Well, I'll be glad to float some suggestions:
"Stone Work" by John Jerome -- this is an incredible book that tracks the thoughts of a man moving a New England stone wall over the course of a year. He has one chapter for each month and its just the observations and thoughts that come along while working in the outdoors. I would bet everyone here would recognize something of themselves in the words on these pages.
"The Farming Game" by Bryan Jones (Careful not to get "The Farming Game Now" -- not related) -- this is a series of descriptions of individuals and their approach to farming, all of them funny in a Mark Twain sort of way. The characters are just that, guys like "Shakey Ed" who race to the fields with chemicals at the first site of a bug or a weed. Along the way it stimulates ideas of strategies you may not have considered but most of it makes you smile knowingly -- "yep, that's farming."
"Fields Without Dreams" by Victor Davis Hanson -- this is tougher going, writen by a Greek philosophy professor whose family is essentially driven out of the grape business by the government, middle men, and the march of progress. He makes the case that a population tied to the land fosters the independence needed to sustain a democracy. Lots of good stuff to ponder in this one.
" The Have-More Plan" by Ed Robinson -- this was written in the 40's and I'd swear it was by Helen and Scott Neering but maybe Ed bought the rights. Its a paperback -- almost a magazine -- that lays out the elements of building a self sustaining homestead. The Neerings were considered the founders of the "back to the land" movement and they gained fame as social reformers in the 50's and 60's. This book was seen as the foundation of the Mother Earth News and was often quoted back when the News was more hard core (no articles on linoleum). A bit out of date but full of inspiration for those who might consider planting some blueberries or adding some chickens to their site.
"Son of the Morning Star" by Evan S. Connell -- while this isn't about rural living, it is a neat book about Custer and the west. Its packed with detail and digressions about related events and is far from another recounting of the old familiar tales of the period. Its also written in an interesting style that starts with the point of view of the soldiers and eventually it slips into the point of view of the Indians -- very subtle but a unique comparative take on things. If you like history, this is hard to put down.
OK, I'll stop now. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on any of these after you read them. Enjoy.
P.S. I've read the Contrary Farmer and its just great. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
