The Unsettling of America

Culture & Agriculture

By: Wendell Berry

Narrated by: Nick Offerman

Since its publication in 1977, The Unsettling of America has been recognized as a classic of American letters. In it, Wendell Berry argues that good farming is a cultural and spiritual discipline. Today’s agribusiness, however, takes farming out of its cultural context and away from families. As a result, we as a nation are more estranged from the land - from the intimate knowledge, love, and care of it.

Sadly, his arguments and observations are more relevant than ever. Although “this book has not had the happy fate of being proved wrong,” Berry writes, there are people working “to make something comely and enduring of our life on this earth.” Wendell Berry is one of those people, writing and working, as ever, with passion, eloquence, and conviction.

©1977 Wendell Berry (P)2020 Recorded Books

Really well written and well narrated

Makes me want to move to a farm. A seriously well thought out essay that makes me sad considering nothing has changed in 27 years.

Prescient!

A classic work well ahead of its time. Sadly, it is still almost 100% relevant. The analysis is cross-cutting, with insight offered into agriculture, economics, social theory, ethics, and psychology. And all of it is wrapped in the brilliant and lucid prose-essay style of Wendell Berry. A classic this deserves to be!

Comprehensive, Eye-opening perspective

I love how Wendell Berry takes a holistic approach to this topic, which is still relevant today. His writing is simple but powerful and Nick Offerman does a great reading.

Such an incredibly thoughtful author

So thoughtful. One of the 4 most important books I have ever read. And the narrator was absolutely excellent at communicating the attitudes and intent of the author. Excellent book. Excellent performance. You simply must read it to understand the human place in the universe.

Holds true still today.

Listening to this book was riveting. When I looked up the publish date I was in awe that it could be so spot on and relatable to modern day agriculture or the lack there of.