the western more disturbing than Blood Meridian.

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Watch Lindsay Ellis's video on Jurassic Park: nebula.tv/videos/lindsayellis...
Where Blood Meridian’s violence is surreal and oddly detached, Butcher’s Crossing’s violence is realistic and confrontational. Butcher’s Crossing is a brutal, brutal novel. A novel of mythic, biblical disasters and horrifying, mechanized killing. It’s a story of a horrific buffalo hunt, and the men who get destroyed by it. It’s rooted in historical fact, but so relevant to today. It’s a story of the American Dream.
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
3:54 Part 1 - Are You Stupid?
16:23 Part 2 - Not So Tough, Are We?
25:21 Part 3 - Slaughter
33:48 Part 4 - Don't Procrastinate
43:49 Part 5 - Did You Miss Us?
53:04 The Movie
Twitter: / mancarrying
Merch: mancarryingthing.com
Our second channel: / @womancarryingman
Patreon: / mancarryingthing
Nebula: go.nebula.tv/mancarryingthing
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Reddit: / mancarryingthing
Discord: / discord
Instagram: / mancarryingthing
Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/ManCarrying/
Want to send me something? Do it here:
PO Box 7887
Bonney Lake, WA 98391

[@Wendigoon]

I’ve heard a lot about Butcher’s Crossing but never actually checked it out, excited to watch this

[@QuiteStupid73]

WENDIGOONER!!! REPORTING FOR DUTY SIR 🫡 🫡

[@ca44444]

DAD 🎉

[@ManCarryingThing]

hell yeah, i think you'd love the book

[@DrThrustbone]

It all comes full circle, thank you Gooner and Carrying Man, I must now go to the fronteir and experience indescribable horrors.

[@princetchalla2441]

Went out into the wild West of Alaska, only to meet friendly people and thriving towns akin to old school westerns. Disappointed, life is good unlike my deep philosophical Cormac McCarthy book

[@eggalicious8853]

Man carrying my heart with all the effort he’s putting into carrying thing.

[@ash_11117]

@@WhataMenschYes. It’s unfortunate what atrocities we have committed against the buffalo. Hopefully they can recover 😢

[@ARealMensch00]

Hey when will you say something about all the kids your government is killing in Gaza?

[@ARealMensch00]

How many more children have to be starved before you will use this platform to speak out

[@GabePerez7050Real]

Sometimes all I think about is you

[@GabePerez7050Real]

@@ARealMensch00 late nights in the middle of June

[@dimitrijekulak3347]

This is like getting 20-30 funny shorts, except this one is neither funny or short, but serious and long. The absolute legend, he never misses!

[@writingwofl5836]

You don't think this video is funny? I mean sure the focus is less on the comical, but it's surely sprinkled throughout.

[@DankSpoony]

Serious and long My old college name

[@sigh824]

I wish there was a name for that. Alas… Man Carrying continues to be ahead of his time 😔

[@kymypy]

bravo vince

[@hephup1768]

This is the funniest comment I’ve ever read

[@Geospasmic]

The yhing about miller that keeps jumping out at me is how he only seems to get angry at the scarcity of bison and Native people, because there aren't enough of them to kill anymore, but he never draws the connection between his mass-killing and the degraded state of the people and animals. He finds a hidden place with rare huge numbers of bison and kills so many they can't even transport or process the hides. Then he loses his mind about the market crash. He's a machine that eradicates things and hates them for being eradicated.

[@ManCarryingThing]

well put

[@kjj26k]

Truly an agent of entropy in a species of builders.

[@kingsleycy3450]

If humanity could turn oxygen into gold, we would have used up all the air in the world already

[@Parzivle]

My body is a machine that turns uncontrollable bloodlust into crippling disappointment

[@willywonka7812]

Just your average western imperialist

[@realsanmer]

"Zoomers have 3 introductions to the western genre" WRONG There is also Rango

[@Nthsey]

And Buster Scruggs

[@kathrineici9811]

“Thirsty, brother?”

[@Peevee-xs4xq]

Also for some reason when I was a kid every video game or movie that was about making movies *always* included something western even though I was too young to understand the parody. It got to a point where I just knew the genre more by parody than actual Western media

[@dr.stronk9857]

Amazing movie

[@fluffywolfo3663]

In my case it was actually Trigun.

