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Freedom
Freedom | Sebastian Junger
4 posts | 3 read | 1 reading | 1 to read
A profound rumination on the concept of freedom from the New York Timesbestselling author of Tribe Throughout history, humans have been driven by the quest for two cherished ideals: community and freedom. The two dont coexist easily; we value individuality and self-reliance yet are utterly dependent on community for our most basic needs. In this intricately crafted and thought-provoking book, Sebastian Junger examines the tension that lies at the heart of what it means to be human. For much of a year, Junger and three friendsa conflict photographer and two Afghan war vetswalk the railroad lines of the east coast of the United States. It is an experiment in personal autonomy, but also in interdependence. Dodging railroad cops, sleeping under bridges, cooking over fires and drinking from creeks and rivers, the four men forge a unique reliance on one another. In Freedom, Junger weaves his account of this journey with other topics: primatology and boxing strategy, the history of labour strikes and Apache renegades, the role of women in resistance movements, and the brutal reality of life on the Pennsylvania frontier. Written in exquisite, razor-sharp prose, the result is a powerful examination of the primary desire that defines us.
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review
pr.alm
Freedom | Sebastian Junger
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Mehso-so

“For most of human history, freedom had to be at least suffered for, if not died for, and that raised its value to something almost sacred.”

review
swynn
Freedom | Sebastian Junger
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Mehso-so

Author Junger walks the rails (illegally, which is part of the point) in the northeast US, while contemplating freedom, drawing object lessons from history and prehistory. It's short and consistently interesting, but also lacks resolution. I'd have preferred a longer book with clearer conclusions.

swynn Forgot to mention: this is my #BookSpin read for November. @TheAromaofBooks 3y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 3y
34 likes2 comments
blurb
swynn
Freedom | Sebastian Junger
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The #BookSpin fates smile on me this month: a couple of short reads that should be no problem -- although in case #DoubleSpin there are a couple other volumes that must be read first.

Thanks @TheAromaofBooks !

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
19 likes1 comment
review
Megabooks
Freedom | Sebastian Junger
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Panpan

This did not work for me. Junger and a couple of friends decided to walk around the railroads of Pennsylvania because 🤷🏻‍♀️. (I‘m honestly still not sure why.) The he wrote this weird reflection mostly on the American frontier, but he brought in random things like the Irish struggle for freedom (sort of makes sense) and the Mongols (like the Khans) which was more tenuous & strange. He gave a lot of history and facts, but cited few sources. 👎🏻

Megabooks I read the #audiobook, which was blessedly short (3 hours), but there may be citations in an appendix in the physical book for these history bits he goes into. I hope so. Maybe this just went over my head, or I‘m not the target audience. 🤷🏻‍♀️ (edited) 4y
Cinfhen Glad you took one for the NF team 😊🙌🏻😘 4y
Cinfhen If it was over your head, it‘s DEFINITELY NOT FOR ME 😘 4y
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Megabooks @Cinfhen I‘m just not sure I was the target audience. I think it was for other dudes who think camping next to railroads (when you don‘t have to) is edgy and makes you look deep. He just seems like the kind of guy that would “wax philosophical” and mansplain at the bar and then try to take you home. Not impressed. 4y
Cinfhen Hahaha, love your description of Junger 😂😂 4y
TrishB Your description was one I already had in my head too and I haven‘t been near the book! 4y
KathyWheeler @Megabooks This just made me laugh, which, frankly has been hard to do today because I‘m in a pissy mood. 😄 4y
MicheleinPhilly The description alone is a head scratcher. 4y
Megabooks @KathyWheeler so glad I could make your day a smidge better! 4y
Megabooks @Cinfhen @TrishB @MicheleinPhilly it‘s one of the oddest books that never needed to be written! 😂 4y
73 likes10 comments