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Folks, This Ain't Normal: A Farmer's Advice for Happier Hens, Healthier People, and a Better World Audiobook
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(4.00) - 788 listener ratings
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From farmer Joel Salatin's point of view, life in the 21st century just ain't normal. In FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL, he discusses how far removed we are from the simple, sustainable joy that comes from living close to the land and the people we love. Salatin has many thoughts on what normal is and shares practical and philosophical ideas for changing our lives in small ways that have big impact.
Salatin, hailed by the New York Times as "Virginia's most multifaceted agrarian since Thomas Jefferson [and] the high priest of the pasture" and profiled in the Academy Award nominated documentary Food, Inc. and the bestselling book The Omnivore's Dilemma, understands what food should be: Wholesome, seasonal, raised naturally, procured locally, prepared lovingly, and eaten with a profound reverence for the circle of life. And his message doesn't stop there. From child-rearing, to creating quality family time, to respecting the environment, Salatin writes with a wicked sense of humor and true storyteller's knack for the revealing anecdote.
Salatin's crucial message and distinctive voice--practical, provocative, scientific, and down-home philosophical in equal measure--make FOLKS, THIS AIN'T NORMAL a must-read book.
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"If you thought you knew a lot of things about food, food production and government involvement you will find yourself shocked and eyes being further opened upon reading this book. Joel's writing is funny, sarcastic and incredibly informative. I found a few of his blanket statements to be a bit disconcerting and uncomfortable, but overall I LOVED this book!! A definite must read if you are interested in finding out more about the control we have allowed the government to have over our food."
— Rachel (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Whether or not you agree with his contention that we would be better off if the government got out of food regulation, his ideas are compellingly written, fun to read, and well worth pondering.”
— Marion Nestle, Dept. of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, NYU, and author of Food Politics -
“Joel Salatin is a down-to-earth twenty-first-century pioneer, one of those rare contrarian thinkers whose words and work have the power to transform the way a generation thinks. Folks This Ain’t Normal will help seed the new nature movement and inspire people everywhere—especially young people in need of some practical hope. And here’s the bonus: The book is great fun to read. Sacred cows beware.”
— Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principle -
“In his new book, Folks, This Ain’t Normal, the fifty-four-year-old famer-philosopher emerges as a true American throwback: an agrarian libertarian who wants both Food Inc. and Big Government out of his fields…It’s about better food, yes, but what Salatin is really calling for is responsibility: a declaration of independence from corporations and bureaucracy. He wants us to be full citizens of the food system, like the Jeffersonian citizen-farmers who founded the country.”
— Time
Folks, This Ain't Normal Listener Reviews
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" We need to be informed and make decisions for ourselves. Listen to the book or read it and choose the right thing to do because it’s right. "
— Andrea, 2/11/2021 -
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Ben Gauthier, 12/20/2020
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Jewel, 10/6/2016
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" Very interesting and packed with information about supporting a healthier food system, though has the potential to make some folks angry with his blanket statements about groups of people he doesn't approve of. "
— Hether, 2/9/2014 -
" I read this book for the Luther College CSA bookclub. I have to say... it made me think. The author has a political orientation that's quite different from mine. This was perhaps one of the first times that I understood the "other side's perspective". At times the folksy.... "this ain't normal" retort got a little old and over-used. In general though, I found this book to be an intelligent treatise on the state of farming in today's world. Very insightful - I felt like I learned a lot. "
— Jayme, 1/24/2014 -
" LOVED this book. It made me think a lot about food, government, regulations, and basic freedoms. This would be a great book for a discussion group. In fact I feel like this book summarizes many of my feelings of the role of government that I have not been able to express by myself. The author is passionate about what he is writing and is very articulate, crabby, sarcastic, fun, and truthful. Entertaining and informative. "
— Martha, 1/16/2014 -
" This I a fantastic book! I love his style of writing. This book will have you reconnected with your food and you earth in no time. "
— Martha, 1/14/2014 -
" Good book! Everyone who's interested in our food system (and that should be everyone) should read it. Sickening how much our government has control over. Yes he may go off on a few tangents and say some things that seem obvious to some but there are lots of clueless people out there who need to be educated. "
— Jill, 12/29/2013 -
" This book is great and explains multiple scenarios in which we have either unknowingly or by choice veered far outside the bounds of 'normalcy' as it pertains to nature, food, consumerism, ecology, water, etc etc. So challenging and inspiring, that I may just run out and register to vote as a libertarian. Fascinating book. "
— Mark, 12/25/2013 -
" A very interesting read - although I found the author a tad too folksy (to the point of being downright irritating at times), his message is a good one and I will read more of his books. "
— Heather, 11/28/2013 -
" This book should be required reading for everyone who eats! Joel for President... or at the very least head of the US Dept of Ag. :) "
— Laura, 11/26/2013 -
" Interesting, but a bit ranty at times. "
— Therobjohnson, 11/22/2013 -
" This one took me a long time to finish, could only take it in small doses. Lots of interesting food for thought (please forgive the pun)! Could have been condensed into half the pages. "
— Sharon, 9/12/2013 -
" A great book to feed the mind. Joel Salatin never disappoints me! "
— Allison, 9/11/2013 -
" Excellent book on historically normal food systems versus today's industrialized food systems. "
— Joe, 7/10/2013 -
" Folks, I really enjoyed Joel's appearances in the Food Inc. film and the things he had to say about sustainable living. Well here it is in print form and I'm enjoying his rudimentary outlook on life and perhaps maybe, just maybe I'm more of a luddite than I thought. "
— Brian, 6/18/2013 -
" I read the Lunatic Farmer book right before this one, and I must say that there's a LOT of the same stuff in this book. Very disappointing, especially since I got this one autographed live and in-person. :( "
— Karen, 4/28/2013 -
" I absolutely enjoyed this book. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. I took some notes and plan to put some of his ideas into action ASAP. Bold and very real. "
— Camilla, 12/29/2012 -
" I'd give this book 10 stars!!! "
— Kathely, 11/28/2012 -
" This book just makes sense. It really wants me to go back to a simpler time when people actually DID stuff, instead of having things handed to them. Honestly, this book changed my life. "
— Arlene, 10/31/2012 -
" A bit repetitive...not the best writing...but the information and concepts were worth a ponder. I always wonder with these type of books what the "other side" might say...but there is certianly lots of interesting stuff here.... "
— Jennifer, 10/24/2012 -
" Some good point, some crazy points, and some points that sound just too dang expensive to do. Obviously Mr. Salatin is rich with experience and opinions. "
— Rose, 10/23/2012 -
" Very informative. Quite humorous. Theologically challenging. "
— Keith, 5/13/2012 -
" Folks, I really enjoyed Joel's appearances in the Food Inc. film and the things he had to say about sustainable living. Well here it is in print form and I'm enjoying his rudimentary outlook on life and perhaps maybe, just maybe I'm more of a luddite than I thought. "
— Brian, 10/7/2011
About Joel Salatin
Joel Salatin is a third generation family farmer working his land in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley with his wife, Teresa, son Daniel, daughter Rachel, and their families. The Salatin’s Polyface Farm, a multigenerational, organic, pasture-based farm, services more than three thousand families, ten retail outlets, and fifty restaurants through on-farm sales and metropolitan buying clubs. Salatin writes extensively in magazines such as Stockman Grass Farmer, Acres USA, and American Agriculture.