What Are People For?: Essays

Some friends had recommended Wendell Berry. I probably should have started with a novel instead of this collection of long rambling essays.

I’ve read many of Wendell Berry’s books, however, I always avoided What Are People For. The main reason for my resistance was because these were the writings for which he was “known.” Also, I had heard that the essays were depressing in that they would make a person feel guilty for what they had not done in life to resist the evils of the world.After finishing the book yesterday, I can speak to both of these points in this review.First, those that came to know Mr. Berry through these essays were indeed blessed, and after reading the collection, it is easy to see why people have been drawn to this work. So, my hipster fears of “I knew Berry before others,” are unfounded, and I’m sorry that I waited so long to read this collection.As far as the mood evoked by these essays, while I did feel like a horrible human being at some moments, I found that overall the writing was both though-provoking and hopeful.Read the rest of my review at:https://readingwritingreacting.wordpress.com/2016/01/02/book-review-what-are-people-for-by-wendell-berry/

Wendell Berry is a national treasure. His contributions are monumental. This collection of essays is especially worthy of reading again and again – insightful brilliance throughout! I especially enjoyed his essay about Ed Abbey (who we lost 25 years ago today) and the piece entitled “Nature as Measure.” There is no better indictment of industrial agriculture and the cultural mindset which seeks only profit.Only Berry could say this: “There is no sense and no sanity in objecting to the desecration of the flag while tolerating and justifying and encouraging as a daily business the desecration of the country for which it stands.” And that was 1989!If you’re a fan of Wendell Berry you know and you nod in agreement. Now, can we spread the word? Berry’s wisdom, which is rooted in the land and his experience working the land, is critical for retaking the moral and political high ground from the corporate destroyers of the land. People are becoming aware and are willing to speak out. Can this tip the balance favorably?We couldn’t do it without Wendell Berry!Kyle Gardner, author, Momentary Threshold

Wendell Berry believes we are more than the money we can cough up at any given moment. What a refreshing thought! And here I thought teaching English rather than working in the industrial or mercantile worlds might be a let-down. Nope. The kids I badgered were right, as least as far as Mr. Berry is concerned. Authenticity, and on a long day without air conditioning, I could be very authentic, was what those kids were looking for. So now I'm authentic and living in a drafty rented house. And writing bad poetry. But I am writing bad poetry. I am not trying to sell anything. Sorry Amazon. Anyhow, for the great majority of us who get the world rolling every day, W. Berry is right on target. Bless him.

Wendell Berry asks deep questions about how people and society can and should exist in the natural world provided by our Creator. He has a vision of a good life where we understand and value our place in the created world, and we work to preserve it. He states that we are living out of balance with nature and need to turn to a more sustainable lifestyle, and he believes that the knowledge of the skilled worker in his own field and the people in each local town must find their way to a sustainable future rather than defer to the theories of the academic or the remedies of government.

I first read Wendell Berry's novel Hannah Coulter. These reviews and essays explain the philosophy and ecology behind the fiction. While not as entertaining as a novel, his prose is very well crafted and a pleasure to read. Berry sometiems comes across as cranky, old-fashioned, or a Luddite (technophobe), but he is in the American grain of Thoreau. He emphasizes the values of community and loving the land and stresses all we have lost in the modern world.

I have read several of Wendell Berry's novels, my favorite being Hannah Coulter, but have never read his essays before. His message in Hannah Coulter is similar to his message in this book, which is for us to think about the meaning of our lives, exactly as the title says. What is important to us and what should be important to us? This is an excellent book that I recommend to everyone. I will be buying several copies of this book for my friends for Christmas and Birthday gifts.

A paradigm shift that takes us back to a time and a way of thinking, and living, that we never should have abandoned. Truth comes through on every page. You can not read this without it challenging how you look at "modern life". In time, history will prove the folly of the last 100 or so years. Our only hope is that we find a way to survive and recover what we have lost.That said, these essays are full of hope and are incredibly funny. I found myself laughing out loud. Wendell Berry is a true national treasure.

Berry argues coherently that people are for work and maintaining the environment. A well argued ecological statement that everyone would benefit from reading. I sympathise with his Christian / Biblical roots, but the arguments stand up well on their own. They just stand up a lot better with a creator God in one's thinking.

For many years I have been a keen reader of Eugene Peterson. Peterson is a big Wendell Berry fan and it was his numerous references to Berry that drew me to this collection of essays. Not disappointed - really enjoyed the variety, tone and earthy wisdom in this book. Warmly recommended.

A brilliant, beautiful, moving book--by the best essayist and wisest person I have ever known.

Always a pleasure.

Slightly odd book but an interesting read