The Etiquette of Freedom: Gary Snyder, Jim Harrison, and The Practice of the Wild

This is a "2 for the price of 1" item - the book being a "companion to the film" which is tucked inside the back cover on DVD. The film records a series of conversations between Snyder and fellow writer Jim Harrison, while they walk around the huge landscapes of the Hearst ranch in California (beautifully shot by John J Healy and his crew) or sit inside and at the meal table. The two men talk about their lives, the environment, Buddhism and the nature of "nature" amongst other things. Two familiar themes are the distinction between "the wild" and "the wilderness" (the book takes it's title from the opening chapter in Snyder's The Practice of the Wild) and the fact that there are "too many human animals" on the planet. The book contains the transcript of the film along with outtakes and extra material that expands on the same themes. Inevitably, in reading the book from cover to cover, there is a certain amount of repetition.For Snyder aficionados, there are interesting interviews with Snyder associates including his long-time publisher Jack Shoemaker and ex-wife Joanne Kyger ("a unique poet" in Snyder's own words) amongst them. The book has a few family photographs that I haven't seen before, while the film has some fascinating, though all too brief, archive film from the mid-sixties of Snyder arriving on his motorbike (a Honda, naturally) to a reading of Hay for the Horses and talking to an interviewer on the Berkeley campus.For those unfamiliar with Snyder`s work, there is a short selection of poems, some of which he reads with that beautiful deep kindly voice in the film. In essence, though, both book and film carry on a conversation with the reader/listener that began way back with Riprap, Myths and Texts and Earth Household and the interested newcomer should really start there and work forward.All in all, then, The Etiquette of Freedom is a welcome addition to the canon for Snyder fans while we await with zen-like patience the arrival of John Suiter's promised biography.

I read all of Gary Snyder's poetry and even lived a few years near his place in Northern California, and met him once. I also read all of Jim Harrison's work, though never had the chance to talk face to face like I did with Gary. This book comes as close as it gets to unedited insights into two lives well-lived. Zen, literature, the 1960s and a growing Earth-based consciousness owes a debt to these two.

This is a fascinating distillation of reflection and commentary which, though centering on Gary Snyder's life and work, takes you through a social history of the Beat poets, Buddhist teachings, and an overarching reverence for nature at scales large and small. Though primarily a recording of conversations between two old friends, the voices of other poets, friends, and teachers add a lot of depth to the book.

I found the most meaningful element in both the book and in the DVD that of the human contrast between Snyder and Harrison. I can imagine Harrison having sex and enjoying it immensely, sloppy, sensual, erotic, but can't imagine the same for Snyder. I find Harrison, both in listening to him on the DVD and in his writings (novels and poetry) as a fully human, vulnerable, creature. I find Snyder, in contrast, as stiff and self-absorbed in both listening to him and reading his poetry. Even the visual scene of the two of them together, the contrast in clothing (Snyder dressed in standard form; Harrison dressed as if he just got up from the nap). The contrast hit me hard. I prefer the Harrison Zen to the Snyder Zen. I hope someone does a documentary on Jim Harrison, a life fully lived.

It was very enjoyable to listen to all these intelligent and informed men speak on varied topics. I guess I would refer to it as some philosophy with "color". I didn't know about Gary Snyder; I'm very impressed. I've known Jim for years from when he lived in upper Michigan. Lovely family.

This is a really interesting book on so many levels. I have always been captivated by Mr. Snyder ever since DHARMA BUMS. I have read his poetry and his essays. Mr. Harrison, not so much. On one hand it's amazing that their discussions on nature are transmitted to the reader/observer via DVD or an order through Amazon. On the other hand I had the impression I was watching another reality show. Conversations directed to a camera crew. A hop, skip and jump to THE REAL HOUSEWIVES. Mr. Harrison seemed uncomfortable or tongue-tied. Truthfully, all I can recall of his conversation were yeah, truly and uh-huh. Mr. Snyder, on the other hand, boggles the mind with his intelligence and questing nature. As long as there are minds like his in the universe all is not lost. Read, enjoy, learn.