun read and so much more informative and motivating than I expected. I just finshed "The War Of Art" recommended on Joe Rogan's podcast. Adam does an equal amount of motivation in his autobiography. He also tells his story, and gives a good idea of the essentials needed for creativity. Worth the read!

Interesting

I found this book to be very interesting. As a big fan of Mythbusters I was looking forward to reading it. Not disappointed. Adam writes like he talks, fast to the point and full of energy. His process of making and designing is something that will work for any medium. I am a sewer, quilter, craft person and an going to try some of his processes.

A interesting read

I got this book looking more for psychological success and motivation not for coming out of your creative shell. So the book wasn't really designed for what I was looking for but the guidelines Adam walks you through to be a successful maker really apply to life itself. The most interesting thing is the book is common sense stuff but at the same time the contents are not things you would necessarily think of. This allows you a different thinking process that is worth reading into.

A fantastic read for any creative person

Adam's book was a joy to read. He discusses his theories and practices in great detail, and it was fascinating to get a look at how his life as a maker has developed. Getting to read his motivations behind his practices was particularly good insight, and I found more than a few techniques that I've started to incorporate into my making as well. There are far more pictures than I had expected, but they are nicely worked into the flow of the book and help to underscore important points.

A must read for Makers!

This has become one of my favorite books and lives on the bookshelf in my classroom. Several students have read it and reported enjoying it as well. I love what Adam does and how well his philosophy aligns with my own. I originally got this as a audio book, but after listening to it I wanted to make annotations in the margins so ended up buying it again as a hardcover.

A worthy read for any maker

If you’re thinking about getting this book then you’re probably already a maker. There are things you’ll already know, but it’s good reinforcement and there are plenty of nuggets of wisdom from a true professional. It sometimes reads like a self help book, but there are enough personal stories to make it interesting.

A great look at the man himself

Interesting philosophy on making and thinking. If you are myth busters fan or watch Adam on you tube or tested then this is a great companion to read

As a maker this book is worth it.

For one i love Adam savage so buying this book was a no brainer. however, after reading this book my life outlook has changed how I view my shop. He has so many truisms and almost all of them spoke to me in some sort of way. He writes in a humorous was that I found enjoyable. I will be reading this book again.

Great read from intro to index

If you're at all a fan of Adam Savage, the creative process, making things, or just enjoy great stories from passionate people this book is for you. Known for his role as co-host on Mythbusters Adam Savage shares stories and advice from a lifetime of making to both inform and encourage everyone to find something they enjoy doing and to do it as often as possible. Impossible to read and not get the itch to create!

Amazing read for the maker or hobbyist!

I love it! So many parts were familiar (personally) and some new perspectives were gained. I’m glad it included the audio book to allow me to hear Adam’s expressions and intonations. I would recommend to anyone who considers themselves a maker or hobbyist!

Adam's enthusiastic outlook shines through this book

If you're a fan of Adam Savage, this is a great read. Some history, some motivation, and some practical information regarding making. Focused on fabrication (think cosplay or replica making,) Adam makes a point of saying that this book is good for ANY creative, whether they be artist or coder, welder or woodworker, foamsmith or chef. Really inspirational, and really a nice look into the childhood and formation of a man as admirable as Adam.

Few pearls of wisdom

Not great writing, a bit too much "Zen" about the practice of "making". Provided some useful practical advice (especially for makers who have workshops several thousand sq ft in size), but I was hoping for more about the "tools, techniques and materials" mentioned on the book cover, beyond the one detailed chapter about adhesives.

Quite enjoyable

Not the usual type of book I read but I have been entertained by Adam since the start of Mythbusters. He brings his passion and enthusiasm into everything he does and this carries through into the things he produces, this book is no exception.

Like being trapped in a corner at Thanksgiving with the uncle that goes on and on and on and on.....

I struggled to give it a chance and got half way through, but it became intolerable. There is a long chapter about the virtues of lists that could have been 2 paragraphs long. The next chapter goes on and on and on about the virtues of having a check box in your list to keep track of what is done and not done. That could have been in paragraph 2 in chapter 1. The rest of the first half of the book is like listening to someone who tells you everything about their day that you really don't want to hear. Adam is a great and talented maker but not such a good writer. Keep doing what your best at Adam or get an editor that gives you constructive feed back.

A must read for all creatives!

I didn't know how much I needed to read this book. It gave me perspective and encouragement. Reading how Adam practices his discipline and how he's learned and observed from others was a real gift. Now, I'm eager to go work on my own stuff, rearrange my work space, and share with other people on their own journeys.

A Fun easy read

I was not quite sure what this book was going to be about but I loved watching Adam Savage on Mythbusters and later on his costume builds for Comic-Con. This book was a fun read into how he developed into becoming a Maker and how he wants to encourage everyone to not be afraid to learn, to try, succeed, fail and everything in between. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Organization and thought process!

I really enjoyed this book. It made me rethink how I can organize my tools a way that it will save me time.

Finished it in a week; Couldn't put it down

Loved this book and thinking about getting the audio version too. It's well written and conversational. Adam shares a lot of his methods and processes for building props, sets, projects. And the advice he gives applies to whatever it is you're making.

A must for any Maker or creative!

As someone who has spent most of their natural life in shops of all kinds (Scale model, metal fabrication, automotive, etc), this book resonates with me on a personal level. The intimacy of thought Adam provides in his creative process is nothing short invaluable, and I was immediately able to implement some of his advice in my shop.

