The Art of Boot and Shoemaking: A Practical Handbook Including Measurement, Last-Fitting, Cutting-Out, Closing, and Making Paperback – September 6, 2010

Yeah, would be a great read for a professional. The only pictures are illustrations of old machines.Would not recommend it if you are learning the craft. The section on leather and layout was helpful, though geared toward a high volume operation.

Another pamphlet booklet. Not much here

Explain a lot about boot Making

Having gone through I have not been able to find or buy some of the materials mentioned in the book which I needed to complete a project. I am sorry I will not be able to give correct preview because I have not completed anything. I hope an update of new materials that are alternative to the old materials could be suggested so that one could then manage, but as a novice, you have no clue of what to do or whom to ask for advice. I am in limbo at the moment until I can figure out what I can or how I can complete this journey of mine.

My son has an interest in becoming a shoe-maker and we were looking for a practical book that would help him with the practical techniques of shoe and boot making. This was the book he was looking for.

I read the description, not the reviews, this book is a reprint of a book first published in 1885. Unless you are already a cobbler, wishing to reproduce shoes from a bye bye gone era, this is a waste of money for you. If however you want a book on the history of shoe making, with no real instruction in the craft, go for it. I can’t rate this book honestly because I didn’t buy it for those reasons.

there is a lot of information in this book. just keep in mind that is is very very dry reading. will not teach you how to make shoes but teach you how to make better shoes.

Really outdated book, not very useful unless there is a historical interest. Not useful for shoemaking.

OK - this isn't a "Make your own Shoes" guide - so the title is misleading. John Leno lived around the same time as Dickens and Thomas Hardy - so you'd expect the language to be of the time ... and it is. In fact, it is rather nicely written in terms of use-of-language ... very pleasing to read IF you like Dickens and Hardy! If you're looking for Irvine Welsh's (or Guy Martin's) guide to shoemaking, look elsewhere.This was, probably, at the time, a good guide to setting up a shoemaking business, covering (foot) anatomy, techniques, machinery, materials ... some of which has not changed. Some of the treatments suggested for foot ailments are rather eye-watering and would certainly fail to get FDA (or equivalent) approval.Leno was a bit of a polymath - a Chartist, a free-thinker and a poet (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bedford_Leno) to whom shoemaking was only one bowstring.I like this little book a lot - as a snapshot of a time gone by and a good and well-written set of essays on the issues that make shoes the way they are (many of which have not changed).

I've taken to the covid boredom by using my thrifty mind to crafts and this book is the answer to my prayers not only does it take lessons from history so does its text a book I really can put down it's fascinating, in depth easy to follow too more than worth the money. Next step get started. I can't find the boots I want I guess I will have to make them

If you're doing a cordwainers footwear degree, this is a useful and interesting resource. It is as titled, a practical handbook. Discovered some different methods from pattern cutting to embellishing to repairs.

This book is not what it says on the cover. Certainly not usable as a guide to shoe making. However, my fault for not reading the reviews. Despite being happy to read Dickensian language and a former collector of books from the period, I find nothing charming or interesting in this item.I am grateful to only have paid a modest sum for it as the sum was wasted.

Bought as a joke gift, but a reasonably interesting read!