Read the Author's Story

MARK CLEMENT

Gideon Herlihy's story is based on the author's own story.  

Mark Clement struggled as a young carpenter to learn his trade, grow his business, and understand a challenging life. And, much like Gideon, he was alone on his journey. His own father let him go long ago. Even when his father was around, his father's example taught him all the wrong lessons: failure, fear, and angst. Without a father, he fought to overcome that perspective and to create his own meaning and direction so he could live a peaceful, contented and happy life.  He has looked everywhere for what carpenters call "control points"-fixed truths from which he could hook a philosophical tape-measure to lay out and understand the bigger context of his life and how it could be better. He found them through building.

Positive thinking, endurance, the metaphysical abyss, beauty, success, and victory all show up for work on a jobsite-where amidst all the mud, sawdust, and progress they can be confronted, examined, and enjoyed. Like the craft of building well, they can also be understood. Mark learned the True Things that gird Gideon's life while teaching himself how to build both home improvement projects and his business. He then learned that these elements of craftsmanship directly relate to success in relationships, business, and love.

Today, he edits Tools of the Trade magazine, a highly respected trade journal written for the residential construction pro. This magazine is a leading voice in the industry and his mission is to write and edit stories about tools and advanced building techniques. This position has brought him in contact with the best craftsmen in the business and generates personal contacts in other parts of the professional building and Do-It-Yourself (DIY) press. He also works closely with the major tool manufacturers and has strong relationships in the industry.

Mark still builds and renovates, too. It's too much fun to stop. Mostly, he works on his own home; having recently remodeled of an old brick colonial and a newer stick-framed cape. His latest project is a 100-year-old colonial in Ambler, Penn. While he's built his career improving houses, Mark really got his carpentry start after college working in the waters off Cape Cod building boat docks. During college he was lucky enough to spend his summers as an ocean lifeguard. Today he is an avid athlete. He played college and men's club rugby for a dozen years and has a long list of triathlons, adventure races, and marathons under his belt.