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Freedom cover art

Freedom

By: Sebastian Junger
Narrated by: Sebastian Junger
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Summary

A profound rumination on the concept of freedom from the bestselling author of The Perfect Storm

'Sebastian Junger bears witness to a hard-won and an uncertain new world, framed in vital and brilliant prose: a true and honest accounting of everything that underlies the frantic performance of life’ Philip Hoare, author of Albert and the Whale

Throughout history, humans have been driven by the quest for two cherished ideals: community and freedom. The two don’t coexist easily: we value individuality and self-reliance, yet are utterly dependent on community for our most basic needs. In this intricately crafted and thought-provoking book, Sebastian Junger examines this tension that lies at the heart of what it means to be human.

For much of a year, Junger and three friends—a conflict photographer and two Afghan war vets—walked the railroad lines of the east coast. It was an experiment in personal autonomy, but also in interdependence. Dodging railroad cops, sleeping under bridges, cooking over fires and drinking from creeks and rivers, the four men forged a unique reliance on one another.

In Freedom, Junger weaves his account of this journey together with primatology and boxing strategy, the role of women in resistance movements and apache renegrades, and the brutal reality of life on the Pennsylvania frontier. Written in exquisite, razor-sharp prose, the result is a powerful examination of the primary desire that defines us.

©2021 Sebastian Junger (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

Praise for Freedom:

‘A fascinating look at freedom and community’ New York Post

Freedom is less a travelogue than a meditation on what Americans have had to endure to gift us this galvanizing idea, which in Junger’s estimation is more complicated than we might presume and easily squandered’ Los Angeles Times

‘Each part is engaging, entertaining, and enlightening’ Washington Independent Review of Books

Praise for Tribe:

‘A brilliant little book driven by a powerful idea and series of reflections … I would give this gem of an essay to anyone embarking on the understanding of human society and governanceEvening Standard

An eloquent and thought-provoking book … it could help us to think more deeply about how to help men and woman battered by war to find new purpose in peace’ The Times

Fascinating, insightful and built on real and difficult experiences as well as a background in anthropology’ Sunday Times

‘An electrifying tapestry of history, anthropology, psychology and memoir that punctures the stereotype of the veteran as a war-damaged victim in need of salvation. Rather than asking how we can save our returning servicemen and women, Junger challenges us to take a hard look in the mirror and ask whether we can save ourselves … Tribe is a stirring clarion call for a return to solidarity. In advocating a public, shared confrontation with the psychic scars of war, Junger aims to stop trauma burning a hole through individual veterans. Such a collective catharsis might also be our best hope of healing the wounds modern society has inflicted on itself’ Guardian

What listeners say about Freedom

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Love this book…

I love this book and could listen to Sebastian Junger talk for hours. Freedom is a concept with different meaning to different people and this book provides a great overview. There are plenty of tributaries for the listener to go and investigate privately if one desires a deeper understanding of the historical events and personalities mentioned. Applying the lessons of history to modern day is quite eye opening, particularly when considering the past two years of lockdowns and now the conflict in Ukraine.

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Left me wanting more

I enjoyed the story and thought it was great mixing in with the philosophy and history.

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An insight into human nature

'Run. Fight. Think.'

The three actions humans can undertake to foster their own freedom, as told by Sebastian Junger.

An insight into human power, wealth, combat, culture and of course, freedom.

The Gini coefficient is an interesting metric to look into.

Well read by the author and short enough to finish in a few sittings. An intense piece but very informative and interesting.

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Subtly Woven

An absolute delight, loved Junger's narration. He develops his points without laying weight on. the kind of book you ponder for a time after.

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Enjoyable three hours

Gives you something to think about, no big new ideas, but a good follow on his earlier book Tribe.

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Informative and inspirational

Start to finish in one hit. I loved this colourful document of an extraordinary journey. Concise language, whipping off seamlessly at engaging and educational tangents. Well done Sebastian (for the journey and the book) and thank you.

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A voice of our age

The stoic, philosophical beat storywright of our time. Thanks Sebastian, there are many of us who need your work.

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Very little in it

A story about Junger walking along some tracks with very little else in it. Very disappointing after very much enjoying Tribe

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