Author: Mark Sundeen
Length: 260 pages
Type: Non-Fiction
Genre: Biography
The Man Who Quit Money
Description
“In 2000, Daniel Suelo left his life savings-all thirty dollars of it-in a phone booth. He has lived without money-and with a newfound sense of freedom and security-ever since. The Man Who Quit Money is an account of how one man learned to live, sanely and happily, without earning, receiving, or spending a single cent. Suelo doesn’t pay taxes, or accept food stamps or welfare. He lives in caves in the Utah canyonlands, forages wild foods and gourmet discards. He no longer even carries an I.D. Yet he manages to amply fulfill not only the basic human needs-for shelter, food, and warmth-but, to an enviable degree, the universal desires for companionship, purpose, and spiritual engagement. In retracing the surprising path and guiding philosophy that led Suelo into this way of life, Sundeen raises provocative and riveting questions about the decisions we all make, by default or by design, about how we live-and how we might live better.”
Janet Dore –
I think it was Shakespeare who said something about expectations and heartache. I was SO looking forward to reading this book. I bought it in the perfect place (Powell’s Books in Portland) in a perfect mood (thrilled to be visiting PSU with my girl). When I saw it on the shelf, I marveled at my luck and snatched it up. You see, I have an escape plan from the current financial ties that bind me, so anyone who “quit” money had my full attention. I couldn’t wait to dig in and get some solid tips to help me with my future transition.
Disappointment hit the moment I found out I was reading a biography about a guy who lived in a cave. While I admire Daniel for his beliefs (most of which I wholeheartedly agree with) and his conviction, the whole cave thing was WAY to hard core for me. When I turned the last page, I wasn’t any wiser as to how I, a “regular” non-cave dwelling person, could leave capitalism behind. I do, however, appreciate knowing there may be more people like me out there than I had previously thought.