Inspiration and guidance

Right from the very first chapter, which by itself is very inspirational, Adam guides and motivates me to get out in the shop to knock out those long overdue projects!

Interesting and informative

If you're a fan of Adam Savage, this is well worth the read. His outlook on creating things, working with others, and sharing tools and techniques are inspiring. Heck, if you're not really a fan, but you have some affinity for making things, programming, creating art, etc., then I still think it's an interesting and informative book. Recommended

A Fountain of Knowledge

This isn't some cheesy self-help motivational book. It is Adam Savage trying desperately to share as much of his wisdom and experiences with as many people as possible in order to help everyone that he can. There are so many incredible snippets of wisdom that there is rarely a page without highlighter on it. Buy it.

It's Adam!

I'm sure you also grew watching Mithbusters, thats why you should buy this book. Its Adam telling his story on how he became the co-host, and many of his tips and tricks to get things done, narrated in a very personal way. Just enjoyed it from start to finish.

Makers downtime

Thank You Adam Savage, I am enjoying this book very much. Along with the book may I suggest Adam Savage: Tested; on YouTube for way more Maker greatness.

Fantastic Read

Adam’s honesty and gift of communication have made this book both inspiring and educational. Wether you’ve never made a thing or if you’ve made all the things, there is something for you to learn from Every Tool’s a Hammer.

thought provoking for my handy husband

My husband really enjoyed this book, so I bought it for my brother. He knows says things like "I knolled." He also like the analogy to cooking so he can explain his creative hobby to mine.

Great Read

Savage at his best.

From makers to makers

Very inspirational, if you work on creating stuff( Industrial design, software development, engineering etc) or simply a passionate hobbyist this book will inspire you to be more creative and you will learn that the path of creativity and success is not that easy, Adam shares personal experiences in his journey to success

A good read for anyone

The thoughts in this books apply directly to the process of making, but most of the information can be applied to any endeavor

Excellent audiobook

This is a really good book, but even better hearing the author read it aloud with the enthusiasm and passion that he has for the subject. Adam is an excellent storyteller, and brings together his first book in an interesting and engaging fashion. I look forward to his future content

Not just for hard core makers.

More important than Adam's tips about making stuff in a shop, he relates the process to all of life. This is a great shop reference book plus a great book on how to get more out of life. A sort of Zen and the art of making.

Great handyman gift

Big hit with the BF who is a fan and likes to fix things.

Amazingly fantastic book.

Fantastically written. Beyond easy to read, conversationally effortless flow to each paragraph. Incredible inspirational and insightful for all creative individuals.

Fun, entertaining and inspirational

If you have enjoyed Adam on Mythbusters, from his One-Day Builds or any other arena, I recommend this for sure. Full of great stories, and interesting details on the way to the larger idea of a rational approach to life of a deep thinking maker...

Recommend to Anyone Who Creates Anything

Great book! Very relatable to anyone who makes things (anything)! One of the two books i ordered shipped with a corner of the sleeve torn.

Fast shipping and fun read

Shipped fast, well packed, a great read for all Adam's fans!

Great read for any Maker

If you are a maker you should certainly read Adam's book for inspiration and motivation. There are some great stories which help to understand Adam's background.

A permission slip to follow your passion.

An incredible read for makers, designers, and anyone looking for some insight to better follow their passions and establish their drives. A must read.

Great read.

Not exactly what I was expecting however I loved it. I've been a big math Buster's fan. And I really enjoy Adam on tested.

Jimmy an Adam

Favorite book, from my favorite maker. Idk though. I want to see diresta and savage combine!!!!!

I wasn't sure what I was going to find in this book

And definitely sure that what I did find wasn't anything much like I expected. Memoir, self-help book, business philosophy, creative philosophy and some weirdly detailed parts on lists, glue and cardboard. A thoroughly enjoyable read all around.

Good book, very interesting.

A little boring at first. But it gets better as it goes along.

Fantastic!

Adam's book is absolutely full of awesome maker insights. I've implemented some of his methods into my everyday life. Highly recommend this!

Buy this book then buy another and give it to a friend

If you are a “maker” or don’t consider yourself to be you will enjoy this book. Adam is a slightly better than mediocre author which made this book easy to read and understand. Adam definitely deserves a few awards for this book

A necessary read for anyone who makes anything

He gives life saving advice. It will make you more productive, happier, able to bounce back, give tips, etc. Please read it.

Great read!

Must read for every maker. Lots of great info on planning and excuting your projects. Also stories on Adam's work in the industry. Plus access to how Adam's brain works....kind scary...lol

A treasure to makers

This is a lovely read to any one who makes! And even if you don't consider yourself the maker type read it anyway. This book is wonderfully uplifting and inspiring. Adam Savage is a national treasure.

err. um.

I dunno what I expected, exactly. I dont think I quite got it from this read. its certainly not a 'bad' book, but I feel itd be just as wrong to call it 'good'.

Beautiful and Applicable

I'm a video producer and every single bit of advice Adam gives about physical making still applies to my process. It's a remarkable book and a must read for my crew.

Part biography, part theory of making, all inspiration!

Very well written, lots of great pictures. This book is an inspiration to anyone in pretty much any hobby or career that involves creating things.

Great Read

Always been an Adam fan. This book digs nicely into his past. Great, amusing stories that help get to know what's behind this genius.

