Hard Times in Paradise [Hardcover]

David Colfax (Author), Micki Colfax (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 17, 1992

An account of one family's life in a redwood forest describes how the Colfax's lived without electricity, running water, or a phone, and how they educated their sons, three of whom were accepted to Harvard on full scholarships.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When antiwar activism impeded David Colfax's university teaching career in the early 1970s, he, his wife, Micki, and their young sons moved from the midwest to Boonville, Calif., to start a new life. On 47 uncleared acres of a roadless mountaintop, without running water, phone service or electricity, they built a house and learned to live off the land. Their engaging story of modern pioneering is made all the more remarkable by the self-sufficiency and resourcefulness of the children (one raised sheep; another built up a successful dairy goat herd) who were educated at home. The eldest made national news when he was admitted to Harvard, where two brothers have also since attended, on full scholarships. Today, the homestead--called Shining Moon Ranch--includes gardens and pastures interspersed among its redwoods and firs, and the senior Colfaxes are respected local activists.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

In this account of their radical lifestyle change, the Colfaxes, authors of Homeschooling for Excellence (Mountain House Pr., 1988), describe how they became homesteaders in California during the early 1970s when their antiwar activism derailed David's academic career plans. Familiar with the rigors of farm life, the Colfaxes had no illusions about country life, and the experiences they recount here are strangely reminiscent of early pioneers: lacking electricity, hauling all water by hand, building a house, being dangerously distant from doctors. Because of their isolation, the Colfaxes began homeschooling their sons and were so successful the boys were snapped up by Ivy League schools. An underlying theme of the book is that there a happy ending is not guaranteed. Successful income sources are often fleeting, and reliance on physical labor is adversely affected by their sons' departures for college and David's developing heart trouble. A well-told tale of what it takes truly to live off the land.
- Cheryl Childress, Roanoke Cty. P.L., Va.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 284 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (July 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446514896
• ISBN-13: 978-0446514897
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Homeschooling may not be a panacea, but it's Paradise to us!, March 9, 2000

By 

M. Burnes - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hard Times in Paradise (Hardcover)

When I bought "Hard Times in Paradise" and "Homeschooling For Excellence" in 1988, I was pregnant with my only child. I did not think that a federally controlled, compulsory education was healthy, nor did I think that small children should be removed from their parents' care at such an early age. I was hungry for information that would give me a perspective on what to expect. David and Micki Colfax have done a wonderful job of explaining the hits and misses that comprised the raising of their children outside of the standard educational systems. The long term successes of their sons are enough to inspire any parent. I can't recommend their books enough.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I find myself drawn to this book again and again and again ., March 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Hard Times in Paradise (Hardcover)

David and Micki Colfax have succeeded in doing what some of us would love to do ... return to a lifestyle that while more challenging (physically and mentally) is often more rewarding ... the simple pride of being able to provide for one's self and family; giving to one's children the gift of unrestricted time and energy, taking time to answer their questions and involve them in what you are doing and teaching them that some things in this world are not always fair .... there are other things I could mention but will let you find for yourself. When I find myself needing to step back from the hustle and bustle we know and call life, I return to "Hard Times In Paradise," to be reminded of what's really important.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent first-hand account of the evolution of a homeschoo, June 14, 2000

By 

M. Ransom "writer49090" (MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hard Times in Paradise (Hardcover)

This book is well worth the money, if you want to learn what the Colfax kids really did to become the students that were accepted at Harvard. All the real life learning, hands-on projects that were essential to survival in the CA mountains, and learning to think, improvise and make it work! However, the Colfax's are just as proud of their fourth son, who didn't attend Harvard. Read in conjunction with "Homeschooling for Excellence" you get the whole picture of one way to provide a well-rounded education for your homeschooled kids.