The Last American Man

I purchased this book as part of my reading to do exactly what Eustace Conway has done...to live off the land, get off the grid, and use the nature world and the mystery that exists there as a tool for the transformation of myself and others. The disconnect that exists for all of us in this modern world from the source, of our food supply, air, water, spirit, is epidemic. The ramifications are far reaching and profound, as many have demonstrated and described. What The Last American Man explores is the experience of one man to simply say "No." And to make his own way. Liz Gilbert has written a wonderfully touching and inspiring book that explores that "No", with no shielding us from the ramifications of Eustace's choices. I read this book in 2 sittings (LA-Chicago and back), and all I can say is "Amen" and "let's get started!" Eustace says throughout this book "You can do it!" All it takes is courage.

I would recomend "The Last American Man" to someone who wants to go out and live in the wilderness. The aurthor gives a photogenic account of every adventure and every aspect of Eustace Conway's life. Her use of imagery and descriptive vocabulary was immaculate. As I read the descriptions of Turtle Island, I could honestly say I had a vivid picture in my mind of the whole place. There are some parts of the book, in my opinion, that are biased. It is quite apparent to me that she has romantic feelings for Eustace. I think that the "eye-glasses" of love curve away from some of the bad aspects of Eustace. The bias also helped the aurthor by letting the reader look up to Eustace as an American Icon. The novel also gives alot of insight of what people want to believe about a "person from the woods". In numerious situations, the aurthor talks of how people love the first impression of Eustace and don't want to look below the surface and get dissappionted. It is an easy book to read and very enjoyable.

Without a doubt The Last American Man is one of the most interesting books I have ever read. Elizabeth Gilbert makes a good case for Eustace as the last American man, but while doing so she denies him of the title.
At first Gilbert makes Eustace out to be a respectable woodsman with the honorable job of trying to save the superficial materialistic America from its current path and lead it to a more natural existence.
As the book progresses, though, the reader finds that Eustace is arrogant, cold-hearted, and drives anyone seeking his way of life away from him as if they are not capable of or don't deserve it.
Gilbert, though, seems to glorify Eustace in his actions which is somewhat disturbing.
This book is a good easy read. Gilbert offers a peak into the life of a complex, confusing, and yes definitely American man.
Do yourself a favor and read this book.

The lifestyle and ideals of Eustace Conway go against the current of modern life, yet it is the fascination others have with his lifestyle (if not his ideals) that carries him along. Disciples (he calls them apprentices) are as important to his way of living as is Turtle Island, the place in which he lives. This book is about his failures with people as much as his untiring pursuit of union with nature.

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I cannot say enough good things about this book.
On the surface, this is an outstanding biographical account of a man who "left it all" and went to live in the mountains. But the author, Elizabeth Gilbert, manages to include just about every aspect of life in the story. She has put together a story which covers: pursuing impossible challenges, achieving your dreams, parent-child relationships, disfunctional families, male-female relationships, why women desire men that are the opposite of what the women really want and need, alcohol abuse, the eco/back-to-nature movement, and adventures in the great outdoors.
Gilbert accomplishes this by combining her writing skills, life experience, humor, and personal acquaintance with the subject, Eustace Conway. Her style includes a dash of Tom Wolfe and even Hunter S. Thompson. It is an added bonus that she provides a female perspective in an area that is a male domain. What is particularly remarkable is that the story is true, and Gilbert has packed it all into a short work of non-fiction.
Upon reading this work, I was dying to meet Gilbert and Conway, and discuss a million questions and issues with them. I will leave it up to other readers to formulate their own list.

This book is more than the biography of an American eccentric. It allows us to look at our own, peculiarly American, mythologies through the lens of one person's life. Many American men aspire to the kind of skills and challenges that Eustace Conway provides for himself. We have a long tradition of reinventing ourselves by way of trials-by-nature. And we are running up to the end of an oil-based economy that has given many Americans unprecedented freedom and mobility, as well as the luxury of ignoring the limitations imposed by natural systems. It is good that Gilbert, with her gentle sense of humor, has documented Conway's achievements and philosophy for us by way of the durable technology of the written book. It may come in handy in years to come.

The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert was a very interesting piece of literature that I thouroughly enjoyed. I think that at one point in every person,s life they envision what it would be like to leave everything behind and be free in the wild. The Last American Man took you there. At some points in the novel I could actually picture things as if I were there. I saw deer, trees, flowers, and the mountains. Sometimes I even felt the wind or the cold of the snow as if I were there due to the profoundness of imagery.
To those who are free spirited and want to get away from it all I would gladly recommend this book. It takes you to new places and opens you up to new adventures to the point that you can see yourself riding through open pastures or living in a teepee. The book opens you up to new thoughts and ideas about how to live your life. The way Eustace Conway portrays himself makes you want to be like him and unlike him all at the same time.

I first read of Eustace Conway in the newspaper. I went to visit his Turtle Island Preserve in Boone, NC. I bought The Last American man and went to the author book signing at Malaprop's in Asheville and met Eustace for the second time.
I have read this book twice and think Gilbert has done an amazing job. The writing is sharp and witty and sensitive. I read pages aloud to my family on a recent vacation (the mule story) and they roared with laughter vowing to read the book.
Anyone interested in Thoreau or John Muir or Everett Ruess...if you care about the planet, living simply, really following your heart--You MUST read this wonderful book. It is so inspiring because it is true. Eustace Conway is a great example to humanity for his courage to live with integrity but Gilbert also shows his human failings and mirrors everyone's challenges in wishing to find true love. Read it and let it motivate you to live more fully.

Speaking as a man close in age to Eustace, I can only envy him for living his life as he has. In today's society where we tend to judge people by wealth or the material things they accumulate, Eustace proves that these things really have very little significance. To take each day we are given and to learn something new, to notice that which is around us, and to appreciate the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. These are the things that make life worth living.
It was sad to see that toward the end of the book that Eustace too feels tired of trying to make the changes in society that he felt so strongly about in his earlier years. Who knows though, he just may not be through yet.

