Zoro's Field: My Life in the Appalachian Woods

by Thomas Rain Crowe, Christopher Camuto (Foreword by)

After a long absence from his native southern Appalachians, Thomas Rain Crowe returned to live alone deep in the North Carolina woods. This is Crowe’s chronicle of that time when, for four years, he survived by his own hand without electricity, plumbing, modern-day transportation, or regular income. It is a Walden for today, paced to nature’s rhythms and cycles and filled with a wisdom one gains only through the pursuit of a consciously simple, spiritual, environmentally responsible life.

Crowe made his home in a small cabin he had helped to build years before―at a restless age when he could not have imagined that the place would one day call him back. The cabin sat on what was once the farm of an old mountain man named Zoro Guice. As we absorb Crowe’s sharp observations on southern Appalachian natural history, we also come to know Zoro and the other singular folk who showed Crowe the mountain ways that would see him through those four years.

Crowe writes of many digging a root cellar, being a good listener, gathering wood, living in the moment, tending a mountain garden. He explores profound questions on wilderness, self-sufficiency, urban growth, and ecological overload. Yet we are never burdened by their weight but rather enriched by his thoughtfulness and delighted by his storytelling.

Genres: Memoir, Nature, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

About the author

Thomas Raine Crowe is an American poet and translator. He is Associate Editor of Asheville Poetry Review and the New Native Press in North Carolina.

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since Thoreau's "Walden" is one of my favorite books and being alone in the woods is my favorite place to be, this account of the author's four years of self-sufficiency appealed to me at once. Reading it, I lived as if in a dream, following the rhythms of his days, the changing seasons, the flora and fauna, and the rhythms of the work -- the "real work". I enjoyed the simplicity of the language that mirrored the simplicity of his days and nights. The experience was unselfconsciously framed with literary references to the great poets, writers, naturalists, and philosophers at every turn as well as the myth, lore and ancient knowledge of the American Cherokee Indian and the nearby neighbors Zoro and Mac. The dialog with these last two was peppered with the same authentic words and phrases I remember from my grandmother's mountain dialect. I felt heart-sick at the end with the author's inevitable return to civilization, just as I am heart-sick at the sounds of falling trees and ripping bulldozers at every recent visit to the area, as gentrification and paved roads reach further and further into the southern Appalachians. This book is recommended for those who love "Walden" and for those who have hope for a sustainable future.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this memoir of a year spent "off the grid" very nearby to where I live-- this is a re-read for me. He does a good job in the chapters describing the experience of living alone in the woods and communing with the "nature" all around him. The chapters at the beginning are a little preachy and I just kept thinking, let's get to the good stuff!. He does use humor very effectively -- the episode of the squirrel and the snake in the attic is really funny. We discussed this at my monthly book group this morning and they all agreed that while we all might have some inkling that it would be a really neat thing to live among nature and off the grid like he did -- that is is probably preferable to just experience it vicariously through this book -- it is really hard, back-breaking work, just to have warmth and food and get out of bed every day.

[Ellen Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me forever to finish this because honestly, I kept falling asleep. I stuck with it because hermitude comes naturally to me and I've long wondered how it would be to live alone in the wilderness. I am not really cut out for the self-sufficient part, but the tales of how he managed to do this for 4 years were pretty eye-opening. the way he related to nature and to the mountain people was crucial to his success. The end was quite imaginable to me, too. Not condescending the way lots of stories of city folks going back to nature can be.

[Rick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was expecting a book to celebrate the natural beauty of Appalachia. While parts of this book did that, much emphasis was given to celebrating the author's ability to live off the grid for four years. Self-sufficiency is no easy task and elements of his writings were somewhat interesting, but it came off as a philosophical/political statement which --for me at least--soured the tale.

[Jon Bastoni · Rating 3 out of 5]

“When you look in all obvious places you find no one addressing the most pressing issues of our day:... free trade capitalism” Hahaha this book is comic gold!!

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

More relevant now than ever! Thank you, Thomas Crowe.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most excellent updated version of Thoreau's going into the woods to deliberately. Lots of information about rural living. I learned so much. I read this for the Mainspring book club.

[Damien · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livre très touchant, du vrai bonheur pour les amoureux de la nature

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautifully written. And his cabin is close to me and on land near friends so it all felt relatable and recognizable.

[Brenna Bowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow but fulfilling read for those who are in awe of nature, benefits of solitude and sufficiency and recognize what a special place Western NC is.

[Tim Fuhrman · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I have some issues with Mr. Crowe's brand of spirituality and his negative attitude toward Christianity once you get past that aspect the book is very enjoyable. Great stories about living off the grid in Appalachia, the natural area itself, and the fascinating people who live there. Each chapter ends with a poem he's written on the focus of the chapter. I too fear we are rapidly losing the wonderful flavor that has defined America as these "cultures" and their knowledge are rapidly slipping away and these unique ecosystems become disrupted or destroyed by development. I'm a bit more hopeful as I've seen huge growth in small sustainable farming and a renewed interest in organically grown local foods. It is unfortunate his attitude toward Christianity will likely push believers away from the movement (and unfortunately this book) he seeks to champion rather than looking for ways to include and draw them in. Definitely a recommended read.

[Cynthia Baseman]

The story was a personal fantasy to me -- being able to survive in a cabin on my own skills, with my own two hands and to have the ability to simply live in joy listening to raindrops tapping against tree leaves or observing the personalities of the birds as the author had chosen to do for four years. I read the book before I went to sleep and it was as soothing as a Merlot, each chapter another sip, each poem a kind of buzz...not exciting stuff, but thought-provoking. That's why the end was so powerful. I read and re-read it many times. for 90% of the book, I was lulled into thinking it was a pleasant dream of a story. In the end, 'Zoro's Field' had a much stronger emotional tug than I'd expected.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my favorite forms of writing and on a subject that touches me deep down. I truly enjoyed the parts about the first ale making and the ordeal in the root cellar (reminds you to move slowly and be aware. It’s when you don’t respect your surroundings and lose awareness that they come back and bite you.) Some excellent references to other writers and similar subjects of interest. Planting by the signs p. 65 could be an interesting experiment. Plants grow better with rain water. p. 72 something I have also noticed but thought I might be imaging it. Adapted poem Prayer for the Earth is excellent p.165.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started this book a couple years ago while working on a sermon that I called "Little Cabin in the Woods." Since it turned out not to be so helpful to me, I put it down and then just finished it. Crowe was a modern-day Thoreau in the North Carolina woods in the 1980s (?) and just published an account of his experiences in 2006. He's a good writer with some useful insights. I especially enjoyed the chapter on lightning and dowsing.

[David Holtzclaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mr. Crowe was certainly successful, in my mind, in conveying his rightful place of self sufficiency. I admit to loving these types of backwoods memoirs, & being truly inspired by his tenacity.I cared less for his poetry, & more for the daily musings amidst his mountain homestead.

[Kendylus Roboticus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book redefines what it means to be free and "rich" in life. It's a great introduction to anyone who wants to learn more about becoming independant and getting away from consumerism.

[Jennifer Zenobia-Bass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of Thomas Rain Crowe experience living primitively in Appalachia when you still could. Be warned though, that way of life is no longer possible there.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was eye-opening and a humbling look at a life of blissful solitud.e

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very much like Thoreau's Walden