Adam Parfrey 1957-2018

...s. He explained, what I think neatly summarized his publishing philosophy, that other publishers asked the question, “How can we publish a book just like the other publishers?” whereas he and Jodi asked how they could do something different. Not only did Adam publish books that were different but he also put out books that no other publisher would get anywhere near. To say Adam’s books were controversial would be an understatement. He had a knack...

Read…

Tiny House Dweller as Contemporary Hermit in the Garden

...ther and went so far as to pay people to act as hermits. Gordon Campbell’s book The Hermit in the Garden From Imperial Rome to Ornamental Gnome contains the following story, At one great house in England the accounts disclose a half-yearly payment £300 to a hermit, who had, for this commensurate salary, to remain bearded and in a state of picturesque dirtiness for six months in the year in an artificial cave at a suitable distance from the house–j...

Read…

Delicious Cauliflower

...o der Haroutunian. I think I’ve mentioned it before. It’s a good, reliable book. Lately I’ve been on a deep Middle Eastern jag, cooking out of this book every day. Erik is in hog heaven, because he hasn’t had to cook in weeks. I’m in heaven because I’m eating exactly what I’m craving. Anyway, back to the cauliflower. It’s an easy recipe that comes from north-west Syria, where, according to the author, it is considered a regional specialty. It has...

Read…

063 New Slow City with William Powers

...ld Policy Institute and is on the adjunct faculty of New York University. In addition to his books he writes for the Washington Post and the Atlantic. During the podcast we discuss: micro-apartment living living in Liberia and Bolivia Josef Pieper book Leisure the Basis of Culture 350 Vicki Robin’s book Your Money or Your Life David Abram’s book The Spell of the Sensuous John De Graaf If you want to leave a question for the Root Simple Podcast ple...

Read…

Author William Powers to Speak in Los Angeles

...out his book 12 by 12 a few years ago. He’s returning to Los Angeles for a book talk and signing at Skylight Books on Saturday October 3rd at 5 pm. Powers is a very thoughtful, honest and engaging speaker. Living simply in the big city is, obviously, a subject close to our hearts. From the book description: New Slow City Living Simply in the World’s Fastest City Burned-out after years of doing development and conservation work around the world, Wi...

Read…