Ingrained

The Making of a Craftsman

By: Callum Robinson

Narrated by: Callum Robinson

For fans of H Is for Hawk and Shop Class as Soulcraft comes a captivating literary memoir, immersing listeners in the life of a Scottish carpenter as he perfects his craft, builds a business, and reflects on what inheritance and shared responsibility really mean.

The eldest son of a master woodworker, Callum Robinson spent his childhood surrounded by wood and trees, absorbing craft lessons in his father’s workshop. In time he became his father’s apprentice, helping to create exquisite bespoke objects. But eventually the need to find his own path led him to establish his own workshop and chase ever bigger and more commercial projects, until the devastating loss of one major job threatened to bring it all crashing down. Faced with the end of his business, his team, and everything he had worked so hard to build, he was forced to question what mattered most.

In beautifully wrought prose, Callum tells the story of returning to the workshop and to the wood, to handcrafting furniture for people who will love it and then pass it on to the next generation—an antidote to a culture where everything seems so easily disposable. As he does so, he brings us closer to nature and the physical act of creation—and we begin to understand how he has been shaped, as both a craftsman and a son.

Blending memoir and nature writing at its finest, Ingrained is an uplifting meditation on the challenges of working with your hands in our modern age, on community, consumerism, and the beauty of the natural world—one that asks us to see our local trees, and our own wooden objects, in a new and revelatory light.

©2024 Callum Robinson (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Love of craft

I loved this story of a fine master craftsman. He also brings his love of nature to enhance the story telling.

Very relatable memoir

Well written and very well told. Anyone making things with their hands will enjoy this

A Family Journey With love and Wood

This is a lovely story, which I relate to strongly. I wish the author, and his family, all of the success in the world.
He is a woodworker, a philosopher and an interesting person.
You will enjoy this
J

Ingrained, the perfect title

This book was a surprise, referred to me by my husband. I was captivated, first by Callum’s voice, then by the sheer weight of his story. His patient father. The mess and the lostness. The emerging beauty. The appreciation of all that is ingrained in trees and people and communities. A very rich read.

Love of trade and blood of the trade.

I especially connected to the author’s love for his trade and wood…..the blood of his trade.

Great Story!

The storytelling really draws you in. The amount of detail and care put into this book make you feel present in the moments described. Would definitely recommend for anyone, whether they have woodworking experience or not.

Beautifully Crafted Writing

This was an immensely satisfying book, both for my husband (a finish carpenter and furniture maker) and me (not a woodworker by any means and not really allowed around power tools). It is beautifully, almost lyrically written with a decidedly organic and genuine style. The author is also a surprisingly good narrator, usually the kiss of death for me. My only negative comment is the production value of the audio recording. Twice the recording settings abruptly changed, enough for my husband and I to wonder if the producers had changed narrators. It would gradually even out to the original voice, but it was a little jarring in an otherwise wonderful book.

Heartwarming, authentic, soul-stirring

A beautifully written and beautifully told story of following our calling, respecting and investing in true craftsmanship, developing our natural aptitudes and skills, protecting the earth and its scarce resources, and remembering the value of making things with our hands.

As lovely as breathing fresh forest air.

Callum's gentle book, excellently read by himself, has become a favorite autobiography. The bonus is it reads like captivating fiction!

An uplifting, calming, generous read for these turbulent times, whether you live in the country or the heart of the city, or even if you've never touched a hammer.

This book is breathing in fresh forest air after a rain as the first rays of sunshine warm the forest floor. Callum masterfully writes and reads very honestly and deeply from his heart.

I could identify with this book, as my dad had similar traits to his father. My dad taught me how to build and finish a doll cradle for my last baby doll when I was 7.

I live in a similar climate in a small remote city in Alaska. My husband and I built our house ourselves, with little knowledge or money. I appreciated Callum and his wife's struggles and applaud their determination to do what they love, despite overwhelming difficulties.

I love this book and highly recommend it. Indulge yourself in the delight of running your hand across the smooth beautiful surface of finely made furniture and then look underneath to see the masterfully designed and executed workmanship.

Grow with Callum and the forest by allowing the trees to speak to you!

Excellent

Immensely entertaining. Truly enjoyed the story from beginning to the end. Listened to it multiple times like watching a movie over and over and hearing different things.