Radical Simplicity

Radical Simplicity is a hand-lettered, illustrated book that speaks directly and elegantly to that craving we all have for an authentic life, one that we've each “hand made” for ourselves, rather than one dictated by outside circumstances. Author Dan Price, a Thoreau for the twenty-first century, has helped champion a growing trend that's been variously referred to as “downshifting,” “opting out,” or “simple living.” What makes his book so different and engaging is that he speaks from the authenticity of first-hand experience, for Price is an American original who has made his dreams a reality. His message is: “You can live a life of freedom, in harmony with the rhythms of nature, and your own internal rhythm and creativity. You can live very well with very little money. That's what I've done, and I can show you how.” This is as much a “reading” book as a how-to guide, one that expresses its profound insights into carving out a life of meaning in a beautiful, practical way. It is bound to strike a chord with world-weary baby boomers as well as time-pressured but still idealistic members of the younger generation.

A former news and fine arts photographer, Dan Price is best known for Moonlight Chronicles, a series of hand-lettered and illustrated diaries which he self-published before finding sponsorship from Simple Shoes, a progressive footwear company. He lives in Joseph, Oregon, in “an 80-foot wide underground hobbit hole when not on the road pulling crazy stunts like walking across the state, . . . or pedaling over 4,500 miles on a three-wheel racing tricycle to Key West.” He is the father of two children.