Robin Greenfield

I read this book because I knew about Rob through watching his YouTube videos. I'm grateful that I "met" Rob through his YouTube videos instead of this book first. I was surprised by how much I didn't care for Rob's personality via reading this book. I don't know if it's the blog format or just a lack of explanation in terms of relationships or thoughts, but Rob came off as really insensitive, fanatical, and just annoying. I think that his message of waking people up to climate change and show more our relationship with the environment is so important.

With that in mind, I think the repetitiveness of the narration is not helpful. I think it would have been great if an editor could have worked with him; to make it more about the relationships and the thoughts, instead of just the mundane activities. I forced myself to finish reading it because I do not believe in writing a review without reading the entire book. Also, I wanted to do it justice because I love watching Rob's videos.

I think the message of the book is important. However, there were many times when it felt very abrasive and condescending. I also felt like there isn't enough talk about the privilege that comes along with what Rob was doing. There's no conversation about how most people with children or disabilities or health problems or who are not white-bodied and male would have a difficult time doing what is being asked of people in this book. Also, as an aside, I found it a bit disturbing the lack of empathy that Rob had for people who would not feel comfortable seeing him naked. Rob didn't seem to take into account children who might not have a positive experience seeing a naked man or women who have a past of sexual trauma who would also not appreciate that. And this was again surprising because that's not the energy that I got from Rob from watching his videos. I feel like he tried to address some of these points via blog post links at the end of the book that however his would have been better if it was integrated into the book itself. I think it's something that could have played a larger part in the book. I feel as though I read a rough draft of a book that could be better. show less

This book was incredibly inspiring and filled with valuable resources, offering an immersive look into Robin’s journey of growing and foraging all of his own food, including seasonings. I really appreciated how open Robin was about his experiences, sharing his personal truths and what he learned thorough this process. His journey teaches us how we can gain more freedom with our food while living healthier, happier lives.

What I particularly love is that Robin has made this book available show more for free, so anyone can benefit from the knowledge he’s shared. It is a great resource to look back and reference when needed.

Thank you to Robin for the work he’s done and for offering such valuable information to all of us. show less

Food Freedom is a fascinating book about the author's year-long odyssey of growing and foraging his own food. It catalogs his successes and failures. It gives tips for the reader to follow a similar path. There are lists of plants, growing practices, nutritional helps, and even a few recipes.

I was already familiar with Rob Greenfield before reading this book and had watched videos on his permaculture thoughts. The book is a great reference for anyone looking to become more self reliant.

Interesting book. It offers advice on sustainability, food independence, and foraging, making it accessible to beginners while emphasizing ecological responsibility and community. However, it can present some challenges, and the advice may not be as practical for those in colder climates or without access to abundant land. Overall, it’s a motivating read that encourages readers to reconsider their reliance on industrial food systems and explore more self-sufficient, sustainable lifestyles.