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Grandfather: A Native American's Lifelong Search for Truth and Harmony with Nature
Who is Grandfather? To Tom Brown, Jr. he was an invaluable teacher, one without limits or time, one whose world was an eternity, and whose riches were defined in the beauty of nature. The true identity of Brown's teacher is one of the many great mysteries which unfold in this tribute to the eternal spirit in everyone.
208 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1993
24 people are currently reading
827 people want to read
About the author
Tom Brown Jr.
30 books217 followersTom Brown Jr. was an American naturalist, tracker, survivalist, and author from New Jersey, where he ran the Tom Brown Jr. Tracker School.
In his books, Brown wrote that, from the age of seven, he and his childhood friend Rick were trained in tracking and wilderness survival by Rick's grandfather, "Stalking Wolf" (whom Brown stated was Lipan Apache). Brown wrote that Stalking Wolf died when Brown was 17, and that Rick was killed in an accident in Europe shortly thereafter.
Brown spent the next ten years working odd jobs to support his wilderness adventures. He then set out to find other people in New Jersey who were interested in his experiences. Initially Brown met with little success, but was eventually called on to help locate a crime suspect. Though the case won him national attention, he and authorities in the Ramsey, N.J. area were subsequently sued for 5 million dollars for charging the wrong person. Despite this controversy, he was able to build on this exposure to develop a profession as a full-time tracker, advertising his services for locating lost persons, dangerous animals, and fugitives from the law. According to People magazine, "He stalks men and animals, mostly in New Jersey."
In his books, Brown wrote that, from the age of seven, he and his childhood friend Rick were trained in tracking and wilderness survival by Rick's grandfather, "Stalking Wolf" (whom Brown stated was Lipan Apache). Brown wrote that Stalking Wolf died when Brown was 17, and that Rick was killed in an accident in Europe shortly thereafter.
Brown spent the next ten years working odd jobs to support his wilderness adventures. He then set out to find other people in New Jersey who were interested in his experiences. Initially Brown met with little success, but was eventually called on to help locate a crime suspect. Though the case won him national attention, he and authorities in the Ramsey, N.J. area were subsequently sued for 5 million dollars for charging the wrong person. Despite this controversy, he was able to build on this exposure to develop a profession as a full-time tracker, advertising his services for locating lost persons, dangerous animals, and fugitives from the law. According to People magazine, "He stalks men and animals, mostly in New Jersey."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 18, 2014
"the chasm between being alone and loneliness is deep... To be alone and at peace without being lonely is to know that you are with your best friend... Love of self, without being selfish, will not allow loneliness to exist. Love of self also creates a love for everything else and brings us closer to the sacred oneness."
In appreciation lives love. Love eliminates criticism and seeds acceptance.
In appreciation lives love. Love eliminates criticism and seeds acceptance.
November 2, 2009
i close the little book with a sigh, at once feeling both lost and inspired. grandfather existed only a couple of generations ago but i do not believe there are any men or women so stealth and intelligent to live a life solely by the laws of nature any more. his message gives me hope even while today’s culture desperately searches for reality thru tv. nature still has much to teach, provided there are any souls to listen.
the author, tom brown, has written several definitive field guides and books on tracking in the wild. this is the story of his mentor, a native american man who spent his entire life in a quest for truth and harmony with nature. his travels brought him to the far reaches of north and south america, the desert, the forest, the arctic. his lessons were wrought from the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. he transcended time and physical boundaries.
in one of grandfather’s luminous stories he speaks of our role as caretakers of the earth. we owe our existence to everything we take from the land but need not be parasites. man’s conscious hand in the management of a forest - removing damaged or diseased trees, thinning stands to lessen competition, cleaning waterways – can make the forest more healthy and more perfect than if left alone. I would like to think my discerning pruning and assistance planting is not invasive but welcomed!
as a human sincerely trying to connect to the natural world but hampered by modern conveniences and distractions, his teachings of simplicity and to honor to what is real restore my energy to practice mindful living.
the author, tom brown, has written several definitive field guides and books on tracking in the wild. this is the story of his mentor, a native american man who spent his entire life in a quest for truth and harmony with nature. his travels brought him to the far reaches of north and south america, the desert, the forest, the arctic. his lessons were wrought from the physical, emotional, and spiritual realms. he transcended time and physical boundaries.
in one of grandfather’s luminous stories he speaks of our role as caretakers of the earth. we owe our existence to everything we take from the land but need not be parasites. man’s conscious hand in the management of a forest - removing damaged or diseased trees, thinning stands to lessen competition, cleaning waterways – can make the forest more healthy and more perfect than if left alone. I would like to think my discerning pruning and assistance planting is not invasive but welcomed!
as a human sincerely trying to connect to the natural world but hampered by modern conveniences and distractions, his teachings of simplicity and to honor to what is real restore my energy to practice mindful living.