Gilbert writes that she had "doubts about writing the book" but when someone said "wouldn't you rather make a mistake by doing something than make a mistake by not doing something?" she felt compelled to write Conway's story. And that's the sad part because had she listened to her own doubt she might have postponed writing this book until she became a little older and wiser. Although a gifted writer, I believe it would have been a different story. I can't help but think that because of her focus, Conway will be reluctant to allow another biographer such access. This is a man, who has lived an incredible life, little of which we are privileged to see in this portrayal.
How we like, in certain intellectual circles, to tear down people--to focus only on the defect not the accomplishment, not the journey--not comprehending that life unfolds in its own beauty. Very little, unfortunately, was written about the remarkable accomplishments this man undertook and completed. Traveling down the Mississippi River, hiking across Alaska, scaling cliffs in New Zealand and living with the Navajo of New Mexico, surviving in the wilderness--all are given short shift. Instead the focus of her book is on Conway's troubled relationships with family, later with staff at Turtle Island and through out the book, in great detail, with the women he tried to bond with along the way.
And then there's Gilbert's commentary--about politics, feminism, men's rituals, his family relationships--difficult at times to ascertain fact from tongue--in--cheek, admiration and pure condemnation. A powerful story tells itself--it doesn't need commentary. Let the readers draw their own conclusions. It sometimes felt as if Gilbert needed more pages turned out, thus the commentary--but come on--what a great story to tell, so many more things much more interesting to know . . .
Finally, people notice different things. Some pay more attention to feelings and things, others to nature, logic, art, science. Besides choosing different information to focus on (which often says more about ourselves than others), we also have access to different information. We tend to believe as if we have all the important information there is to know about another, but we don't and so what we choose to focus on is limited by what we see. Age often, but not always, expands what we are capable of seeing. And that's my main problem with this book.
Gilbert was young when she wrote it, most likely struggling with her own relationships, her own identity as a woman and thus the focus of her book. She repeatedly states, for example, that Conway's father was verbally abusive yet writes little concerning two extraordinary attempts of both father and son at reconciliation and yet, isn't this the more poignant story? Did she just have a deadline to meet? (And let me reveal my bias!)
Her portrayal is of a damaged man, not a man in the process of becoming. Becoming what? I don't know but from direct quotes of his conversations with her, a man willing to reflect upon his own life. This could have been a great biography and I'm not stating Gilbert shouldn't have delved into Conway's troubled relationships. I'm simply saying it is only part of the story, filled with commentary when the story could have been presented more powerfully and more simply merely by letting the story tell itself while including the extraordinary with the ordinary.

Eustace Conway is a "one-of-a-kind" man, and this book is a truly fascinating read. More than that, the book's written in a unique way. The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, is a character in this story as well. Although Eustace is in the spotlight, we're very aware of the person casting that light, and she does so with a gift for timing, phrasing, observation and humor. She is not an invisible biographer. Her thoughts and opinions are woven throughout. I'm not used to this style, but I came to love it. Elizabeth is the perfect guide on the "Getting to know Eustace" journey. Sit back and enjoy! And when you're done, follow Eustace's advice, and Get Out and Do!

Whether or not you appreciate Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style, The Last American Man will have a lasting effect on you. His accomplishments, his inadequacies, but most of all, his admonishments:
His accomplishments are no joke - he has completed more physical feats than I ever hope to do. He pushes himself to achieve and be as disciplined as possible.
I believe a large reason why it had such a powerful effect on me was because Gilbert portrays Eustace as a human character. Folk heroes and legends are awe-inspiring, but not actually inspiring. You need someone to which you can actually relate in order to be affected.
The message contained in this book will keep you awake at night thinking, as well as awaken you in the daytime by raising your level of attention.
The writing style is the only controversial part of this book - the readers seem split. Fellow readers either hate the style or love it. There is very little gray area. However, Gilbert does, in my opinion, a great job acting as a impartial author with an occasional slip-up, giving us insight. And biographers should do so; otherwise, it's just a novel, fiction.
Overall, the best biography I have ever read. So if that is your genre of choice - pick this up and turn some pages.

This man is sick. Haven't googled him to check, but I hope he never has children. From the way he treats his girlfriends and interns, there is no doubt in my mind that he would abuse them as he was abused by his father. And I'm no psychologist.

Loved Gilbert's "Eat, Love, Pray" and "Committed," but her newest book "Signature.." Is fiction, which doesn't appeal to me. So, I ordered this one and a couple more. ("Pilgrims" and "Stern Men). Think I need a break from her writing before I tackle them. I was disappointed with the content - not her writing. A better title would be The Last Pathetic American Man!

Some years ago I read a magazine article about Eustace Conway and found his story captivating. Thus I was eager to read this book when I learned of its publication. I won't summarize his life - the Reviews above do so sufficiently to capture almost anyone's interest - but let me urge others who post reviews to remember you are reviewing the book, not Eustace Conway. I'd give him 5 stars - or 10 - for many qualties, but surely not for his troubled personal relationships. But Elizabeth Gilbert has done a wonderful - definitely 5 star - job in telling his story. She knows him very well (and clearly likes him), has talked at length with a great many of his friends and with his parents and siblings, and she loves the lifestyle ideal he seeks to propagate. She also writes in a wonderfully engaging, personal style. I can't imagine anyone who reads the first couple of pages not being totally hooked.

Eustace Conway, a man who had a dream, and fulfilled it, never forgetting his love and respect for the Earth. Not to mention, this book was written by an amazing author and woman, Elizabeth Gilbert.

I have read this book a few times, because the story is truly inspiring. The account of Eustace's dreams/life is written as if the reader is the one experiencing his journey with him, and not through the pages.

Recommend this book to all nature lover's, who strive to make their own dreams of living off the land, in respect, come true.

I would not reccomend this book to a friend. I hought the book lagged on about one topic because Eustace was so full of himself. The thing I liked least about this book was the chapters kept going on and on about nothing-it wasn't even full of good detail. I hated the way Eustace treated others and how he held himslef (better than others). The book dragged on about boring topics-and that made Eustace look even more crazy. The only valueable thing I learned was no matter how long you are out in the woods-you still won't necessaril find yourself. Being isolated is not always the best thing. The writers style was very one sided b/c she was obsessed with Eustace. She would always compliment him and stay on his side-she seemed to understand and accept his bad attitude and rude treatment towards others. But she did give a good background about Eustace even thoughit was one sided. She seemed totally obsessed with him. If I had the choice to stop in the middle of the book, I would have-but actually some of the stories Eustace told were interesting, but otherwise he bored me-b/c what else can he do in the woods besides trying to survive?

