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Arrives
Thursday, Nov 5
At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Format
- Paperback
- Model
- YES7474842
- Dimensions
- 5.31 x 0.86 x 8 in
- Weight
- 9 oz
- Publisher
- New Harvest
- Publication date
- May 14, 2013
Description
In this frank and witty memoir, Ken Ilgunas lays bare the existential terror of graduating from the University of Buffalo with $32,000 of student debt. Ilgunas set himself an ambitious mission: get out of debt as quickly as possible. Inspired by the frugality and philosophy of Henry David Thoreau, Ilgunas undertook a 3-year transcontinental jour¬ney, working in Alaska as a tour guide, garbage picker, and night cook to pay off his student loans before hitchhiking home to New York. Debt-free, Ilgunas then enrolled in a master’s program at Duke University, determined not to borrow against his future again. He used the last of his savings to buy himself a used Econoline van and outfitted it as his new dorm. The van, stationed in a campus parking lot, would be more than an adventure—it would be his very own “Walden on Wheels.”Freezing winters, near-discovery by campus police, and the constant challenge of living in a confined space would test Ilgunas’s limits and resolve in the two years that followed. What had begun as a simple mission would become an enlightening and life-changing social experiment. Walden on Wheels offers a spirited and pointed perspective on the dilemma faced by those who seek an education but who also want to, as Thoreau wrote, “live deep and suck out all the marrow of life.” Read more
Specs 9
| Publisher | New Harvest |
|---|---|
| Publication date | May 14, 2013 |
| Edition | 4/14/13 |
| Language | English |
| Print length | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 054402883X |
| ISBN-13 | 38 |
| Item Weight | 9 ounces |
| Dimensions | 5.31 x 0.86 x 8 inches |
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Top Amazon Reviews
Wanted to hate it, but loved Walden on Wheels!
Format: Kindle
Ken Ilgunas was a 20-something graduate student when he decided to move into a van to save on room and board. Out of that experience came this book, "Walden on Wheels." Frankly, I wanted to dislike it. Here was this Millennial stealing Thoreau's book title that referenced Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. This title graft scared me, but as I continued reading Ilgunas' book, I realized I loved it! Ilgunas was, unfortunately, one of the countless many students in tens of thousands of student loan debt. And he was desperate to make a change. Through powerful storytelling, adventure, and honesty, he hooked me. I couldn't put the book down -- he was speaking to me and my generation's struggle to afford and attain a higher education. But rather than be an alarmist, Ilgunas was a voice of reason, hard work, and perseverance. While understanding the pull to take out student loans and enjoy some comfort financially, Ilgunas decided to stay away from it all by buying a van and bucking the horrific acceptance of debt. He didn't accept any of it, and refused to be complacent. This dedication likely made him able to pay off the debt in record time. I connected with his monk-like celibacy that is associated with not ever wanting to be controlled by external forces (i.e., student loan debt and women). By separating himself from much of the dating world, it seemed to enable his more frugal, spendthrift ways. I only have a couple, relatively minor critiques of the book. Ilgunas sometimes became overly reliant on the use of cavalier analogies and trumped up story telling. And, he eschewed the U.S. government's food stamp (SNAP) program. His reasoning centered on not wanting handouts from anybody or any entity. Understandable that he wanted to be an independent, self-sufficient man, Ilgunas happily received his end-of-year tax refund. So, while likely qualifying for the food stamp assistance, and benefiting from a large tax refund, he chose to refuse the assistance. Food stamps do not need further stigmatization, and I fear that messages like these subtly suggest that receiving these forms of support "don't count." What a fantastic read and incredible writer. Happy to support this guy with my purchase. Keep up the great work, Ken!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2014 by Mr. Donutbadgerme
A Great Read!
