Ghost Town Living, Brent Underwood
Ghost Town Living, Brent Underwood
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
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Ghost Town Living
Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley

Author: Brent Underwood

Narrator: Brent Underwood

Unabridged: 7 hr 44 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 03/19/2024


Synopsis

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A long-abandoned silver mine for sale sounded like an adventure too great to pass up, but it turned into much more—a calling, a community of millions, and hard-earned lessons about chasing impractical dreams.

“Inspiring and meditative—the story of man vs nature and man vs himself.”—Ryan Holiday, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way

The siren song of Cerro Gordo, a desolate ghost town perched high above Death Valley, has seduced thousands since the 1800s, but few fell harder for it than Brent Underwood, who moved there in March of 2020, only to be immediately snowed in and trapped for weeks.

It had once been the largest silver mine in California. Over $500 million worth of ore was pulled from the miles of tunnels below the town. Butch Cassidy, Mark Twain, and other infamous characters of the American West were rumored to have stayed there. Newspapers reported a murder a week. But that was over 150 years ago.

Underwood bet his life savings—and his life—on this majestic, hardscrabble town that had broken its fair share of ambitious men and women. What followed were fires, floods, earthquakes, and perhaps strangest, fame. Ghost Town Living tells the story of a man against the elements, a forgotten historic place against the modern world, and a dream against all odds—one that has captured millions of followers around the world.

He came looking for a challenge different from the traditional 9-5 job but discovered something much more fulfilling—an undertaking that would call on all of himself and push him beyond what he knew he was capable of. In fact, to bring this abandoned town back to life, Brent had to learn a wealth of new self-sufficiency and problem-solving skills from many generous mentors.

Ghost Town Living is a thrilling read, but it’s also a call to action—to question our too-practical lives and instead seek adventure, build something original, redefine work, and embrace the unknown. It shows what it means to dedicate your life to something, to take a mighty swing at a crazy idea and, like the cardsharps who once haunted Cerro Gordo, go all in.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Zandt on September 30, 2023

I'm a fan of books featuring unknown individuals achieving remarkable feats, and "Ghost Town Living" fits the bill. However, the book could benefit from a thorough edit, as the narrative seemed disjointed and lacked a chronological account of the author's experiences in the Ghost Town. I desired a m......more

Goodreads review by Olivia on April 30, 2024

As a fan originally of the YouTube channel since late 2020, what first fascinated me about Brent Underwood was his way with words: he has a way of taking something others might think mundane and revealing it in a new and beautiful light. If there's anything I can say about this book, it's that the s......more

Goodreads review by Colin on July 18, 2024

Ghost Town Living is an enjoyable, easy read, and a fascinating look at the former mining town of Cerro Gordo. Brent weaves together the history of the ghost town with accounts of his plight as a modern man seeking deeper meaning in life into an insightful and inspiring story. His words come off as......more

Goodreads review by Laura A on February 04, 2024

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Brent decided he wanted more out of life. He didn't like his job and was looking for a change. He decided he needs a challenge. He goes to California to do something that most people would look at as foolish and crazy. Brent got so much more than h......more

Goodreads review by Rick on June 24, 2024

Beyond outstanding! An exemplary book filled with wisdom, heartache, pain, inspiration, and love. Love for this once abandoned ghost town that is slowly being resurrected into a home for its resident owner and caretaker, as well as for those who have a shared passion for preserving a slice of our co......more


Quotes

“[Underwood’s story] continues to be of endless fascination.”—The New York Times

“It is . . . a romantic way of life. But it hasn’t been without its share of difficulties, worries, and setbacks.”—VICE

“Who knows? Maybe Cerro Gordo has one last boom in it after all.”—CBS News

“Inspiring and meditative—the story of man vs nature and man vs himself . . . and what we’re capable of when we throw ourselves into something that we believe in.”—Ryan Holiday, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way

“Brent is the true soul of the town—the passion and love for this project is what brings it to life and why it has been able to impact so many people across the world.”—Sam Golbach of Sam and Colby

“From the very first page, Ghost Town Living captured my imagination. Underwood's odyssey is a stark departure from the familiar shores of achievement and modern comforts, plunging into a realm brimming with risk, raw adventure, and at times, sheer turmoil. This is a clarion call to delve into the depths of one's aspirations, to court the unknown, and to relentlessly chase the thrill of exploration.”—Molly Bloom, author of Molly’s Game

“Vivid and vibrant . . . a pleasure to read Underwood’s account of bringing history to life.”—Kirkus Reviews