The Quest of the Simple Life: Retiring to the Country and Living Simpler, Healthier and Happier; A Classic Guide Dating to the 1900s

Dawson recounts what led him to move his family out of London to the country, where he could, as he says, "work to live, not live to work". After three chapters that describe his struggle with urban life, a fourth chapter about his love for the country ("Earth-Hunger"), by which he does *not* mean suburbia, he discusses "Health & Economics" and describes his search for the right place ("In Search of the PIcturesque" and "I Find My Cotttage"). He then describes life in the country ("Buying Happiness", "How We Lived", "Neighbourship"), quotes and responds to a long letter from a friend who criticizes his decision to move out of London ("The Wounds of a Friend", "Am I Right?"), and ends with a utopian vision largely fueled by the then-miraculous newly available electricity ("The City of the Future").This would inspire some great conversations and perhaps encourage some to change their way of life, or (at least) how they think about success and failure.And it is entirely fictional. Dawson (1854-1928) was never a clerk (as the book claims), but rather a minister in both England and the USA, and a tremendously successful author (wikipedia lists nearly 50 books of literary criticism, poetry, fiction, &c.) and a highly respected public speaker. He moved from England to Taunton, Massachusetts USA in 1906, the year before this book was published.But its fictional aspect does not detract from its message. Dawson was a thoughtful and thought-provoking author who deserves to be read; this book will inspire and encourage many. I recommend it highly.