Louis Bromfield

"A rare book of abundant variety . . . breathes the satisfaction of a busy rewarding life. This is a book for thoughtful people who love America. It will be read with gratitude far and wide. It is beautifully written." -Chicago TribuneWhen Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield and his young family returned to America from France on the eve of World War II, they settled down in rural Ohio's Pleasant Valley. He bought several adjacent properties and named the resulting aggregation Malabar Farm. The topsoil at Malabar Farm had been exhausted and eroded over the years, leaving the land largely unproductive, but Bromfield was determined to return it to sustainable productivity. Potent seeds were planted there. Those seeds soon took root and the plants began to thrive as he charted a bold new course for their lives and the land, in the process became an outspoken advocate for sustainability. Readers of Bromfield's previous book Pleasant Valley will enjoy the continuation of the true story he told there, this time focusing more on Malabar's transition from general-purpose farm to single-crop grass farming for cattle in the years 1944-1947. Originally published in 1948, Malabar Farm quickly became a popular success, attracting the attention of fellow farmers and the general public alike. In passionate, lyrical prose, Bromfield conveys both the practical, day-to-day details of farming and of the need to adopt new, regenerative agricultural practices. As an early proponent of sustainability, he urged farmers to regard the land as a long-term treasure to be nurtured rather than a disposable resource to be exploited. Malabar Farm is an excellent source of information on soil improvement, erosion management, organic versus chemical fertilization, range development for cattle, waterway management, gardening, and animal husbandry. This seminal work on organic, sustainable agriculture is today more relevant than ever; even in this digital age it shines as a beacon for aspiring farmers, conservationists, and environmentalists worldwide. This book is also available from Echo Point Books as a hardcover (ISBN 1648372031).

A revived work of twentieth-century fiction that spans years and continents to satirize and explore religious fanaticism and expat life. First published in 1928, Louis Bromfield's The Strange Case of Miss Annie Spragg is a haunting and genre-defying tale--a thoughtful reflection on religion and human nature with the propulsion of a mystery. Set in Italy and the American Midwest, this surprisingly modern novel now has a new introduction by Bromfield biographer Stephen Heyman. The novel opens on a ragtag community of American expats in rural Italy. When Annie Spragg, a local eccentric, dies with stigmata on her body, the diocese tasks the skeptical Mr. Winnery with investigating whether actual miracles occurred at her deathbed. From there, the novel brings us back to Annie's origins as the child of a cult-leader and prophet on the American frontier. As the story unfolds, Bromfield traverses time and continents as he weaves together satire, mysticism, and psychological insight to explore themes of religious fanaticism, repression, and redemption. Heyman's new introduction situates Annie Spragg within Bromfield's literary evolution--from chronicler of liberated women to environmental visionary--and reintroduces readers to a writer whose influence shaped both American letters and sustainable agriculture. This edition invites fans of twentieth-century fiction to rediscover a novel that remains provocative and poignant today.

Set against the glittering backdrop of 1920s New York, Twenty-Four Hours unfolds over the course of a single day in which the seemingly charmed life of a wealthy socialite begins to disintegrate. Through intersecting perspectives, the novel reveals the emotional and moral collapse of individuals trapped in loveless marriages, casual infidelity, and the illusion of class respectability. A portrait of moral disillusionment and urban detachment, the story explores how quickly the stability of a life can erode when illusions are confronted with reality.

Set against the glittering backdrop of 1920s New York, Twenty-Four Hours unfolds over the course of a single day in which the seemingly charmed life of a wealthy socialite begins to disintegrate. Through intersecting perspectives, the novel reveals the emotional and moral collapse of individuals trapped in loveless marriages, casual infidelity, and the illusion of class respectability. A portrait of moral disillusionment and urban detachment, the story explores how quickly the stability of a life can erode when illusions are confronted with reality.

Early autumn presents a vivid portrait of a prestigious New England family on the brink of change, set during an opulent gathering meant to restore their waning influence. The event, hosted at the grand family estate, becomes a stage where longstanding traditions meet the restless stirrings of modern attitudes. A young woman's return from overseas sparks interest, but it is her mother's captivating and unconventional spirit that draws the focus of the assembled guests, unsettling the carefully maintained order. Beneath the formal elegance of the evening lies a web of quiet rivalries, generational friction, and the subtle drama of reputations at risk. The novel explores how pride, social standing, and adherence to custom begin to falter under the pressure of individuality and change. Each moment at the gathering reveals layers of emotional complexity, hinting at shifts in how family, society, and personal freedom are understood, making this a compelling study of transition from rigid convention to a more fluid, uncertain future.