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Ghost Town Living
- Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley
- Narrated by: Brent Underwood
- Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins
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Ghost Town Living
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Summary
“Inspiring and meditative—the story of man vs nature and man vs himself.”—Ryan Holiday, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Obstacle is the Way
The siren song of Cerro Gordo, a desolate ghost town perched high above Death Valley, has seduced thousands since the 1800s, but few fell harder for it than Brent Underwood, who moved there in March of 2020, only to be immediately snowed in and trapped for weeks.
It had once been the largest silver mine in California. Over $500 million worth of ore was pulled from the miles of tunnels below the town. Butch Cassidy, Mark Twain, and other infamous characters of the American West were rumored to have stayed there. Newspapers reported a murder a week. But that was over 150 years ago.
Underwood bet his life savings—and his life—on this majestic, hardscrabble town that had broken its fair share of ambitious men and women. What followed were fires, floods, earthquakes, and perhaps strangest, fame. Ghost Town Living tells the story of a man against the elements, a forgotten historic place against the modern world, and a dream against all odds—one that has captured millions of followers around the world.
He came looking for a challenge different from the traditional 9-5 job but discovered something much more fulfilling—an undertaking that would call on all of himself and push him beyond what he knew he was capable of. In fact, to bring this abandoned town back to life, Brent had to learn a wealth of new self-sufficiency and problem-solving skills from many generous mentors.
Ghost Town Living is a thrilling read, but it’s also a call to action—to question our too-practical lives and instead seek adventure, build something original, redefine work, and embrace the unknown. It shows what it means to dedicate your life to something, to take a mighty swing at a crazy idea and, like the cardsharps who once haunted Cerro Gordo, go all in.
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Critic reviews
"[Underwood’s story] continues to be of endless fascination."—The New York Times
"It is . . . a romantic way of life. But it hasn’t been without its share of difficulties, worries, and setbacks."—VICE
"Who knows? Maybe Cerro Gordo has one last boom in it after all."—CBS News
What listeners say about Ghost Town Living
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- ian
- 26-03-24
Added so much context after watching the YouTube channel for years 
What a great book by Brent Underwood. It was lovely to put some flesh on the bones of some of the stories I already knew well, to hear his backstory, and understand his aspirations for the future 
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Brian Muldoon
- 07-04-24
fantastic listen
Loved this book. I have been watching watching Brent's Ghost town living since near the start. He is a fantastic story teller and his adventures are engrossing.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- PT
- 19-06-24
Honesty and enthusiasm, finding and making meaning in life.
I am fan of the YouTube channel, but this book really give a deeper insight into the history both past and being made in this new chapter and personal journey that this special place has taken the author on.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Gavin Harper
- 05-06-24
cracking read
if you enjoy the YouTube videos you will more than likely enjoy this. it's a brilliant listen, and at times I almost felt I was there with them on the adventure
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Samantha
- 06-05-24
Captivating
I found this book so captivating and inspiring.
it's fascinating to hear about all the history and the how so many challenges are being overcome. One of my fave books of the year by far.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 05-04-24
Very interesting insight into the restoration of history
Thank you Brent for you fabulous book. I throughly enjoyed your insight which gave another layer to what I had previously learnt about your journey at CG on your YouTube channel!
I found the book to be surprisingly philosophical and although practical tasks involved with owning a ghost town, which may seem soul destroying and overwhelming you found a deeper meaning in overcoming and conquering.
Your trajectory with rebuilding the American hotel has been inspiring and what a wonderful Arc to be involved in, despite how painful an experience 2020 was.
Thank you for an entertaining, adventurous and admirable piece of work. Would recommend. Thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- P
- 26-03-24
Not just a history of the town, but a heart felt love story to it and the people who made it happen.
Not only is it a well written book, it’s a great set of stories and a window into you, the history of the town and the people who made it and your story possible. If anyone is unsure if they should get it or not then I highly recommend it. Here’s a toast to Tip RIP. 🥃
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Jukka Talvio
- 02-07-24
Sincerity! Genuine human!
The title could be shortened to “living”. Current title is better, of course. Just saying it can give you the impression that Brent is writing about ghost town living only. Not so.
I am sorry I finished the book. I would have appetite for more.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Chris Moore
- 28-03-24
Wonderful and emotional
This book is beautifully written and read and leaves you wanting more. The vivid description of the town and surroundings as well as the different characters really takes you there. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to visit and see the real place, but even if I can’t, I feel like I know the place a little more already.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Emilio Diociaiuti
- 27-03-24
The author reads the book himself.
The history rich story makes it an enjoyable listening. it gives the long term viewer's context and depth to all the videos.
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