The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry

by Mark T. Mitchell (Editor), Nathan Schlueter (Editor)

A striking contribution to the
conversation that is conservatism Wendell Berry—poet, novelist, essayist, critic, farmer—has won the admiration of Americans from all walks of life and from across the political spectrum. His writings treat an extraordinary range of subjects, including politics, economics, ecology, farming, work, marriage, religion, and education. But as this enlightening new book shows, such diverse writings are united by a humane vision that finds its inspiration in the great moral and literary tradition of the West. In The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry , Mark T. Mitchell and Nathan Schlueter bring together a distinguished roster of writers to critically engage Berry’s ideas. The volume features original contributions from Rod Dreher, Anthony Esolen, Allan Carlson, Richard Gamble, Jason Peters, Anne Husted Burleigh, Patrick J. Deneen, Caleb Stegall, Luke Schlueter, Matt Bonzo, Michael Stevens, D. G. Hart, Mark Shiffman, and William Edmund Fahey, as well as a classic piece by Wallace Stegner. Together, these authors situation Berry’s ideas within the larger context of conservative thought. His vision stands for reality in all its facets and against all reductive “isms”—for intellect against intellectualism, individuality against individualism, community against communitarianism, liberty against libertarianism. Wendell Berry calls his readers to live lives of gratitude, responsibility, friendship, and love—notions that, as this important new book makes clear, should be at the heart of a thoughtful and coherent conservatism.

Genres: Philosophy, Cultural

334 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2011

About the author

Dr. Mark Mitchell holds a Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University, an M.A. in Philosophy from Gonzaga University, an M.A. in Government from Georgetown University, and a B.A. in History, Crown College.

His research interests include modern and contemporary political theory, conservative political thought, and political themes in literature. Lest he be thought all bookish scholar, let it be known that he also cultivates a small vineyard--a pursuit very dear to his heart.

He is currently a professor of government at Patrick Henry College and editor-in-chief of the weblog, Front Porch Republic, a gathering place of scholars interested in such subjects as people, community, culture, liberty, and limits.

Reviews

[Scott Bielinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

As is the case with most edited volumes, some essays were better than others, though, fortunately, the majority of these essays were quite good. Of particular note are Burleigh's excellent essay on marriage, Luke and Nathan Schleuter's essays on imagination and poetry, respectively, and Esolen's allusive reading of Jayber Crow alongside Dante's Comedy. Wallace Stegner's opening chapter (a letter written to Berry, his former pupil) was especially touching: "In the best sense of the word, your writing is a by-product of your living."

Berry remains an important thinker, especially for those who want to re-envision the human life in a world that's forgetting what it means to be one. For Berry, this includes how poetry enables us to see our particular lives as part of the whole, a complex creation, created and ordered by a Good and loving God. I love how Mitchell and Schlueter say it: "through his poetry and fiction, Berry's mythopoeic medicine provides the moral imagination with a powerful innoculation against the false promises of utopianism" (xiii). His poetry and fiction wake us up to seeing creation as Gift, and his work stimulates us to respond with gratitude. So Berry calls his readers to live lives of gratefulness, dependence, friendship, and love, because God calls each of us to turn from the contrived and sinful ways we exist in His world, and rest in Him.

[Austin Spence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Instead of this, maybe just read more Wendell Berry and do it slowly. Didn’t walk away with anything groundbreaking. Also didn’t care for the lens in which some of the essays were written in.

[Mike Fendrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding food for thought

[Andrew Figueiredo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry" is a beautiful conservative tribute to one of America's best thinkers/poets/authors. The various authors, including names like Rod Dreher, Patrick Deneen, and now Kansas Supreme Court Justice Caleb Stegall, bring together Berry's insights on various issues into one enjoyable work. The essays themselves are diverse, ranging from discussions of Berry's approach to food to his pacifism to his parallels with British distributions to the role of love in his poetry. I ended up taking a TON of notes on this because I feel that Berry's example, packaged by the insightful contributors to this work, is a crucial counterweight to the trends prevalent today. Berry calls us towards a more integral vision of human flourishing growing from rootedness in place, from love for one's neighbor and for creation at large, and from respect for limits. This pushes back on ideologies of progress, scientism, and the guiding liberal philosophy that treats people as isolated from the obligations and connections that actually sustain them. While I don't know that you can translate Berry's work into any one political agenda, the considerations he brings up are worthy of keeping in mind, and Mark Mitchell's edited work gives conservatives ample material to think about.

[Nate DeRochie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As one who is enthralled with the humane vision of Wendell Berry, this book was invaluable. It is a helpful introduction to his work, but it also critiques where critique is necessary from the treasure troves of historical Christian theology. At its heart, this book seeks to show that Berry’s Humane Vision is more Christian than he knows, which it is largely successful in doing.

With the rise of what’s been called “Christian Nationalism,” I believe that many of us would do well to step back and consider Berry’s Humane Vision, a local vision, a placed vision. Maybe discussing “Christian Localism” or “How to Love Your Literal Neighbor” would be more productive. The old Kentuckian has much to teach us in these realms.

I had a longer review written with a list of my favorite chapters, but I accidentally swiped it away. Maybe I should take Berry’s advice and get rid of these stupid devices and go live more life with my people and the natural world. Maybe we all should.

[The American Conservative]

'The 17 contributors to The Humane Vision of Wendell Berry help those who do not know Berry, or know him only in one or two of his dimensions, to understand what this farmer, poet, essayist, and novelist has been about for the past four or five decades. They make wanting to read him, if not actually meet him, irresistible.'

Read the full review, "Wendell Berry: Modern Agrarian," on our website: http://www.theamericanconservative.co...