Ms Gilbert has provided an honest and raw study of a man of great talent and strengths, yet struggling to find his place in a world he is at odds with. With an honest account such as this one cannot hold Mr Conways obvious faults against him as he does what any wise person would and fully opens himself up for examination.
The structure and prose was excellent. The only thing I felt was wrong with this book was the ethnocentric viewpoint. Why could Ms Gilbert not have framed Mr Conway as simply a man and not an American man. Sure, his country of origin is part of the story but not such an important part as to warrant the title given to the book.
That said, this is the first book I have read in years that I wanted to reread right away.

My husband requested this for Father's Day. I read a few pages and was hooked! Eustace Conway is a fascinating and complex individual! Narcissistic, yeah...somewhat of a control freak...sure but, anyone who lives with such passion always gets my vote! He walks his talk and isn't that a breath of fresh air!!
I love Elizabeth's writing style. Also like her sense of humor! She shares the good and the bad about Eustace. Yes, he is a hero to many but to others just a pain in the you know what! This is what makes him all the more interesting! I would highly suggest running out and reading this! I hear there is a movie in the making...will be fascinating to see who gets the lead part!

I was surprised by the number of bad reviews of this book. Perhaps they had more to do with not liking Eustace Conway than with Elizabeth Gilbert's book about Eustace Conway. The writing is good and I found the portrayal of Eustace to be very interesting and thought provoking. A good read.

Well written about a very interesting individual, no doubt. The challenge for me is in that the author has lost her journalistic integrity. She is hanging out with both him and his family. I think she is his biggest fan...

Elizabeth Gilbert's The Last American Man was a very enjoyable book to read. Eustace Conway was a very unique individual and his journey from childhood to adulthood kept me wanting to read more. The best thing I liked about the book was it gave a clear picture of the life of Eustace. Often times reading it I felt as if I was there as he was growing up. The least favorite part of the book was the author making it seem as if Eustace Conway was this perfect person who never made mistakes. Not one time in the book was Eustace compared to his father. Eustace treated women the same way his father treated him. The author made it seem as if it was the woman's fault for not being intelligent enough to survive in the wilderness with Eustace. Reading this book made me realize that I have become too dependent on technology instead of natural resources. Americans have forgotten that we can do things for ourselves. Toward the end of the book the author let her feelings come out about the way she felt for Eustace. After reading the first few chapters, I would have kept reading because I enjoyed the life lessons The Last American Man had to offer.

Elizabeth Gilbert's book is an interesting look at a primitive lifestyle. Eustace Conway, the main character, belongs in another time, he is frustrated with modern American culture and feels it is his responsiblity to return people back to a more "natural" lifestyle. Gilbert got very close to the entire dysfunctional Conway family, possibly too close. Though she was given candid interviews from his close friends and family, throughout the book, the story is tainted with her obvious admiration, if not attraction. The overall book was entertaining but in some parts unrealistic and biased.

This review comes 15 years after the book was published. In this time of angst about the decline of the American working man, I thought the message of one man achieving some classic image of manhood might shed insight on the yearnings of today. Of course this review has the benefit of 15 years of social/political awareness that wasn't present when Gilbert wrote about Conway.

While Conway seems to be an upright, moral, strong and self-reliant man, he benefits from something - charm? good white looks? brilliance? perfectly balanced testosterone? - that is not carried by most people. Regardless of how "real" they are, most people's social dynamic cannot command an audience of teenagers without effort. Nor would they be able to introduce themselves to a college professor, minutes before the first class, and persuade her to change her plan to allow him to demonstrate skinning the roadkill he picked up on his way to class (as if he knew the content of the class before she taught it and could really help this female Harvard grad). And while the brothers' free-spirited horseback ride across the country shows tenacity and proves the good-will of many people, one wonders if a couple young black men on horses in public space would have been as well received.

There is certainly nothing wrong with the good work and whimsy of Eustace Conway. His environmental work, earth literacy and commitment to inner strength leave better those whom he encounters. However, Conway does not represent the American man. He has had his challenges, but his life is a charmed one. That acknowledgement is missing from this writing.

Interesting story badly told. Gilbert has done better though I credit the honesty she put forth her writing slipped from great to nearly unreadable as she dragged on for pages about 60's utopian visions or skimmed names of numerous of Conway's women. Gilbert made broad sweeping assumptions on things she seems to have no authority and wrote her voice, not just her character so deeply into the story that it was invasive. This was distracting, and dissapointing because she is a far better writer than this work reflects and the story deserved great depth.

I would strongly recommend this book to others. It is a compelling tale of the trials and tribulations of the modern day "Frontier Man". I liked studying Eustace Conway's relationships with women. I found it ironic that he treats women in the same manner that his father treats him. The writer's approach was excellent because she actually knows Eustace Conway. Yet, she doesn't tell the story with any bias; we see Eustace at his worst through most of the story. I learned that it is almost impossible to totally live off of the land. Eustace Conway is pretty much a hypocrite, but in some ways I think he knows it.

While I really love Elizabeth Gilbert a writer And I thoroughly admire the dream of this man, this story really disappointed. Well I recognize that this man is an amazing man capable of amazing things, it's still not okay to do it by abusing and controlling everyone around you. Thanks to Elizabeth Gilbert now we know who taught it to him. Interesting book not an interesting man.

