The Last Farmer: An American Memoir

This book is captivating from beginning to end. I've recommended it to many people--what great character descriptions and such a moving story! Howard Kohn left his family farm for a writing career, and though the theme of this book seems to be change and Kohn details many challenges farmers face today, it's the characters that grab you. His stubborn farmer father is a truly memorable character, but the best part of this book was Kohn's surprising realization near the end that he was actually a lot like his father and that "writing and farming are endeavors of the solitary driven soul, driving against the odds." An inspiring book for memoir writers and local food advocates. A timeless book that will stay on my bookshelf for a long time!

Fantastic! I read it. Sent it to my sister and she and her husband read it. Now, my nephew and niece are reading itand will give it to his mother to read next! This was a bargain. A well-written book! My sister went to school with Howardand his dad's farm was just around the corner from place I own and the place my sister owns. Went over to locate theplace but the buildings seem to be missing-the church is not.

As 3rd generation Michigan farmer, the Last Farmer story brought back many vivid memories of working our 80 acre farm. My brothers and I have not sold our family farm which remains profitable and an enduring legacy to our father.

Family. Heritage. History. Farming. German. Lutheran. Hardships. Reality. Dow Chemical Company. Money. Proliferation. Environment. Ecology. Economy. Life/Death. Choices. Love. Respect. Life. The Last Farmer is the author’s microscopic look back on the life he could have had and the one he chose, and in doing so, saw his life and family with new eyes and appreciation. I liked the no-fairy-tale ending, the Afterward and the Epilogue; the rest of the story.

Kohn writes in a style that drew me in and left me wanting more. This was an honest, open introspection that revealed as much about the community in which he grew up as it did about his father, family and himself. A great read! I enjoyed it very much.

Do not buy this book if it comes from "Quality Bargain Mall" for $0.01 (plus $3.99 shipping)! The story is OK as far as you can get it, BUT after page 96, the pages revert to pages 65-96 ALL OVER AGAIN! The story then picks up again at page 129, so you've missed 30 pages of the story!The binding and condition of this book appear to be original, so it must be from a defectively manufactured batch that someone got ahold of and is selling. Proves again that you get what you pay for!

Excellent book for anyone loving history and farming

Interesting read for us old farm kids