October 29, 2008
tom brown jr is a fraud
February 21, 2025
Probably one of the most influential books I've ever read.
This is a story about great Native American tracker, teacher, and land caretaker Stalking Wolf (Grandfather), and his journey towards sharing the spirit, survival skills and deep nature connection with others, namely those outside of the indigenous peoples community. The story tells of his inner vision guiding him to share the ways of the native peoples with as many as possible, to anyone who listens, in order to ensure that the ways of a people who lived with the Earth, as children of the land, would live on long after the elders of these ancient tribes had passed on.
Each chapter comes from Tom Brown Jrs point of view, a white man who was taught by Stalking Wolf as a child. He tells of a particular struggle he faced when learning survival with Grandfather and then links this to a story Grandfather told to help with this moral skill. I love the idea of 'Coyote' teaching running like a golden thread throughout the book; where the student is being pushed to make mistakes, to figure out the wrong and right path for themselves, to question the teacher. This is something I've experienced often with my own mentor who was in turn mentored by the descendants of Tom Browns teachings. Its a very effective way of opening the mind to problem solve.
This book is really changing the way I interact with the natural world. I am noticing the alarm calls of birds and identifying the reason for their alarm. I am giving thanks for water, for rain (even though I really don't want to lol) because we are made up of it. It's allowed me to feel all the way back into my own ancestral roots to see where this longing comes from to be outside and share space with the animals and plants, and why it feels so strong.
There were far too many beautiful excerpts in this book to pick out favourites as I would be in danger of copying the whole thing down, but a few that really stood out for me:
The white mans legacy has been adopted now by the global society, a society of people that kills its grandchildren in order to feed its children.
Grandfather, on answering why he never seemed to be affected by the extreme heat or cold of his environment: Because they are real. In a world of cloistered society, where most living and working environments are unreal and sterile, the reality of nature is a welcome relief.
On trees: They were mystical giants that held the wisdom of the ages and could change mens souls.
I borrowed this book from a housemate I'm not really friends with but I thought it best not to steal it so instead I vow to buy this and read many more times. The teachings I'm sure are buried deeper within that initially thought and it would do well to return to them as many times as possible.
This is a story about great Native American tracker, teacher, and land caretaker Stalking Wolf (Grandfather), and his journey towards sharing the spirit, survival skills and deep nature connection with others, namely those outside of the indigenous peoples community. The story tells of his inner vision guiding him to share the ways of the native peoples with as many as possible, to anyone who listens, in order to ensure that the ways of a people who lived with the Earth, as children of the land, would live on long after the elders of these ancient tribes had passed on.
Each chapter comes from Tom Brown Jrs point of view, a white man who was taught by Stalking Wolf as a child. He tells of a particular struggle he faced when learning survival with Grandfather and then links this to a story Grandfather told to help with this moral skill. I love the idea of 'Coyote' teaching running like a golden thread throughout the book; where the student is being pushed to make mistakes, to figure out the wrong and right path for themselves, to question the teacher. This is something I've experienced often with my own mentor who was in turn mentored by the descendants of Tom Browns teachings. Its a very effective way of opening the mind to problem solve.
This book is really changing the way I interact with the natural world. I am noticing the alarm calls of birds and identifying the reason for their alarm. I am giving thanks for water, for rain (even though I really don't want to lol) because we are made up of it. It's allowed me to feel all the way back into my own ancestral roots to see where this longing comes from to be outside and share space with the animals and plants, and why it feels so strong.
There were far too many beautiful excerpts in this book to pick out favourites as I would be in danger of copying the whole thing down, but a few that really stood out for me:
The white mans legacy has been adopted now by the global society, a society of people that kills its grandchildren in order to feed its children.
Grandfather, on answering why he never seemed to be affected by the extreme heat or cold of his environment: Because they are real. In a world of cloistered society, where most living and working environments are unreal and sterile, the reality of nature is a welcome relief.
On trees: They were mystical giants that held the wisdom of the ages and could change mens souls.
I borrowed this book from a housemate I'm not really friends with but I thought it best not to steal it so instead I vow to buy this and read many more times. The teachings I'm sure are buried deeper within that initially thought and it would do well to return to them as many times as possible.
December 12, 2017
Honestly, not the most eloquent or effective writer. What really shines in this book is the clear message that Tom is conveying through the teachings and story telling of Grandfather. Here we have a honest look at a lifestyle and people who were ridiculed and nearly wiped out for their "primitive" and simplistic ways that should have been revered as teachers of a different school of thought. Perhaps if people listened rather than shunned we would have found better ways to live with the Earth rather than pitted ourselves against it as most do today. I think this is an important read to help people understand the need for balance in the world and how building cooperative relationships with all will always be much more productive than creating unnecessary competition.
