The Gift of Good Land
The Gift of Good Land
Wendell Berry
Michael Pollan
I’ve learned more from [this author] than anyone else about how best to engage with nature, and how to write a sturdy and pleasing English sentence. - Michael Pollan
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The Gift of Good Land

The Gift of Good Land: Further Essays Cultural and Agricultural

Wendell Berry
By
Wendell Berry
4.4
538
ratings on Goodreads

In "The Gift of Good Land," Wendell Berry traverses the deeply interconnected realms of culture, agriculture, and spirituality with the finesse of a seasoned philosopher and the heart of a farmer. Through twenty-four compelling essays, Berry weaves a rich tapestry that illustrates the indissoluble bond between humanity and the earth. With a narrative that journeys from the rugged highlands of Peru to the serene expanses of Amish country, Berry not only explores but also celebrates the ancient practices of land stewardship that have sustained civilizations throughout the ages. His prose, both lyrical and potent, challenges us to reconsider our relationship with the land that feeds us, urging a return to a life that is at once simpler and more profound. Berry’s eloquent discourse extends beyond mere agriculture to touch upon themes of family, community, and the profound responsibility of human beings to their environment. In the title essay, he masterfully parallels the Christian ethic of stewardship with the Buddhist concept of "right livelihood," proposing that the true gift of good land comes with the covenant of its care. This collection is not merely a call to arms but a meditation on the sacredness of the natural world and our place within it. Berry argues that the solutions to the environmental and cultural crises we face lie not in technological advances but in the rediscovery of a way of life that is in harmony with the rhythms of nature. "The Gift of Good Land" is an enduring manifesto for change, a testament to the possibility of a better world rooted in respect, compassion, and sustainable living.

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Released
1981
1 Jan
Length
281
Pages

1

recommendations

recommendation

I’ve learned more from [this author] than anyone else about how best to engage with nature, and how to write a sturdy and pleasing English sentence. - Michael Pollan
We have neglected the truth that a good farmer is a craftsman of the highest order, a kind of artist.
— Wendell Berry, The Gift of Good Land

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