From Maine to Arizona, and back again, Margaret and Karl and their dog, Godfrey, travel across America in search of green pastures, simple tradition, and the perfect goat cheese.
The Year of the Goat
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Hathaway and Schatz were happy living together in New York City—Schatz was Time.com's picture editor, and Hathaway a former manager of Magnolia Bakery. Still, they wondered what sort of people they'd be if they lived in the country, and in this offbeat memoir Hathaway narrates their search. The idea of raising cows wasn't affordable or appealing, but goats were intriguing, especially since their cheeses were so tasty. Before long, the couple decided to leave New York for a yearlong goat odyssey, searching out everything goat that struck their fancy. Starting in New York with a tasting session with maître fromager Max McCalman, they traveled the country visiting goat farms, auctions and shows. While they had a lot to learn—how to milk goats, how to trim their hooves—they were also trying to find a model lifestyle for themselves. Eventually, they realized they wanted a farm with some vegetables and some animals, but not so many that the farm would become a factory. More than anything, they wanted a modest life surrounded by people they loved. Back-to-the-land fantasies aren't new, but Hathaway gives theirs a modern twist by emphasizing terroir, the idea that food is rooted in the land, and of connecting the palate to the place. Local-eating, slow-food activists will find much to chew on here. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Burned out by the rigors of New York City, Hathaway and her boyfriend imagined an agricultural life. Self-described foodies (Hathaway managed Manhattan's famed Magnolia bakery), the couple thought about making goat cheese, and after agonizing about how best to realize their dream, they decided to spend a year researching and visiting goat operations throughout the country. In the Year of the Goat, according to the Chinese zodiac, they quit their jobs and set off, camping along the way. Their travels introduce them to goat conventions and festivals (goat chariot races are the headlining attraction at one), world-renowned chefs and cheese experts, and cheese makers at dairies large and small. Hathaway pokes fun at her naive notions of rural life with a sly humor that nicely balances the naked earnestness of the endeavor. The details of animal husbandry and cheese production will intrigue those interested in food's origins, and many readers, particularly city dwellers, will also be captured by the personal story of a young couple's unusually thoughtful efforts to build a meaningful life together. Engberg, Gillian
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Margaret Hathaway is the author of the memoir The Year of the Goat: 40,000 Miles and the Quest for the Perfect Cheese, the guides Living With Goats: Everything You Need to Know to Raise Your Own Backyard Herd and Food Lovers' Guide to Maine, and the cookbook, the Portland, Maine Chef's Table: Extraordinary Recipes from Casco Bay. A native of Wichita, Kansas, Margaret is a graduate of Wellesley College and a former Fulbright scholar to Tunisia. She worked in book publishing and as a manager of New York City's famed Magnolia Bakery before settling with her husband, Karl Schatz, and their three daughters on Ten Apple Farm, a homestead in southern Maine where they tend dairy goats, assorted poultry, a large garden, and a small orchard.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By L. Torrence
Format:Hardcover
"The Year of the Goat" is a wonderful exploration of the choices available to those of us with education, access to funds, and mobility. As Hathaway crosses the US with her fiancé Karl, a journey about goats and cheese evolves into a journey exploring them and us and ends with the discovery of a common we.
I was deeply touched by Hathaway's thesis that we are not a country of Red vs. Blue; easily categorized, divided, and conquered by corporations and politicians. We are communities of like-minded individuals all willing to share and give a hand when needed. Sure, there is lots of info on goat breeds and cheese, but to me, the core of this story is a celebration of the people who shepherd Margaret and Karl on their journey to find home.
I was deeply touched by Hathaway's thesis that we are not a country of Red vs. Blue; easily categorized, divided, and conquered by corporations and politicians. We are communities of like-minded individuals all willing to share and give a hand when needed. Sure, there is lots of info on goat breeds and cheese, but to me, the core of this story is a celebration of the people who shepherd Margaret and Karl on their journey to find home.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
The Year of the Goat by Margaret Hathaway. The Year of the Goat: 40,000 Miles and the Quest for the Perfect CheeseI have lived a lifetime loving goats. It is nice to read a book written by an author who is captured by their charm as much as I am. This book combines all the recent movements (slow food, sustainability, and thinking locally) that will be our foundation for the future. It is a book that can support people thinking about farming as well as give a new perspective for lifetime farmers. It is a beautiful journey and adventure that we are lucky that Margaret and Karl shared with the world. My it inspire you to grab your dreams and live them, and not be afraid to change your life (It may just answer some questions that will lead to a more peaceful and fulfilling life)
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
My husband and I, and engineer and healthcare provider respectively, have been contemplating the idea of "opting-out", changing to a simpler lifestyle, and trying to live more sustainably on our own. When I picked up Margaret Hathaway's book, I felt like she was embarking on the journey that we have been taking in our minds. Without the means to make such a journey ourselves, I felt like I was able to explore some of the self-questions Margaret and Karl faced. I was also able to gain greater insight into the world of goats and cheesemaking than you can find in the pages of straight "How-To" books. She also visited farms that are close to our current home and to our future homestead (which are 2000 miles apart!). After reading, I feel less "insane" about choosing this lifestyle and ready more than ever for the next step. Thank You, Margaret, for bringing us on your journey.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
A fun read for anyone who lives or dreams of living in the country
I loved this book. Well written, beautifully told story with great insights into the world of Goats. I loved the details and descriptions that I found within this book. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Abra Annes
1.0 out of 5 stars
About Cheese?
If you're looking for a book about dairy goats and cheese, this is NOT what you're looking for. There is very little information about the actual raising of goats or making of... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Word Weaver
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quite Good
Last night I finished "The Year of the Goat" by Margaret Hathaway. Put this one into the I-think-I'm-gonna-be-a-Homesteader-and-raise-goats-and-children sort of book. Read more
Published 22 months ago by Allan Stellar
3.0 out of 5 stars
Dry writing, Rich content.
While the writing can be a bit dry, the content makes it a worth while read. Anyone interested in goats or the people who raise them are sure to learn something here.
Published on March 18, 2011 by C. Benjamin Orcutt
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Most Enjoyable Read
I bought this goat as a gift after seeing a book review of it in the paper. Gift or not I read it before packaging it for giving. Read more
Published on February 11, 2010 by Helen J. Hill
5.0 out of 5 stars
All things goat
For those interested in all things goat, for all those who dream of taking some time for adventure, for those who are planning an escape from suburbia, this highly readable memoir... Read more
Published on December 21, 2009 by J. Krane
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice easy read
I have not completed the book yet, however it is interesting and an easy read. Not "I can't put it down" great, but a good book. Read more
Published on June 29, 2009 by Ronda Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exactly what I was looking for, without knowing it!
I absolutely loved this book. I found it at my local library when I searched "cheese" because I love cheese and wanted to learn more about the process. Read more
Published on April 21, 2009 by Katie T
5.0 out of 5 stars
A delightful story.
I read this book to learn more about goat cheeses (which I have recently grown to love) and not only learned more about them, but about the passion that goes into their production. Read more
Published on September 26, 2008 by L. S. Mabry
4.0 out of 5 stars
Random, but great!
This book was recommended to me from a public library reading list. Although I was initially hesitant to read this book (I have little interest in the production of goat cheese or... Read more
Published on April 17, 2008 by M. J. Philpy