[@NaiFarang]

'oh nice a new short funny 1-3 minute video by man carrying things" "looks at the length OH SHI-"

[@ARealMensch00]

Make a statement on the Gazan genocide your government is backing MCT

[@ARealMensch00]

What reason do you have to be silent on so many kids being slaughtered by American bombs MCT?

[@gtdc4685]

Me:

[@ARealMensch00]

MCT will you make a video condemning the G E N O C I D E america is funding

[@NaiFarang]

@@gtdc4685 lol

[@bharatnair15]

Read the whole book twice and still never figured out where the butcher was crossing

[@antlerbraum2881]

@@WhataMenschDid the IDF pay you to make the cause of Palestinian people look this unlikable?

[@hayk3000]

​@@WhataMensch​ I understand your point but I do think you're doing it in an unlikeable way for political normies (which is MCT's audience, since it's so wide nowadays). MCT does funny skits on slightly political light subjects. So it'd be out of the channel's norm to do a funny skit on genocide (I assume they'd find it distasteful, or simply don't see themselves qualified for it) or a serious video which would come across as preachy. The only time they do serious stuff is when talking about novels (or movies on the second channel). So I'd recommend you to find a different approach to your activism, because this is not good praxis nor is it a good way of doing propaganda. Maybe recommend them a good novel on the Palestinian genocide caused by the British empire, and now the Israeli state backed by the U.S. government and military industrial complex. I'm not a well-read person but I'm sure there's some good art to be found and discussed about since this has been going for 70 years.

[@laureloneiros1500]

man these bots are getting crazy

[@joshuagrahm3607]

was chasing after the chicken which crossed earlier.

[@rokukou]

​@@antlerbraum2881 Yo he deleted his comment and it made you look bad for bringing up Palestine, might wanna fix that

[@Justin71248]

Man carrying thing is the only KZbinr I’ve seen who has mastered the art of 1 minute and 1 hour videos.

[@seanboyize]

Never watched this channel before, but that’s indicative of good writing so I’m in

[@evandickinson6393]

Nothing in between. LOL

[@NibNibNib]

"Not worth shooting anymore" is the most chilling reflection of the character's opinion on the years beforehand, incredible writing that says so much with a single line

[@thatpenguin9889]

"Times have changed. Spanking is now innappropriate" - Man Carrying Thing 2024

[@dimitrijekulak3347]

You should read the Wheel of Time if you like spanking

[@captaincalamity4909]

Wait it is? Why was I not informed? This could have a major impact on my standing with my parole officer.

[@GabePerez7050Real]

Can’t make you happier now

[@orijimi]

Why is it that the sort of person that comments a quote from a video are almost universally incapable of not mangling the quote?

[@alex.g7317]

@@orijimimangle fnaf

[@pumpkinhead4426]

Can't believe he stuffed 120 skits into one video

[@Flode_boyy]

i clicked on this thinking it was a skit, but then i saw the timer😭

[@TankishRBLX]

SAME

[@gtdc4685]

Same

[@colonelweird]

It's 60 skits all in a row.

[@hafirenggayuda]

I thought it gonna be a looping video, or 55 minutes of dark screen. But hey, he already told us in the title

[@DPadGamer]

Oh wow. Stuck in the same place they slaughtered hundreds of buffalo, barely staying alive, waiting out the winter months... and Schneider just walks up like "Hey, got my paycheck?".

[@QuikVidGuy]

While I was listening to that, I could hep but laugh. "Ok, motherfucker, this is just a job to you where you go through the motions in order to get done what needs to get done? Then what needs to get done is my salary."

[@ASwitchDog]

I watched Wendigoon's video on No Longer Human and was intrigued enough to read the book and then I realized I actually like reading so instead of watching this video essay I'm gonna read Butcher's Crossing for myself take THAT booktuber I've subverted your expectations!

[@matthiasthulman4058]

You should try The Crossing, from Cormac Mccarthy. Audio book is on youtubbe It's kinda dry sometimes, but overall I think it's a good western.

[@Gojeto346]

So I’m realizing this is NOT about Fieval Goes West

[@Billybobjoe]

I thought it was back to the future 3

[@bigbiggoblin2873]

Big banger. I picked up this book from your recommendation (a year ago?) Such a gripping story that genuinely surprised me with its gorgeous prose and descriptions. A small detail about the river catastrophe: before they cross, Miller wants Schneider to lead alongside the oxen, But Schneider says it isn’t his job. Instead Charley leads the oxen himself. By being the last to cross the river, Schneider is killed by the log. It feels like a punishment for Schneider’s “I’ll do the minimum and I’ll take what’s mine” attitude. Or it’s simply wrong place wrong time, the uncaring force of nature catching up to him. Anyway, great vid. Always love your book content.

