How to Be a Farmer: An Ancient Guide to Life on the Land
M. D. Usher
(Commentaries by)
Description
A delightful anthology of classical Greek and Roman writings celebrating country living--ranging from a philosophy of compost to hymns to the gods of agriculture
Whether you farm or garden, live in the country or long to move there, or simply enjoy an occasional rural retreat, you will be delighted by this cornucopia of writings about living and working on the land, harvested from the fertile fields of ancient Greek and Roman literature. An inspiring antidote to the digital age, How to Be a Farmer evokes the beauty and bounty of nature with a rich mixture of philosophy, practical advice, history, and humor. Together, these timeless reflections on what the Greeks called boukolika and the Romans res rusticae provide an entertaining and enlightening guide to a more meaningful and sustainable way of life. In fresh translations by classicist and farmer M. D. Usher, with the original texts on facing pages, Hesiod praises the dignity of labor; Plato describes the rustic simplicity of his ideal republic; Varro dedicates a farming manual to his wife, Fundania ("Mrs. Farmer"); and Vergil idealizes farmers as residents of the Golden Age. In other selections, Horace extols the joys of simple living at his cherished country farm; Pliny the Elder explains why all culture stems from agriculture; Columella praises donkeys and tells how to choose a ram or a dog; Musonius Rufus argues that farming is the best livelihood for a philosopher; and there is much more. Proof that farming is ultimately a state of mind we should all cultivate, How to Be a Farmer will charm anyone who loves nature or its fruits.Product Details
Price
$16.95
$15.76
Publisher
Princeton University Press
Publish Date
November 02, 2021
Pages
272
Dimensions
4.7 X 6.9 X 1.2 inches | 0.7 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9780691211749
BISAC Categories:
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About the Author
M. D. Usher is the Lyman-Roberts Professor of Classical Languages and Literature at the University of Vermont, where he is a faculty member in the Environmental and Food Systems Programs and the Department of Geography. He and his wife, Caroline, have been farming for more than twenty years and they built, own, and operate Works & Days Farm, which produces lamb, eggs, and maple syrup in Shoreham, Vermont.
Reviews
This book is a gem.---Jonathan Self, Country Life
I loved the book. I love the Princeton University Press series. I've read a dozen of these now; they're all awesome but I was very excited to see this one.
---Ryan Holiday, Daily Stoic podcast