Format: Kindle
I was intrigued by this one. I had read Walden in 11th grade high school AP English and I thought it was just ok. I didn't really get it. I think as an adult, I have a larger appreciation for Thoreau and what he was trying to accomplish. I have a large appreciation for Ken and how he went from being $32k in debt to getting out of debt and going to grad school and incurring no additional debt. It's a lesson that way too many people in this day and age need to learn. Ken's debt while staggering to him, is just the norm for 1 year of school for way too many young adults. I get it. You want a great education and you want to go to a great school and study things that interest you. Then you graduate and you face the daunting task of finding a job and start paying for those loans. I was lucky, between the Stafford loan, Dad and my scholarship, I didn't end up with a lot of debt, maybe $12k tops with the interest? We paid it off this year. Not because we couldn't before but because I didn't really feel like it. I went to a state school too. Ken decides he's going to pay off his debt and then go to grad school without incurring additional debt. You have to admire Ken - he's liberal and he feels like he needs to work hard and save and pay off what he owes. It's a novel concept these days. There's no magic loan fairy out there that's going to take away your loan. Get out there, take any type of job and figure out how to pay that loan down. So many people have a sense of entitlement and won't bother with minimum wage or eccentric jobs. They want things handed to them because they have a very expensive degree. Sorry, it doesn't work that way. Ken then decides to go to grad school at Duke and to save money, lives in a van. It's definitely a novel idea. Kind of creepy as he points out. But totally doable. Ken doesn't need material things and he can make do with the library for electricity and the gym for showers. He makes his own food. Loses weight and becomes lean. Participates in research studies. He makes do with what he has and clothes from the Salvation Army. He lives in solitude and finds comfort in that. Ken does wax poetic about consumerism and materialism. I guess that's his right to do so because he's really shaken that - he doesn't need stuff. He's good with following his heart and having only the essentials to get him through. I think to me, the overall lesson is that if you want something, you work for it. You figure out a way to make it work. No one is going to take care of it for you. No one is going to pay your debt off for you. I really liked this one and it was well worth the $4 via Amazon Kindle.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2013 by S. Parks
Insightful
Format: Kindle
I not only learned about the author's journey; I also looked inside myself & saw more than meets the eye. Even my eyes. I've had hardships like everyone else, and I have always thought that if we learn from our mistakes, than it wasn't a complete waste of time. I look back on my childhood born in the U.S., but raised in the wilds of Canada. I had adventures practically every day. My dogs & I had great times. I learned at an early age, unfortunately, or fortunately (depending on how you look at it), that I can always trust my animals. The unconditional love that I have never found in a human being. Now almost 50, gosh I don't feel THAT old, I still depend on my animals. Horses are very misunderstood animals. They grieve their dead forever; longer than most humans. I've heard elephants do too. Horses have every feeling and emotion that humans do. I recently lost one of my best horse friends. A huge piece of my heart is buried in that hole with her. After waiting a year, I will never forget the day that she gave herself to me, mind, body, soul, love, respect and trust. I will always be indebted to my children for making me smile and laugh. I wear those new wrinkles with pride. Didn't have them before the day they were born. Yes, all 3 were born on the same day. My kids and I have endured many hardships, but have come through them all stronger, better people for it. We have a special bond. Finally, finally I have unconditional love from at least 3 human beings. I haven't been as lucky as Ken. It seems he feels kindness wherever he went. Maybe because he believed he would find it still left in humans. I used to be more of an optimist, thinking there was good in every single person I met. I was quite shocked to grow up & learn that kindness is difficult to find. I have believed for a long time now that the reason I can't find the people I am looking for is simply because they do not exist in the particular State I currently live in. Yes, I've been back in the U.S. for my adult life. Before I was married, had children, then a divorce; I would take off with my dog, my camping gear and my truck. I'd yell, "Road Trip." I slept in some places that made my friends cringe. I also saw the open road and was very glad to be back in nature, where I found solace as a child. Maybe not a smart thing for a young woman to do. But my dog, who loved people, was scary looking and big. She was also extremely protective of me. Also a great judge of character. I followed her lead. She knew people better than I did. As for Canada, you haven't lived until you have dragged your 2 dogs away from the tree where that bear cub was crying for it's mama. I could tell by his fur which of 'our' bears was his mama. She was beautiful, but twice as big as most of our bears. Thank you adrenaline. Each dog weighed more or as much as I did. When we got back to the road, I promptly lost my cookies. However, it is one of many stories of my adventures growing up in Canada. My children still can't fathom my childhood, but at least they believe me now. This book hit me in so many ways. I love words and this author provided a plethora of words and put them together in such a way I can only dream of doing. This author changed my life. I remembered that I have to slow down again, and smell the proverbial flowers. This book made me want to yell "Road Trip!!" and pack up dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and children and go back to the way I was. Well, there's school. The fact that I don't have a horse trailer, and my truck is sitting there with a broken transmission. On my bucket list is camping with my horses and children. Unfortunately, a surgeon ruined my foot & leg, which in turn exacerbated my back injury, and now I have some strange bone & swelling growing on my other foot. I realized I put too much weight on my other leg, and it doesn't like it much. I'm truly afraid that my road trips are a thing of the past. However, nobody can take away those wonderful memories. It is really sad to see people so into their own lives that they no longer have time for others. I think I am living in a selfish State. A State dependent on the internet and other luxuries. A people who want what they want, and they want it NOW. Bigger, better, faster. NOW NOW NOW!! I would recommend this book to anyone & everyone, however, I'm afraid not all people would 'get' it. Thank you Ken for sharing your life, journey and adventures, especially with those of us confined to just reading about it. Thank you for making me remember who I really am.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 7, 2014 by Rockinrobn
You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll smirk. You'll be touched. You might even be inspired to change.