[@ManCarryingThing]

good point - glad you enjoyed the book!

[@edwardhannah8507]

@@ManCarryingThing Yeah. You've definitely sold me on this book. Great video 👍

[@boarfaceswinejaw4516]

could also be a metaphor for how Schneider arrived last, and so got nothing out of all the pain and suffering. an apt descriptor for lost generations.

[@napofu90]

Also clicked thinking it'd be another funny skit, proceeded to lay back for an entire hour watching this. This is outstanding. Seriously, Man, this wasn't even analysis or essay, this was brilliant storytelling, with great elocution. I think you've just adapted the book without realizing it, personally I was transported. And I see the obvious parallel with Vietnam. Many soldiers went into this war perhaps with little idea of what laid ahead of them (soldiers after all), and passively accepting the almost metaphysical reasons laid out by the US government (domino theory, we must fight in Saigon so as not to fight in San Francisco etc.), only to be faced with the mundane horror of war, and then return to the United States, undefeated by their own metrics, just like Andrews' party, but in fact worse than defeated. The country had completely stopped seeing this war as necessary, and had moved on to other things, and was therefore now completely indifferent to the whole thing, much like Butcher's Crossing had become to the bison hide trade. The US army came back home to see it all amounted to a big nothing. The very grim parallel is that just as with the buffalo hunt, William Westmoreland and the "brain trust" in the Johnson administration measured their success in the battlefield with a body count of fallen Vietnamese fighters. They counted dead enemy Vietnamese fighters like bison hides were once counted. I could go on but it was really an incredible Thing Man Carried and thanks for that.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks so much - i really appreciate that, and i appreciate what you added to the Vietnam parallels

[@MythicMethod]

@napofu90 Not to discount your analysis in any way, but it's worth noting that Butcher's Crossing was originally published in 1960, long before the Vietnam War would turn into the quagmire to which you are referring. The widespread political unrest and popular disillusionment was still a few years down the road at that point. It would have actually been written at a time when the "police action" in Vietnam was something that relatively few people were paying much attention to on a day-to-day basis. Again, the publication date is not just considerably before the protest movements became prominent, it's four years before even the Gulf of Tonkin incident (which marked the beginning of the large scale escalation that in turn made the war so intensely divisive), and three years before the Johnson administration would take power. For perspective, the first national protest that truly grabbed hold of the country's attention and began to shift public opinion in a major way was the "Pentagon Riot" in 1967. That being said, I do think it's interesting that the atrocities described in the book could be interpreted as paralleling the later real life experiences of many who went to war in Vietnam (my father amongst them), as well as their trials upon returning home. While the book may not have been written as a response to those events, it may well be even more impressive that it instead foreshadowed them in many ways.

[@napofu90]

@MythicMethod That’s definitely a very important caveat. The parallels between Butcher’s Crossing and Vietnam, or rather some American reading that’s been made of the events of the Vietnam war, are indeed striking, but because of the chronology it is impossible that the author was inspired by the war for the reasons you outlined. Since the parallels are still pretty much there (and I don’t think I was simply projecting my own ideas about Vietnam on Butcher’s Crossing as one sometimes does), I’d say the most likely explanation is that both Butcher’s Crossing and the “Vietnam-was-a-big-wasteful-nothing interpretation of the war” draw from a common anterior narrative or ideology. After all, the battle between transcendantalism and its detractors is quite ancient, and probably took place in millennia prior under other names. Long story short; people committing untold acts of barbarity and ruthlessness tend to shield their conscience from their own reproach by some abstract ethical ideology (I’m just a businessman and the Indians deserved it, domino theory etc.) that makes it palatable to eradicate an entire species or ravage a country. The bison hide market collapsing or the US government abandoning domino theory destroys this protection you had, and you are now faced with having committed unfathomable acts, or suffered immensely yourself (often more relevant), all for nothing. There’s many reactions possible then: try to forget the whole ordeal, go berserk, slink into ruminations, just realize you’ve been naive and move on enlightened by your errors, a mix of all etc. In many respects it’s a story as old as time. Us humans aren’t nearly as original as we’d like to be. Thanks for your comment, was a nice occasion to reflect on these things

[@azaleawater]

this is genuinely one of the best video essays i've ever seen - and i watch this shit like a junkie. well done, man. seriously. i've added butcher's crossing to my reading list and cannot wait to pick up a copy!!!