I absolutly loved Eat, Pray, Love and wanted to read another of Ms. Gilberts books and this interested me. I am hoping that those who read this book do not think Mr. Conway is one of the Last American Males. While his visions, perserverance, and committment are incredibly worth noting and remarkable, his personal relationship as a male are not what myself or any other woman I know would look for in a man. Nor anyone looking for a supervisor nor most men looking for a friendship. I found the book incredibly repetitive....once you read the first half, the second half simply repeated the first half in regards to his relationships with women, his father, his brothers, his apprentices....his ongoing dissappointments with most people on this earth.
I found particularly the last half of the book boring and I skipped over many paragraphs as there was no new information in them. While I very much appreciated Mr. Conways awareness that he was unable to retain long lasting relationships, it was dissappointing to me that the book lured you into this possibility and then there was no personal movement forward. Mr Conway belongs alone in the wilderness where he is most happy, relating to the animals and nature. There is nothing wrong with that at all, it is to be admired. However, to suggest that this is a man whom we all should admire and wish our men today could follow suit is frankly, ridiculous.

Read within these pages the effects of extreme mental and emotional abuse upon a child and the way it plays out as an adult. Eustace is a broken human. His unfortunate treatment at the hands of his father seriously crippled him. People who have suffered like Eustace are often over-achieving, perfectionists; unable to maintain relations with others; either oblivious to the needs of others or slavishly catering to the whims of others and they almost always come to closley resemble the abuser.
Big Eustace was a denizen of the office and the classroom- liked to write out long equations and ramble on to hear the sound of his own voice, so little Eustace subcociously chose a path 180 degrees away from father and becomes a creature of the forest but ended up rambling in his classroom just the same, just a different subject.
To me this was an eminently sad tale of a boy going to any length for father's notice and approval. Neither of which came at least by the conclusion of this book.
Eutace-walk away.

To me this was an interesting story in the beginning. The ideas and goals were admirable but after a while you realize that this is a man very self-centered and often hippo critical. If someone could reach the goals this person set for himself and others, it would be truly admirable.

I really enjoyed the book. The author clearly does not attempt to distance herself from the subject, but she lets us see all (including the darker) sides of his personality. It is not written in the usual dry biographical style, but I think that her style fits the subject.

This book was lent to me to read because my boyfriend at the time was a Grizzly Adams wannabe. While Eustace Conway is indeed a unique individual, he has some SERIOUS issues with people. He does fine by himself and in public arenas as a self-promoting one-man-save-the-Earth propaganda mill, but he is incapable of having a two way relationship with other humans, the author being one of them. She worships him, obviously, but he doesn't seem to notice or reciprocate. Don't get me wrong. He seems like a nice guy and he indeed is fascinating, but I don't think the last American man would run off every woman he ever loved.
In terms of writing itself, I put it down several times in disgust. The woman seems desperate in her writing and descriptions. I couldn't sit and read it all at once, even though I wanted to. I was truly interested in the story, but, as it had been adequately described to me before I picked it up, I discovered it truly was metaphorical fellatio to a man who didn't care about anyone other than himself. I understand she is a journalist, but she shouldn't carry her journalistic style into a novel. It didn't work and I finished the book thinking "wow, that was a good story, but I can't stand this chic who wrote it." I gave it 3 stars based solely on the stories within. It isn't a horrible book if you can bear to sit through the syrupy homage the author pays to Mr. Conway.

A very enjoyable read. Should be required reading for high school students (who lead such insulated lives). It is refreshing to read. Makes me want to read my Foxfire books and learn more of the old ways of doing things that got us in touch with the outdoors and to feel fully alive, to be fully self sufficient.

This book was very fascinating and interesting. I found a lot of enjoyment in reading it. Eustace Conway is a very unique individual. He has had many trials and tribulations. His childhood was extremely horrible. His father never acknowledged any of his accomplishments. This had to be very hard.I also feel that the author's voice was interesting. However, I feel that the author had feelings for Eustace. This book is not one that I would recommend for anyone under the age of 18. It had a lot of profane language. Overall, this book is one that I found pleasure in reading.

If Eustace Conway were the last American man, then fare thee well.

The man described by Ms Gilbert does not actually live primitively. Nor does he treat his animals (or wildlife) with respect. Nor does he show any compassion for his 'apprentices'. Even his primary expectation of his women is that they be beautiful.

Ms Gilbert writes that Conway lives 'mindfully', suggesting some Zen-like awareness on his part. Yet every novice zazen practitioner realizes the connection between true mindfulness and compassion. Ms Gilbert draws a portrait of a man without compassion.

Rather, he is pictured as a man of uncommon cruelty to both humans and others, a self-serving, self-promoting, self-described 'tortured' soul (lacking in paternal love). Oh, poor little unloved Eustace. He treats women with no respect and whines when they leave him. He experiences the AT by running across it as quickly as possible, leaving even his 'love' to catch him at camp late in the evenings. He runs horses to extremes for his own fun and because "that's what they are made for."

The first challenge in reading this book is to look past Ms Gilbert's own infatuation with her subject, and to ignore her comparisons of Conway to actual American pioneers like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett. While she correctly recognizes the self-promotions of those men, she overlooks the thousands of others who moved west, pioneering, living 'primitively' because that's what it took, thousands who actually subsisted on their work's rewards, without self-promotion, without abusive relationships, without whining about daddy-love.

The ancestors of many of us, ancestors who struggled on the edges of a migrating population and diminishing wilderness, would not recognize Eustace Conway as one of their own. His own ego would have separated him from the serious business at-hand for those determined to be productive survivors.

All-in-all, The Last American Man is a mis-titled volume as emotionally unbalanced in its writing as its subject is in his living.

Read John Muir instead. Or just go sit under a tree.

I have purchased approx. 10 copies of this book-- I find it entertaining, amusing and cannot decide if I liked this man at the end or not. As I live in North Carolina; not far from the subject- guests often think it would be fun to meet him and see how he as aged. Great gift book for -mostly the men in ones life.

Conway's story is interesting and controversial. I, however, cannot stand the way it was written. Gilbert shows major bias in every story about how AMAZING Conway is. It reminds me of when my Grandma talks about me. It is interesting that in one of the reviews Gilbert is compared to Krakuer--there is no comparison. Krakuer tells a truthful story from a neutral bias. Nowhere in Into the Wild does he say McCandless is "what every American man wants to be". Krakuer lets you make that decision on your own. Further, Conway is not what I want to be--out of touch and unrealistic. I wish Krakuer had written this book so I could at least enjoy the story, not be frustrated with the author for ruining it.

