Forty Acres and a Goat: A Memoir

by Will D. Campbell

Describing himself as a “steeple dropout” and a “bootleg preacher” who also works as a “freelance civil rights activist,” Will D. Campbell has earned a notable place among America's favorite storytellers. Detailing his harrowing exploits during the racially charged 1960s as a liberal white man of God, this memoir brilliantly describes Campbell's attempt to live a spiritual life in a time of mistrust, racial intolerance, and violence. Despite such a dire backdrop, Campbell serves as a guide through the events with his patented humor and poignancy. In one instance he notes that black Muslims protected the grand dragon of the KKK in an upstate New York prison, demonstrating the contradictions and strange circumstances that bring people together.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Faith, Southern

281 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

Will Davis Campbell was a Baptist minister, lecturer, and activist.

Reviews

[Lindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was an okay read. Although I appreciated, and was genuinely interested in what the author was trying to say, I did find that it changed topic and focus in a way that caused me to lose focus. Honestly, I began to wonder if I simply wasn't "smart enough" for this book because I could not understand how one section related to the one before and after it or if they actually were related. I finished the book by skimming and stopping to read in detail to sections that looked the most promising.

The disjointed storytelling may come from this being a memoir. I felt the book read as a collection of notes strung together.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific book about the South (USA), the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s, the state of American race relations in the 80's, the top 1% (although that label is never explicitly mentioned), friendship, a goat named Jackson and other animals, Christianity as action and not just talk and kingdom building. Campbell's voice is consistent, powerful, passionate, and humorous. He told great stories. It is a worthy and wonderful read even if it is not always an easy book.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read Will Campbell's other book, Brother to a Butterfly, over 20 years ago. I recalled that I liked it very much. When I came across this copy of his other well-known book I thought I'd give it a try. Perhaps it is time, or life experience, or just the general journey of faith. But this volume just didn't seem to connect. It goes without saying that Campbell had a great history of standing up against injustice, especially when it came to American treatment of African Americans during the Civil Rights era. Yet his Southern story-telling style of writing seemed somewhat disjointed and hard to follow at times. I wondered, quite frequently, what his real point was in telling some of his stories.

I am glad I read the book. It helped me to remember this legendary figure in the American struggle for justice and truth. I just found it difficult to connect at times. Yet, I would never discourage others from reading it, as his story is unique and his work of great importance to humanity and our American story.

[Courtney Mauzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the book does jump around within chapters making Campbell's message sometimes hard to discern, his involvement as a Civil Rights advocate and Christian in action as well as Tennessee 40 acre farmer are inspiring. I never did figure out role of Jackson the goat except as a much loved Campbell family member. His sad conclusion that the Civil Rights movement has failed is certainly debatable. Book was published in 1986 and one of older books I am re-reading from our book shelves.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the read for gaining a very personal experience of what it means to be the church, and what it looked like to be the church during the Civil Rights era.

[Mark Jurgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful memoir by the irreverent Will Campbell of his involvement in the Civil Rights struggles of the last half century.

[Annette Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cecilia's Sin is folded into to this story. I love it.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have we made it? On 1/20/2009 we can celebrate, but then its time to get back to work. This fascinating book provides endless food for thought about the complexity of human relations, and animal for that matter. Will Campbell uses the vehicle of his friendship with a black fellow preacher, T.J.Eaves,as they wrestle in ongoing intense conversations throughout the book about how to end the divide of racial and cultural differences from their chance meeting in the 60's up to the black power movement in the 80's. Their struggle alternated between being humorous and painful and sometimes desperate but it always came from a place of respect and love - and the struggle continues; but celebration wins this week.

[Skipr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will Campbell was an unusual fellow. Preacher without a church. White civil rights activist who befriended and gave communion to Klan members. Poor Mississippi boy with an Ivy League education. In this bittersweet memoir of his involvement in the civil rights movement, he recounts the friendships that meant so much to him and laments how the best intentions of those who have attempted to make things right - both black and white - have not been enough to get to the roots of the problems that still bedevil the relationships between blacks and whites in America. And, somehow, he ties all of this together with the story of his beloved goat, Jackson, who lived with him on his forty acre farm in Tennessee.

[raccoon reader]

I started this book, and shortly in I decided it wasn't the book for me, right now or maybe ever. I didn't like his style of writing and jumping around. I have nearly 300 books at home to be read and so I just decided to return this one to the library and pass on it. I think for someone with more patience than me (right now at least) it might be a good authentic read, but his voice... I just couldn't attach myself to his story through his voice. I'm not going to rate it because that's not fair. Also, I wish I had a shelf that says "Didn't finish" instead of couldn't. Because I do not believe it to be "that" bad, just not the right book for me right now.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Will Campbell experienced the Civil Rights movement in a way that I could not even imagine before reading this book. I wish that we all would get to the place where T. J. and Will could actually be friends. I am very glad I read this book although the ending made me sad.

[Sam]

Recommended by Bill K.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well-written, touching, and instructive memoir of Will Campbell's intensely interesting involvement in the civil rights movement.

[Dan]

"The rich indulge the poor to fight so long as it is among themselves."

This is an important book. This is the story of a man who did as well as a human being might, to be of common cause and fellowship with other humans. This is the story of a failure that, five decades hence from the events, three decades hence from the memoir's publication, we are still aeons away from understanding as a society.

Will Campbell is a man who understood what it meant to put oneself aside to understand the pain and plight of another person. He was rare, and he will be missed.