And Love - The Dirty Life - A Memoir of Farming

For those of us who have always thought of leaving the hectic city life + going into love of the land farming, this book will set you straight. Honest + raw, well written, it sets you straight as to the labor of love and incredible amount of hard work that makes a small farm viable. Really a great story, I wish them much success!

Kristin Kimball's book offers a wonderful glimpse into a modern relationship as well as the plight of today's farmer. The ups and downs of her developing love life are coupled with the harsh realities of rural life. The details she offers are as captivating as they are informative. This has quickly become one of my favorite books that I can see myself reading over and over again.

This book was entertaining, educational, made me want to be a farmer and then made me recognize that I haven't the heart that it takes to be one. I loved their compost pile that was so huge they put dead horses in it. Awesome!

This book was very engaging, warm and personal. I felt as though I had known the author through this period of time as she shared her story like a trusted friend. It was wonderfully done and I highly recommend it.

Well written. The writer strives to give an objective and intelligent view of her experience; being her relationship or learning, and falling in love, with farming as a way of life. Yet, one can feel the depth and sincerity of her experience. I lived it through her writing. I appreciated the poetic descriptions of seasonal changes.

I would recommend this book to anybody who has an interest or affinity for getting back to a simpler and more genuine way of life.

This is an outstanding work that details the emotional and physical trails when starting farm. It is a look behind the growing local food movement and gives a glimpse of what it is like to grow our beloved food.

Well written, full of details of growing vegetables and raising animals, being at the mercy of the weather. I also appreciated the references to method of cooking some food items I would never have thought to eat and still might not!

Quick, beautiful story of a beginner farmer. Very vivid visuals and humor from Kimball's experiences. I laughed and I smiled. I would recommend this to anyone interested in starting a farm or to anyone who just enjoys learning about the lifestyle.

Two different worlds collide. It's a love story, a journey about self sufficient living. Caring about what you eat, how its grown and the importance of taking care of the soil. The description of the simple meals they pulled together made my mouth water, which was very unexpected. I highly recommend this book to anyone eh wants to learn more about simple living and eating.

No need to worry about this book being boring, poorly written, or slow. Kimball does a masterful job of dovetailing eloquent, evocative writing with her pragmatic views on farming and life. The chapters flow effortlessly and are rich with beautiful, descriptive writing. There is no doubt her chosen life is harder than is almost imaginable yet her enthusiasm for it, and the rewards of it, carry the day. I was truly disappointed when the book ended, wishing the narrative of her incredible life could keep going on and on.

Two different worlds collide. It's a love story, a journey about self sufficient living. Caring about what you eat, how its grown and the importance of taking care of the soil. The description of the simple meals they pulled together made my mouth water, which was very unexpected. I highly recommend this book to anyone eh wants to learn more about simple living and eating.

No need to worry about this book being boring, poorly written, or slow. Kimball does a masterful job of dovetailing eloquent, evocative writing with her pragmatic views on farming and life. The chapters flow effortlessly and are rich with beautiful, descriptive writing. There is no doubt her chosen life is harder than is almost imaginable yet her enthusiasm for it, and the rewards of it, carry the day. I was truly disappointed when the book ended, wishing the narrative of her incredible life could keep going on and on.

This genre is getting a little full, and the authors tend to be an introspective lot, but I enjoyed this book, particularly when the author described using horses to farm rather than relying on tractors.

Kimball is a deeply gifted writer and this memoir is one of the finest I've ever read. This is is not really a book about farming, although you will learn a lot about this endlessly difficult life. This is more a book about searching for where you belong...and finding it with in unexpected places and unexpected people. THE DIRTY LIFE is a total pleasure to read. I've already bought a half-dozen copies and given them to friends.

I bought this as a gift for my wife. Beautifully written. Moving imagery. You can feel
the cold, taste the amazing food, and swoon at the love of this married couple. I want
to give up the mundane day to day of my own life and follow this rad couple's example.
The author does NOT glorify her life, it's clear the backbreaking work involved in running
their farm...but the simplicity is sublime. BUY THIS BOOK!

Also, fantastic, quick service by the store!

I keep my reviews short and simple. This book contains the unexpected romance, and that's the boring part. It educates you on farming equipment, animals, and manure while invoking laughs and pure entertainment. When Kristin speaks of whipping up an intimate dinner or family feast with the fresh goods of her kitchen, your palate is yearning. Kristin Kimball is completely down to earth and doesn't sugar coat it. Read it!

I enjoyed this book but found the last quarter of the story rushed. Living the rural farming life as the author I really connected to her story and her writing style was a quick read. I would have liked the story to have gone on to detail beyond year 1 how their farm/homestead dreams came to life.

This book is an unusual opportunity to see what operating a small organic farm is really like. I admire these people and the writing is superb. It makes my garden woes trivial but the importance and satisfaction of growing real food all the more important and satisfying.

Very interesting and inspiring book. I am very impressed by the hard work of this couple and farmers in general. I am now looking for a CSA to join and have talked to many friends about this book. I am sharing it with others and they have been inspired to find a CSA as well.