Religion in Wood: A Book of Shaker Furniture

by Edward Deming Andrews, Faith Andrews

Tom Merton relates to the Shakers through their creations and way of life while rounding out his own worldviews of meaning and monastic life, religions east and west. It's as organic an exercise as the wood itself. All this in the introduction that was submitted after the author's death.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Harry Allagree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, simple, beautifully written book, with an introduction by Thomas Merton who was a friend of Edward & Faith Andrews. It has an introduction & forward, then three short, but interesting articles, explaining the spiritual rationale behind the phenomenon of Shaker furniture, thus the title "Religion In Wood". It also includes many photos of beautiful & simple Shaker furniture which was retrieved from the Society's houses after the communities, sadly, died out. There's much to commend for reflection in the spiritual philosophy of the Shakers…in my view, they were definitely on to something deep & abiding, something which could be of great value for our American society as it continues to slowly crumble. In the words of the founder, Mother Ann Lee: "Do your work as though you had a thousand years to live, and as if you were to die tomorrow.

[Green G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good quick overview of the "why" behind the notable furniture and good black and white photos. You can easily finish it in several hours, if you take time to study the furniture. Not as in-depth as similar books in my reading list.