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Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century
Nomadland Surviving America in the TwentyFirst Century Author:Jessica Bruder A revelatory work of in-depth narrative journalism about a new American workforce and a shift away from retirement as we know it.From the beet fields of North Dakota to the wilderness campgrounds of California to an Amazon warehouse in Texas, people who once might have kicked back to enjoy their sunset years are hard at work. Underwater on mortg... more »ages or finding that Social Security comes up short, they?re hitting the road in astonishing numbers, forming a new community of nomads: RV and van-dwelling migrant laborers, or ?workampers.?Building on her groundbreaking Harper?s cover story, ?The End of Retirement,? which brought attention to these formerly settled members of the middle class, Jessica Bruder follows one such RVer, Linda, between physically taxing seasonal jobs and reunions of her new van-dweller family, or ?vanily.? Bruder tells a compelling, eye-opening tale of both the economy?s dark underbelly and the extraordinary resilience, creativity, and hope of these hardworking, quintessential Americans?many of them single women?who have traded rootedness for the dream of a better life. 25 illustrations« less
The book gives accounts of senior adults, now houseless, and how they eke out a living while traveling the US. The Amazon Camper Force accounts really opened my eyes. There but for the grace of God....
Kevin R. (kcrouth) - , reviewed Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century on
modern day nomads
Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First CenturyNomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century by Jessica Bruder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century is an intimate look into a growing group of folks who are houseless rather than homeless. For many different reasons, these folks have decided that their best option is to pare down their physical possessions to just the essentials and hit the road full time. For most of these folks, they found themselves excluded from the system that provides income, food, shelter, and possessions we take for granted. Instead of giving up, they have resiliently redefined their lives, traveling in search of work, and embracing a minimalist lifestyle. The author embeds herself in this story, camping, working, and writing with these folks for several years, in order to go deep beneath a superficiality and passing view of their lives. This is a great work of journalism, and conveys the depth and richness of the lives and family of these modern day nomads. It is concerning as the author explores the changes in our culture that remove life options from these folks. It truth, most of us are just a few unfortunate circumstances from having our options similarly changed. In our hyper-capitalistic culture, we will see this nomadic lifestyle become even more common. I am looking forward to going back to watch the film based on this book again, with clear and fresh context.
I've been waiting to read or listen to this book for awhile.
The narrator is very good and it is a fascinating book to listen to. I hope to watch the film and see if it is as good.
Suzanne J. (09suzij) - 
