--- product_id: 39968631 title: "Secret Wisdom of the Earth" price: "119.48 DT" currency: TND in_stock: true reviews_count: 12 url: https://www.desertcart.tn/products/39968631-secret-wisdom-of-the-earth store_origin: TN region: Tunisia --- # Secret Wisdom of the Earth **Price:** 119.48 DT **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Secret Wisdom of the Earth - **How much does it cost?** 119.48 DT with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.tn](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/39968631-secret-wisdom-of-the-earth) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description "A marvelous debut...has everything a big, thick novel should have, and I hated to put it down." -- John Grisham "A page-turner." -- New York Times Book Review For readers of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle , this is a dramatic and deeply moving novel about an act of violence in a small Appalachian town and the repercussions that will forever change a young man's view of human cruelty and compassion. After seeing the death of his younger brother in a terrible home accident, fourteen-year-old Kevin and his grieving mother are sent for the summer to live with Kevin's grandfather. In this town of Medgar, Kentucky, a peeled-paint coal town deep in Appalachia, Kevin quickly falls in with a half-wild hollow kid named Buzzy Fink who schools him in the mysteries and magnificence of the woods. The town is beset by a massive mountaintop removal operation that is blowing up the hills and back filling the hollows. Kevin's grandfather and others in town attempt to rally the citizens against the "company" and its powerful owner to stop the plunder of their mountain heritage. But when Buzzy witnesses a brutal hate crime, a sequence is set in play that will test Buzzy and Kevin to their absolute limits in an epic struggle for survival in the Kentucky mountains. Review: Poetry in Motion Wrapped in a Good Story. - I am always amazed when I find a debut novel that is this amazing. Beautifully written, wonderful dialogue and well defined human characters with all their facets showing. The several storylines allow for great development within the characters. Each one comes slowly into focus which is pretty much what happens in life. I like how it is all woven together. The devastating thing that happened to Kevin’s family which brought Kevin and his Mom to this rather hard scrabble mining/farming community of Medgar, Kentucky. For his mother, returning to her roots and her father. For Kevin, it allowed his Grandfather to slowly bind the wounds that his little brother’s death had torn into his existence. The horror and feeling of fault that his own father had saddled him with needed his “Pops”quiet wisdom and attention. Meeting another 14 year old of a totally different background but full of mountain lore gave him his first strong friend and started them both on a path of “coming of age” in a rather red necked, hill billy mountain town which had its good points and scary ones too. Lay this against the back ground of miners who are trying to survive as the mines have been emptied of coal and now total Mountaintop Removal is allowing them to work once more but it is devastating to them and to the pristine environment. There is a fight brewing between those that want to stop the strip mining and huge dangerous slurry ponds and those that see dollar signs only. Then for a bit of flavor, add in two men, one a son of Medgar and one a fellow he meets needing help along the road, who have a very different lifestyle and shake. Pretty much all hell breaks lose eventually. The amount of detail of this incredible country and its inhabitants boggles my mind. There is just so much emotion invoked for all the characters. I hurt for Tilroy , a youth about the same age as Kevin and his best bud, Buzzy but raised with hard hand. So torn trying to fit the mold of his family but a boy with a secret that could get him thrown out of the only home he knows. What happens to set him on a perilous journey toward his possible death is one of the background narratives until it bursts its seams and becomes “the” story. I bought this for my Kindle but I think too much of it to leave it at that. I will need to have a hard copy to keep on my shelf and pass around to friends who will enjoy it as much as I have I am sure. Don’t miss this experience of a great book. Review: Almost Great - The Secret Wisdom of Earth by Christopher Scotton This is a “coming of age” book. The principle character is 14 year old Kevin Gilloly, whose life has taken a terribly course following the sudden and horrific death of his 3 year old brother, Josh. Understandably, the family is devastated, but the trauma is not shared, but separate and divisive. Kevin’s mother, Anna ("Annie”), becomes totally withdrawn, non-functioning and almost catatonic. His father, Edward, is instead angry, with much if it directed to Kevin, who he blames for the accident that killed young Josh. Kevin can’t approach his father for fear of retribution, nor his mother, who is unresponsive. He is thus left to deal with this tragedy largely alone. The family decides that perhaps there is some chance for healing if Kevin and his mother go to Medgar, Kentucky and stay the summer with her father, Arthur Peebles, affectionately known as “Pops”. The family arrives in June. Edward quickly returns to his job in nearby Indiana, and Annie and Kevin settle in and seek peace. Annie remains withdrawn, but Kevin finds in Pops the kindly grandfather that every boy would cherish. Of course Pops now not only fills that role, but must also replace both Kevin’s parents, at least for a time. Pops is a veterinarian in this small rural mining town, a town that has seen much better days. There is still mining that employs