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks so much!

[@lurkio804]

Man if you think this is a great video essay just wait until you see the huge library of videos over on the Nostalgia Critic's channel

[@VirtualBoy500]

MAN: "You've probably seen this picture before." ME: Well yeah, of course, on Nebula.

[@ManCarryingThing]

[@shoocharu]

Your videos are always so short, man.. maybe try a longer one?

[@ManCarryingThing]

4 hour skit coming soon!!!

[@bosselfqueenbee1496]

the crossover i NEVER expected

[@LtCdrXander]

​@@WhataMenschthis! More big KZbinrs need to speak out and use their platform to spread awareness

[@ReallyGoodandKind]

@@ManCarryingThingbruh that’s just a movie. (I’d so watch it. Twice)

[@Dibbz_TV]

“Oh, I could use a laugh!” *sees length* “Ah hell. Here we go”

[@virmirus]

"If you are, like I suspect, a terminally online binger of video essays who reads half a book a year" *why are you spying on me from inside my house and can you please carry some of my things*

[@Fazberrygooday]

HAHAHAHA WERE ALL SO QUIRKY AND FUNNY HERE HAHAHAHAHAHA😂😂😂 XD OMG

[@Terramorph_2784]

I'm going through a Yin-Yang mindset where I wish you made more long-form content dissecting different books and media, and also feeling happy about the lack of such content since it makes the sudden announcement and experience all the more special.

[@deathsyrup]

Friendship ended with Blood Meridian now Butchers Crossing is my hyper-fixation

[@panterxbeats]

😎🤠

[@strangoman]

I’ve returned to this video after noticing a possible reference to butcher’s crossing in blood meridian. At the end of chapter 9, the scalphunters encounter a gang of ciboleros (Spanish for buffalo hunters) who are described, at first, as a sort of mirror image of the gang and upon their departure, it is said that they are the inversions of each other but destined to the same fate as travellers of the west. It may not be a direct reference, but I think it is quite possibly an acknowledgment of the themes of butcher’s crossing and their connection with those of blood meridian from McCarthy.

[@jamesd.c.4810]

John Williams’ impeccable prose elevates this novel so much.

[@realisticphish]

This was an absolutely fantastic video. You do a phenomenal job of narrating/summarizing the story, while keeping your own voice/thoughts in it. It's not just synopsis... it's like it's annotated. While still being very engaging and entertaining. Not to mention it's a book I knew literally nothing about, so I was coming in fresh.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thank you!

[@patricksalone5871]

Nice to see you doing more long form content. Don’t get me wrong I love your short comedy skits but what keeps me coming back is videos like this and the other booktube stuff you do.

[@Goober_gobbler]

You predicted your audience so well, “read the book in 3 years when you have forgotten everything in this video” thankyou

[@atlas6864]

absolutely genius tactic. lure casual viewers in with funny short videos, bide your time, and once they're lulled into a false sense of security inflict an hour long video essay on them. even the most experienced cult leaders quake at the feet of man carrying thing.

[@blackfrost9011]

This is by far the most elaborate skit I’ve seen MCT put out in a while

[@peregrinecovington4138]

Approximately every 30 seconds I'm shocked the video hasn't abruptly ended

[@Kajlj5000real]

Who up bloodin they meridian

[@ash_11117]

@@WhataMenschWhat genocide?

[@ARealMensch00]

Condenmn your government for its crimes MCT

[@Kajlj5000real]

Dude whats happening here

[@LtCdrXander]

​​​@@ash_11117my guess is that they're talking about the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, which Israel is committing, and the American government is backing by supplying Israel with money and weapons. It's an atrocity that needs to be stopped, but idk if replying to every YT comment is the best way to spread awareness, as most people will probably think this guy is a bot or not take them seriously. A shame, since there's a literal genocide going on as we speak, and it's a huge problem. Everyone, including children and babies, are being killed. Hospitals have been bombed, the supposed "safe areas" have been bombed. Israel has blocked the humanitarian aid supplies from coming into Gaza. Even then, America only sent humanitarian supplies to make themselves look like "the good guys", as they're still sending Israel weapons and money. Israel and zionists don't even consider the Palestinians to be humans. If you speak out against Israel and zionists you'll get called antisemitic, and yet all of the kind Jewish people I've heard from do not agree with this genocide either, as they have the common sense to be good and kind people, instead of being insane like the zionists.

