What Are People For?: Essays
What Are People For?: Essays book cover

What Are People For?: Essays

Paperback – May 25, 2010

Price
$7.95
Format
Paperback
Pages
224
Publisher
Counterpoint
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1582434872
Dimensions
5.01 x 0.6 x 8 inches
Weight
7.2 ounces

Description

Praise for Wendell Berry "Wherever we live, however we do so, we desperately need a prophet of responsibility; and although the days of the prophets seem past to many of us, Berry may be the closest to one we have. But, fortunately, he is also a poet of responsibility. He makes one believe that the good life may not only be harder than what we're used to but sweeter as well." — The New York Review of Books "He is . . . the prophetic American voice of our day." — Christian Science Monitor Wendell Berry is the author of fifty books of poetry, fiction, and essays. He was recently awarded the Cleanth Brooks Medal for Lifetime Achievement by the Fellowship of Southern Writers and the Louis Bromfield Society Award. For over forty years he has lived and farmed with his wife, Tanya, in Kentucky.

Features & Highlights

  • Ranging from America’s insatiable consumerism and household economies to literary subjects and America’s attitude toward waste, here Berry gracefully navigates from one topic to the next. He speaks candidly about the ills plaguing America and the growing gap between people and the land. Despite the somber nature of these essays, Berry’s voice and prose provide an underlying sense of faith and hope. He frames his reflections with poetic responsibility, standing up as a firm believer in the power of the human race not only to fix its past mistakes but to build a future that will provide a better life for all.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(165)
★★★★
25%
(69)
★★★
15%
(41)
★★
7%
(19)
-7%
(-19)

Most Helpful Reviews

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A Bit Too Snarky For My Taste

I was quite disappointed. I'm glad Wendell Berry has created a nice life for himself, but somehow the essays made me feel inept and something-or-other, like
unworthy? He obviously doesn't abide fools gladly, and maybe not even half-fools like the rest of us.
6 people found this helpful
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Thought provoking

This is a fine book, but not for everyone. Berry is insightful, direct and powerful, but you must pay attention if you want to understand his story. You must also understand that his views are fixed and may well be different from yours. Even so, you will learn from him. I found much to consider here, and I learned. I am thankful I read this book.
3 people found this helpful
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Barry's Essays

Barry is not only a great poet but a superb writer who conveys his philosophical ideas in a very enjoyable essay form.
2 people found this helpful
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... was the pseudonym of Ned Cobb member of the great Communist Party of Alabama and the Sharecroppers Union which ...

Nate Shaw who Berry writes about , one of the people keep saying they don't know, was the pseudonym of Ned Cobb member of the great Communist Party of Alabama and the Sharecroppers Union which it founded . Long before Brown v Board the Communist Party of the United States was doing remarkable organizing work in the deep south--just so you know. Hs autobiography as taken down by Rosengarten s one of the great books of Ameriican literature as Berry says the Black Faulkner I recommend Berry's book of course but above all All God's Dangers a mighty book --a must read. I also recommend Hammer and Hoe by Robyn Kelly an excellent history of the communist party of alabama an organization no matter what your politics that will inspire great respect.
1 people found this helpful
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Wendell Berry Books

I like ALL of Wendell Berry's writings.
1 people found this helpful
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excellent

wendell berry's essays are fascinating and penetrating. while the quality of the printing is less than stellar, its content more than makes up for that deficit.
1 people found this helpful
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What are people for?

My people tolerance has shifter a lot and I allow how they be around me. I find that Mr. Berry has a 'green' attitude.
1 people found this helpful
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interesting

Interesting book
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Just what I hoped for

It was correctly described and just what I wanted.
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Four Stars

There are really great essays included, I would give 5 stars except that Wendell Berry has better works.