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By Men or By the Earth
BY MEN OR BY THE EARTH is the story of the corporate lawyer who walked out on a six-figure salary, prestige, and a troubled relationship to walk across America with his dog. Coulson and his dog Mabel fought off bears, grifters, and psychotic drivers. They suffered heat waves, tornado outbreaks, injuries, and near death experiences. They saw the best and the worst of America. This is the brutally honest story of a flawed man struggling to survive in a flawed system and of the unshakeable bond between a man and his dog.
Coulson’s story has been featured in the New York Times, the New York Post, the Des Moines Register, and various other national media. His story and dramatic departure from corporate law deeply touched people across America.
Coulson’s story has been featured in the New York Times, the New York Post, the Des Moines Register, and various other national media. His story and dramatic departure from corporate law deeply touched people across America.
- GenresNonfiction
322 pages, Paperback
First published June 14, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 24, 2012
I wonder if this would be as compelling to a non-lawyer, but I found it really fascinating and honest and Mabel the dog is my new heroine.
June 9, 2019
This was an interesting juxtaposition to the previous "long walk" books I've read, namely Peter Jenkins' "Walk Across America" and Cheryl Strayed's "Wild."
In style, Coulson more closely follows Strayed with narrative switches between The Walk and life leading up to the walk. Perhaps this method serves as a way of explaining why someone would attempt such a long trek, even if the author can't consciously articulate that reason. Additionally, Coulson's walk is more of a thru-hike just like Strayed's walk. He's concerned with weather, not just for immediate safety but for long-term planning because he has to finish in one season. The first part of the walk also parallels Strayed's experience in that they both had a steep learning curve adjusting to life as a long-distance hiker.
However, Strayed hiked an established trail, whereas Coulson walked beside roads for the majority of his walk. This led to a higher amount of interactions with non-hikers (in fact, Coulson seems to have not run across any other hikers west of Ohio aside from the deliberate meet-up with Jenny in Colorado) and a decreased self-reliance in terms supplies. This major difference is what makes Coulson's walk so similar to Jenkins'. They both spend a lot of time walking into towns, attempting to find supplies, and meeting all sorts of people (helpful and hostile). It certainly helps that Coulson seems to share Jenkins' extroverted personality; a definite asset on a walk like this.
Despite being a dangerous endeavor (and Coulson does overcome quite a few dangers) there was never the sense of urgency to this walk as there was with Strayed's. I believe the difference lies mainly in the routes themselves. On the PCT, Strayed had to plot out legs between supply drops. Once she started on a leg it was either proceed or turn around. Tracking her pace and use of supplies was absolutely vital, as in the difference between life and death. On the highways of America, Coulson could wait out bad weather in a hotel, or depend on any number of small towns where supplies could be purchased. West of the Rockies where he would actually encounter a similar lack of supply posts and shelter, Coulson instead had car support. True, a sensible idea, especially since he ended up crossing the deserts of southern Utah, Nevada, and southern California, but it detracted from the sense of urgency.
In the end, it's an admirable feat. You can't take that away. I don't think I would do it the same way (definitely no dog and I'd much prefer hiking across Idaho and Oregon to reach the ocean) but as Coulson says, "You hike your own hike."
In style, Coulson more closely follows Strayed with narrative switches between The Walk and life leading up to the walk. Perhaps this method serves as a way of explaining why someone would attempt such a long trek, even if the author can't consciously articulate that reason. Additionally, Coulson's walk is more of a thru-hike just like Strayed's walk. He's concerned with weather, not just for immediate safety but for long-term planning because he has to finish in one season. The first part of the walk also parallels Strayed's experience in that they both had a steep learning curve adjusting to life as a long-distance hiker.
However, Strayed hiked an established trail, whereas Coulson walked beside roads for the majority of his walk. This led to a higher amount of interactions with non-hikers (in fact, Coulson seems to have not run across any other hikers west of Ohio aside from the deliberate meet-up with Jenny in Colorado) and a decreased self-reliance in terms supplies. This major difference is what makes Coulson's walk so similar to Jenkins'. They both spend a lot of time walking into towns, attempting to find supplies, and meeting all sorts of people (helpful and hostile). It certainly helps that Coulson seems to share Jenkins' extroverted personality; a definite asset on a walk like this.
Despite being a dangerous endeavor (and Coulson does overcome quite a few dangers) there was never the sense of urgency to this walk as there was with Strayed's. I believe the difference lies mainly in the routes themselves. On the PCT, Strayed had to plot out legs between supply drops. Once she started on a leg it was either proceed or turn around. Tracking her pace and use of supplies was absolutely vital, as in the difference between life and death. On the highways of America, Coulson could wait out bad weather in a hotel, or depend on any number of small towns where supplies could be purchased. West of the Rockies where he would actually encounter a similar lack of supply posts and shelter, Coulson instead had car support. True, a sensible idea, especially since he ended up crossing the deserts of southern Utah, Nevada, and southern California, but it detracted from the sense of urgency.
In the end, it's an admirable feat. You can't take that away. I don't think I would do it the same way (definitely no dog and I'd much prefer hiking across Idaho and Oregon to reach the ocean) but as Coulson says, "You hike your own hike."
March 23, 2014
really engaging book about a trek, a life transformation, and why I'd never want to be an attorney.
