The Dangers of the American Frontier

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"As sort of freedom goes up, danger goes up. And because you're in danger, you have to affiliate with other people," he says. "And then your freedom goes down because you're part of that new group." The author was on a walk along the Juniata River when settlers came into what is now called Indian territory. If you didn't carry a rifle, scalping knife, and a tomahawk at all times, even during times of peace, if you weren't constantly armed and prepared to fight, you were not part of the community", she writes.

Journalist and author Sebastian Junger talks about his book, Freedom, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. The book and conversation are based on a 400-mile walk Junger took with buddies along railroad rights-of-way, evading police, railroad security, and other wanderers. Junger discusses the ever-present tension between the human desire to be free and the desire to be interconnected and part of something. Along the way, Junger talks about the joy of walking, the limits of human endurance, war, and why the more powerful, better-equipped military isn't always the winner.