I really enjoyed the book. The author clearly does not attempt to distance herself from the subject, but she lets us see all (including the darker) sides of his personality. It is not written in the usual dry biographical style, but I think that her style fits the subject.

This book was lent to me to read because my boyfriend at the time was a Grizzly Adams wannabe. While Eustace Conway is indeed a unique individual, he has some SERIOUS issues with people. He does fine by himself and in public arenas as a self-promoting one-man-save-the-Earth propaganda mill, but he is incapable of having a two way relationship with other humans, the author being one of them. She worships him, obviously, but he doesn't seem to notice or reciprocate. Don't get me wrong. He seems like a nice guy and he indeed is fascinating, but I don't think the last American man would run off every woman he ever loved.
In terms of writing itself, I put it down several times in disgust. The woman seems desperate in her writing and descriptions. I couldn't sit and read it all at once, even though I wanted to. I was truly interested in the story, but, as it had been adequately described to me before I picked it up, I discovered it truly was metaphorical fellatio to a man who didn't care about anyone other than himself. I understand she is a journalist, but she shouldn't carry her journalistic style into a novel. It didn't work and I finished the book thinking "wow, that was a good story, but I can't stand this chic who wrote it." I gave it 3 stars based solely on the stories within. It isn't a horrible book if you can bear to sit through the syrupy homage the author pays to Mr. Conway.

A very enjoyable read. Should be required reading for high school students (who lead such insulated lives). It is refreshing to read. Makes me want to read my Foxfire books and learn more of the old ways of doing things that got us in touch with the outdoors and to feel fully alive, to be fully self sufficient.

This book was very fascinating and interesting. I found a lot of enjoyment in reading it. Eustace Conway is a very unique individual. He has had many trials and tribulations. His childhood was extremely horrible. His father never acknowledged any of his accomplishments. This had to be very hard.I also feel that the author's voice was interesting. However, I feel that the author had feelings for Eustace. This book is not one that I would recommend for anyone under the age of 18. It had a lot of profane language. Overall, this book is one that I found pleasure in reading.

If Eustace Conway were the last American man, then fare thee well.

The man described by Ms Gilbert does not actually live primitively. Nor does he treat his animals (or wildlife) with respect. Nor does he show any compassion for his 'apprentices'. Even his primary expectation of his women is that they be beautiful.

Ms Gilbert writes that Conway lives 'mindfully', suggesting some Zen-like awareness on his part. Yet every novice zazen practitioner realizes the connection between true mindfulness and compassion. Ms Gilbert draws a portrait of a man without compassion.

Rather, he is pictured as a man of uncommon cruelty to both humans and others, a self-serving, self-promoting, self-described 'tortured' soul (lacking in paternal love). Oh, poor little unloved Eustace. He treats women with no respect and whines when they leave him. He experiences the AT by running across it as quickly as possible, leaving even his 'love' to catch him at camp late in the evenings. He runs horses to extremes for his own fun and because "that's what they are made for."

The first challenge in reading this book is to look past Ms Gilbert's own infatuation with her subject, and to ignore her comparisons of Conway to actual American pioneers like Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett. While she correctly recognizes the self-promotions of those men, she overlooks the thousands of others who moved west, pioneering, living 'primitively' because that's what it took, thousands who actually subsisted on their work's rewards, without self-promotion, without abusive relationships, without whining about daddy-love.

The ancestors of many of us, ancestors who struggled on the edges of a migrating population and diminishing wilderness, would not recognize Eustace Conway as one of their own. His own ego would have separated him from the serious business at-hand for those determined to be productive survivors.

All-in-all, The Last American Man is a mis-titled volume as emotionally unbalanced in its writing as its subject is in his living.

Read John Muir instead. Or just go sit under a tree.

I have purchased approx. 10 copies of this book-- I find it entertaining, amusing and cannot decide if I liked this man at the end or not. As I live in North Carolina; not far from the subject- guests often think it would be fun to meet him and see how he as aged. Great gift book for -mostly the men in ones life.

Conway's story is interesting and controversial. I, however, cannot stand the way it was written. Gilbert shows major bias in every story about how AMAZING Conway is. It reminds me of when my Grandma talks about me. It is interesting that in one of the reviews Gilbert is compared to Krakuer--there is no comparison. Krakuer tells a truthful story from a neutral bias. Nowhere in Into the Wild does he say McCandless is "what every American man wants to be". Krakuer lets you make that decision on your own. Further, Conway is not what I want to be--out of touch and unrealistic. I wish Krakuer had written this book so I could at least enjoy the story, not be frustrated with the author for ruining it.

I think Elizabeth Gilbert did an excellent job looking into Eustace life. She drilled down a lot of corners that lets you see into the soul of a great adventurer. It was interesting hearing a woman's perspective on the "male" archtype. I don't disagree with any underlying stances she took. I also liked how she avoided putting him into any neat little boxes. Complex man vs. simple life (hard life). I appreciate any hero worshiping that was avoided. Eustace is truly a remarkable man, and his is a man in this book. Thank you for the great view into a wonderful man.

This is the kind of book that takes you on a great ride. So much so, that when I turned the last page and saw the words "Epilogue" I felt depressed. The book is not only a great ride and a great read but it gives the mind much to chew on and digest. What a wonderful exploration of a man, a family, several generations, and a culture. I read Elizabeth Gilbert's book "Eat, Pray, Love" first and found it delightful, but this book proves what an accomplished and skilled writer she really is. Buy it. Read it. Share it.

