Folks, This Ain't Normal
A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World
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4.5 • 94 Ratings
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- $2.99
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- $2.99
Publisher Description
From farmer Joel Salatin's point of view, life in the 21st century just ain't normal. In FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impact.
Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as "Virginia's most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture" and profiled in the Academy Award nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the bestselling book The Omnivore's Dilemma, understands what food should be: Wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life. And his message doesn't stop there. From child-rearing, to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller's knack for the revealing anecdote.
Salatin's crucial message and distinctive voice--practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure--make FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL a must-read book.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Salatin, an experienced farmer notable for cameos in Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma and the documentary, Food Inc., contributes a convincing group of essays about the way we fail ourselves and the environment through industrial monoculture farming. Dedicated to producing real food for a local market, much of his written work (he has self-published seven books, including Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal) is concerned with nonsensical government regulations and this book is no exception. Topics range from child-rearing to the importance of herbivores in farming and food cycles; readers will learn more about excrement than they ever cared to know. Perhaps the biggest question threading the collection is one Salatin asks himself: Is this way of living "normal or anachronistic? Most readers will reach mixed conclusions, but likely feel compelled to make a few lifestyle changes following what he preaches his handy bullet points for action at each chapter's end make it easy to try. Liberals and conservatives alike will find things to love and hate from this self-described "Christian libertarian environmentalist capitalist lunatic, but that makes this book all the more fun and challenging.
Customer Reviews
Wonderful & thought provoking
This should be a must read for anyone who eats. Readable and entertaining, but points out many things that even the educated "foodie" probably doesn't know. I enjoyed it and was horrified at the same time.
Find your inner lunatic
I hope that I see a return to "normalcy" in my lifetime. I've found myself doing all the things I told my parents I'd never do: growing a garden, canning foods, raising chickens. I love it. I finally understand why my dad spent hours outside in the back watering trees and plants by hand. Thank you Joe for this book reminding us all what real normal is and I hope someday to be freed from my nursing job be people are healthier be of a global return to normal. Then I can spend more time with my chickens!
Enjoyable perspective on food
I would recommend this title for anyone interested in food.
Joel has a unique point of view that we have forgotten are sense of a normal food supply. If we return to common sense practices, we can return to our normal way of life, which will positively affect our health.