ADHD: A Hunter in a Farmer’s World, 3rd Edition

A Hunter in a Farmer's World

By: Thom Hartmann, Michael Popkin - foreword

Narrated by: Robin Douglas

Length: 7 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

A newly revised and updated edition of the classic guide to reframing our view of ADHD and embracing its benefits

• Explains that people with ADHD are not disordered or dysfunctional, but simply “hunters in a farmer’s world”--possessing a unique mental skill set that would have allowed them to thrive in a hunter-gatherer society

• Offers concrete non-drug methods and practices to help hunters--and their parents, teachers, and managers--embrace their differences, nurture creativity, and find success in school, at work, and at home

• Reveals how some of the world’s most successful people can be labeled as ADHD hunters, including Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, and Andrew Carnegie

With 10 percent of the Western world’s children suspected of having Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADHD, and a growing number of adults self-diagnosing after decades of struggle, the question must be raised: How could Nature make such a “mistake”?

In this updated edition of his groundbreaking classic, Thom Hartmann explains that people with ADHD are not abnormal, disordered, or dysfunctional, but simply “hunters in a farmer’s world.” Often highly creative and single-minded in pursuit of a self-chosen goal, those with ADHD symptoms possess a unique mental skill set that would have allowed them to thrive in a hunter-gatherer society. As hunters, they would have been constantly scanning their environment, looking for food or threats (distractibility); they’d have to act without hesitation (impulsivity); and they’d have to love the high-stimulation and risk-filled environment of the hunting field. With our structured public schools, office workplaces, and factories those who inherit a surplus of “hunter skills” are often left frustrated in a world that doesn’t understand or support them.

As Hartmann shows, by reframing our view of ADHD, we can begin to see it not as a disorder, but as simply a difference and, in some ways, an advantage. He reveals how some of the world’s most successful people can be labeled as ADHD hunters and offers concrete non-drug methods and practices to help hunters--and their parents, teachers, and managers--embrace their differences, nurture creativity, and find success in school, at work, and at home. Providing a supportive “survival” guide to help fine tune your natural skill set, rather than suppress it, Hartmann shows that each mind--whether hunter, farmer, or somewhere in between--has value and great potential waiting to be tapped.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©1993, 1997, 2019 Thom Hartmann. All Rights Reserved. (P)2019 Inner Traditions Audio. All Rights Reserved.

Critic reviews

“In this groundbreaking book, Thom Hartmann makes a unique contribution to our understanding of ADHD. In considering ADHD in an evolutionary context, Thom was the first to point out the survival advantages of ADHD in hunter-gatherer societies and also the first to identify the link between ADHD and creativity. As such, Thom will be recognized as a pioneer contributing to the reconceptualization of ADHD from being considered only a ‘disorder’ to being viewed as a ‘mode of thought’ characterized by enhanced flexibility and creativity.” (Richard Silberstein, professor emeritus of cognitive neuroscience at Swinburne University)

“It is refreshing to find a book that places ADHD in a framework that does not imply dysfunction.... The metaphor of a ‘hunter in a farmer’s world’ fits so many of the ADHD youngsters and adults with whom I have worked.” (Margaret (Peg) Dawson, EdD, NCSP, codirector of the Center for Learning and Attention Disorders)

“Why are attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and related conditions so common? Could they in some way be advantageous? These questions and some possible answers are woven through this book, providing basic factual information about ADHD with a twist that helps readers recognize the value - sometimes quite special - of people who have it.” (Dale E. Hammerschmidt, MD, FACP, emeritus professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota)

Very thought provoking

Great insights and perspectives. ADHD is not a handicap, but an asset. That’s good news for sure.

Newly diagnosed ADHD

This book was so very helpful for me to understand my new diagnosis- prior to this reading I only though ADHD was for the outburst kids, never realizing that many go undiagnosed as kids and find out in their adulthood. The analogy in this book, makes me understand not only myself better and how I’m a hunter, but also those farmers in my life. Highly recommend!

Love this book!

The only thing that could have been better is if Thom himself had read it.

Helped Me Better Understand Myself

I’ve always been very talkative and outgoing. It wasn’t until I started working in an office setting that I really started to recognize how hard it could be for me to focus. Especially if it was something I could care less about. This book does a great job of laying out the facts and helping you realize that you are just wired a little differently.

Everyone with ADHD should read this

The book offers fascinating insight into why ADHD exists and reframes it from being a disability to a useful and very important part of our society.

Good but signs of biases

I liked the book. Great perspective and attitudes presented for framing ADHD. However, there are opinions presented that give me the feeling the author is biased against drug solutions.

Fantabulous!

So happy I have found this book!! Thank you for the incredible insight Thom Hartmann

great story, narration horrible.

the narrator was absolutely horrible. it sounded like a 6th grader reading the class their report on what they did on summer break. it was simply reading the book. the book is great though,

it was decent

it was a decent audiobook but the arguments werent conclusive for me on ADHD and it seemed as if she backpedaled on some arguments of the hunter vs farmer dichotomy. for instance, if adhd is as useful as she proclaims then their would be a minimalistic need to self medicate for it to semi adapt in a farmer world of delay gratification. next it's not necessarily clear whether or not a privileged neurotypicals could manifest their own form of impulsivity while having the benefits of being a farmer. As a person with ADHD I dont consider myself a hunter at all and found the arguments fairly trivial way to empower people who are looking to use their ADHD in a productive manner. Unfortunately many of the success stories she mentions were during the 18th and 19th century back when their was less technological automation and more vocational for ADHD folk. honestly ADHd in the right situation is useful but being able to direct your focus consistently is the current of the 21st century where everyones attention span is only 30 seconds. In this sense farmers still come out ahead.

All my life...

After 48 years of wondering, I learned this week why my brain does the things it does. Learning I have ADHD has felt like being handed the key to the cell I have lived in my entire life. This book was recommended and is part of why I feel set free. I’m truly grateful for this primer and the insight it has provided.