Lives of Illustrious Shoemakers

The book covers the lives of notable figures such as Sir Cloudesley Shovell a British naval commander; Roger Sherman a signer of the U.S. Declaration of Independence; and Hans Sachs a German poet and playwright of the 16th century. These men who all worked as shoemakers at some point in their lives rose to prominence in politics literature and other areas. Winks uses these biographies to illustrate the idea that dedication to one''s craft and a strong work ethic can pave the way to remarkable achievements. Winks also reflects on the social and economic conditions that often led individuals to enter the shoemaking trade but he reframes this occupation as one that builds character and resilience. The author highlights the practical skills and creativity required in shoemaking suggesting that these abilities helped the illustrious figures succeed in their later endeavors.