The Last American Man

By: Elizabeth Gilbert

Narrated by: Patricia Kalember

In this rousing examination of contemporary American male identity, acclaimed author and journalist Elizabeth Gilbert explores the fascinating true story of Eustace Conway. In 1977, at the age of 17, Conway left his family's comfortable suburban home to move to the Appalachian Mountains. For more than two decades he has lived there, making fire with sticks, wearing skins from animals he trapped, and trying to convince Americans to give up their materialistic lifestyles and return with him back to nature.

To Gilbert, Conway's mythical character challenges all our assumptions about what it is to be a modern man in America; he is a symbol of much we feel about how our men should be, but rarely are.

©2003 Elizabeth Gilbert (P)2009 Penguin

Critic reviews

"The finest examination of American masculinity and wilderness since Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild." (Outside)

"Wickedly well-written...Without compromising her obvious admiration, Ms. Gilbert presents a warts-and-all portrait of Mr. Conway and a sophisticated understanding of why those warts are only natural.... A vigorous, engaging book." (The New York Times Book Review)

"Gilbert artfully taps into this unique life to create a fascinating, deeply thought-out and anthralling narrative." (Los Angeles Times)

Entertaining

Any additional comments?

Pretty good story - sadness for the inevitable loss of a certain kind of (now, unneeded) manhood. Story of one of the last believers, part prophet, part huckster, part bully.

The Last American Egomaniac

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No, unless my friend likes reading about guys that are hung up on themselves, cannot compromise in relationships and wonder why women leave him.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Too much glory for such a self absorbed person.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

Nothing

Do you think The Last American Man needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Definitely not.

Any additional comments?

I expected a lot more from one that is supposedly following his dreams like a lot more peace and not so damn controlling.

Accent?

The narrator had the worst southern accent. The people from upstate SC an western NC in the educated family he was raised in do not sound like they are from the Mississippi delta. It was offensive to those of us from the southeast. This portrayal would certainly not promote the subjects beliefs.

unfortunate purchase

unorganized storytelling with no plot point and imbelished prestige were made worse by awful naration and an embarrassing attempt at a southern accent. would not recommend

An eye opener about the real man

A worthy purchase that enlightened me on life at Turtle Island and on the REAL Eustace Conway.

Appa-loved The Last American Man

I’m beyond excited about The Last American Man & want to share it with everyone!!! I also own the hardcopy and just mailed it to a friend— that is how much this book moved me!!! The journey that Elizabeth Glibert just took me on is inspiring to say the least. I’m blown away equally by Eustace Conway’s life and Elizabeth Gilbert’s ability to communicate this story to my soul. LG’s works take me on a magical ride and always leave me wanting more. Thank you for this beautiful account of hope, determination, struggle and living one’s destiny & purpose! Love love love!!!

Life changing.

I love books that alter the way I see the world and this one does it in spades. Thank you, Eustace, for your dedication to preserving our earth and a dying way of life.

I miss Gilbert naration

Patricia Kalember's voice and style seemed all wrong for the book. I almost returned the audio version and to try to find a printed copy instead. If the main character is a manly mountain man, the reader should be able to a voice that doesn't sound like a southern woman. I kept expecting him to say, "I don't know nothin' about birthing no babies" in a hysterical Gone with the Wind voice. The reader's voice actually went higher when she was speaking in Conway's voice. Elizabeth Gilbert's voice would have been lovely.

The Man, the Legend

Read this book while preparing students for a trip to Turtle Island, Eustace Conway's preserve in NC. I totally enjoyed Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style, and gained tremendously from this understanding of Eustace. I have read reviews that discredit Ms. Gilbert's over-involvement with her subject; my take on this is that authors have been writing about people they know "too well" for years. It's a legitimate way to write, and it's the reader's job to decide just what bias this may give the author's story. this story is very well worth telling!

Davy Fkn Crocket

, settlin the mutha Fkn last frontier. reminded me of when I was young and collected bugs on the family farm