Back to the Land

Rezensionen / Stimmen

"A compelling history of one of the government's mostradical, if largely forgotten, domestic programs. . . . Maloney hasmanaged to finely balance the duties of the historian with the roleof storyteller. Instead of being bogged down by the (impeccable)research that provides the book with so much valuable detail, heuses this plethora of information to strong effect, highlightingthe human stories and the bigger picture impact that Arthurdale hadon both the area and the country, so that the reader feels lesslike he is reading an economic history than a fascinating storywith a profound historical lesson. The writing has a smoothness andease that evades most books of similar historical depth. . .Perhaps even more importantly, the book reveals a great sympathyand understanding for the impoverished people who signed up to livein a government-funded town. . . By sticking to the astonishinghistorical record, Back To The Land avoids the pitfalls that plaguethe ideologues who too often direct the national debate.Ultimately, what makes the book so successful is that the story isable to speak for itself." -- The Brooklyn Rail "Capably reveals the certain costs of central planning,thus making Back to the Land an essential story for the politicalclass to understand better. As for the many who view governmentspending as an economic good in its own right, Maloney's tale ofthe costly creation of Arthurdale, West Virginia (a town built bythe federal government as a model for the nation) will surely givethem pause. . . Back to the Land is an interesting book, and evenbetter it's an important one for showing up close the bungling waysof government officials. . . skillfully reminds us why we shouldn'tentrust our lives or treasure to those who work ingovernment." -- Real Clear Politics "Enlightening, well-written, and very timely book. . . .In the year 2006, the mayor of the town of Tal Afar, Iraq,chastised the government that invaded his country -- thegovernment of FDR's heirs -- by stating, "What you are doingis an experiment, and it isn't right to experiment on people." Noit is not, which makes books like this one so important. Those whodo not know and understand history are condemned to repeat it. . .Books like Maloney's that are factually accurate, economicallyconsistent, and engagingly written can help to reverse thisdisturbing trend. --Ludwig von Mises Institute