[@LtCdrXander]

​@@ash_11117my guess is that they're talking about the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people, which Israel is committing, and the American government is backing by supplying Israel with money and weapons. It's an atrocity that needs to be stopped, but idk if replying to every YT comment is the best way to spread awareness, as most people will probably think this guy is a bot or not take them seriously. A shame, since there's a literal genocide going on as we speak, and it's a huge problem. Everyone, including children and babies, are being killed. Hospitals have been bombed, the supposed "safe areas" have been bombed. Israel has blocked the humanitarian aid supplies from coming into Gaza. Even then, America only sent humanitarian supplies to make themselves look like "the good guys", as they're still sending Israel weapons and money. Israel and zionists don't even consider the Palestinians to be humans. If you speak out against Israel and zionists you'll get called antisemitic, and yet all of the kind Jewish people I've heard from do not agree with this genocide either, as they have the common sense to be good and kind people, instead of being insane like the zionists.

[@IrishTechnicalThinker]

I always love hearing books similar to Blood Meridian, this story has the same alignment associated with vast environments and suffering normalised. I just can't believe there's a book worse than Blood Meridian only because of the bit when the judge kills the dogs and then smash babies against rocks holding them by the feet. I just can't get that out of my mind, not gonna lie that book traumatised me. This video analysis was superbly done and made me very interested in reading it. Thank you.

[@epic_sans8229]

The judge did neither of those things from what I remember.

[@hablaba1354]

@@epic_sans8229the judge bought puppies, put them in a bag, threw them in a river. The narrator watches the puppies smash against the rocks of the river. The babies sounds familiar but can’t specifically remember.

[@aounaloevera4080]

@@epic_sans8229 He did one of those, he drowned puppies. One of the delawares smashed the babies heads against the rocks. Keep in mind though, when the yuma tribe got to Judge Holdens chamber he was nked with a LITTLE girl cowering in the dark and the idiot (the uneducated man with feces on his face labeled as the idiot).

[@alexrexaros9837]

NO! NOT MY NICHE WESTERN BOOK! DONT MAKE IT MAINSTREAM! I WILL LOSE MY BRAGGING PRIVILEGES!

[@altramen7045]

exactly how I felt about blood meridian lol.

[@VasudevAnandcva]

Video essays called "the western more disturbing than Blood Meridian" be like: Great video 👍

[@katdroidd]

Blood Meridian is so disturbing not just because of the graphic violence but also because McCarthy pulls the reader into a liminal space wherein supernatural elements are kind of pushing the violence to extremes. To just dismiss that aspect of it kind of ignores what McCarthy was up to, and yet so many interpretations do just that.

[@jumpingman6612]

Well put

[@magicman3163]

Your interpretation

[@katdroidd]

@@magicman3163 There is at least two book written about McCarthy's philosophical beliefs and how he utilized it in his books. So, no, not just my "interpretation".

[@youtubename7819]

I always thought the supernatural elements in blood meridian were more about the belief than the reality. The belief in divinely supported manifest destiny caused a bunch of real life horror in america, and the judge is essentially a totem of that. I don’t think he is literally supernatural, but people fearing/treating him like he is supernatural allows terrible unnatural evil.

[@katdroidd]

@@youtubename7819 that is an interesting interpretation

[@w1ckedn0nsense34]

Entering his video essay era, we love to see it.

[@valhatan3907]

Don't he already did before? 😅

[@kjj26k]

More of a return, right?

[@judeconnor-macintyre9874]

He's done essays before.

[@majesticzorro2990]

I’ve never been interested in westerns but gave it a shot due to you giving it such high regards in a previous “fav books” video. It was AMAZING and am extremely excited to watch this. Man needs to carry more book videos imo.

[@somebodyyouneverknew1095]

Appreciate this kind of content from you

[@Fall__Forward]

Something I love about John Williams after having read both Stoner and Butchers Crossing is how wonderfully he describes the ordinary. There is something incredible in his succinct descriptions of a small town or a landscape or a lecture hall with students. I'm not really sure what it is, but his writing alone gives me an appreciation of the ordinary, let alone some of the themes of Stoner

[@vacant_girl]

Love that you’re making long essays like this❤

[@michaelmara900]

As a John Williams fanboy, it's so wild when a guy you've been following on KZbin covers a VERY under-appreciated great, great novel. This is an outstanding summary and analysis that makes me want to give it a re-read.