September 16, 2019
Initially I didn’t care for the format of the book, alternating pre-Walk and post-Walk experiences with the actual Walk. The back and forth seemed distracting but I evolved, enjoying the buildup and decompression aspects more and more. And frankly I wish the book were quite a bit longer. While the minutiae of a cross-country walk might be tiresome to some I’d have enjoyed a day by day recounting. That may be because I’ve day dreamed about doing this myself, also for emotional reasons. Since I’m a senior citizen it is highly unlikely I’ll ever accomplish this but I owe a debt of gratitude to Tyler for enhancing my day dreams and helping me through a difficult time.
September 29, 2017
This is one of the best narratives about a long-distance adventure that I’ve read, and maybe the best that is a self-published work. Tyler Coulson’s narrative of the walk was more substantive and interesting than your average adventurer’s tale. It doesn’t dwell on the mundane mile-by-mile happenings, but the occasions when they are highlighted, they stand out for their poignancy.
It’s also honestly written. For example, he walked many hundreds of miles with one other trans-continental walker. He did not end up enjoying the company of this person very much. (I'm still not entirely sure why he stuck out walking with her for so long, or that his stated reason was good enough for me.) I like his willingness to go there instead of sugarcoating the experience. Not all such adventurers do.
Going in, I didn’t know the author would so heavily incorporate into the entire book his experience in law school and as a professional attorney. Frankly, I have little interest in the subject before or after reading this book. But the back-and-forth organization of the three stories -- the walk, his life in law leading up to the walk, and the post-walk decompression period -- was conducive to breaking up the main story of the trek. It made that story feel less like a slog than if everything were purely chronological. (As a bonus: If you’re a non-lawyer, the insights into the misery that many lawyers seem to endure might make you feel better about your own standing in life.)
Is the tale melodramatic at times? Yes, but it endeared me to the author. Does he talk politics, as another reviewer seemed offended by? At times, yes, but it's not pervasive. Is Coulson (too) hard on himself? I think so, but it appears the hardship of the walk was necessary for Coulson to endure. I can relate to that, and respect it.
It could have benefitted from some more editing, and I have minor quibbles, one being that the reader could have used more reminders about dates and locations, as the timeline jumps around and it's not easy to keep track of time.
All in all, a great work. Nice job, Mr. Coulson!
It’s also honestly written. For example, he walked many hundreds of miles with one other trans-continental walker. He did not end up enjoying the company of this person very much. (I'm still not entirely sure why he stuck out walking with her for so long, or that his stated reason was good enough for me.) I like his willingness to go there instead of sugarcoating the experience. Not all such adventurers do.
Going in, I didn’t know the author would so heavily incorporate into the entire book his experience in law school and as a professional attorney. Frankly, I have little interest in the subject before or after reading this book. But the back-and-forth organization of the three stories -- the walk, his life in law leading up to the walk, and the post-walk decompression period -- was conducive to breaking up the main story of the trek. It made that story feel less like a slog than if everything were purely chronological. (As a bonus: If you’re a non-lawyer, the insights into the misery that many lawyers seem to endure might make you feel better about your own standing in life.)
Is the tale melodramatic at times? Yes, but it endeared me to the author. Does he talk politics, as another reviewer seemed offended by? At times, yes, but it's not pervasive. Is Coulson (too) hard on himself? I think so, but it appears the hardship of the walk was necessary for Coulson to endure. I can relate to that, and respect it.
It could have benefitted from some more editing, and I have minor quibbles, one being that the reader could have used more reminders about dates and locations, as the timeline jumps around and it's not easy to keep track of time.
All in all, a great work. Nice job, Mr. Coulson!
March 25, 2014
Well . . . I can say that I tried with this one. I was loving the story about Tyler and Mabel, was enjoying it very much until the liberalism just kept creeping in there. His views on cap and trade . . . Seriously????? Just cannot understand the liberal way of thinking. So wish he had left the politics out of this book - wasn't needed to make the book really good. Would have loved to enjoy just a book about his adventures with Mabel walking across our beautiful country. Sorry, just could not finish. That decision to not read . . is one of the many freedoms we enjoy in this country. Best wishes to you and future endeavors.
June 7, 2014
This book reminds of Cheryl Strayed's book "Wild" as she also was looking for something in her life and decided to "walk". She also had a pack that was too heavy! I don't know if Tyler found what he was looking for. He tells the story in three different time phases, all mixed together, so sometimes it's a little confusing.
September 5, 2015
Across America
In 2011 the author took a leave of absence from his law firm to travel across America with his dog by his side. He tells of the places he traveled and the people he meets along the way.
In 2011 the author took a leave of absence from his law firm to travel across America with his dog by his side. He tells of the places he traveled and the people he meets along the way.
December 5, 2015
My Head Hurts
I always try to give a book the benefit of the doubt. By that, I mean I'll attempt to figure out what's happening. I made it to page 8 and had to quit. Way to confusing for me.
I always try to give a book the benefit of the doubt. By that, I mean I'll attempt to figure out what's happening. I made it to page 8 and had to quit. Way to confusing for me.
April 27, 2016
A pretty decent story about a disillusioned man, fed up with his job and licking his wounds from a relationship, who takes to the road. Why doesn't he just buy a cat? Then again, why do any of us put ourselves through the crap we do and challenge ourselves beyond our limits?
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews