THE BOONE BLACKSMITHING LEGACY: Exploring the Art and Craft of Balcksmithing Through 15 generations of Boone Blacksmiths

Title: THE BOONE BLACKSMITHING LEGACY: Exploring the Art and Craft of Balcksmithing Through 15 generations of Boone Blacksmiths

Written and published by Don Plummer, Plummer Design Works, Phoenixville, PA.
Edited by Judy Boone.
ISBN 0-9709099-0-X
110 pages.

Back in the days of the cold war, in the Soviet Union there was a term: samizdat. It means to “self publish”. Russian writers had to do this because all the printing and publishing companies were controlled by the government. Today we have entered into a new age of “samizdat”. Writers are publishing books by themselves, not because they have to, but because they can. Don Plummer has amassed the computer equipment and skills, such that he can take a project from conception through writing, printing and finally distributing, all by himself. Don has taken this book about the Boone Blacksmithing family, written the book, printed it out, bound it, and is selling it via the internet. This has really eliminated the middle man.

This small spiral bound book is a delight to read. Don has combined the history of blacksmithing with the history of the Boone family going back hundreds of years, through 15 generations of blacksmiths. This is especially meaningful to those of us who know Dan Boone and his family. Don has combined text, pictures and genealogy into a cohesive whole. There are many pictures of ironwork and of the Boone family.

Of especial interest is the chapter in which Don presents the steps in making a Dan Boone Dragon. Combining pictures and text, here are detailed instructions on how Dan makes his famous trademark piece.

The book can be ordered from Plummer Design Works, 392 Hallman Mill Rd, Phoenixville, PA 19460 for $15.00 each (check or credit card), plus $2.00 for shipping and handling. Or through Don’s website, www.PlummerDesignWorks.com

Book review by Albin Drzewianowski

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 18 Dec 2007