TLDR:  Quick interesting read, the veracity of the subject is questionable. 

 

Okay, the good stuff first. Mr Finkel’s writing style is very easy to read and in most parts of the book you do want to keep turning the pages. I am interested in reading other books by him. He also lists all his sources and gives a reading list if you are interested in reading about solitude. 

 

Two complaints The first is around the 60% or so mark are cherrypicked quotations from famous thinkers and writers. Considering how much Socrates loved philosophical dialogues (according to Plato) I wouldn’t have thought of him as a defender of hermits. There is also the opinions from experts as to Mr Knight’s mental health. Which the author admits is of questionable worth since they did not talk to Mr Knight. 

 

The second is in no way a fault of Mr Finkel. I don’t think Mr Knight was honest with him. I don’t believe that Mr Knight survived 27 winters in snow and below freezing temperatures with no heat in his tent. I don’t believe that racoons and coyotes would not be a problem. I don’t believe with his camp being so close to people that no one would have smelled food cooking or heard him. I don’t believe that Mr Knight could walk through snowy woods on a moonless night with bad vision and leave no trace or make no noise. 

 

I also don’t buy the story that he escaped the world by stealing not just food but books, radios, watches, games, televisions, etc. Basically every time he broke into a cabin he was going on a shopping spree. I would argue that breaking into cabins was a one way conversation that Mr Knight controlled. The total shut down by the Knight family of the author was also frustrating and leaves me with a lot of questions. I wonder very much who made the decision that no family member would talk to Mr Finkel and why. 

 

I do believe that Mr Finkel did try to tell the story fairly and as truthfully as he could and did not sensationalise it. I also believe that he had a bias for Mr Knight. Which is understandable and human. I wish Mr Knight well and hope that he no longer feels the need to break into homes.