A Horse-Drawn Sickle Bar Cutter: Finding My Road to Felicity

by Robert Merrick Fuller

What if the circumstances you were born into didn’t define your future?

Robert Merrick Fuller grew up in a 150-year-old farmhouse in Ludlow, Massachusetts, where his family ran a struggling dairy delivery business—a way of life that was rapidly fading by the 1950s. Raised in an environment with little emphasis on achievement, he faced early academic failures and an uncertain future. However, he refused to be defined by his beginnings.

Through perseverance, self-discovery, and an unexpected journey into the culinary world, Fuller forged a path to success and lasting happiness—his own Felicity. This book is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of rewriting one’s story. It weaves together history, from his Mayflower ancestor Edward Fuller to the hardworking generations of dairy farmers in his family, ultimately leading to his own pursuit of purpose and fulfillment.

For those who have ever questioned whether they can overcome obstacles and build a life of happiness, this book serves as an inspiring reminder that it is possible.

306 pages, Paperback

Published June 16, 2025

About the author

Robert Merrick Fuller was born in 1946 in Ludlow, Massachusetts, where he grew up on a 150-year-old farm and witnessed his family’s dairy business slowly decline. Despite early struggles in school and being raised in an environment with few expectations for achievement, Fuller found a way to forge his own path. After recognizing that the dairy business wasn’t his future, he pursued his passion for cooking, studying at the Culinary Institute of America. Over the next 40 years, he built a successful career in the culinary world, all while drawing inspiration from his Mayflower ancestry. His story is one of overcoming adversity and finding his own definition of happiness, proving that with resilience, transformation, and a willingness to rewrite one’s story, anything is possible.

Reviews

[Thili · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book written by Robert Merrick Fuller finding his road to felicity talk about humble beginning of his life and how he manage to climb the ladder of success facing different stage of life including the failures he had to faced and the unexpected events in his life along the way. This is not your typical life story type book this guy go on full adventures shares them all here which make you wanna try new things in life. It motivated me a lot in positive ways and I’m thankful for that.
Reading this more felt like he telling stories while we sitting here but then with picture and how he detailed things that are relevant to events and with some pictures he had in the book made this felt like you’re watching a movie specially adventure one that you were enjoying every minute.

There were no magic here he simply talk about his life emotions he felt just like all of us so it’s kinda hit the home because there was so much emotions you feel while reading this book. The writing style manage to capture it so well that I really was sad when I realized I only have few pages to finish but that’s the life.

This book motivated me to try lot of new things that I never thought of. Also made positive view of life and how we should not give up no matter what. He found his felicity so you’ll find yours too. I think if you’re someone who like to read some interesting adventures that revolve around real life people this book is for you.

[Sandile · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book right here is proof that where you start isn’t where you have to stay. Robert Merrick Fuller takes us from an old farmhouse in Ludlow, Massachusetts, to chasing dreams on two wheels, to finding his true groove in the kitchen. It’s not some polished “everything was perfect” story. Fuller grew up in a struggling dairy family, academics weren’t hitting, and the expectations were low. But he flipped the script. He traded milk deliveries and farm chores for culinary school, Michelin level ambition, and a life built on his own terms. Reading this felt like watching someone take an old rusty horse drawn cutter and turn it into a road machine. It’s about legacy, grit, and finding joy even when your beginnings feel like a cage. Fuller weaves in his family history going all the way back to a Mayflower ancestor, but he’s not stuck in the past. He’s proof that you can honour your roots while still planting new seeds.
As someone who’s been on my own grind juggling finance, media, sound engineering, and farming, I get this book. It’s about finding your lane, no matter how late you start driving. This is not just a memoir, it’s a reminder that you can turn your story around. It’s about putting the work in, trusting your vision, and chasing your own version of felicity. Solid 9 out of 10 from me. Would recommend to anyone who’s ever felt stuck at the start line but knows deep down they’re meant for the open road.

[Arshiya Sultana · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the inspiring story of Robert Merrick Fuller, who overcame humble beginnings and early setbacks to forge his own path to success and happiness through perseverance and self-discovery.

He shares his journey from a farm boy to culinary school. I particularly loved chapters 45&46. One thing I related with the author was his love for motorcycles and trips. It was quite an inspiring read. Though it started off a little bumpy for me as I’m new to this genre/style of writing.

Overall, an inspiring and heartwarming read. Recommended for people who want some inspiration.

Thanks to @Booktasters and the author for the e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Usually one chooses to read a memoir of someone famous. Someone they have at least heard of, or someone that has a viewpoint in life that you want to mimic, or learn from. This book was none of those things, and yet, I learned a lot. It began during simpler times, and that was where I found the charm in most of it. I felt as if my own mom or my grandma was reflecting on their own lives. It brought back a lot of good memories of my own, having visited my Papaw’s farm on a regular basis. At first, I thought it would be a great resource for high school students, but then discussion regarding masturbation, first time sex encounters, along with some minor drug usage were mentioned, and I took that thought back. I think these little things only bothered me because I could imagine my grandparent or parents telling these stories, and I would not want to hear any of that from them. It’s one of those “too much information” things. There was a bit of cussing, too, so again, not really a great book for kids.
As an adult though, the book was interesting, and had me googling Eiler Larsen, Noah Webster and the definition of “felicity” (blessing) and “dilettante” (an uncommitted artist). I enjoyed the first person accounts of some historical events, which again, made me wish this was more young adult friendly of a book because it would make an excellent resource for how life was in the mid to late 1900’s. It was an encouraging book on how much life has to offer and all we have to do is look for opportunities, never stop learning, and enjoy the life we have been given. It also reminded me of the saying, “I have learned so much from my mistakes, I think I will keep making them”. Mr. Fuller may not have had a perfect life, but he definitely had an exciting life, and although I don’t think I would have done things the same way, I enjoyed reading about the way he lived out his life.

[Christopher Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robert Fuller has produced a narrative that holds the reader’s interest by offering varied adventures and discoveries, all related in a direct, conversational style, without pretension. It’s a real story and feels like it, told with wit, wisdom and an eye for the telling detail. His guileless raconteur personality offers good company as he shares his journey from Massachusetts “farm boy” to successful Vermont restaurateur. We learn how he explores and grows, how he gained (too much) weight, and used it to spare himself Vietnam, then learned to lose it, learned to cook, and learned to do pottery. He describes his inherited fascination with motorcycles, of his rides across America, of his passions for skiing, hiking, paddling, of living in Jackson Hole and Laguna Beach, and in a tipi. He also shares his search for love, ultimately successful, with sometimes bracing honesty, making it relatable and helpful to those struggling with the same quest, and who doesn’t, at one time or another? It’s compelling material, delivered it with assurance, originality and disarming modesty. A fun read that put a smile on my face!

[Yolisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the first page, I was drawn to the book. It's like Robert himself is reading the book to me. I can hear the tone of his voice, everything. The way he tells his story draws you in and keeps you there. There's not a dull moment anywhere. I appreciate how he started out. There's no way one could have predicted how he would turn out later in life.
Very candid about his 'interesting' mistakes and the improvement thereof.
His felicity came out pretty great.