How to Be a Farmer

An Ancient Guide to Life on the Land

M. D. Usher

$29.99

Hardback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

Princeton University Pres
01 April 2022

Social & political philosophy; Latin

Series: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers

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 idealises 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.

Translated with commentary by: M. D. Usher
Imprint: Princeton University Pres
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 171mm, Width: 114mm,
ISBN: 9780691211749
ISBN 10: 0691211744
Series: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 01 April 2022
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

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 for How to Be a Farmer: An Ancient Guide to Life on the Land

"""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 ""This book is a gem.""---Jonathan Self, Country Life ""[A]n engaging mixture of history, philosophy, [and] poetry. . . . [T]his suitably sturdy volume is small enough to fit easily into the knapsack or the pocket of the hill-walker or the eco-tourist and would give him plenty of food for thought as he eats his ploughman’s lunch.""---John Godwin, Journal of Classics Teaching"