Mark Ellison shares his journey as a master carpenter in New York, detailing his work on extraordinary architectural projects, including a celebrated staircase and the renowned Sky House. Through vivid anecdotes, he explores the complexities of luxury construction, revealing the hidden chaos behind polished designs, such as overrun budgets and last-minute changes. Ellison's narrative not only showcases his craftsmanship but also reflects on the deeper lessons learned about meaningful living amidst the pressures of high-end architecture.
'Gorgeous . . . contains fascinating insights about working with your hands, the nature of talent, and how to create a meaningful life' A. J. Jacobs, bestselling author of The Puzzler 'Exquisite, purposeful, absorbing . . . a book with much to teach us all' Ayad Akhtar, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Homeland Elegies 'People think I'm a genius because I remember my high school math' When Mark Ellison left high school, no one thought he would go anywhere. A self-proclaimed 'serial dropout', Mark spent his young adult years taking work where he found it. Who would have thought that forty years later he would be regarded as a great carpenter, making a living out of building homes for the rich and famous? Full of warmth, wisdom and irreverent humour, this is the story of what carpentry can teach us about the satisfaction and joy that comes from doing something well for a long time. From staircases that would be deadly if built as designed to algae-eating snails boiled to escargot in a penthouse pond, Mark exposes the messy wiring behind the pristine walls - and the mindset that any of us can develop to build our own impossible things. Written with refreshing candour, this is an essential book about building life on your own terms, and the possibilities that await when we forge our own path.
