Rural Renaissance: Renewing the Quest for the Good Life

by John D. Ivanko and Lisa Kivirist

Book Overview

In the '60s it was called the "back to the land" movement, and in Helen and Scott Nearings' day, it was "living the good life." Whatever the term, North Americans have always yearned for a simpler... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0865715041
• ISBN13: 9780865715042
• Release Date: May 2009
• Publisher: New Society Publishers
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 7.5" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Wish my life could be like this!

Buy this book - even if you implement just a few ideas from it - you AND the earth will be better off.

Great Book For Motivation to Go the Simple Life

As the owner of an eco friendly bed and breakfast inn I found this book to be inspirational and informative. My wife and I follow the philosophy of Inn Serendipity and agreed with many points made. A great book for someone seeking a simpler eco friendly way of life by starting a "mindful" business. Great advice and strategies for success.

Good starting point

Good, if somewhat disjointed book that concentrates more on the thought processes behind going back to the land than on the mechanics of it. At times the use of third person narrative grates, but on the whole it is well worth overlooking these minor quibbles. This is a good starting point for beginning your own journey back to the land, in that you must get your head in the right place to be able to walk the walk, so to speak. The authors give plenty of resources for further investigation of particular topics.

Wonderful Guide for Lifestyle Change

These folks actually did what many of us dream of & re-built their lifestyle based on their own personal beliefs. I was especially interested because of their location in Wisconsin, where I have lots of family & am very aware of what's happening in the agriculture portions of the state. There are plenty of do-able plans for people reading the book to follow to make their own lives more in sync with the needs of the planet without going to the extremes of buying a farm in the country & jumping into the lifestyle headfirst. Our family has instituted many of the suggestions in the book over the past few years, slowly & carefully & have been very pleased with the increased quality of life and the financial savings that have also accrued.

Make your dream a reality - learn from their example!

The best book I've read on building a simpler, more natural life. The instructions in the book are practical, everyday things that you'll need to know to build a new lifestyle. But it also goes beyond the basics that you get in every other book to include community, raising children in this lifestyle, earning money while upholding your values, and much more. The best part is the "sources and resources" sections in each chapter that help you to accomplish your new goals (for instance buying from business that use sustainable resources or are involved in free trade). Anyone interested in trading in the "American Dream" for a real life would find Rural Renaissance to be a valuable resource.