Fantastic book

fantastic book and great to read while listening to Adam Savage narrate on audible. he makes you feel like you are inside his mind.

Could be cut in half

The book consists of overly long sentences and chapters that goes on forever, and the style of writing often feel more like Adam having a monologue, than him actually speaking to the reader. The book is a mix between a biography and a self help book. Unfortunately it lands more on the former, and it's not well written nor structured. Jumping back and forth along the timeline as he sees fit. With more attention to 'the message' and less attention to unecessary details and filler sentences, this could have been an inspiring book when it comes to the art of making. Unfortunately it is not. In an audiobook format, this content may be more enjoyable, for me the book was a hit and a miss.

Great and informative

What a great book that holds some useful information for makers/creators. I’m definitely going to have to get my maker son listen to it...especially the part about hot glue 😉

Great book

A great book that is enabled my own idiosyncrasies as a maker. The chapters on list-making and setting deadlines really helped me to focus on my own projects more successfully!

Great and Inspiring read!

I gleaned a lot of tidbits and inspiration from it. Mr. Savage is able to put his voice to text expertly.

Terrific Book!

Terrific Book and a must read for any maker, artist, or creative type. Packed with motivating ideas and tips and more than a few insights.

Fantastic book

An absolutely fantastic read cover to cover. I’ve been a fan of Adam’s since mythbusters and was anticipating this book when he announced it. It did not disappoint!!!

Favorite book of the year

Awesome read. I have always been a fan.Enjoyed reading how Adam got started on his journey and all the people who influenced and supported him

Wonderful book

What is not to love from this book. The history and the over all feel and flow of this book is amazing.

Great book!

I like the down-to-earth practical advice. Adam also gives credit where due. He not only makes mistakes, he talks about rectifying them.

Inspiring

The methodologies Adam uses is life changing. I will be using these in the future to better myself every day.

Great read.

Entertaining with great stories and handy helpful guides to be a maker.

So you want to be a maker?

Excellent advise on how to take that final step and start making stuff. Embraces the journey from beginner to master maker.

Great book for makers

I don’t read many books, and I haven’t made it through this one yet. However it is an enjoyable book to read so far.

You'll learn a lot.

We got to know Adam very well. A lot of good information and advice about crafts and tools.

Highly recommended for all creative people

For anyone who creates anything—food, clothes, books, music, gadgets—highly recommended for both specific ideas and inspiration on the process of making.

There is a maker in all of us

This book was inspiration for me because I am somebody who enjoys creating things.

A joy to read

Insightful, wise, and filled with heartfelt stories, this book is an amazing place to stop on the journey of being a maker.

Good

Good

A fun and thoughtful book!

Adams’s love of making comes through clearly in every line of this engaging autobiography. It is very worth reading.

Book content was totally not what I expected.

Many little gems of knowledge, process, attitude that I want to apply in my life.

Yawn

I had low expectations and even those were not even met. If you have followed Tested at all then you know Adam is less a maker and more a buyer from people who actually make. Maybe that makes him qualified to write this book. The book isn’t well written, boring and filled with moments of Adam patting himself on the back to make sure we all know how great he thinks he is. My copy is going to the local library. Maybe the next reader will enjoy it more than I did.

Absolutely wonderful read

Funny, insightful, inspiring, and a wonderful peak into the mind of one of the greatest makers of our time.

great book

i love this book so much recommend this to any maker

Good book

My wife enjoyed the book and she normally does not like to read.

excellent book

I like this book very informative

A must read for any maker

Adam takes us on a fun ride with this book that is 20% autobiography and 80% self help for makers.

Interesting

This book is clever and has some good stories. But it is kind of light on deep subject matter.

You are a maker. You need this book.

I love this book! I’ve only passed the intro and already I am inspired to create more & share!

great read for makers

good read for anyone who builds things or works with people who build things.

Is good. You buy.

Well written, extremely well voiced and produced.

great book

great book for any mythbusters fan

This book can do anything

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Great read

Really enjoyed this read! A great book for hands on creatives.

Great Book

I am not a fan of books but like this one.

An ode to makers

One of my favorite books about making and life, an instant classic!

as described

as described

Great read

Great read from a fascinating guy and tv personality

The best!

This man is a genius! 10 out of 10

Savage is my hero

This is a great book for any maker.

Great book.

Great book.

Found the book to be very useful in many ways; however, not so effective of a hammer as one thought

Great to hear stories from Savage’s formative experiences

Excellent journey.

A wonderful read from start to finish.

Focus and create

What a guy, keeps you thinking

life lessons in a funny way

entertaining book

Love it

Adam rules... Book is interesting.

Awesome read.

Great book. Adam is the man.

Great book

It was a present

purchased as a gift

great bood

Great book

Funny, entertaining and informative.

Very inspiring

Great book

LOVED this book.

This should be required reading for makers of any kind. The only reason I wanted to put it down was because I got so excited about my own projects and wanted to start in on them.

it was a wonderful discussion of making and Adam Savage's life.

So happy

Yap! Loved it

Love it

They have mistaken their laws or thermodynamics for the laws of motion

I just started reading and on the first chapter it seems Adam is confusing the laws of thermodynamics for the laws of motion. I don’t know what to think now. How do you tell the publisher they have made a mistake? :/

Thought this was a new book

Thought I was buying a new book, but it's marked and the dust cover is not in new condition. Sure I'll probably still enjoy the book, but purchased so I could get it signed next month when I meet Adam.