November 9, 2022
Really interesting read. If half of this book is real it would be incredible and supposedly it all is. Lots of lessons and food for thought on our relationship with the natural world. Also a fascinating and different take on spirituality through a Native American lens.
May 14, 2024
I don’t remember the last time something touched me so deeply. This book has impacted the way I want to live my life and behave and connect. It has even impacted what humanity means to me. I wish we learned this things at home and school :(
June 13, 2020
One of the more inspirational books I’ve ever read! I will reread this book with my wife once we are done reading his book The Search.
April 18, 2022
A re-read from years ago. Still powerful.
January 4, 2023
This book is the story of Tom Browns teacher "Grandfather" such a good read.
January 17, 2015
I enjoyed this book especially the spiritual life and journeys of Grandfather. Although there is no proof that there was such a person quote-
"I read in one discussion that it cannot be proven whether Grandfather or Rick ever existed. No-one has ever met them, it seems, there are no photos, documentary evidence and such like. It was put forward that their names are in fact pseudonyms, to protect their identities, or in the spirit of Indian teachings",
there was still a deep understanding of the way of the tracker and the peace which the old man pursued.
"I read in one discussion that it cannot be proven whether Grandfather or Rick ever existed. No-one has ever met them, it seems, there are no photos, documentary evidence and such like. It was put forward that their names are in fact pseudonyms, to protect their identities, or in the spirit of Indian teachings",
there was still a deep understanding of the way of the tracker and the peace which the old man pursued.
August 17, 2007
Amazing.
Tom Brown is a well-known survivalist who has opened many schools. Starting at the age of 6 he was trained by a Native American man (then in his 80's) who had literally walked the half the Earth (from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, from East coast to West and back).
This book shares pieces of his story, his experiences of living off of the land for most of his life, and his spiritual journey. It made me cry more than once, but it is very beautiful.
Tom Brown is a well-known survivalist who has opened many schools. Starting at the age of 6 he was trained by a Native American man (then in his 80's) who had literally walked the half the Earth (from Alaska to the southern tip of South America, from East coast to West and back).
This book shares pieces of his story, his experiences of living off of the land for most of his life, and his spiritual journey. It made me cry more than once, but it is very beautiful.
August 6, 2008
The best Tom Brown, Jr book there is. I love the depth of the spirituality and the willingness for grandfather to follow wherever the spirit led him. He was going about doing good for those around him while he learned the skills that would make him apart of all substance of the earth. I could do without the first and last chapter though, kind of self aggrandizement. Other than that it teaches what it means to be a caretaker of the earth and to survive with the earth and not against it.
April 10, 2008
I've read nearly everything Tom Brown Jr. has written. In my opinion, this is his best work. It is about the life of his Apache Indian Medicine Man teacher, Grandfather. It follows him from his birth and through many adventures. Whether or not these stories are true it still makes for an excellent read.
January 29, 2009
A journey into the heart and mind of an elder who dedicated his life to wisdom never living in modern culture - walking across the North American continent, with additional travels to Central and South America. To share more would be unfair to the gifts of knowledge imparted by Grandfather and written with love in the words of Tom Brown, Jr.
April 24, 2011
A wonderful touching deeply spiritual book about a Native American born in 1880 who managed to avoid the brain washing of the schools most Indians were forced to attend. He spent sixty years invisible to the white world searching out the truth in all things. Tom Brown is a wonderful writer. I highly recommend all his work.
June 27, 2013
An inspiring perspective on life outside of American consumer culture. Grandfather's perspective is surprisingly "Christian" in the sense that it is Christ-like, and his patience and fortitude are admirable. There is a lot to learn from this book.
January 11, 2025
Shaky writer but no hate, not his profession. Also, grandfather gained all this knowledge through journeys led by spiritual guidance but how’d he get so in touch in the first place?? Mad respect though grandfather is a real one
November 29, 2007
an excellent place to start your tom brown jr adventures...
December 26, 2007
wonderful story telling, eye and heart opening
December 23, 2008
Read this book in college...a book I would like to read again.
April 26, 2009
Would that this was volume one of a series. Grandfather, we hardly knew ye.
March 11, 2010
I love survivalist/nature books and this one was just fine. Nothing extraordinary, but a good read.
January 11, 2011
One of my all time favorites! I didn't want it to end. Great story about finding ones spirit with help from Grandfather.
February 12, 2011
One of the best books I have ever read. Must read!
February 26, 2012
I thought it was a great story.
January 2, 2012
Amazing stories of an older way and skills and connection to the earth. I'd like to learn more.
March 8, 2012
Another great book by one of my idols Tom Brown jr.
May 18, 2013
It effectively tells the spiritual journey that made Stalking Wolf, but also left me wanting to know more of his adventures.
July 9, 2011
An amazing story of a life dedicated to a vision.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews