Freedom

By: Sebastian Junger

Narrated by: Sebastian Junger

Length: 3 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

A profound rumination on the concept of freedom from the best-selling author of The Perfect Storm.

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 this 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 - walked the railroad lines of the East Coast. It was 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 forged a unique reliance on one another. 

In Freedom, Junger weaves his account of this journey together with primatology and boxing strategy, the role of women in resistance movements and apache renegades 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.

©2021 Sebastian Junger (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

"Sebastian Junger bears witness to a hard-won and an uncertain new world, framed in vital and brilliant prose: a true and honest accounting of everything that underlies the frantic performance of life." (Philip Hoare, author of Albert and the Whale)

"A fascinating look at freedom and community." (New York Post)

"Freedom is less a travelogue than a meditation on what Americans have had to endure to gift us this galvanizing idea, which in Junger’s estimation is more complicated than we might presume and easily squandered." (Los Angeles Times)

Convise and easy to listen to

This book took me away on a long walk along the railroad tracks through several US states, surprised me with various historical details, and clearly communicated some important philosophical ideas along the way.

If only more books could capture so much in such a short volume.

The author also does a great reading of the text so it feels like a fireside story on the "last patrole".

Highly recommended.

A journey of self discovery

The book is a journey of self discovery and the meaning of the word freedom. Seldom, people confuse the use of it or believe in the reductionist version dictated by Governments. For the global audience it looks an American perspective at first but it could be in any other western country, in my own opinion.

Love this book…

I love this book and could listen to Sebastian Junger talk for hours. Freedom is a concept with different meaning to different people and this book provides a great overview. There are plenty of tributaries for the listener to go and investigate privately if one desires a deeper understanding of the historical events and personalities mentioned. Applying the lessons of history to modern day is quite eye opening, particularly when considering the past two years of lockdowns and now the conflict in Ukraine.

Subtly Woven

An absolute delight, loved Junger's narration. He develops his points without laying weight on. the kind of book you ponder for a time after.

Left me wanting more

I enjoyed the story and thought it was great mixing in with the philosophy and history.

Very little in it

A story about Junger walking along some tracks with very little else in it. Very disappointing after very much enjoying Tribe

A voice of our age

The stoic, philosophical beat storywright of our time. Thanks Sebastian, there are many of us who need your work.

An insight into human nature

'Run. Fight. Think.'

The three actions humans can undertake to foster their own freedom, as told by Sebastian Junger.

An insight into human power, wealth, combat, culture and of course, freedom.

The Gini coefficient is an interesting metric to look into.

Well read by the author and short enough to finish in a few sittings. An intense piece but very informative and interesting.

Enjoyable three hours

Gives you something to think about, no big new ideas, but a good follow on his earlier book Tribe.

Informative and inspirational

Start to finish in one hit. I loved this colourful document of an extraordinary journey. Concise language, whipping off seamlessly at engaging and educational tangents. Well done Sebastian (for the journey and the book) and thank you.