Boring

Uninteresting, by a nice guy, couldn’t finish it.

An Enjoyable Afternoon Read

I dont often read books of this type but I am a fan of Myth Busters and thought I would pick this up in audio book form to pass the time on a long drive. I am glad I did - the hours flew by! There's plenty of good information and insight presented in a story telling format that makes it to access. Frankly, I liked hearing about Adam's various experiences - they gave context to all the various lessons (good and bad) that built up his impressive catalog of skills and abilities. But frankly, the real value of the book was the way it spurred my own imagination and prompted me to think about my own interests, possible projects and some of my own lessons and experiences and how they related to Adam's. I can hardly wait to get back into my workshop - I will begin with knolling.

Absolutely amazing and perfect for all ages.

This book has something for all ages. No matter what path of life you find yourself walking, the sincere encouragement and life experience shared will have you back on stride and ready to create the future you are seeking. Even better, Adam shares his experiences for when life took him down a path he wasn’t pursuing. That’s something I think everyone can relate to. The stories Adam shares are a combination of relatable and awe-inspiring. I have read this and listened to the audiobook so many times with so many people from different walks of life because I truly believe there is something for everyone in the pages within. Thank you to Adam Savage, NetGalley, and Atria Books for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

Mostly good

I like and agree with most of the content of this book. It took me a long time to learn the lessons that are summarized in the book, but I think Adam Savage and I basically arrived at the same place in the end. The only thing I disagree with is the need for deadlines. Deadlines are a sure way to ensure that the product you produce is sub-par and not nearly as good as it could have been. Deadlines are to be avoided unless you have a tendency to procrastinate, in my experience.

You know that you like Adam; reading his book gives you real insight into his character, and yours.

I saw my first and only review for this book in the Wall Street Journal, and said to myself: "I must buy this book!" But I didn't. A week later a package from Amazon shows up on my porch, and my wife says that its for me, a present from her. She had also read the review and thought that it was something that I would appreciate receiving. Boy did I ever! ...and I learned to appreciate her a lot more, as a result. So, I began to read the book, a little at a time. A little at a time was all I could muster until I grew to understand that Adam was writing a very personal account of his life, and how he has chosen to live it, on his terms. I just finished the book today after having received it 3 weeks ago. Prior to writing these paragraphs, I took a look at the first page of reviews on this site. Many people loved the book and enjoyed reading it for a variety of reasons. A few people weren't able to read between the lines, or didn't care to, to learn more about Adam Savage. I don't think that Adam wrote the book to start a personality cult, but its true that he has millions of fans, of which I am surely one. This book is not a detailed, behind-the-scenes account of what happened during the filming of MythBusters, or any of the movies on which Adam worked. I was slightly disappointed by that fact, and that is why I put the book down several times. But I picked it up again when I wanted to read more about what Adam had to say about the variety of subjects that center around the "making" of things. Eventually my readings of the book became longer as I grew to enjoy getting to know Adam, and myself, a little better. He writes each sentence in a construction of words that ends with a complete thought, with only a few exceptions for emphasis. I did get to know myself a little better as I neared the end of the book. Adam has a way of writing personally to you, the reader, that conveys what he learned about himself, all while encouraging you to share his thoughts and allow them to reflect on your own life as a "maker". I'm pretty sure that Adam wants us to know that the world could be a better place if we would all grow up, exercise more care (take more responsibility) for what we do and "make", understand how we should grow "thoughtfully" during the "making" process, and share our experience with those other "makers" around us. In a future book, I hope Adam will use his story-telling ability to take us behind the scenes with Jamie in MythBusters. Meanwhile, I must say that I enjoyed finishing "Every Tool's a Hammer". Its the same kind of feeling you might have after completing an hour-long phone call with one of your old friends - you've learned something more about your friend, and something about yourself, as well.

An inside look at the mind and soul of a master maker

This book felt like a mind-meld with a master maker. If you want to see, breathe, and feel what it's like to be stricken by the maker bug, this book is where it's at. More than anything, it was reassuring to read the vulnerable parts - things gone wrong, painful lessons learned. Very relatable. Was everything in the book a major revelation? No. But it was reassuring to know that a consummate maker uses, depends on, and struggles with some of the same things and strategies that us ordinary mortals do. Super insightful to follow along this maker's journey, full of handy tips and tricks, all without being preachy. Plus, if you buy the hardcover, it's also a hammer.

Fine writer, good book, but is almost all philosophy

Was not sure what this book was going to be when I purchased it. In reality, it is Adam's philosophy on building, ANYTHING. It details his obsession with lists, and lists of lists. His obsession with how shops should be organized, etc. He does discuss, as examples, some of the Mythbusters episode builds, as well as other things he has built. But on doing so, he leaves many of them hanging. For example, he talks about the escape and evasion kit from the film 'Dr. Strangelove', and how he decided to build one, but he never mentions if he finished the project. He discusses endless research into the kit, what it was made of, what it contained, and even why it contained some of the things it did (Women's nylon stockings, for example), but he never said if he finished it. He does include stories of how he met Jamie, how he worked for him, then left to work at ILM, and how Jamie, in a positively brilliant move, hired him back to help with Mythbusters. I realize mythbusters was not the focus of the book, even before I bought it, but I was hoping for more than his philosophy and stories of his obsessions with building props as precisely and accurately as possible. In short, while Adam is a much better writer than thought he was going to be, the book lacks a little for people who don't want to be builders.