many workers, but not in the numbers as before. Also, the underground mining that once dominated the business has given way to above ground methods. Tops are literally blown off mountains and coal conveniently extracted without the bother of tunnels, rail cars, etc. This “convenience” is destroying the environment, the spiritual lifeblood of this small community. Kevin, not versed in the outdoor skills shared by most in this setting, discovers much about the surrounding hills and forests, his family, and himself. He never had close friends in Indiana, but quickly meets Buzz Fink, a boy his own age who has grown up in the town. He has all the skills, resourcefulness and sense of outdoor adventure that Kevin lacks. Despite their obvious differences, they strike up a strong and comfortable friendship. As they explore the countryside together, Kevin at times seems ready to leave some of his pain behind. Pops does much to try to comfort him, showing a great wisdom that the author skillfully expresses. Indeed, I feel that the description of Pops, the words he is given, and the thoughts he recalls are a wonderful part of the book. Much of the description is elegant. Pops begins to take Kevin on his veterinarian rounds, making him an “assistant” and letting him play an active role in many procedures. At home, Kevin also sits on the porch in the evening while Pops talks with old friends and sips his sour mash. The simple wisdom that flows from these men is taken in by Kevin, and not only helps his healing, but his general growth. Buzz supplies wonderful company his own age, taking Kevin on adventures he would have never imagined a few weeks earlier. This idyllic setting has its villains. The principle protagonist is“Bubba” Boyd, the mine owner whose only goal is to buy as many mountains as he can, level them, and extract both coal and money. And, although most of the other residents are what might be called “kind and simple folk”, one family, the Budgets, is different– unkind and almost unfeeling. I think that the author paints too extreme a picture of these characters, making them caricatures instead. He might want to make the “good and bad” contrast quite stark, but it detracted, at least for me, from the more accommodating treatment of the other subjects. Kevin meets a kind man, Paul Pierce, who runs a hair salon in this tiny town. He is gay, as everyone knows, but doesn’t acknowledge. He admits his preference at a large town meeting and the public utterance of this known fact suddenly makes it unpardonable. The uproar grows, threats are made, Paul is brutally murdered and Kevin must face another harsh reality. Buzz discovers the body, and also evidence implicating some of the locals. Both boys are unable to easily cope with the event or what to do next. Pops is certain (correctly), that things will settle out, and takes them both on a “tramp”, a long hiking and camping trip into the backwoods. They will walk over 20 miles to reach a remote and pristine lake, where they will stay for a time. They only take enough food for the hike in, and then plan to “live off the land”– catching fish, snaring small game, and gathering roots, berries, etc. The hike in is extremely difficult and both boys feel the thrill of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a great physical challenge. On the way in they witness the detritus from the scarred mountains, and the ugly pools of slurry that are left behind. It is in stark contrast to the lake, which is all that Pops said it would be- beautiful, full of fish, and surrounded by small game. I felt that this “tramp” could be a lovely and fitting climax to this “coming of age” saga. But the author chooses to inject danger and malevolence into this otherwise peaceful setting. The book become more like “Deliverance” than “Stand by Me”. Suffice it to say that all three must make a desperate trek back over 20 miles of wilderness to escape a pursuer. The resourcefulness, bravery and stamina of the boys, and of Pops, taxes the author’s credibility. This “passage” becomes not a transformation from boys to young men, but boys to super heroes. Up to then the author may have pushed the limit of believeability at times, but the narrative held together, strengthened by what I found to be a lovely writing style. Before the “tramp” I thought I might be reading a very special work of fiction. But it turned into a fantasy. The ending came back to a fathomable reality and I generally enjoyed the book a great deal. It had some very tender moments when Pops discusses his late wife–a wonderful love story played out in memories. There are other interesting characters that were well developed. I loved much of the language and wording. I just wanted the book to be great, and it fell short. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #589,191 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2,738 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books) #7,390 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books) #12,758 in Family Life Fiction (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,798 Reviews | ## Images ![Secret Wisdom of the Earth - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Lgorsd7JL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Poetry in Motion Wrapped in a Good Story. *by S***Y on February 26, 2015* I am always amazed when I find a debut novel that is this amazing. Beautifully written, wonderful dialogue and well defined human characters with all their facets showing. The several storylines allow for great development within the characters. Each one comes slowly into focus which is pretty much what happens in life. I like how it is all woven together. The devastating thing that happened to Kevin’s family which brought Kevin and his Mom to this rather hard scrabble