A New Path: To Transcend the Great Forgetting Through Incorporating Ancestral Practices into Contemporary Living

by Arthur Haines

A New Path takes a candid look at the contemporary lifeway of humans in an attempt to reinstate our biological norms--patterns of living that define each species on the planet. Whether one is to discuss a wolf, a caribou, or an eagle, there are features of these animal's lives that define them. Given their unique adaptations, they are tailored, through evolution, to living in a particular way (e.g., a caribou cannot enjoy the diet of a wolf). This book presents the forgotten species' norms of Homo sapiens and explains that when we deviate from these patterns, we experience sickness of various cancer, depression, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, etc. Through combining historical observations of hunter-gatherers, people who were extremely resilient to chronic disease, with modern evidence- based research, A New Path tackles the mythology of improving life through technology.  Then, provides guidance on many important aspects of human health, including diet, water, medicine, awareness, nature immersion, movement, hormesis, community, and ancestral technologies.  Through its unique lens, this book makes a case for loss of health and sovereignty as a result of human domestication and seeks to rekindle people's desire for nature connection and eco-conscientious living.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health, Nature, Philosophy

Paperback

Published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I will refer to it again and again. It is more of a philosophical manifesto than an in depth "how to" book. Consider it a roadmap to all the various rewilding strategies with a clear lens displaying the context for each strategy, past and present. Haines discusses many societal problems broached by more mainstream authors (water quality, reducing footprint, nutrition, sustainability, etc.) - but he always takes the conversation further by getting to the root of the issue and recognizing that a "green" solution that is 10% better for the planet is not a solution at all. He posits that the root of many of our problems is nature divorcement and that if we are ever going to shift from an egocentric lifeway to an ecocentric lifeway, we must let go of the squishy comforts of industry. He also makes it clear how and why we would ultimately be happier and healthier in doing so.
Another difference between Haines and other authors is that with every difficult fact and statistic he doubles down by pointing out that it is our own selfishness that allows these health-eroding structures to persist (rather than making excuses for the reader). The pill is hard to swallow - and it should be, but ultimately I find his message all the more motivating because it is not sugar coated.
One misconception to clear up: Haines is in no way saying that it is beneficial or even possible for every single human to revert to a hunter gatherer lifeway - rather he lays out strategies to incorporate ancestral skills into the modern world. "We can progress in a way that merges the strengths of two, starkly different lifeways. We can have a near zero incidence of cancer (hunter gatherer) with life saving trauma medicine (domesticated human). We can experience fulfilling community and avoid chronic depression (hunter gatherer) and support those people halfway around the globe who are struggling with a natural disaster (domesticated human). We can demonstrate respect for our ecosystems through an eco-conscientious living (hunter gatherer) and have greater scientific understanding of the cosmos (domesticated human). We can have all of this and much more if we are willing to commit to the rewilding path."
These suggestions can be taken along a vast spectrum of commitment - from simply modifying your grocery cart all the way to buying 12 more books, seeking communities of like-minded individuals and slowly shifting the way you engage with the world on every level. I recommend this book to everyone, not just the super crunchy.

[Laurie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

An important work here with no hype. As opposed to much being written about the "inner work" that's now needed if we're to survive as a species, this author offers real solutions and practical steps toward a life more in harmony with our natural world.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, full of information about how we can reclaim skills we have lost in modern living. Inspiring!

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a true treasure to humanity. Our world would be significantly better off if everyone read this book and started living by the principles set out by author, Arthur Haines. It is the ultimate resource/guidebook for human beings who care about the future of humanity and our place on this planet. Each page is densely packed full of helpful insights, information, and truths that other books shy away from. Each section reads well and is presented without sensationalism, selfish motives, and marketing hype. This will be one book that I refer to often as I start my journey. Thank you, Arthur!

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some interesting and progressive (while being ancient) insights in this book. Unfortunately, it’s weighed down by an ignorance and misrepresentation of those who came before us. We don’t need to pretend nature has historically provided a path to absolute health and fulfillment to still learn from our ancestors and find meaningful ways to address our nature deficit.

Overall, it does make some powerful arguments about what we are doing to ourselves, others, the planet- the entire ecosystem we are a part of, and what some solutions might be.

Read critically, there is no panacea here.

[Alex]

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