[@campbellgeary2773]

I read this book because you recommended it in a video a while ago and it’s still one of my favorites. Excited to hear your deeper thoughts on it and compare them to mine! Thank you Mr. Thing.

[@ManCarryingThing]

glad you liked it!

[@BBQsaucemix]

I really hope you make more of these. Since I've discovered you a year ago, I've been consuming more and more audiobooks. I'm very glad you chose to cover Butcher's Crossing as I wasn't able to find a free copy of it. I'm also glad to announce I'll be receiving Dune and Blindsight tomorrow. Time to head back to a time when I used to binge the Harry Potter and The Golden Compass books; not just video games.

[@ZackarySmigel]

Hell yes! Love this format.

[@YummyWhiteLiquid]

It actually kinda hurts how this video essay didn't hit nearly the same level of engagement and approval of the skits that are usually put out. This was a very well done video essay on a book that's largely being ignored by fans of the channel and newcomers because of the length. You can tell the algorithm really doesn't like it as much as the skits... No wonder people are discouraged from putting heart and soul in their videos and making them slightly longer than their usual format; they don't receive the commensurate engagement for the level of love that's put into them. Also, the man never misses, absolute legend, yada yada yada. Had to shoehorn that somewhere in there

[@Kaghtaviy]

Or maybe this dude's channel is, you know, mostly based on funny short skits, so many people obviously aren't interested in a serious and long video essay (which is the exact opposite of his usual content) because it's not what they're used to watch here? Also the algorithm very much likes video essays and generally long videos, just look at Wendigoon's channel.

[@YummyWhiteLiquid]

@@Kaghtaviy His channel wasn't originally based on funny short skits. It started off as a book review channel and every video he did was centered around books, writing and tropes. Some were funny shorts but most were actual intelligent, focused opinions on books. That was his usual content and that's what people used to watch here. The algorithm likes video essays sure but not in the home page under random recommendations, unless the creator is already popular to begin with and the long form video gains traction because people watch his stuff. Algorithms favor recommending short form vids from random creators rather than hours long vids, so if you're a new creator on KZbin and you wanna get noticed, an hour long essay won't get recommended even half as much as short skits. Not to mention they're easy to make so you mass produce them till one gets favored by the algorithm and people start getting it recommended.

[@clipboadman1461]

been missing these types of videos from Man Carrying Thing

[@samcooper664]

Absolutely fantastic video. Man Carrying Nebula.

[@thecheesen]

From all the skits, all of the editing feels weirdly ironic You have poisoned my eyes, Man Carrying Quality Videos

[@schizophrenic_AI]

Amazing video! I feel like I’m still gonna remember or recall some of this in three years when I go to read the book but spoilers we’re worth it; genuinely fantastic work. Look forward to more videos like this.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks so much

[@joenappi8459]

I’m thrilled you made a video this long, I really hope you keep it up because you’re fantastic at it

[@ManCarryingThing]

thank you

[@HuguFota]

your practical approach to this subject is just what i needed!

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

Wanton and pointless slaughter of buffalo is indeed disturbing. Wanton and pointless slaughter of men, women, and children, in a bloody swath stretching from Texas to California, with a huge evil guy who might actually be the devil incarnate, is more disturbing. More by far. I'll have to read this book, but from what I've gathered so far, it doesn't even come close to Blood Meridian.

[@notsae66]

Yeah, it's an interesting and disturbing book, but nothing on pedophile satan giving speeches about the doom of all men and the joys of war.

[@spiritlevel8]

I'd say it's much better written than blood meridian

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

@@spiritlevel8 Cormack McCarthy isn't for everyone, that's for sure.

[@Unpainted_Huffhines]

@@spiritlevel8 Cormack McCarthy definitely isn't for everyone, that's for sure.

[@spiritlevel8]

@@Unpainted_Huffhines that's true. I just found it a little repetitive and I love Williams" style

[@dollveins]

oh gosh i missed your video essays. very excited to watch

[@misteraskman3668]

This is what I've been subscribed for. I saw your video on the Lolita's book cover, and I loved it so SO much. Thank you.