Quite enjoyable

If you (as I did) grew up a huge Mythbusters fan, then this book is a must-read deep dive into Adam Savage’s mind and process. Reads like an extended, uncut episode of Adam’s life and mental map. Absolutely worth it!

Not a biography. It's how to be a Maker.

This is not an autobiography. You will learn a bit about Adam's childhood and early life, a little bit about his early career, and hear a few stories about Mythbusters, but it is not an autobiography. This is a book about being a Maker, and every story in it either illustrates his journey, points out a triumph he experienced, or demonstrates something he royally screwed up. And it's wonderful. Adam Savage is enthusiastic about practically everything, and it comes through on every page. He loves to learn new things, he loves to apply that to new projects, and he loves to create things. I'd go so far to say he can't help creating things. It's who he is. But that part can't really be taught, so instead he tells you about his process. How he comes up with ideas, how he plans, how he designs, how he builds, how he arranges his shop, how he manages his tools. And, because no one way is the only one, he also tells you how other people do things the exact opposite way from how he does, and that works, too. Of course, along the way he also tells funny stories, talks about his various obsessions and praises the many talented creators he has met in his life. If you like Adam Savage, or if you like creating things big or small, you will enjoy this book.

Make it yourself. Read it yourself.

We are human. We are all makers, whether it be models, cooking, costumes or coding is what we are. This was a entertaining and empowering read/listen (honestly, whenever I can get a book read by the author, I'm choosing the audiobook these days!).

Crucial wisdom for every young maker

I thoroughly enjoyed Adam Savage's book. It is the perfect blend of practical advice, stories about his life and the roles making played in getting him where he is, and philosophical musings. He provides tons of practical advice about glues and fasteners, how to organize your workshop, how to prototype your ideas, and the importance of models and sketches, for example. But he also gives higher-level advice about how to keep your motivational momentum up during a long project, or how to manage a team, or the importance of giving credit to those who helped you. Although his impulsive and rapid style of making is not the way I work in my shop, he is quick to keep saying, "Do what works for you." The title refers to the power you get from using tools for things they might not have been designed for. He discusses the importance of tools at all levels, and having the right tool at hand when you need it. His writing is personal and enjoyable to read. There are many quotable lines in here! Here are a few: "A shop is a possibility engine." "I was the patron saint of Mediocrity+1" "There is no skill in the world, I have since discovered, at which you get better the less sleep you have." He clearly has reformed from his solitary tendencies and aversion to asking for help, to working well as part of a team and depending on others to help him do great things. Writing this book was one of those great things. Thank you, Adam Savage!

Not riveting

No, not every tool is a hammer. I puzzled over this book’s title from the moment I first saw it, and then all the way through to the end. The maxim it’s taken from actually says the opposite: “When your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” In other words, it’s a warning against tunnel vision, forcing a solution, feeding impatience, forsaking finesse. The title’s odd distortion of this commensense warning gets the book off on the wrong foot. Savage offers much friendly advice about “making,” some of it rather obvious, some more philosophical, all of it a bit too self-referential. But the problem inherent in the title taints the entire effort. He cites approvingly a long-ago mentor who told him that inside every tool is a hammer. For anybody who makes/builds/repairs things and values accumulated practical knowledge, not to mention his accumulated fingers, this is foolish advice. Be as freewheeling and artistic as you want, but if you’re going to do things with tools, you must not treat every tool as a hammer, or a pair of pliers, or anything else. It’s dangerous, it’s counterproductive, it’s not liberating, and it’s missing the point. And it also undercuts the rest of what Savage is trying to say. When he makes coy mention of all the injuries he’s sustained as a “maker,” you think, “Hmm. Maybe he needs to relearn what hammers are for.” Overall, I found this book disappointing. I just thought it would be more fun. The “Mythbuster” anecdotes are scant and not very interesting. The detailed descriptions of Savage’s work process are generally not as profound as the author thinks they are. A whole chapter devoted to checklists, along with multiple illustrations of checklists, including checklists of checklists. He even used checklists to write this book. Enough. People know how to write down steps and tick them off. The reader will also have to decide how he feels about Savage’s great, in fact astronomical, respect for “canon.” He consuming love is for movie props, and he attaches huge importance to them. He can discuss a classic film he says he’s seen 1,000 times and focus not on the story, the actors, or the context, but on how to reproduce a lunchbox seen in a single scene. He can spend literally years recreating some humdrum object, such as Chewbacca’s bandolier in the “Star Wars” movies, collecting interviews and photos and measurements of the treasured icon . . . while the unenchanted reader thinks, “Wasn’t this prop probably cobbled together in one afternoon in Lucas’s workshop? Why are we worshipping its very dimensions?” He’s made three versions of Rick Deckard’s blaster from “Blade Runner.” It’s a gun. It shoots things. In the movie, it has pretty lights and goes boom. What makes it worth decades of research, drawings, (even more) checklists, and pride of place in this book? Is cosplay really that unforgiving? And if so, is rigidity really part of creativity? Ultimately, this slavish reproduction of insignificant objects is what brought the hammer down on my enjoyment of this book. Savage spends many pages praising creativity and busting out of the box. But in the end, his surpassing desire is to reproduce other people’s creativity, precisely and perfectly—and unfortunately it tends not to be very profound creativity. Why obsess about Harrison Ford’s popgun when you could be absorbing the whole world created for “Blade Runner”? Who cares what’s in Stanley Kubrick’s lunchbox? (Hey, I think I just "made" a better title for this book!)

