Sociology · Similar reads
Books like The Craftsman
The best books like The Craftsman are Shop Class as Soulcraft, Mastery, and So Good They Can't Ignore You. The Craftsman by Richard Sennett is about craftsmanship, skill and practice, hand and head. If that's what drew you in, here are 5 books that share its DNA — each summarized on Superbook, and ready to chat with in the app.
- Shop Class as Soulcraft
01
Matthew B. Crawford · Philosophy
Shop Class as Soulcraft grew out of a paradox in its author's life: Matthew Crawford earned a PhD in political philosophy, briefly ran a Washington think tank he found soul-deadening, and then opened a motorcycle repair shop — and found the shop more intellectually alive than the office.
Both dig into craftsmanship.
Read the summary → - Mastery
02
Robert Greene · Self-help
Mastery is Robert Greene's long account of how extraordinary human mastery develops — from childhood inclinations through apprenticeship through creative independence to the integration that characterizes true mastery.
A kindred sociology read.
Read the summary → - So Good They Can't Ignore You
03
Cal Newport · Self-help
So Good They Can't Ignore You is Newport's direct challenge to "follow your passion" as career advice.
A kindred sociology read.
Read the summary → - Deep Work
04
Cal Newport · Self-help
Deep Work is Cal Newport's case that the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task is becoming both rarer and more valuable, and that people who cultivate it will thrive while everyone else stays stuck in shallow busywork.
A kindred sociology read.
Read the summary → - Refactoring
05
Martin Fowler · Business
Refactoring is Martin Fowler's catalog of techniques for improving the internal structure of existing code without changing its observable behavior.
Both dig into craftsmanship.
Read the summary →
Books like The Craftsman: quick answers
What are the best books like The Craftsman?
The best books like The Craftsman by Richard Sennett are Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew B. Crawford, Mastery by Robert Greene, So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport, Deep Work by Cal Newport, Refactoring by Martin Fowler. Each was chosen for themes it shares with The Craftsman, such as craftsmanship, skill and practice, hand and head.
What should I read after The Craftsman?
A natural next read after The Craftsman is Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew B. Crawford. Both dig into craftsmanship. Other strong choices are Mastery by Robert Greene, So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport, Deep Work by Cal Newport.
What books are similar to The Craftsman by Richard Sennett?
The Craftsman centers on craftsmanship, skill and practice, hand and head. Books with a similar feel include Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew B. Crawford, Mastery by Robert Greene, So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport, Deep Work by Cal Newport, Refactoring by Martin Fowler — all free to read and chat with on Superbook.