The Last American Man is worth reading. America has many similar guys today still who live to perpetuate the frontier spirit and who are certainly not pleased with the changes in the country and the environment. Eustace Conway is to be credited for his accomplishments and zeal thus far regardless of what people may criticize him for. His idealism is not new as the author points out in case examples of prior and present attempts at utopian living. Other cases could have been cited but were left out unfortunately that readers would have benefited from. Personally, I thought the book cover didn't do Conway justice and I was disappointed. I didn't care for the title of the book either. Quite frankly, the writing could have been better.The publisher could have printed interesting photos or other worthy information in the book but didn't unfortunately. The pioneer spirit lives in every American, both man, woman and child, even if only in their dreams. That strong fire in the breast of the beast will remain strong regardless of what civilization does to try to destroy itself. One main thing is worth remembering. As long as our great country (or perhaps used to be) and social experiment continues to explode in population to unreasonable, devastating proportions, and to make the environment pay the price and the people who pay the price too, then utopian dreams of trying to save what was will die an ever quickening death in a smaller and smaller world in a bigger and bigger world of globalization and massive social and economic upheaval if not also massive destruction to come.What is the answer to survival? Simple! Less population! However, the human race doesn't want to go in the right direction when less population will prove to be the only answer in time but too late probably. Trying to colonize other planets with countless future humans will only magnify the problem. While Eustace Conway and others along the way, past and present, have meritorious ideas and actions, reality is what everyone has to stare in the face. It is up to the people to speak and act strongly enough to make the needed changes occur. So far, not enough countrymen are willing to unnumb their comfortable existence to collectively make those changes. Administrations and big business only continue to perpetuate the myth of progress despite attempts to convince the population otherwise. The evidence of that fact is all around us that we witness continually. One thing I liked about the book that really needed to attempt to explain was the interior of a man which confuses so many women and psychologists and educators. There is nothing really complicated about a man at all. A man, just like a woman, seeks to feel the freedom inside and with nature against a world that tries to destroy and complicate the breast of the beast.

I thought the book was very interesting. Being a outdoor enthusiast it locked me in from the being. Stories of the Appalachian trail were bizare and entertaining. I wish he would not have turned out to be such a perfectionist like his Dad. It seemed at times that he was more interested in making money than living in the wild. Maybe the book would have been better if it did not go into the boring details of buying land and his search for a dream girl. At the end I did feel the same on some of his points on getting back into the wild.

The author does a masterful job of portraying a man whom I both admire and detest; she is honest about the deplorable aspects of Eustice Conway's nature, yet she obviously is in love with him. Eustice Conway is Peter Pan with a libido, and I found myself having to put this book down, from time to time, because his excessive hubris was too much to bear.

Worth the read, but not excellent. It is essentially a biography of Eustace Conway by a NY woman who obviously wants him. If she didn't make this so obvious, by talking about how "hot" he is, I'd like it better. She also feels the need to intersperse "goddamn" and "f*#$in" in phrases to emphasize a point, but I found it to be overkill and somewhat immature for a published author.

Fascinating read. You will come away admiring Eustace's work ethic and self sufficiency and will also question his intolerance for "us." Good lessons about American Utopian societies of the past and some of the lesser known facts about Mountain Men like Daniel Boone and Kit Karson. It is also "cold water in the face" to any dreamer who wishes to give everything away and start a new life in the wilderness.

I loved this book, I forced myself to put it down several times because I wanted to savor it over a few days. Elizabeth Gilbert gives one a riveting account of a larger than life character that made me laugh and cry and raise a clenched fist in salute, yes, yes, yes !! Throw the TV out the window, rip out the phone and sit down with this book, it'll change your life. For everyone tired of the ugliness of modern life, here's hope for a better day.

I really enjoyed this book. It gave an unbiased account of a man, who even in his best intentions, falls short of what he wants to be. Contrary to some of the negative reviews, Gilbert DOES see all that is not right about this man, and she tells us about it.
This book is a journey through the mind and heart of a troubled man and those people who were raptured by his personality and then inevitably disappointed. I loved it!

I just finished reading "The Last American Man," and agree with some of the other reviewers. It is an intersting story to begin with, how Eustace wants to live off the land and how he achieves his goals (no one can deny that he's done an amazing amount with his life), but it seems that as he gets older Eustace loses sight of his initial intentions. He seems instead to get frustrated with how hard it is to continue his lifestyle because he believes he can't trust other people. It seems to me, however, that he's unwilling to try and trust people, and he comes across as being very hard to please as well. But part of that I think is Gilbert's fault.

I didn't like Gilbert's writing style at all, her voice was very young and immature, and it got annoying quickly (kind of like a high school girl over-analyzing her crush of the moment). Eustace's life, accomplishments, and personality would have been done a lot more justice if told by someone like Tim Cahill or Jon Krakauer, and he probably would have come across as a nicer person.

Overall, though, I did find the story interesting if you can get over Gilbert's writing style.

It's too bad that Eustace Conway's story had to be told by Elizabeth Gilbert. She's totally immature as a writer, and she doesn't know how to maintain any sort of distance from her subject. Last American Man reads like you'd expect it would, coming from a city gal who has a little romp in the woods with an outdoorsman. She is completely clueless. She retells Eustace's stories without skepticism. She quotes liberally from the work of Richard Slotkin, a hip scholar -- perhaps to bring some heft to this otherwise lightweight work. I travelled to Boone, N.C., shortly after the book came out and talked to folks who knew Eustace, had him in a class, etc. They thought the book was a laughable piece of trash, too -- a not-very-accurate picture of the man, and certainly not an accurate picture of that corner of Appalachia. Don't waste your time. (I notice that most of the reviewers here focus more on whether they like Eustace as a person, and not whether the book is any good. Which it's not.)

I would not recommend this book to people who do not share the interest of Eustace Conway. If you're not into buying land, saving the environment, riding on horse back jsut to beat the world record and not for enjoyment then this book is not for you. I will admit there were some interesting parts in the book that were interesting but I honestly was put to sleep by most of it. It could haven been the fact that most of the things talked in the book just didnt interest me. I'm sure if you would have liked the topic you would like the book. I think most of it had to do with the way Gilbert protrays Eustace in the book. She treats him like hes "holier than thou". I know what he is striving/wishing for is important; however, there are differnt ways to go about it than the way that he was.

I am from NC and had a chance to meet Eustace at Merlefest, the bluegrass festival that he attends every year (In his teepee). He seemed very laid back, appreciative and polite in person. At the time, I had only heard of him through a few friends that read this book, but I had not read the book myself. I was extremely curious about his life and views after meeting him and read the book about him, "The Last American Man".

