Rock Ahead is the story of a marvellous and enduring plaything, the author's part in its revival and the people involved, it is a story of life, love, death and rocking-horses.
Comments on an earlier version of Rock Ahead (finalist in ‘The People’s Author’ competition (Nov 2009):
“powerful, compelling ... a strong sense of the passage of time.” Josephine Cox.
“rooted in emotional truth ... a proper story ... this is the real deal.” Marian Keyes.
“It touched hearts.” Alan Titchmarsh.
“... crisp, captures dialogue extremely well ... has emotional richness.” Amanda Harris (editor).
“... insightful, vividly realised, readable ...powerful, poignant, moving, hilariously funny ... lively dialogue ... tension and pace.” Gervase Phinn.
Comment on Rock Ahead “The best book I have read in over ten years as an editor ... Absolutely loved it. It’s so beautifully written and so human too ... the bits about the art of carving are poetry, plain and simple.” Gary Smailes (editor).
Comments on Anthony Dew’s The Complete Rocking Horse Maker:
“He knows what he’s talking about ... a delightful book.” Good Woodworking magazine.
“Anthony Dew is master of his chosen craft ... one of the country’s most respected makers ... you almost believe he’s teaching you personally.” Craftsman magazine.
“... thank you for a wonderful book - and your inspiration.” Donald Kries, Minnesota, USA.
“I am all fired up to try this astonishing art form ... Anthony certainly has a way with words and makes it all sound so achievable.” Hugh Bachelor, woodworker, Scotland.
And “Anthony Dew, the learned and excellent, founder and president of The Guild of Rocking Horse Makers...” Philip Pullman, novelist and rocking horse maker, citing Anthony Dew’s chop (a wooden carvers’ vice) design as one of his favourite woodworking tools.
Anthony Dew has also made ‘Big Bertie’ and ‘Bigger Bertie’, the biggest hand-carved rocking horses in the world. For further info see www.rockinghorse.co.uk