Last House on the Road: Excursions into a Rural Past

by Ronald Jager

The author describes his experiences living in rural New Hampshire and restoring an old farmhouse, whose builder was a Revolutionary War soldier

Genres: Biography Memoir, History

263 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1994

About the author

Writer and former Yale philosophy professor Ronald Jager grew up on his family’s farm in McBain, Michigan, which he chronicled in his popular memoir Eighty Acres: Elegy for a Family Farm. After graduating from Northern Michigan Christian High School and moving on to Calvin College, Jager earned his Ph.D. at Harvard University.

He left a teaching career to become a writer, penning essays for publications such as Harper’s Magazine, in addition to books on farm life, including The Fate of Family Farming: Variations on an American Idea and Last House on the Road: Excursions Into a Rural Past. A New Hampshire resident for many decades, Jager has written books and essays on that state’s history.

Reviews

[Lisa]

what an amazing tale! so interesting, reminds me of home

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoyed Jager's writing style and found the book interesting and informative, if at times a bit tedious. As an owner of an antique house in a small town in New Hampshire, there was a lot I could relate to!

[David Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

A winding account of the author's coming to the small NH town of Washington with excursions into two centuries of history, the land, the house and portraits of the townspeople and rural life. Very well written. Something about it puts me in mind of Bill Bryson. For me, the chapter describing the forest's reclamation of an old field was a high point.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my hometown, and relatives and friends are mentioned. I called the Jagers, and had a lovely talk, after I read this. I'd love to buy and fix up an old house in Washington, NH, but I'm too lazy.