cover image Archie's Way: A Memoir of Friendship and Craftsmanship

Archie's Way: A Memoir of Friendship and Craftsmanship

Richard Probert, Robert Probert. Lyons Press, $19.95 (204pp) ISBN 978-1-55821-704-1

The author, a musician, conductor, singing teacher and college administrator, grew into manhood with two family passions: musicianship and craftsmanship. He describes his years in northern Wisconsin (ca. 1972-1979) when these two worlds mingle. While his teaching and performing career progresses, he spends most of his free time visiting the shop of his friend, a master craftsman, machinist and father figure named Archie Raasch. Through their friendship they move toward healing mutual pain from past experiences by keeping busy with their hands. There is potential in this book, but it's undermined by stilted, unnatural dialogue and particularly by Probert's unfortunate self-absorption, which leaves little characterization for Raasch but cliches of the wise craftsman. Had the author been able to step aside when he painted his portrait the effect might have been better. The book might be of interest to fanatical craftsmen or friends of the characters, but has little to offer the general reader. (Sept.)