The Good Life
"nearly sixty years of self sufficient living"

By Helen and Scott Nearing

ISBN# 0805209700
Publisher: Shocken Books

Every now and then, someone writes a book that deals with profound basic human issues that is simply timeless. This is one of these books. Specifically, its the compendeum of story of how a middle aged couple bought cheap land in the country, and SUCCESSFULLY maintained a self sufficient lifestyle for over sixty years. Anyone with a modicum of building skills and a bit of moxie can do the same.

On the greater level, it deals very precisely with some of the big issues which still trouble our world today... Excessive mindless consumerisum... greed...degradation of natural resoures..and a poor quality of human life.

I think anyone who is interested in simplifying their life should read this book, if not for the specific pointers which are many, but simply for the inspiration.

The Nearings begin their tale as they seek to leave urban academic life for a simple life in the country. They were dismayed with world conditions and the predatory aspects of academic life and decided not to contribute their brain power to either system any longer. So they stopped.

They recount the quest to hunt for cheap land in Vermont and the beginnings of how they bought and built on their new property. They explain how to use the resources of the local area to cheaply house onself and provide outbuildings. They further develop concepts on how to provide a living for oneself in your area of choice. They decided to use maple syrup as a seasonal money maker, and provide most of their own food themselves. Other people could decide something else.

They also recount that how after twenty some years of self sufficiency in Vermont they moved to Maine to avoid urban sprawl -- in their 60s and late 70s! And they moved to Maine, re-did the whole process and lived for another 30 years. Thye used blue berry production as their source of cash, and built new organic gardens.

I like the books because they operate on both theoretical and specic issues. I like books that give general directions list some good specific examples and let you figure out your own details. They tell very specifically how to build stone walls and how to organic garden. There is even the details of running a solar greenhouse effectively in cold Vermont. Some people who want a blow by blow details may be frustrated by this book and should read it expecting to get some inspiration and good direction.

Areas I disagree with them are on are very few. I disagree with their socailist concept that a modest profit is wrong. I also need a more elaborate diet than they lived on. I don't think fixing all old architecture is a supreme waste of time. Retrofiting can be very successful use of older buildings. But those are relatively minor details in a book so solid it is they way many people started on their journey to self sufficiency.

What I love is the idea they promote of the purposeful life with only part of the day devoted to earnings one's keep, and half the day to creative and intellectual pursuits. I also love that anyone in their home did their own dishes and washed their own clothes. This may seem trivial, but it one of many small ways they attack the gender based slavery implicit in our society.

Now here is the surprise. This book was originally written in the 1950's. It is still great! All the principles apply and every modern self sufficiency writer gives Helen and Scott Nearing credit for being one of their first inspirations. I first read this book when I was 18 and it strongly affirmed many of the ideas I have about self sufficiency and living a free life.

People of the world seeking self sufficiency unite! Buy this book. You have nothing to lose but your chains!

To View Sample Pages click on the link below.