Hard Times in Paradise: An American Family's Struggle To Carve Out a Homestead in California's Redwood Mountains

by Micki Colfax and David Colfax

Book Overview

An account of one family's life in a redwood forest describes how the Colfax's lived without electricity, running water, or a phone, and how they educated their sons, three of whom were accepted to Harvard on full scholarships.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446514896
• ISBN13: 9780446514897
• Release Date: July 1992
• Publisher: Warner Books
• Length: 284 Pages
• Weight: 1.28 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Relevant, uplifting, engrossing!

Couldn't put the book down. Throughout the story of their family's survival in the country with all the challenges of actually living off the land - dealing with the elements, living without amenities, having no money to buy decent equipment, and needing even the small children to contribute to make it work - I felt I was right there with the Colfax's. It made me laugh and cry as I lived through the challenges with them, watching each child grow stronger with each set-back, seeing each one's individual strengths emerge, and the tremendous sense of self-confidence that came with it. What a way to grow up! I know their book has inspired generations of home-schoolers. I didn't expect it to be such a fresh and enlivening experience to read even today. I feel so grateful to the Colfax's for telling their story.

Excellent!

I absolutely loved this book. When we got the book, my husband and 3 children and I were already homesteading and I had started to homeschool my children. Our experiences were slightly different, but at the same time some were very similar. I could relate to their struggles. And I also remember the '70's when they started their adventure. Homesteading and homeschooling is so much more acceptable now! They were pioneers for the rest of us!

Homeschooling may not be a panacea, but it's Paradise to us!

When I bought "Hard Times in Paradise" and "Homeschooling For Excellence" in 1988, I was pregnant with my only child. I did not think that a federally controlled, compulsory education was healthy, nor did I think that small children should be removed from their parents' care at such an early age. I was hungry for information that would give me a perspective on what to expect. David and Micki Colfax have done a wonderful job of explaining the hits and misses that comprised the raising of their children outside of the standard educational systems. The long term successes of their sons are enough to inspire any parent. I can't recommend their books enough.

I find myself drawn to this book again and again and again .

David and Micki Colfax have succeeded in doing what some of us would love to do ... return to a lifestyle that while more challenging (physically and mentally) is often more rewarding ... the simple pride of being able to provide for one's self and family; giving to one's children the gift of unrestricted time and energy, taking time to answer their questions and involve them in what you are doing and teaching them that some things in this world are not always fair .... there are other things I could mention but will let you find for yourself. When I find myself needing to step back from the hustle and bustle we know and call life, I return to "Hard Times In Paradise," to be reminded of what's really important.