Customer Reviews

Wendell Berry and the Agrarian Tradition: A Common Grace (American Political Thought (University of Kansas))

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This book is an excellent review of the intellectual traditions that Wendell Berry draws upon in the development of his complex, controversial and elegant social, moral, and political theories. It was particularly useful to me, as a recent and avid reader (devourer) of Berry's essays and as a college student with little knowledge of agrarianism, populism or even the roots of green theory.

Prof. Smith points out the weaknesses in Berry's thought as well, which I think he would agree is the proper way to come to a more robust and implementable set of ideas. However, most of the book is dedicated to extolling and analyzing the beauty, truth, and love in the work of Wendell Berry.

I would greatly recommend this book as an intermediary text - read "What are PEOPLE For" or "The Unsettling of America" first, then read this, then go read the rest of Berry's books. It's well worth your time.

Peace.