A profound rumination on the concept
of freedom from the New York Times–bestselling
author of Tribe
Throughout history, humans have been driven by the quest for two cherished
ideals: community and freedom. The two don't coexist easily; we value
individuality and self-reliance yet are utterly dependent on community for our
most basic needs. In this intricately crafted and thought-provoking book,
Sebastian Junger examines the tension that lies at the heart of what it means
to be human.
For much of a year, Junger and three friends—a conflict
photographer and two Afghan war vets—walk the railroad lines of the east coast
of the United States. It is an experiment in personal autonomy, but also in
interdependence. Dodging railroad cops, sleeping under bridges, cooking over
fires and drinking from creeks and rivers, the four men forge a unique reliance
on one another.
In Freedom, Junger weaves his account of this journey
with other topics: primatology and boxing strategy, the history of labour
strikes and Apache renegades, the role of women in resistance movements, and
the brutal reality of life on the Pennsylvania frontier. Written in exquisite,
razor-sharp prose, the result is a powerful examination of the primary desire
that defines us.
