An American Homeplace

by Donald McCaig Narrated by Nelson Runger

Overview

In the early 1960s Donald McCaig left his job at a hot New York advertising agency and his Greenwich Village apartment for a rustic farm in a remote county in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. This is McCaig's story of farming in contemporary America, a timely tribute to a dying way of life.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

In 1971 McCaig ( Nop's Trials ) and his wife left New York City for an abandoned farm in sparsely populated southwestern Virginia. Here he offers an engaging account of his tenure there in an atmosphere not far removed from that of a century ago, as he traces the land's history through its previous owners and mourns the passing of the family farm. Affectionately describing his working dogs, farm animals and wildlife, he gives the grim details of putting down more than 100 diseased sheep at one time. He tells about the local volunteer fire department, explains his duties as precinct captain on Election Day (68 voters) and takes us to the county fair, ``the best four days in Highland County.'' Seeking encouragement in farming, McCaig turns to some notable writerly land stewards--Helen Nearing, Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson and Maury Telleen. Readers who enjoy Noel Perrin's works will applaud this book too. (Aug.)

Library Journal

This collection of writings by the author of Nop's Trials ( LJ 4/1/84) is based on McCaig's personal experiences on his Williamsville, Virginia mountain valley farm. McCaig first provides a brief history of the area, from the time it was explored and settled in the 1700s until he and his wife Anne purchased their farm in 1971. The main portion of his book consists of an assortment of short essays or stories, some previously published, about farming, raising sheep, working with sheep dogs, dealing with neighbors, and day-to-day life in a rural community. McCaig concludes with brief sketches of a few contemporary ``land stewards'': Wendell Berry, Wes Jackson, Helen Nearing, and Maury Telleen, all of whom he has met and obviously admires. McCaig is a good storyteller. His concern for rural America and small family farms is present throughout this entertaining, thoughtful, and often philosophical volume. Heartily recommended for all public and academic libraries.--William H. Wiese, Kansas State Univ. Libs., Manhattan

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170617364
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/25/2011
Edition description:	Unabridged

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