Format: Kindle
I should probably mention upfront that my husband and I are both 39, so we're probably older than the majority who would gravitate to this book. Twentysomethings and fortysomethings will experience this book very differently. As ones who are about to turn forty, we chuckled a little at points in his book. Does Ken seem self-absorbed? Obsessive? Preoccupied with what he feels entitled to? A little commitment phobic? Does he seem to have all the answers in such a way as only a youngling in the world does? Absolutely. Because we were reading this aloud to one another, we both couldn't resist the urge to laugh at points by his largely self inflicted angst. Maybe we were laughing at ourselves, because we married at nineteen, and after college we bought an Airstream and lived in it for two years, seeing the country, so we saw something of ourselves in his journey. But unlike Ken, we came from very poor families, and those who grew up truly poor will always smirk or laugh at those with money who find life so…hard. Despite his very age-appropriate outrage, angst and inclination to preach, we surprised ourselves by how much we both enjoyed the book. Overlook his shortcomings - they're largely predictable and age-appropriate. What Ken has to say is worth hearing, no matter your age. Life is lived poorly when lived in pursuit of things. He's right: you can be happy with less than you think you must have, are entitled to, cannot do without. For all your outrage in your youth at how dysfunctional the world is, as you get older, time and experiences will color your view of people differently. You soften. Outrage turns to an understanding and if you're lucky, compassion. If you're fortunate, you'll find happiness in an imperfect world you won't effectively change, but you'll spend your life doing your part. Maybe you'll recycle, bike rather than drive when you can, drive a tiny car, be part of the tiny houses group, farm your food, watch less TV, and never give a moment of your time worrying about what the Joneses have. Ken was us at nineteen. Ken is many people in their youth. This book is an engaging read. Some of us will be reminded whom we were at his age. You'll laugh. You'll cringe. You'll smirk. You'll be touched. As I write this from our 710 square foot home, I'm smiling because the world keeps producing people like us - Kens - people like many of you. I hope his book touches those who are nothing like us, as that'd be the best result of his book. Thank you, Ken.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2014 by Jelly Bean
Spellbinding-a waypoint on hopefully a long journey
Format: Kindle
Dylan asked, "How Does it Feel?" This guy tried to find the answer. I came looking for a story about a guy in the van down by the river (thanks NYT and LAT), but am enjoying getting there the long way. The key, they say, to a good memoir is honesty, and this one pulls few punches. I like how he visited Thoreau's Walden Pond and found that even that author had taken artistic liberties with the concept of living free. I think Ilgunas is an adventurer in the tradition of Thor Heyerdahl or Edmund Hillary. I think a lot of this writing about living debt-free is all well and good, but there is little exploration of debt as a promise, and how Ilgunas constructed a life of not only minimal debt, but minimal promises to others. The rejection of the values of his upbringing is really the core conflict of the book, not so much the rejection of debt or even the whole van thing. Perhaps in coming years Ilgunas will come to the recognition of what really drives him. Isn't it a little childish to want to be completely independent? Isn't that the child's refrain, "I can do it MYSELF!" Every man is an island unto himself, of course, until he needs to see a doctor. Isn't life incalculably richer when you embrace family, establish a community? We see here a ton of rejection of everything from a parent to a girlfriend to an academic community, with very little self awareness to tie it all together. Where is Marcus Aurelius or even James Stockdale? Don't the Stoics, and their philosophy, have something to offer a guy living a monastic, solitary lifestyle? I don't mind much that this book offers more questions than answers. There is enough self-understanding here to justify the adventure. I find more struggle for self awareness here than in the solo "around the world" sailing books, such as those by Slocum, Tania Aebi, Moitessier. I think Wind Sand and Stars by Saint Ex will continue to be a more compelling exercise in solitary travel writing. I am looking forward to a second book by Ilgunas. BTW, Whoever decided to make this Kindle edition $3.99 had the right idea. While I think it's ironic that a book about living a (nearly free) life should cost any money at all, I can spare $4 to take a journey of self-discovery from Alaska to Mississippi, from New York to North Carolina.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2013 by LA Doc