mining/farming community of Medgar, Kentucky. For his mother, returning to her roots and her father. For Kevin, it allowed his Grandfather to slowly bind the wounds that his little brother’s death had torn into his existence. The horror and feeling of fault that his own father had saddled him with needed his “Pops”quiet wisdom and attention. Meeting another 14 year old of a totally different background but full of mountain lore gave him his first strong friend and started them both on a path of “coming of age” in a rather red necked, hill billy mountain town which had its good points and scary ones too. Lay this against the back ground of miners who are trying to survive as the mines have been emptied of coal and now total Mountaintop Removal is allowing them to work once more but it is devastating to them and to the pristine environment. There is a fight brewing between those that want to stop the strip mining and huge dangerous slurry ponds and those that see dollar signs only. Then for a bit of flavor, add in two men, one a son of Medgar and one a fellow he meets needing help along the road, who have a very different lifestyle and shake. Pretty much all hell breaks lose eventually. The amount of detail of this incredible country and its inhabitants boggles my mind. There is just so much emotion invoked for all the characters. I hurt for Tilroy , a youth about the same age as Kevin and his best bud, Buzzy but raised with hard hand. So torn trying to fit the mold of his family but a boy with a secret that could get him thrown out of the only home he knows. What happens to set him on a perilous journey toward his possible death is one of the background narratives until it bursts its seams and becomes “the” story. I bought this for my Kindle but I think too much of it to leave it at that. I will need to have a hard copy to keep on my shelf and pass around to friends who will enjoy it as much as I have I am sure. Don’t miss this experience of a great book. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Almost Great *by J***R on February 11, 2015* The Secret Wisdom of Earth by Christopher Scotton This is a “coming of age” book. The principle character is 14 year old Kevin Gilloly, whose life has taken a terribly course following the sudden and horrific death of his 3 year old brother, Josh. Understandably, the family is devastated, but the trauma is not shared, but separate and divisive. Kevin’s mother, Anna ("Annie”), becomes totally withdrawn, non-functioning and almost catatonic. His father, Edward, is instead angry, with much if it directed to Kevin, who he blames for the accident that killed young Josh. Kevin can’t approach his father for fear of retribution, nor his mother, who is unresponsive. He is thus left to deal with this tragedy largely alone. The family decides that perhaps there is some chance for healing if Kevin and his mother go to Medgar, Kentucky and stay the summer with her father, Arthur Peebles, affectionately known as “Pops”. The family arrives in June. Edward quickly returns to his job in nearby Indiana, and Annie and Kevin settle in and seek peace. Annie remains withdrawn, but Kevin finds in Pops the kindly grandfather that every boy would cherish. Of course Pops now not only fills that role, but must also replace both Kevin’s parents, at least for a time. Pops is a veterinarian in this small rural mining town, a town that has seen much better days. There is still mining that employs many workers, but not in the numbers as before. Also, the underground mining that once dominated the business has given way to above ground methods. Tops are literally blown off mountains and coal conveniently extracted without the bother of tunnels, rail cars, etc. This “convenience” is destroying the environment, the spiritual lifeblood of this small community. Kevin, not versed in the outdoor skills shared by most in this setting, discovers much about the surrounding hills and forests, his family, and himself. He never had close friends in Indiana, but quickly meets Buzz Fink, a boy his own age who has grown up in the town. He has all the skills, resourcefulness and sense of outdoor adventure that Kevin lacks. Despite their obvious differences, they strike up a strong and comfortable friendship. As they explore the countryside together, Kevin at times seems ready to leave some of his pain behind. Pops does much to try to comfort him, showing a great wisdom that the author skillfully expresses. Indeed, I feel that the description of Pops, the words he is given, and the thoughts he recalls are a wonderful part of the book. Much of the description is elegant. Pops begins to take Kevin on his veterinarian rounds, making him an “assistant” and letting him play an active role in many procedures. At home, Kevin also sits on the porch in the evening while Pops talks with old friends and sips his sour mash. The simple wisdom that flows from these men is taken in by Kevin, and not only helps his healing, but his general growth. Buzz supplies wonderful company his own age, taking Kevin on adventures he would have never imagined a few weeks earlier. This idyllic setting has its villains. The principle protagonist is“Bubba” Boyd, the mine owner whose only goal is to buy as many mountains as he can, level them, and extract both coal and money. And, although most of the other residents are what might be called “kind and simple folk”, one family, the Budgets, is different– unkind and almost unfeeling. I think that the author paints too extreme a picture of these characters, making them caricatures instead. He might want to make the “good and bad” contrast quite stark, but it detracted, at least for me, from the more accommodating treatment of the other subjects. Kevin meets a kind man, Paul Pierce, who runs a hair salon in this tiny town. He is