A more recent book about the value of working with one's hands is Matthew Crawford's 'Shop Class as Soulcraft.' I haven't read the book but did enjoy the essay by Crawford in the NY Times magazine which he adapted from the book. It might sound similar to 'Zen and the Art...' but it is much less philosophical and much more pragmatic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/ma...24labor-t.html