This is a great book, because it is the type of book that will stay with you a long time (I read it three months ago and I still think about it frequently). Eustace is a fascinating person, with views on materialism and nature that could only be considered eccentric in today's culture. He believes that most of us would be happier if we release ourselves from our materialism and live in nature, surving off our knowledge of the wilderness. He is amazing in that he starts his own camp, Turtle Island in which he teaches kids and adults who want to work with him about the art of surviving in the wilderness. His knowledge of hunting and farming is astounding. He often studied Native American cultures growing up (In Gaston County) and used this knowledge from very early on. He adopts many values and skills of the Native Americans and applies it. He also faces challenges that most of us just dream about (Hiking the entire AT, and riding a horse from coast to coast with his brother).

The book is not only a riveting story about Eustace's wanting to start a movement to Native American values, but also captures character flaws which often leave Eustace isolated and feeling unfufilled. He has difficulty having relationships with women, and getting along with those that work with him. Through it all, though, we are still in awe of his drive to take a stand and at least try to influence other people to adopt at least some of his values or lifestyle.

I am an avid outdoorsman, but would be the first to admit that it would be difficult to live and survive in the wilderness under primitive condidtions day after day. I suppose I, like most other people, have been spoiled with todays comforts. I know I will not adopt his lifestyle, but because of this book I go to bed at night sometimes just dreaming about what it would be like!

Interesting book about Eustace Conway's life, but too much comparison is made to Daniel Boone and other historical American heros. Eustace's story is not yet over, but to date, I don't agree with the author's conclusion that he is the "Last American Man".

This story is captivating in it's subject and the style inwhich it is told. Eustace Conway is a genuine unique person worthy of our attempts to understand his perspective on our world. However, Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style that often times seemed to abandon any attempt to be objective is what really made this work so engrossing.

If you share a passion for animals then The Last American Man is not the book for you. I personally didn't enjoy hearing about the struggles when killing animals. They were very descriptive and heart breaking. On the other hand if you are a nature person and you enjoy hunting, then this book would be the perfect book for you. It allows you to see first hand how a man can live off the lands. The author does a very good job at explaining the characters in this book, especially Eustace. You almost would think that she had some sort of feelings for him. The Last American Man was not a bad book it just didn't interest me because of all the animal killings.

I do not recommend this book to anyone unless they really like nature. The book was very bland. The character Eustace wasn't that interesting. What I least liked about the book was the character Eustace and how he was portrayed. He was a mean guy that no one could get along with so most in most of the book it was just Eustace by himself and that was very dry. I didn't like the writer's voice because it seemed like she was writing this to make him look good because it was obvious by her writing that she was very attracted to him. The first couple of chapters were pretty good, and then it got really bad around chapter 3. I wouldn't have read it if it wasn't required.

After reading "The Last American Man" written about Eustace Conway, I have come to the conclusion that I strongly dis-liked this book. The book starts off well but takes a dramatic turn for the worse. The reason in my opinion is that the author has a romantic relationship with Eustace Conway. At certain points it seems that she almost worships him, which I think is sick.

Ack! Once again, Elizabeth Gilbert drips her cutesy, cloying, self-obsessed prose all over an otherwise fine book, and destroys its integrity and lasting literary value.

I was immediately hooked by Eustace's story, and it's a good thing too, or else I would have not been able to stomach Gilbert's immediate need to inform us that she had slept with Eustace's brother, Judson.

I don't know of any other talented, contemporary writer who so dramatically undermines their own ability to tell a compelling story by muscling into their reporting whenever and however possible.

Eustace is a grand subject -- and winds up being a memorable tragic hero for becoming every bit the cold despot his father is/was. In the long passages when Gilbert manages to keep herself out of the narrative, it's a great read. However, when she re-appears at the end like the perky, drunk, babbling cheerleader who just won't leave the party, she kills the momentum, destroys the emotional power of Eustace's story, and concludes the whole effort with the literary equivalent of a Valley Girl drawling, "oh my gawd, this guy is SO. HOT!"

Blech, blech, blech. So Elizabeth, did you get him into bed, or what? We know you're dying to tell us.

All I am going to say is the Interns are not lying, Eustace has been destroyed by modern society basically. He constantly thows "hissy fits" throwing s***, cursing and treats people like s*** in general, unless they are giving him something. I have over a hundred revealing photos. No I am not going to release any of it, karma is a bit#c and he will get his. There is so much I could write here. I will simply confirm what the disgruntled Interns have said is 100%TRUE. Most of the Interns that were there when I visited, hate Eustace with a passion, up at 5, work from 6am til 7pm, get treated like s***. Why, because there is far more work than there are Interns and the prospects that come for a weekend, RUN after a day of his S***. Bet this won't stay up long, hope it does though, people need to know the TRUTH about this piece of TRASH. Shame on you Eustace Conway and you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. I SEEK & SPEAK TRUTH on a daily basis with our fraudulent government, you fit right in unfortunately at this time. With that said, your place would be GREAT for Juvenile Delinquents, it would make a excellent place to teach them how good they actually have it, wouldn't it Eustace. So quit USING people and start helping society. Your on a slippery slope. Hope you change your ways. Haven't bought th book, witnessed him 1st hand. Society has taken its toll on Eustace Conway. I hope he reads this, he knows who i am as i came to help him wirh the numerous properties he bought that are in dispair and in neex of immence repair, not even a thank you for the visit, more of a smack in the face. Unreal how he treats people in general. Peace & Love to you Eustace, you need it~

###Note### For some reason I have had to edit this a few times because it has been altered. ???

The good: Gilbert is a truly fantastic writer - her vocabulary, grammar, style and tone are truly wonderful and a joy to read. She has an exceptional ability to vary the tempo of her prose and her literary voice is unique and brilliant.

The bad: As good a writer as she is, this is a poor book for one reason. Instead of a taking a character (in Eustace) and simply telling his story, Gilbert has taken her idealogy of what Eustace represents and built his character around that. In short, the writing is biased. I had never heard of Eustace Conway until I read the book but even I can tell that she is attempting to push some kind of agenda.

Gilbert's style is very modern, i.e. modern phrases, etc., which may turn some folks off. If you look past that, the story is fascinating, and Gilbert does a very good job of telling the story to the reader. As far as the subject, Conway could not be surpassed, he's a very interesting man with an even more interesting (perhaps idolized) lifestyle.

