A review by goosegrimm
A Libertarian Walks Into a Bear by Matthew Hongoltz-Hetling

challenging dark funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

3.25

An interesting look into America's First Free Town, a libertarian political project that colonizes the New Hampshire town of Grafton. This book is more like a drive by in my opinion; Hongoltz-Hetling does a remarkable job creating relationships with many facets of the Grafton community and goes into depth about the history of the town (and of new england bears). However, I do think he could have gone more in depth into the meat of the Libertarian political movement. Its a complex, sprawling group, with apparently a genuine impact developing on the New Hampshire government. I would have appreciated more time spent unraveling the justifications Libertarians hold with unraveling laws and civic responsibility. Otherwise, Hongoltz-Hetling's dry wit and open engagement with the Grafton community was a welcome perspective into a dying town. As someone from a similarly tiny and resource strapped community, I appreciated the care evident in his writing. Plus, the bear discussions were very interesting and not at all what I expected. Overall, I would not really read this as a political book. While politics certainly plays a role, I think the book works a lot better as a window into rural life. And a very interesting commentary of how life works when you are surrounded by bears and all on your own, whether by choice or by circumstance. 
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