Uncultivated

Wild Apples, Real Cider, and the Complicated Art of Making a Living

By: Andy Brennan

Narrated by: Brett Barry

Long before the advent of conventional farming methods - which have focused on constant growth, human intervention, and genetic homogeneity - the apple had already grown to become the ubiquitous all-American symbol it is today. Known for their hardiness, ability to adapt to new environments, natural diversity, and plentiful bounty, wildly grown apples were once known as “America’s fruit” throughout the trading world. Yet those apple trees - known as pippins - have nearly vanished from the American agricultural landscape, and so, too, have the complexities and nuances of wild apples and their cider. Andy Brennan, founder of Aaron Burr Cidery in upstate New York, has been making a case for their return.

In his new book, Uncultivated: Wild Apples, Real Cider, and the Complicated Art of Making a Living, Brennan’s hero is the tenacious wild apple and the superior cider it produces. In candid and at times philosophical prose, he shares his decades-long experience working with naturalized trees - from discovering new tastes and textures to understanding how the wild apple tree guided him toward a successful, environmentally conscious business. At the heart of his story is Brennan’s faith in nature, and its unfailing ability to deliver us from our own mistakes.

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

©2019 Andy Brennan (P)2019 Chelsea Green Publishing

A motivating book for anyone in apple culture

When I downloaded this audio-book, I was expecting to learn some things about growing apples and making apple cider. After listening, I was pleasantly surprised to realize it's about both of those things and so much more. It's a heartfelt tome spoken by a true savant of his craft. It's read with excitement, is full of humor, and covers a gamut of apple history and stories that make this one of the best audio-books I've ever heard. I will be listening to this one over again and again.

Really good narrator

The narrator did a wonderful job on this one. I could see not really getting into this book with the wrong narration, but this guy did such a great job I couldn't stop listening.

Hardship of small business

None - great book, thought invoking and gave insight into cider market, will read again. I ended up getting some cider

The world we create is the world the trees live in

Amazing! If you love Michael Pollan, Mark Kurlansky and Richard Powers, then this book is right up your alley. So much more than just about the apples. Andy ties it all together - history, philosophy and a mindful connection to craft and the earth. I didn't have much interest in cider, but was rapt by the insight on how to forge your own path in business and life whilst grounded in a true love of the earth and it's fruit.

The performance is a little weird at first, but you get used to it and it quickly fades away.

I’m inspired.

Bottling my first batch of cider as the last chapter reminds me of my wild roots.