gay, as everyone knows, but doesn’t acknowledge. He admits his preference at a large town meeting and the public utterance of this known fact suddenly makes it unpardonable. The uproar grows, threats are made, Paul is brutally murdered and Kevin must face another harsh reality. Buzz discovers the body, and also evidence implicating some of the locals. Both boys are unable to easily cope with the event or what to do next. Pops is certain (correctly), that things will settle out, and takes them both on a “tramp”, a long hiking and camping trip into the backwoods. They will walk over 20 miles to reach a remote and pristine lake, where they will stay for a time. They only take enough food for the hike in, and then plan to “live off the land”– catching fish, snaring small game, and gathering roots, berries, etc. The hike in is extremely difficult and both boys feel the thrill of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a great physical challenge. On the way in they witness the detritus from the scarred mountains, and the ugly pools of slurry that are left behind. It is in stark contrast to the lake, which is all that Pops said it would be- beautiful, full of fish, and surrounded by small game. I felt that this “tramp” could be a lovely and fitting climax to this “coming of age” saga. But the author chooses to inject danger and malevolence into this otherwise peaceful setting. The book become more like “Deliverance” than “Stand by Me”. Suffice it to say that all three must make a desperate trek back over 20 miles of wilderness to escape a pursuer. The resourcefulness, bravery and stamina of the boys, and of Pops, taxes the author’s credibility. This “passage” becomes not a transformation from boys to young men, but boys to super heroes. Up to then the author may have pushed the limit of believeability at times, but the narrative held together, strengthened by what I found to be a lovely writing style. Before the “tramp” I thought I might be reading a very special work of fiction. But it turned into a fantasy. The ending came back to a fathomable reality and I generally enjoyed the book a great deal. It had some very tender moments when Pops discusses his late wife–a wonderful love story played out in memories. There are other interesting characters that were well developed. I loved much of the language and wording. I just wanted the book to be great, and it fell short. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ a book so powerful and so good that you can’t pull yourself away from its grip ... *by B***S on February 10, 2015* Every once in awhile a book comes along that is a major distraction to life; a book so powerful and so good that you can’t pull yourself away from its grip until the last line has been read. I’m not talking about just a good, engrossing book, but rather a book that you know will stick with you not only days and weeks to come, but for years. THE SECRET WISDOM OF THE EARTH is the latest book to do this to me. 14 year old Kevin Gillooly and his mother Annie decide to spend the summer with Annie’s father, Arthur ‘Pops’ Pebbles, at his quiet home, deep in the Appalachian mountains of Eastern Kentucky after a tragic accident took the life of Kevin’s younger brother 2 months prior.. Annie is a mental wreck and Kevin is riddled with guilt as they arrive, but soon Kevin befriends a local kid by the name Buzzy Fink, who teaches him the way of the woods and opens a whole new life of nature to Kevin. Medger is a mining town that is in the throes of a tug of war between those who are selling out the mountains and their land to the greedy mining honcho Bubba Boyd, and those who aim to preserve their way of life. Also, the gossipy small town is up in arms over the revelation that a life long resident is gay, and how to deal with such a thing. As the summer progresses, Kevin and Buzzy’s bond continues to grow as the tension in the town reaches a murderous fever pitch! This is Christopher Scotten’s first novel and I’m just going to say it; this might just be the BEST debut novel I have ever read! The writing, descriptions, pace and characters are all superb and far beyond what someone should be putting out for their first crack at a novel. I really hate to overhype anything because things tend to never live up to the praise, but I can’t help myself here: I…LOVED…THIS…BOOK! It’s a coming-of-age story about a boy becoming a man right before your very eyes and an observation of small town life and their often reluctant feelings towards change. The characters are so well fleshed out, deep and jump off the page at you and tug at your heart, especially the lovable and wise Pops. I didn’t want this story to end; I want to live with these characters in the fictional town of Medger on 22 Chisold st. a little longer, but even though the story had to end, it is definitely one that I will revisit, sometime down the road. Kevin and Buzzy reminded me a lot of the relationship that Gordie LaChance and Chris Chambers had in the classic film STAND BY ME. In fact, despite being very different stories, there are a lot of similarities in the feel and relatability of that film, throughout this book. Although this was just released last month, how this book is not a best seller yet, is beyond me. I'm going to make a bold statement and say that this is a new classic; a book that whether it finds the audience it deserves now, or 10 years down the road, will be remembered and cherished by generations to come. This is undoubtedly the book to beat this year and I give it a glowing 5/5! --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.tn/products/39968631-secret-wisdom-of-the-earth](https://www.desertcart.tn/products/39968631-secret-wisdom-of-the-earth) --- *Product available on Desertcart Tunisia* *Store origin: TN* *Last updated: 2026-08-13*