It takes real talent to ruin such a fascinating life. Certainly Eustace Conway is a great subject for a biography, and given his unusual skills and apparently irresistably personal manner with others, I was floored by how dull and quaint Gilbert made it all seem. Why this was nominated for any award at all is beyond me. The three pages of positive reviews at the head of the book are either taken out of context, or based more on hype than an actual reading of the book.

I really think Gilbert misjudged her audience with this book. If you are going to pick this up to read, you probably have some idea what Conway is about already, and you probably agree with his ideals to some extent. Gilbert, however, comes off as a very NYC-centric city writer who is trying very hard to understand what makes this crazy backwoodsy guy tick.

There is no story-telling here, no attempt to engage the reader, just a cold and largely condescending analysis of Conway's life. Gilbert spends whole chapters musing on what motivates the fellow, when it is completely obvious from the first few pages. She shows a real lack of confidence in her reader's abilities, constantly reminding him/her of things that have already explained (such as always restating that Conway's mother as "his mother" rather than only using her name). In her "jaunty" asides and wry comments, Gilbert herself comes off as phony and self-centerd, often spending whole paragraphs on her own life and obsessions (one being the contemplation of strangers' sex lives, apparently).

If the audience for the book were urban, urbane and jaded New York folks, it would work perfectly. But if you're someone with a real interest in Conway's style of outdoorsmanship, pick up "The Tracker" by Tom Brown instead of this.

A friend suggested this book to me, because of my interests in nature. Although the book can be interesting, it did not hold my interest as well as I had expected. Not to mention the ending was completely the opposite of what I expected.

Mentally ill homeless people live for decades in conditions not much different than the subject of this book (on the ground in all weather, dumpster diving, unable to sustain close, or any, relationships). The author does not draw distinctions between the vast range and expressions of resourcefulness that are largely the venue of Men today, with the path chosen by someone who still plays Peter Pan. I won't criticize the subject of the book. I simply didn't find him particularly compelling.

As a character study, this book is no better than many of the sloppy rock star biographies out there. It reads like a long magazine article, appropriate while killing time between flights and that's about it. While the story has some interesting moments it doesn't deliver. It is not the fault of the subject, who I don't in any way regard the "The Last American Male." One hopes that the author had tongue firmly planted in cheek. It should be "The Lost American Male."

After I read this book I had a new hero. I have always wanted to do what Conway has done with his life. And, according to him "You can."

I have told everyone I know that I think might be interested about this book.

I read Eat, Pray, Love which I thoroughly enjoyed and went hunting for more Elizabeth Gilbert. Bought "The Last American Man" and couldn't even finish it (which is rare! I usually finish books regardless) - it was slow, boring and a totally unrewarding read. I am hesitant to try any of her other books now to avoid a similar disappointment. Definitely try one of her other books before this one...

While Gilbert's book is well written and she doesn't appear to pull her punches in criticizing Eustace Conway's flaws, the truth is that she has still left out important facts which show Conway's incredible hypocrisy. Anyone who has actually worked for the man (as I have) can tell you that the man seen by guests and the man seen by employees are totally different. The man does not practice what he preaches, and Gilbert's description of his interns' disillusionment hardly scratches the surface.

Eustace Conway is largely a fraud. While he may have practiced a low-impact, back-to-nature way of life as a teen (although when he drinks, Eustace admits many things that contradict this), Turtle Island today reflects very little of that. It is a non-productive "farm" covered by half-built cabins and strewn with rusty old cars and trailers (all exposed to the weather and leaking oil, coolant, etc. onto the soil). On any given day, you are more likely to hear the din of heavy deisel trucks and tractors, gas generators, electric power tools, chainsaws, and motorcycles than you are the natural sounds of the forest.

Here are some things Gilbert neglects to tell the reader:

--Livestock routinely die from neglect at TI. I watched one goat and her kid die from a bacterial infection, despite the intern's repeated warnings to Eustace of its condition. A former volunteer told me that he saw 3 other goats die in a similar manner during the previous months.

--Turtle Island DOES NOT produce most of its food. The majority comes from the neighbors' donations and farmer's markets. His vegetable gardens are usually so overgrown and neglected that it is difficult to tell what is food and what is not. (interns are not allowed to work on them except on their "off" days, and are routinely called away to do other jobs, such as road building and automobile maintenance)

--only 1 building--a small shack hardly tall enough to stand up in--was built without power tools. Every other building on Turtle Island has been built using chain saws, chop saws, nail guns, etc. Interns have to BEG to do things with primitive tools, because Eustace feels it takes too much time.

--Eustace treats the wood of his house and truck beds by painting them with a mixture of diesel and motor oil without any attempt to keep it from leaching into the soil.

--Interns spend the majority of their time fixing cars or building his new house as free labor, NOT learning primitive/sustainable living skills.

--Interns are seldom allowed to use simple tools, because Eustace feels they waste too much time. Any "primitive" living must be done on their own time. Eustace apparently doesn't even know how to properly sharpen a traditional cross-cut saw, because when a former volunteer asked him to teach the skill, Eustace gave up after a feeble attempt ant told him he should get a book on the subject.

--Horses are hardly used for anything other than buggy rides for tourists and occasionally plowing fields. They are show pieces. Eustace travels around on a motorcycle, and interns are expected to use 4x4 trucks, rather than walk.

--Eustace owns and regularly operates bulldozers, backhoes, and industrial-size dump trucks to clear forest for roads, buildings, and anything else he can think of.

--Eustace's home is surrounded by rusting trucks, cars, horse trailers, etc., most of which do not run or function at all. I counted 60 cars, not to mention the numerous trailers strewn throughout the surrounding forest. Piles of car batteries sit exposed and leaking in the forest amongst the cars behind the house.

Worst of all, INTERNS ARE EXPECTED TO LIE TO THE PUBLIC about these things in order to keep the illusion of "primitive living" at Turtle Island.

I'm not sure how being able to "nail a chipmunk to a tree" qualifies anybody as "the last American man" or anything else other than pretty creepy. I think the author has watched "The Last of the Mohicans" movie a few too many times.