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Ghost Town Living

Mining for Purpose and Chasing Dreams at the Edge of Death Valley

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Ghost Town Living

By: Brent Underwood
Narrated by: Brent Underwood
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About this listen

 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A long-abandoned silver mine for sale sounded like an adventure too great to pass up, but it turned into much more—a calling, a community of millions, and hard-earned lessons about chasing impractical dreams.

“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.©2024 Brent Underwood (P)2024 Random House Audio Personal Development Personal Success Natural Disaster Dream Haunted

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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
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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 

Added so much context after watching the YouTube channel for years 

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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.

fantastic listen

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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.

Honesty and enthusiasm, finding and making meaning in life.

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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

cracking read

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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. 🥃

Not just a history of the town, but a heart felt love story to it and the people who made it happen.

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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.

Sincerity! Genuine human!

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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.

Wonderful and emotional

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The history rich story makes it an enjoyable listening. it gives the long term viewer's context and depth to all the videos.

The author reads the book himself.

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When I see Brent was writing a book on his YouTube channel I knew I had to read it I've followed Ghost Town living for years and enjoy his content. Then I see he was recording the audio book in the mines I was like OK that's how I want to read this book. There's something about knowing that this book isn't just about the history of an old mining town but recorded in the mines themselves makes it a little bit more special. I also want to say that I don't normally write reviews on books but after listening to this book in almost one day and how hooked I was on the story being told that I decided it deserved a review so hopefully more people and enjoy it as much as I did.

A story of more then just a ghost town

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Loved every minute of this audiobook can’t wait till my actual book comes hopefully one day I’ll get up there to see the town for myself

Insightful and inspiring

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