Everyone's a maker, and everyone should read this book

I've been a fan of Mythbusters and Adam since the first episode. I couldn't shake the feeling that I knew those guys though. It took almost two decades to solve that mystery, and it turned out I sorta did know them, or at least we had met. When I made a visit to Tested in late 2017 me and Adam brainstormed and finally worked it out, we had all worked on Flubber together. When I learned that Adam had written a book I couldn't wait to read it (or more accurately listen to it). It did not disappoint, in fact only two weeks later and I'm listening to it again. What I love most about it is it's not just simply a collection of "I built this" stories, but the circumstances that lead up to the build, the reaction and story after it, and a lot of the philosophy and self discovery that went along with it. Adam is a very smart, dedicated maker, with a heart of gold. He's a deep thinker, a generous spirit and enthusiastic fan, willing to share every nugget of knowledge he's managed to accumulate over a lifetime of building. I'd say I'm proud to call him a friend, but I barely know him. But I am proud to share his love of all things nerdy, and his willingness to share with anyone who's as ravenously curious as we are. I cannot recommend this book highly enough, get it right now.

Surprisingly delightful read

I’m a big fan of the Mythbusters TV show, and in general, I respect Adam Savage for his talents and work ethic that he shows in his public work. Nevertheless, I was a bit skeptical going into this book because I wasn’t sure what more I could get from Adam. This book has both a generous serving of useful tips and tricks for makers as well as being a well-crafted narrative that describes Savage’s philosophies on work, making, and life. But the real treasure here is that his big point isn’t that his way is the only way, but that everyone can find their own way to best work, make, and live a meaningful life. I was surprised how much I liked this book.

Good fun for even the toolishly-challenged

As an individual who never met a tool he couldn't hate, I opened this book with some trepidation. However as a fan of "Mythbusters", I wanted to give Savage a chance since his fey personality on the show appealed to me as did his creative ideas in testing pop-culture "truisms". I found parts of the book like his "philosophy of glue", and his in-depth descriptions of his eight most frequently-used types to be sticky going indeed. Yet his nimble wit and wry humor make this memoir and "how-to" book one to savor. Those readers who like to tinker with gadgets and browse hardware stores will find it hard to put down.

more than just a book

It felt like a smooth flowing book. As nuts and fast-paced as he was on Mythbusters would make it seem like his book would be scattered all around, but it wasn't. It was an easy read, the pages just kept turning and turning. I didn't know I would enjoy it as much as I did, because I was more effectively expecting an autobiography. You did learn a lot about his life in the book, but he didn't really dwell on what his mother would cook on sundays when he was 4 years old. He talked about his parents, what they did, and how they helped create the man he is today. He made it so that makers, creators, whatever you want to call them, can come out and celebrate. I own a small prop and effects studio in Louisville, and this book gave me insights into returning to the basics and just revisiting my passion that started my business. I borrowed this book from the library and finished it within 1 renewal during my honeymoon. Now I will be buying a copy to have in my shop as a reference.

A Very Good Tool For Creativity--Of Any Sort

NOTE: This review will not be listed as a "Verified Purchase" as instead of getting the book from Amazon, I purchased it at a small, very nice bookstore in a small, very nice town a pleasant half hour's drive from my home (no Jeff, you didn't kill them all!) Being a longtime Mythbusters fan, I bought the book immediately after seeing it on the shelf. It taking less than a week to read, I am impressed by Mr Savage's philosophy on "making". He is a witty and insightful authority on the creative process. As a writer myself, I found many of his suggestions helpful. I am also pleased with the admiration he shows for Jamie Hynaman--I do miss their odd, extrovert/introvert chemistry. I might have wanted more about the series and the contributions of Kerri, Grant, and Torey. But overall it is a very good read. And in addition to a hammer, a book is also a useful tool, as John Entwhistle wrote about in the Who song "Boris the Spider".

Good book for robotics teams

As a high school robotics team coach, I want my team to read this book. It puts in writing what I know, but have trouble articulating. What Adam writes clicks and is helping me find ways to organize and engage students. Yes we need lists, deadlines, tolerances and organization, which can be challenging to achieve with 14-18 year olds. But those things can actually help make things enjoyable if done well. Reading this also helps me understand some of my own roadblocks and limitations, self imposed, that sometimes stop me from making things. My 3D printer has 600 hours on it, but it's time to get inspired and do more after reading this. Yes, his writing is not the best, could be edited better and is at times self serving. But writing isn't easy, and he writes from his heart and what he knows, and that connects and reaches some people like me, and may not work for others. Really glad my former robotics team captain/daughter gave this book to me, and I'm going to share it with the team.

Underwhelming.

No real info. Handyman philosophy??

Helpful tips and tricks from a very clever and insightful master builder.

