An unforgettable look at a truly pioneering, but thoroughly modern, American hero.Finalist for the National Book Award 2002In this rousing examination of contemporary American male identity, acclaimed author and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert explores the fascinating true story of Eustace Conway. In 1977, at the age of seventeen, Conway left his family's comfortable suburban home to move to the Appalachian Mountains. For more than two decades he has lived there, making fire with sticks, wearing skins from animals he has trapped, and trying to convince Americans to give up their materialistic lifestyles and return with him back to nature. To Gilbert, Conway's mythical character challenges all our assumptions about what it is to be a modern man in America; he is a symbol of much we feel how our men should be, but rarely are.
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"A very in-depth portrait of a perfectionist naturalistic man full of paradox. He abhors society and yet can't seem stay out of the public spotlight. He accomplishes amazing feats and yet what he wants most (love) is unattainable because of the rigorously high standards he places on himself and others. Also some interested insight on modern american male psychology - the frontier is gone; how are men to focus their primal instincts?" — cynthia (5 out of 5 stars)
"A very in-depth portrait of a perfectionist naturalistic man full of paradox. He abhors society and yet can't seem stay out of the public spotlight. He accomplishes amazing feats and yet what he wants most (love) is unattainable because of the rigorously high standards he places on himself and others. Also some interested insight on modern american male psychology - the frontier is gone; how are men to focus their primal instincts?"
“Wickedly well-written…Without compromising her obvious admiration, Ms. Gilbert presents a warts-and-all portrait of Mr. Conway and a sophisticated understanding of why those warts are only natural…A vigorous, engaging book.”
“Gilbert artfully taps into this unique life to create a fascinating, deeply thought-out, and enthralling narrative.”
“A vivid, nuanced portrait of an endlessly complicated man.”
“The Last American Man relates the riveting story of Conway’s odyssey from a child of affluent parents, to mountain man, to the owner of 1,000 acres of woods and fields in western North Carolina. Gilbert sees in Conway’s life a parable for our time, a way of capturing how our culture is sapping us of all that is vital.”
“There are so many reasons to read this book. Read it for the portrait of a man who isn’t divorced from the land below and the sky above. Read it to watch his youthful ambitions fade into tired gasps. Read it to see how Gilbert gets at her subject without ever stabbing him in the back.”
“Conway is a character almost too good to believe…In Gilbert, he may have found the perfect writer to tell his story…From Conway’s life, Gilbert takes off on delightful tangents about the nature of manhood, the appeal of utopian communities, the history of the frontier, and the lingering myth of the frontiersman. The subject becomes much broader than one man’s life. It’s about what has been lost with progress, and what can be reclaimed.”
“An important book, and well-wrought to boot…Gilbert just plain catches him: It is hard to imagine a deeper, more insightful portrait…Her book is wise and knowing.”
“The finest examination of American masculinity and wilderness since Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild.”
" don't expect to like the main guy in this book.. "
" Eustace Conway as the last frontiersman of the nation. He wields incredible skill and commitment to being a Davy Crockett of this century. A true story, from a great writer and friend of the subject. "
" Good ideals, but questionable motives and personality "
" What an interesting character "
" The book made some good points on how today's man is so out of tune with nature and doing things with his hands. But it also depicts that man is man, and although living in nature and doing things for himself, the battle in his mind and with the people in his life continue. "
" what a gem - great surprise - killer story, so interesting, had to check him out Eustace on google afterwards. he is for real! "
" An interesting read, the story of a true "Mountain Man" who has chosen a life off of the land. Very interesting, though it did seem to drag on in places. "
" very interesting biographical book about a guy who has no hope for american men and lives his life off of the land. Had some good humorous stories in it. "
" It is a great book. The amazing bio of a man that is more natural than most of us know; certainly me. He is an man worth knowing. If not in person by this book. The author is his friend and knows him. READ IT. "
" Funny and thinky, nutty and chewy. "
" This is a wonderful read. A great story about an eccentric yet passionate man. "
" The writing style was fantastic, but I really couldn't empathize with Eustace at all. That made me feel really detached from the stories told. "
" Loving this lesser known book by Elizabeth Gilbert- it's the only book that has ever explained the male psyche to me so completely "
" Eustace is an unlikable person, however Gilbert wants to paint him. Had no desire to finish the book and see where/how he ended up. Enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love immeasurably more! "
" This is my favorite of Gilbert's books. I read it years ago and was completely drawn into this strange man's life. She is a master at describing people, at completely immersing herself in a subject or in a person's story and then telling it in her own voice. "
" Loved the life that a true American man lived, Eustis Conroy sets an example of how life was and brings in elements of what it should be. "
" bored, abandoned it 3/4 of the way through "
" Eccentricity & rugged individualism come at a price. Society will tolerate some very strange characters as long as they stay out of the public eye & don't write too many letters to the editor. "
" Fascinating, hilarious, and a little sad. "
" Well written, however the subject is just flat out nuts. I mean, yeah he is cool and what every boy wants to be. But everyone should grow up. dumpster diving is disgusting. "
" Fascinating story of Eustace Conway!!!! "
" love gilbert... didn't love her main character "
" Eustace has problems, is flawed, greatly, but at the same time is AMAZING. Forget Eat, Pray, Love, it's almost a waste of time, Elizabeth Gilbert outdoes herself with The Last American Man. A must read. "
" Well written, entertaining and presented some great things to question. "
" Very interesting and entertaining autobiography! "
" This is the biography of naturalist/survivalist who lives in the mountains around Boone, NC. It's by the same author as Eat, Pray, Love. "
" This was a great book, a true story, it was excellent. "
" This is a really interesting book about a man who taught himself to survive in the wilds of North Carolina. The psychological profile is fascinating. Gilbert is a fine journalist. "
" This book really touched me. It's about wanting more......... "
" I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Eustace Conway. What an incredible man. If I accomplish one of the things that he has done in his life I would probably be live a pretty satisfied life. He has incredible determination. I learned a lot from him just by reading his book. "
" LOVED it, could hardly put it down! "
" A wild man's look into what it might mean to be a real American man. "
" Eustace Conway is a remarkable man. I wish I had half of his motivation and skill. I have a great deal of respect for him and revere his story and long list of accomplishments. That said, he is a colossal dickhead, and I would not want to be around him. "
" Very interesting story/main character but the writing can be pretentious at times (most of the time really). "
Elizabeth Gilbert is an award-winning American writer of both fiction and nonfiction, named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2008. Her books have been New York Times bestsellers, including the #1 New York Times bestseller list for Committed. Her short story collection, Pilgrims, received the Pushcart Prize and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award, and her novel, Stern Men, was a New York Times Notable Book. Her 2002 book, The Last American Man, was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is best known for her memoir Eat, Pray, Love, which has been published in more than thirty languages and was made into a film.
Patricia Kathryn Kalember is an American actress best known for her role as Georgiana “Georgie” Reed Whitsig in the NBC drama series, Sisters. Kalember also had the leading roles in a number of television films and co-starred in several feature films including Fletch Lives, Signs, The Company Men, and Limitless, as well as recurring roles in the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
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