Inspired journey
Format: Kindle
I couldn't help but marvel at this young author's toughness, imagination and resiliency as he struck out on a road less traveled to conquer a mountain of college debt and all the obligations graduates find themselves in as a result of their poor financial circumstances (locked into boring/frustrating jobs, compelled to join the consumerist culture like so many of their peers, etc.). This is not simply an On the Road adventure, it's the first-hand account of a young man finding himself, growing through adversity and privation, and gaining experience, insight and knowledge well beyond his years. His single-minded purpose to eliminate his college debt and shed the shackles of conventional society leads to so many adventures, so many cool experiences and so much personal strength that I found myself envying him. I found his writing inspiring, entertaining and thoughtful. I read this book without any pause, and think it's a story a lot of folks will find compelling. I was also amazed at the lengths to which this young man went to escape his debt: working various low-level jobs in tough circumstances -- from the arctic to the deep south, going without the consumer goods and creature comforts so many of us have come to rely upon (like, oh, I don't know -- hot showers, a clean living space, a warm bed) and living in a van for a couple years to avoid more debt as he worked his way through Grad school. The author uses Thoreau's Walden as his inspiration to seek out a life removed from mainstream society, to shed convention, even though that means living in squalor, poverty and loneliness that sometimes leaves him feeling "battered and frayed and a little crazy". The irony, of course, is that while the author went without so many things we take for granted in our hyper-consumerist lives, his life was so much richer for it. I highly recommend Walden on Wheels.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2013 by MD
Okay for a White College Boy story
Format: Kindle
The story of overcoming adversity and living in poverty to pay off debt and remain debt free is an interesting one, but far less so when you consider that the author: - Had ample opportunity to life as comfortably as he liked - Had no reason to believe he couldn't pay off future debt if he had to incur it - Had a job or two, which minimum wage or not, is far more than most his age have Were I to come across the same story told by someone with real life adversity, a food-stamps fed woman or colour for example, it would have been interesting to read, and probably written a whole damn lot better, too. The wording in this book is at times degrading to women, addicts, and non-heterosexual persons. It is always painfully clear that this book is being written by a White, Male, College-educated Liberal Arts Student. These are the books true weaknesses. Still, as little alternative literature remains on living in a van while studying, the book (barely) earns the 3 star rating I have awarded it.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 4, 2014 by Pixel
A candid, thoughtful, and relatable story.
Format: Paperback
With the advent of the e-reader, I know exactly how far along I am in a book at any moment. I kept telling myself "I'll read until I get to X% and then go to bed." Well, 50% comes and goes; 65%, 80%, and I'm done before I realize it's 5 in the morning and I have to get up in a few hours. Is the book always politically correct? No. Is it sometimes crude? Yes. But if the author had censored himself, we would have lost out on what makes the book so appealing -- its honesty. The author isn't trying to be anyone other than himself. He lets us experience his weird, idiosyncratic thoughts and feelings, some of which we can all relate to (even if we would never admit to it). And we always feel like we're right there with him, mosquito bites and all. The book is about so much more than living in a van. As others have mentioned, the vandwelling is only covered in the last third of the book. And, for me, it wasn't just about getting out of debt either. Though I understand his circumstances and adventures were all tied back to the debt, the choices he made seemed to stem from something much deeper. Had he not had that debt, I imagine he still would have felt that same need to break free from the life he sees so many people living -- a life of staticness. While reading this book, I was overwhelmed by an urge to do more than I'm currently doing. To travel, to fall hopelessly in love without any expectations it will last, to rid myself of excess material goods, to be better than I am. And isn't that what we want in every book we read? To feel something, anything, that we weren't feeling before we picked the book up? I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone, and I look forward to more stories from this author.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2013 by TheWalshingtonPost