Mini-book review: Every Tool's a Hammer. By Adam Savage You'll enjoy this book if you love the Mythbusters; Adam Savage and / or if you are a designer and builder at any level. Part autobiography, part self-help and part tutorial. It's kind of an instruction manual for life as a designer. I bought the audio version so I missed out on photos and sketches. I'll probably buy another version too so I can enjoy those extras. As a Maker, it is a great companion to one of my most cherished books of all time: Grant Imahara 's Kickin' Bot (but that seems to be no longer in print.) So read "Hammer" to learn a bit about Mr. Savage and gain a lot of helpful tips and tricks from a very clever and insightful master builder.

Now I want to make something!

Now I want to make something cool and clever! This book and the related audio version are worth 6 stars on a scale of 5, much like the “11” concept first presented in “This is Spinal Tap”. Adam Savage is best known from the Mythbusters TV show, but he has a solid and lengthy background as a model maker and prop creator on legions of other TV shows, films, and commercials. He walks the reader through the process of creating and making an array of models, props, and gadgets, effectively demonstrating the vicissitudes of the creative process. He even covers how tools, work space organization, and shop cleanliness can promote creativity. This book has motivated me to return to my own creative projects with new energy. Thank you Adam!

I thought I would like this book...

I thought I would like this book... ... but I didn't expect that I would connect with it so strongly. I've been a Mythbusters fan for years so, of course, I'm familiar with Adam. But after listening to this audiobook, I feel like I've found a kindred spirit. Part inspirational, part instructional, and part autobiographical, this book helped me to identify things about myself that have always been there, but were never really explored. I'm no youngster (I'm a few year older than Adam), but I was able to take away some life lessons and gain some insights into myself.

Uplifting to the maker in all of us

I rarely finish books about the creative process. Often, I find the author’s processes oddly restrictive or not relatable. This book spoke to that incessantly curious yet often frustrated maker that lives within me. Adam Savage’s admissions of his own strengths and weaknesses, and the hard lessons he’s learned immediately resonate with any creator. He’s humble, and repeatedly expresses gratitude to those who’ve helped him along the way. Practical tips, fascinating anecdotes, and helpful examples are woven into a gentle narrative that follows his life as he’s built his career. Highly recommend!

Great book, terrible hammer

If you must use the book as a hammer, I suggest buying that hardback version. Using the Kindle version is not very effective. ** UPDATE: OR... search for "Inside Adam Savage's Cave: Book-Turned-Hammer" to solve your hammer problems ** That said, I immediately found use in the glue chapter as I have several pairs of tennis shoes are starting to have the sole lift away and I've been thinking about trying to repair them.

Great Read

A very inspiring book with good info on how to be effective in your pursuits as a maker

This book is a good tool for building a maker life

I loved this book! Even if you aren't a maker of whatever variety, there are life lessons here. I finally have a name for that thing I do with my beading table - first order retreivability. Sweeping up at night is a beautiful thing. I'm once again grateful to Adam Savage Read this, love this, knit it into your own makerlife I think you'll be glad you did.

Enjoyed listening to the book.

The book is overall interesting, and it provides a picture into Adam's world. It is kind of a memory dump of various topics related to making, from a long section on list making down to what types of glue to use for different applications, to the kind of projects Adam likes, to strategies on how to organize a shop. I found it a soothing listen while driving to and from work.

Lessons for every discipline!

I work as a manager in healthcare, and this book allowed me ample opportunity to consider how our shared workspace is utilized, how we train and interact with students, and how to share successes and lessons as a team. Adam, like he is on tv, is engaging, insightful, disarmingly honest about himself, and smart as heck. And, as a bonus, now I understand glue!!!

Love Adam Savage, Love this book!

Every tools a hammer is a great cross between a biopic and a tutorial. Each bit of advice comes with a story or example from Adams life highlighting how he discovered its importance or failed at his first attempts ect. It’s an encouraging book that immediately after my first listen left me wanting to create things.

Great read

Loved this ..Adam makes you feel like your in his world watching him doing his thing . Great book

Insightful book

Not only is this book filled with interesting stories, but it also applies to most projects in your life. Whether you are working on something on your own at home, or you work on group projects at work, this book will help you think about your process more deeply.

Great book!

Great book!

Fantastic (audio)book! I'm already planning to listen again.

As a Maker, and a long-time fan of MythBusters and Tested, I found this book very interesting and entertaining. As a man with a personality very much like Adam's, and I found very useful advice about productivity, organization, and management. I am so glad Adam decided to narrate this book himself! Any fan will appreciate that too.

Highly insightful and potently fun

Incredibly enjoyable read. Adam's personality bleeds through every page, making this a seriously addicting page-turner. Equal parts creative philiosphy, storytelling, and in-depth detailing of his favorite tools in his planning and engineering toolbox. So much insight and so much fun, even hilarious at times. Loved it!

If you like Adam Savage then this is a good book

This is a self written biography of Adam Savage. He talks about how he got started with making and his early failures and works his way to present day. Each chapter has a theme that the next chapters build upon. I enjoyed it.

Great insight into this great maker's mind.

Truly gifted person. I've referenced quotes of his, more than any other. His sheer joy both in making and watching his experiments both fail and succeed is infectious, and definitely part of why he and Jamie succeeded, and was hard for others to replicate.

Great for new and experienced makers to read

Adam at his best. A light yet very satisfying read. He gives great anecdotes from his past (particularly his formative years as a maker and model builder) and shares a fascinating look into his design process and strategy.

