The Farming Game

Every once in a while, I reread this book. It is a Mark Twainish laughing at the sad shape of farming, of government mistakes, of bureaucratic fumbling, while offering a bracing vision of sound farm economics and common sense.It has aged a bit--the corporate farm is now more in charge of prices than ever--but it has aged well, and I cannot open it and read a random page without chuckling to myself.I've read a lot of similar books over the years--Victor Davis Hanson's excellent FIELDS WITHOUT DREAMS springs to mind--but for humor and overall enjoyment, you cannot beat this little known and under-appreciated take on small farm life.

The characters portrayed here you've either met or after reading you'll wish you had. Jones does an excellent job weaving the trials and tribulations of farming and ranching with the truly unique characters that are found down on the farm. I'd highly recommend it.