You Can Go Home Again: Adventures of a Contrary Life (Farming Biography) by Logsdon Gene (1998-10-22) Hardcover

by Gene Logsdon

Gene Logsdon's story embodies both the frustration and longing so many individuals feel as they search for their essential selves and a harmonious life. The measure of his courage--and contrariness--is that he has been successful. In "You Can Go Home Again", he tells readers what has motivated him and what success has meant.

Genres: Nonfiction, Agriculture

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Joy Kidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up on a farm, and freedom from "all bossery" resonates with me, but I'm not quite ready to go that far back home again. The author's uneasy misery with studying for the priesthood and his understandable drowning feeling working for a corporate magazine in the big city were palpable. He found the right wife who would follow his dream to go home, and admits that the "real success of going home anywhere, of making a place a home, is spousal generosity."

I enjoyed learning about a grave with a nest of kildeers on it, the "wonderful silence that embraces a house without electricity," how to make an old-fashioned haystack, and the chapter called The Home Team--about the crazy all weekend softball tournaments.

[Michael Wiggins · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like it, but it was rather difficult for me to get into essays on Gene's Logsdon's experience in Catholic school and seminary. I was first introduced to Logsdon via my mom's home library, where I found "Homesteading: How to Find New Independence on the Land." I loved it, highlighted it, and even tried to put its lessons into practice, however badly. I did learn how to butcher and prepare small farm animals and grow some beans and squash, but I could have just asked Mom about those things.

Still, I admire Logsdon very much, and even though this book of remembrances and experiences didn't live up to my expectations, I will still be on the lookout for some of his more instructional works.

[Kelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some bits were really good and others dragged. Put it down for a long time before finally got around to finishing it.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat an autobiography, this book tells less of the tale of the author himself, and more of the happenings of the places he lived in. While it has some information, this is definitely not a how-to book.

Logsdon takes us to the later years of his childhood, where he is preparing for the priesthood. While he loves to write, farming calls out to him. However, he is slated to be one of the better scholars of the church and is pushed in that direction. That all changes when he has a chance to work on a farm in the service and discovers just what is missing from his life.

The next part details the early years of his marriage and his time spent writing for a farm magazine. While he enjoys the writing, the subjects do not always please him and he finds himself leaning to the smaller publications that cover Organic Farming and sustainable ways to use the land. He also discovers that he enjoys writing books as well.

With the success of some of his books he is able to return "home" and buy some land for a farm. The latter half of the book is located on or near this farm and he outlines greatly the life over the last century in the small towns around the area. He remembers fondly the good times and laments that the towns are slowly dieing now, being replaced by bigger cities.

Logson's writing is wonderful. It has a sense of humor and is greatly descriptive. While he tends to go on quite a bit on certain subjects its like listening to someone tell a story. You may have heard it a thousand times and groan outwardly, but inside you're always excited for the telling. The only part of the book I couldn't really get into was the softball chapter. While its great the community would come together for it, I just tired of reading it after it went on several pages.

You Can Go Home Again
Copyright 1998
204 pages

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gene's life followed a topsy turvy path. A farm boy from Ohio, he studied for the priesthood and failed, though with delight. Fell in love with a beautiful girl, married her. Worked to get a PhD because it was paid for by the government, but didn't complete it because he was offered a job writing for Farm Journal. Lots of starts and stops, when all he really wanted to do was return home to Ohio and farm his own land. He was, by all accounts, a success and he turned his back in it to live the frugal life of a farmer. It was his dream come true, but took until he was in his forties to accomplish.

Gene is funny and his writing is a delight.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really neat book about that feeling of 'home.' It was recommended to me by a friend who grew up on the farm. Some of his insights into the connection with the land weren't quite as clear for me, but what I did gain from the book was the idea that it is ok to long for that feeling of home, and to seek until you find it.

[Kathely · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, BUT there were a few mentions of innapropriate things that could have been ommitted and then I would give it four or five stars...good overall, though

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book about the simple things in life that most of us in modern society have gotten away from. I admire him and his thoughts really resonated with me.

[Go2therock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written, good story. Much of it resonated with me, but I found his spiritual derailment sad. Writes in a way that made him dear to me.