author
Scott Nearing
1883–1983
A radical economist, teacher, and activist, he became best known for urging people to live more simply, peacefully, and independently. His long life linked early 20th-century reform politics with the later back-to-the-land movement.
6 Audiobooks
The American Empire
by Scott Nearing
Civilization and Beyond: Learning from History
by Scott Nearing
The Debs Decision
by Scott Nearing
The Super Race: An American Problem
by Scott Nearing
The Next Step: A Plan for Economic World Federation
by Scott Nearing
About the author
Born in Pennsylvania in 1883, Scott Nearing was an American educator, writer, and political activist whose work often challenged the economic and social orthodoxies of his time. He taught economics and social science, and his dismissal from the Wharton School in 1915 drew national attention because of his outspoken left-wing views.
Over the years, he wrote widely on labor, peace, economics, and social justice. Nearing was also a committed pacifist and advocate of simple living, and he and his wife Helen became especially influential through their books and example of a self-reliant rural life.
Their best-known book, Living the Good Life, helped inspire generations of readers interested in homesteading, sustainability, and living with fewer material demands. Nearing died in Maine in 1983 at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy that still resonates with readers drawn to independence, environmental awareness, and ethical living.