[@nepmobile3583]

Loved this video! I’m a big fan of your skits but long form videos like this are a real treat

[@benjaminfernandez7973]

This was really cool! You’re actually the reason I wound up hearing about and reading this book 2 years ago, so it was really cool watching you break it down!

[@Cleobirdwell]

This is such a wildly specific book to get an hour long video from a quality KZbinr and I'm so here for it. John Williams seems to have good hipster cred when it comes to this era of authors but he deserves a lot more mainstream appeal. He is a master of writing beautiful, blunt, straight to the point prose. When he writes about love or hardship it is always articulated perfectly. He takes abstract feelings and makes them feel like capital T Truths. I have not heard of your channel before this popped up on my feed but I am IN.

[@alchemilk]

What a phenomenal video, fantastic writing, analysis, editing, all of it. An unbelievable amount of was put into this.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thank you

[@elijah-yq6gp]

As someone who’s never seen your content before, I respect and appreciate the stray from your normal shorter form of videos. Your depiction of the book was interesting, you’re a funny dude, and I’d happily watch something like this from you again!

[@guilhermeferraz9954]

So happy that this video is getting the traction it deserves!

[@lipsontajgordongrunk4328]

Also you did a phenomenal job with this longform style of content. I think you could easily turn this into a series of in depth book recaps if you wanted to.

[@RyanJay2]

Absolutely fantastic video. Love all your book content

[@ManCarryingThing]

thank you

[@mr.nutmac]

Been waiting for more book content from mr. carrying. Splendid

[@user-eg4nj5mw1d]

Excellent video. Thanks MCT

[@iyousef46]

I will return and watch this when I finish the book. It's been on my shelf for a few months.

[@jacoblichty4146]

It seems like there's a whole slew of people reading Blood Meridian for the first time these last couple months (movie news?); I appreciate you digging into something a little different! Much appreciated!

[@notsae66]

Not movie news, Wendigoon did a huge video about it.

[@cptguzzler2094]

I didnt know you did these essays. This was really engaging. Please do more and great work!!!!

[@theamazintaco06]

Oh dude. This is absolutely perfect, this is literally just what I needed right now

[@sandequation2653]

You did a great job with the longer format. Your story telling carried the video, and you narrated with confidence and a consistent tone. My one critique would be about pacing/delivery, and this might just be a natural result of the shift from your usual format: your diction moved super fast and the editing chopped through a lot of natural pauses that would have made it feel more natural. It's a petty thing, and I'm only mentioning it because I loved the video and I'm excited to see more like this in the future. Subscribed & looking forward to what's next!

[@Irrlichtwinter]

I considered reading Butcher's Crossing a year or so ago when I saw it at the library, but decided the tone didn't seem right for me. Turns out I made a good choice 😅 I really appreciate this retelling, because it saves me from having to read a book that would likely wreck my mental health.

[@lurkio804]

Art's no good if it doesn't wreck your mental health.

[@zephyr1089]

please make more of these kinds of videos. i love ur style of content and definitely want to see it in this kind long form essay

[@sambone2809]

Glad to see this book getting more recognition. Excellent video.

[@bosselfqueenbee1496]

Absolute legend, never misses.

[@dubbedminecraft]

Hey, this is sincerely amazing content. You’ve got a keen sense for balancing style and analysis, and you’ve clearly got a passion for this. If you release another hour long I’ll be sure to give it a listen, thanks Carry thing man.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks!

[@yiannchrst]

gosh, this video felt really fast for an hour long video! really nice!

[@fading_cinder7513]

This video is really good. You manage to do what few video essays can, and that’s capture the energy of the novel while actually sharing it!

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks!

[@betzalelabrams2177]

I like your skits but I really love your book reviews

[@jamerthegamer13]

PLEASE make more videos like this, truly enthralling and wonderful storytelling throughout, love the direct quotes and analysis

[@ManCarryingThing]

thank you!

[@eliascarlson8113]

I absolutely love your videos on more in-depth book analysis or book overviews. They are always so well put together, and you are so well spoken.

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks!

