Heartland Blacksmiths: Conversations at the Forge (Shawnee Books) - Hardcover

A charming and expert book of interviews and photographs of blacksmiths around St. Louis. Reichelt records not only the story of an ancient craft; these smiths provide him with art history, folk history, and folk wisdom. Essentially, however, Reichelt provides a written record of what primarily has been an oral tradition of knowledge passed down since the beginning of the iron age some 6000 years ago. A paper edition ($19.95) has not been seen by us. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.

Richard Reichelt has recently completed a Master of Fine Arts degree in blacksmithing at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He has taught the trade and operated his own blacksmith shop for over ten years.