Twelve by Twelve: A One-Room Cabin Off the Grid and Beyond the American Dream

Why would a successful American physician choose to live in a 12´ x 12´ cabin without running water or electricity? To find out, William Powers visited Dr. Ashley Benton in rural North Carolina. No Name Creek gurgled through Benton’s permaculture farm, and she stroked honeybees’ wings as she shared her “wildcrafter” philosophy of living on a planet in crisis. Powers, just back from a decade of international aid work, then accepted Benton’s offer to housesit at her cabin for a season. During those few months, he befriended the eclectic neighbors and discovered a way of life under threat, in opposition to the globalized American dream. Part Annie Dillard, part BillMcKibben, this is riveting armchair travel through a landscape rich with clues to personal and global healing.

And a link to the video trailer....http://www.williampowersbooks.com/wpowers-twelve-trailer.htm

About the author:
William Powers has led development aid and environmental initiatives in Latin America, Africa, and Washington, DC. The author of the memoirs Blue Clay People and Whispering in the Giant’s Ear, his essays on global issues have appeared in media including the New York Times, the Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Slate. He has been interviewed on programs including Fresh Air and Living on Earth and is a senior fellow at the World Policy Institute. Powers lives part-time in New York City. His website is www.williampowersbooks.com.