Walden on Wheels

On the Open Road from Debt to Freedom

By: Ken Ilgunas

Narrated by: Nick Podehl

The story of a student who went to extraordinary lengths - including living in a van on a campus parking lot - to complete his education without sacrificing his financial future. In a frank and self-deprecating voice, memoirist Ken Ilgunas writes about the existential terror of graduating from college with $32,000 in student debt. Inspired by Thoreau, Ilgunas set himself a mission: get out of debt as soon as humanly possible. To that end, he undertook an extraordinary 3-year transcontinental journey, driving to Alaska and taking a series of low-paying jobs. Debt-free, Ilgunas then enrolled himself in a master's program at Duke University, using the last of his savings to buy himself a used Econoline, his new "dorm." The van, stationed in a campus parking lot, would be an adventure, a challenge, a test of his limits. It would be, in short, his "Walden on Wheels."Ilgunas went public in a widely read Salon article that spoke to the urgent student debt situation in America today. He offers a funny and pointed perspective on the dilemma faced by those who seek an education but who also want to, as Thoreau wrote, "live deep and suck out all the marrow of life."

©2013 Ken Ilgunas (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

A wonderful well told story

It wasas the kind of a story that took hold of you, and kept you held tightly In its grasp until the very end.

Excellent, far exceeded my expectations.

Excellent, far exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this book to young and old alike, a different perspective on living life.

Loved the book. Love the author. Get this!

Great story and very inspiring. Great storytelling and read by clear and consice narrator. highly recommended

It was a pleasure to know you!!!

Love love love love this book! So well written so intelligent and so thoughtful. As a father to 2 young boys I highly recommend this book. KEN took us to a journey we all wish to experience. So glad to meet you you KEN

refreshing and inspiring

Thoroughly enjoyed the adventures and reflections in this coming of age memoir. The narration was well performed.