The Way of the Hermit

My Incredible 40 Years Living in the Wilderness

De: Ken Smith, Will Millard

Narrado por: Dean Williamson

Subconsciously, I pressed myself into the loch's banks as that summer inched forward. We'd got off to a rocky beginning, but I started to see Treig in a different way. There was something about this land that told me just to hold on a while longer. It might've been just a whisper at the time, but I knew it was definitely worth heeding. I just knew that was it. This was the place.

Seventy-four-year-old Ken Smith has spent the past four decades in the Scottish Highlands. His home is a log cabin nestled near Loch Treig, known as "the lonely loch," where he lives off the land. He fishes for his supper, chops his own wood and even brews his own tipple. He is, in the truest sense of the word, a hermit.

From his working-class origins in Derbyshire, Ken always sensed that there was more ot life than an empty nine to five. Then one day in 1974, an attack from a group of drunken men left him for dead. Determined to change his prospects, Ken quit his job and spent his formative years traveling in the Yukon. It was here, in the vast wilderness of northwestern Canada, that he honed his survival skills and grew closer to nature. Returning to Britain, he continued his nomadic lifestyle, wandering north and living in huts until he finally reached Loch Treig. Ken decided to lay his roots amongst the dense woodland and Highland air, and has lived there ever since.

In The Way of the Hermit, Ken shares the remarkable story of his life for the very first time. Told with humor and compassion, his unique insights allow us to glimpse the awe and wonder of a life lived in nature and offer wisdom on how each of us can escape the pressures and stresses of modern life.

Honesty

Enjoyed his life’s story. His philosophy and strength. His writings wonderfully descriptive, giving you the feeling of being with him, seeing the beauty and dangers of the wild world.

the quiet strength of a man who lives his life in a way that instructs you to know thyself

the first person narrative based on the journals of Ken Smith is red as if Ken himself is sitting next to you telling you his life story. it is truly a beautiful book to listen to.

Throughout the book he speaks to the reader as if they are having a chat just the two of them.

I loved how vividly he spoke about his life and his life at the cabin so that you feel like you are there with him.

Living life his way.

Loved it all. The reader was perfect and brought the book to life. Thank you

Excellent

Worth the time to experience it. Excellent perspective. Timeless, timely, and infinitely relevant. How to be a better human.

adventure of a lifetime

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Who knew talking about cabins, fishing and being a hermit could be so interesting. I'm a bit of a recluse myself, so listening to Ken describe his adventures in the wild really connected with my soul.

Inspirational and funny!

Wonderful story. Enjoyed the way it was read. I slowed it down just a little.

Authentic and a worthwhile

Ken tells his story with wisdom & nuance. He isn’t trying to sell the hermit life. But he does encourage us to take heart and follow that which brings joy & meaning, however unconventional.

Do it now

Compelling story and so many lessons for us all. Thank you Ken for caring enough about us non-hermits to share the essence of what it means to live a life to its fullest and the importance of creating more than we consume. I now know why my heart aches to be back home in Scotland, midges and all.

GREAT read for anyone

Ken's story is just amazing. It truly holds your attention, he gives such great details and depiction. I was able to see his story before me. I believe most people have a desire to become a Hermit at times but living this must have been so wonderful. He is able to bring the reader into his story by the words he chooses. Wow, now I just don't know how to follow up with any book that will be even close to this one was. I am going to read it again. Also, the narrator Will Millard is wonderful. I found some things on line about Ken and his voice is so close the narrator, that made it even greater.
I do believe that this is the best audible experience I have had.