[@dualscreenchef8535]

Man, I’m so excited for this video

[@stinkystinkypoopystinkypeepee]

You might have the most enjoyable editing I've seen. I'm actually enjoying this

[@ManCarryingThing]

thanks

[@LtCdrXander]

​@@WhataMensch agreed. With such a large platform, KZbinrs should be speaking out more against the ongoing genocide that my government is supporting. Thanks again for spreading awareness. I hope more people and big youtubers will notice and say something

[@darkflightdreamer1698]

@@LtCdrXander barf drinker

[@hellobrowizard101]

I just want you to know that I usually hate reading but I only read Butchers Crossing because it was in your video for your favorite books of all time. Great rec. I read 100 Years Of Solitude right afterward and I think I do actually like reading now

[@ManCarryingThing]

thats awesome

[@vlsiguymn]

Love the longer videos of yours (and the shorts too)

[@The116thDoctor]

YO! So hyped you’re on nebula now

[@tobiaslangly]

Finally able to get to this video. This has got to be one of my favorite book analysis and would be super down to see more longform stuff for sure

[@TheLongestTake]

Bruh Herzog would be an amazing choice to adapt this lmao

[@jasonmcmillen165]

Kinski is the judge in my head

[@ericooliveira9693]

When I read it(some years ago now), in the part where the snow begins to fall in the valley, I had an very vivid experience of synesthesia. I formed such a clear and strong image of the droplets of snow falling and the aftermath of the hunt, it actually freaked me out. Never had an experience like this before or since reading a book.

[@Rcb4th]

I’ve read like 20 books this year and hearing you talk about these books for 2 minutes has me wanting to read about all of them. I’ll be back in a few months

[@worthywizard]

I watch this every year, an absolute classic!

[@batfreeze56]

Please make more long-form videos on literature! I really enjoy the shorts, but this is amazing.

[@into_the_flood_again]

'Butcher's Crossing' is one of the great "warnings" in the pantheon of deconstructing American exceptionalism IMO. And even more, it is an incredibly morose warning about the illusion of The Grand Journey that young men seek. Narratively, I appreciate how focused, tight, and poetic it is; I love McCarthy but so much of his style is based around leading you into this hazy morass for a hundred pages at a time. Perhaps the biggest separation of the two is that Blood Meridian is obviously this gothic allegory, and while it's brutal, it is also incredibly esoteric and separated from reality. 'Butcher's Crossing' is frighteningly real and feels like some long-dead man's story. It's the kind of thing buried in a journal covered in dust on a Gunnison or Kremling library archive shelf. Highly recommend it.

[@wasprider7239]

What an excellent video, this is my first time seeing any of your stuff and I'm really impressed. Can't wait to jump into your backlog.

[@intheTRAFFIC]

Proud of u bro. This is great, and the fact that you’ve maintained the sarcastic presentation style into a more serious topic really works and recontextualizes it…

[@pup64hcp]

LONG FORM MCT LETS FUCKING GOOOOOO

[@johnwall7968]

Gonna respectfully disagree with you there chief: Blood Meridian is wayyyyy more disturbing.

[@elimidd6626]

I feel like blood meridian is more disturbing from a "this is the way this world is" vs Butchers Crossing is disturbing from a "this is how this world can and will change you into someone you won't recognize". Blood Meridian disturbs the reader by exposing them to just how bloody, immoral, and callous its world is, you're watching people get slaughtered and other people celebrating that slaughter. Characters do horrible things and no one reacts, it's just so normal and that normalcy is disturbing. In Butchers Crossing yes, there is blood, mainly from the Buffalo. But what's far more disturbing than that is how we watch Andrews go from a young bright eyed hippie to an empty shell who views himself as a void, who is deeply familiar with nothingness and can never see the world the same because of it. Butchers Crossing is more psychologically disturbing in the sense that something can change you in such a deep and fundamental way in such a short amount of time and you'll never be the same. One may affect someone more than the other, but both can be disturbing in their own ways.

[@danhunt6957]

@@elimidd6626Holy shit Im reading this now. Read blood meridian and liked it alot. This sounds intense. You have convinced me

[@derek96720]

To me blood meridian is less disturbing because it frequently makes the jump between real world brutality into borderline supernatural fever dream with the amount of wanton bloodshed portrayed in the book. I'm not saying gratuitous violence didn't happen in the real world as it did in the book, but only that McCarthy tends to highlight such violence as being tied to some sort of higher concept, representative of the bloodlusted depravity of mankind.

[@ababilashari9970]

ive watched this 3 times, thanks man this vid is awesome

[@hyato64]

Amazing work mate

[@johnsupergeil7098]

"More disturbing than Blood Meridian" yeah... sure buddy... sure...