Book Review - The Last American Man by Elizbeth Gilbert

This year one of my resolutions was to read 20 Books in 2020! Here is another Book Review, rated on a scale of 1-5 Stars. Let me know if you’ve read any of these or think you have a good one for me!

The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert

5 STARS

One of my biggest fantasies is running away to the woods, living off the land, building a life among the trees and animals, and never looking back. Eustace Conway has been doing this since he was a child. He knows more about surviving in the wild than almost anyone who has lived in 21st century. In truth, his knowledge is the link we have to our past, when we built our own homes, lived directly with the animals we cared for, and treasured and appreciated nature for the things it gave us. This book is the story of Eustace's obsession with learning from nature, and his never-ending quest to convince others to do the same.

Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love) explains how Conway's unique family background and childhood help shape his nature obsession and his determination for perfectionism. Gilbert draws on her own firsthand memories of spending time with Conway which provide a valuable perspective of such a unique figure. She gives a behind the scenes view of his childhood abuse, the reasons behind his perfectionism, and the relationships he has molded with his family, women, animals, plants, and the earth.

I thankfully chose this book for two reasons - first, because of my love for hiking, camping, traveling, and learning new skills outside (gardening, building, etc.), and second because of my interest in learning about history, modern masculinity and manhood, and the human condition.

When balancing all of these interests, Eustace Conway is the ultimate study piece. Gilbert describes the incredible achievements Conway made from purchasing a 1000 acre preserve in Boone, NC to create a camp and working farm in order to teach people how to live directly off the land, to riding coast to coast on horseback in record time. Calling Conway a larger-than-life figure is an understatement. If you're looking for an interesting memoir, a book about rugged America, or a story to inspire you to pursue what you're passionate about, this is a great fit. Let Conway's dedication to his unique lifestyle be an inspiration.