Opium’s Orphans: The 200-Year History of the War on Drugs

Abstract

their products and, in some cases, offered exhibition visitors the ‘how’ of making in demonstrations. The penultimate chapter provides an insightful interrogation of amateur craftmaking in the nineteenth century, amongst men and women with, as Nenadic writes, ‘some reflections on the concept of “craft” as a socially constructed idea’ (p. 186). These ‘reflections’ are notable for their suggestions about the study of craft history and craft making during the nineteenth century and even into the twentieth century. The chapter also includes a brief but significant analysis of the tensions between professional and amateur – imperative for a careful study of craft history – including within the fledgling Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. The ‘reflections’ continue in the conclusion (‘Evaluating the Craft Economy’) as Nenadic takes her detailed study of nineteenthcentury craftworkers forward to the ‘craft revival’ that began in the 1970s. In the process, she confirms the relevance of craft and its makers, ‘in the past’ and as ‘constantly evolving’ (p. 228). This comprehensive discussion although focused on Scotland provides a perceptive model for further broad and inclusive investigations of craftmaking and craftworkers regardless of location.