Farming: A Hand Book

Berry tells us in a headnote that hes publisher wanted to reprint this work after a forty-year period, and reprint he does. He says he has done some revision on the verse play "Bringer of Water," but nothing else.Knowing how poets want to have a second chance to "say it right", I might want to check; these poems are as fresh and lively as the morning's milk. Not having an original at hand, I can not compare ; yet I take Berry at his word. By now Wendell Berry's subtle skill is known to most sensitive readers.It's here as he looks at the magic of the farmer as resurrection man, as mad slave to chance and weather and as the temporary warder of land; the man owned more by the land than owner thereof. There is a sense how we pass through nature, leaving subtle traces which may or may not be observed by others but none-the-less are there upon the landscape.Berry looks at the practical labor of farming as in "The Barn" when he captures the sweaty frenzy of onloading hay as a thunderstorm approaches and "rain dashed and drove against the roof," all too common in the days before accurate weather forcasts. His Mad Farmer being contrary -a gift of the farmer and perhaps the reason for farmers' optimism, when told "God is dead!" disagrees since he has seen him fishing in the Kentucky River everyday. In "A Failure" he observes the absence of the wild lillies one spring and provides an explanation in a fashion with overtones of "The Wild Swans at Coole." There is a great deal more here. The lyrical is clearly lyrical, but Berry at times also points to a tree in the woods and says "See?" And if as readers we are open, we do.

My son is in an industry that involves farm products. He is part of the "Slow Foods" movement. I bought this poetry collection because of Wendell Berry's involvement in farming as well as his poems. Joe Salatin, of Polyface Farms who has revolutionized farming, likes his work too. This is a wonderful addition to "The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan. It inspires in a mystical way.

Excellent book. This is actually the first book of Wendell Berry's that I've read (I've since been addicted to his essays and poetry). I really really love the poetry in this book. It's so down to earth (in a very literal sense) yet lofty in its own way. I've been volunteering once a week at a local farm and I always make sure I read a bit of this before I go. It helps put things into perspective and truly gives my farming experience a deeper reality. If that all sounds pretty esoteric, I apologize, because it's not. I've just learned how to appreciate nature around me and all of the work and love that goes into the food I tend to mindlessly purchase and consume. Very enjoyable. Very enlightening.

I have never gone wrong buying a Wendell berry book.

I keep it out for others to read and have had some great remarks about it.

This book was recommended to me by my son. I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more of his work.

I am just discovering Wendell Berry. He speaks to the soul of all stewards of the Earth in profound ways.

Good book