Eustace Conway – hero or crazy? The Last American Man easily caught my eye at the bookstore with its Christopher McCandless manly, adventurer cover theme. In my humble opinion, one can never read too many stories about a lone man renouncing the “real world” in search of a more meaningful life (ex. Walden, On the Road, etc.). In this case, Conway is more of a Daniel Boone figure who learned hunting and outdoorsy-ness from his mom as a young child. As he got older, he decided to live off the land in a teepee, eventually traveling to schools to teach the youth about his lifestyle. From then, he rode across America on horseback and began his own farm/retreat center outside of Boone, NC.
This is easily the kind of character most people aspire to model their lives after. His basic attitude revolves around simplicity, happiness, and his own desires. However, the author does not immortalize Conway but rather suggests disadvantages in his lifestyle that cause him to lack understanding of human attitudes. This never allows him to establish strong relationships with family or friends. At a deeper glance, everyone has their imperfections.
Nevertheless, his perception of current human philosophy is thought provoking. Conway suggests that we are zombies - unaware of our surroundings and actions. Leading to a favorite quote from the book :
“There is no way that you can have a decent life as a man if you aren't awake and aware every moment. Show up for your own life. Don't pass your days in a stupor, content to swallow whatever watery ideas modern society may bottle feed you through the media, satisfied to slumber through life in an instant gratification sugar coma. The most extraordinary gift you've been given is your own humanity, which is about consciousness. So honor that consciousness.”
Amen.