He may be a “maker”, but he sure isn’t an author

I loved watching Adam Savage on Mythbusters, so when I saw this book at a used bookstore, I bought it. Wow, was it a struggle to finish this book. I was hoping for more of an autobiography with some behind the scenes info on Mythbusters. I was disappointed. This book is tedious at best. Adam may be good at “making” (I put it in quotes because I think it’s a silly term) and he was great on Mythbusters, but he is not engaging as an author. I also got really tired of his use of the term “ideate”. Seriously? Just use think or conceive or imagine or form ideas. Ideate is one of those silly terms that was probably thought up in a Silicon Valley conference room to make people feel important. I forced myself to finish this book just as an exercise in perseverance.

Must for Mythbusters fans

Inspiring story about creating, making and learning from your mistakes from one of the Mythbusters icons. Story covers all of his creative life from earliest efforts to present day.

Stories and words of wisdom from the king of makers

I’ve listened to it twice, the second time with my 13 year old son. We both enjoyed it very much. Interesting stories and practical advice for makers of all ages and abilities.

AWESOME

Really liked it, gave me something to think about.

I also got the audio book version and can say it really was nice to hear it from Adam.

Loved this book

Really interesting look into life and the workshop. Funny and informative, a great read.

Knolling - my new favorite word

Great book, excellent on Audio. Really great insight into Adams creative process.

Read it!

Great book. Fun to read. Full of great insight.

Great book

This is an amazing book with lots of good ideas

Great book, mediocre hammer....

Adam continues to prove he is a great maker of many forms.

Great

I loved everything about this.

Very good

Very enjoyable read.

great book great story teller

great book great story teller

Amazing

Amazing

Adam never seems sure exactly what the book should be

I'm not 100% sure what I was expecting of this book, but it wasn't this. The real problem here is that I'm not sure Savage totally knew what he wanted the book to be either. It's somewhere between a memoir, a self-help book, and an introductory guide to being a maker. It somehow tries to be all three, but only partially succeeds at any of them. A few chapters in, I felt, "this is the book I wish I had read when I was a teenager". Up until then, it was straddling being a memoir and a self-help book encouraging readers to let go, and dive in. To not be so afraid. And then it veers into the oddly specific - like an entire chapter about different types of glue. The book largely course-corrects, but still spends a lot of time about Savage and his specific personal preferences and setup. This works as an example, but never really comes back to, "this is how I do things, but here's how YOU might do it". Savage talks about how his process is very iterative, and each project is constantly being revised or updated. This book just feels like an early revision that still needs more tightening up.

An enjoyable read but slightly repetitive.

I loved hearing about some of the specific builds and challenges that Adam had to share. His insights and advice were very useful and appreciated. Much of the advice that he gave can cross over to project management in General , well as being generally useful for life and school as well. I did feel that the book could have been a bit shorter as much of the material felt repetitive and over discussed.

Many anecdotes, few practical tips

I felt disappointed after reading this book. There are about 10 pages of helpful tips, the rest is anecdotes and philosophies that are, frankly, not that interesting. Savage is a fascinating guy, and a spectacularly effective maker, but he is not the Homo Universalis he aspires to be. The helpful tips are pretty basic and clearly directed at novice makers. Experienced makers will probably just shrug. Putting checkboxes in front of items in a list, for instance, or a see-thru ruler, are not the revelations Savage seems to think they are.

Factual error

Haven't read this yet but the "objects at rest" thing is NOT one of the laws of thermodynamics.

Has some good information.

It has some good information but it’s very difficult to get to it through some of the strange worldview. Maybe too much theater arts and not enough science and mechanics.

Cool story and helpful tips

There aren’t too many books I read where I truly ass the ideas of the book to my daily life, but this is definitely one of those books. The life tips and philosophies in this book are excellent and are easy to add to your day-to-day life

Awesome book

Awesome book and author, I have been a big fan of adam from a long time ago. It is a great book. I have read it a couple of times now and there is always stuff to learn from every time you read it.

Makers Motivation

A great audiobook for makers to listen to in their shop. Creative inspiration

Outstanding!

Bought 6 copies for gifts. Now my children all have their own copies and I have one to lend out. Truly magical. Well executed, like everything Adam strives to do

If you are a fan of Adam...get this!

If you are a maker type....just pick it up. I enjoyed it very much.

An insight into the mind of Mr Savage

Not a huge fan of factual books but when i seen Mr Savages book i had to especially the title Im a tradesman and believe me most of my kit has been used as a hammer at some point. Recently had an unfortunate long hospital stay and was thankfull of having this book i read it cover to cover. Full of fantastic ideas, solutions and writen with humour and satire. I applaud you sir on this venture and found a new found love in tinkering now I only need to do is bribe my wife so i can build a new workshop where this book will be on a shelve.

I'm loaning this book to all my friends with kids

I just finished reading this book and I can't recommend it enough. One part biography, one part philosophy, one part practical advice, and a whole lot of inspiration.

A must-read for makers

Outstanding book, a must-read for anyone who has ever made (or wanted to make) something with their own hands.

Great book

nothing much to say but BUY IT! Adam does some great work and should be celebrated

Well done Adam 👍

Brilliant book for makers, builders etc

Great fun read.

Awesome read! Every maker should get a copy. I pre ordered and and got it on a Friday. By Sunday morning read it from cover to cover. Enjoyed every page. Looking forward to the next book.

Very interesting read

I purchased as a gift for my husband. He thoroughly enjoyed it and will read again. He never reads a book twice!

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