Words from the Land
Encounters with Natural History Writing
"Noted With Pleasure," New York Times Book Review
"If it was not already fair to speak of contemporary American natural history writing as a distinct and expanding literary genre, with the publication of Stephen Trimble's introductory essay and annotated anthology, ...it now seems fitting to do so." —Earth First! Journal
"...the real gift in this volume is Trimble's generous introduction, full of interviews, quotes, and insights into these writers and their craft." —The Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer
"In his introduction, Trimble skillfully weaves the authors' observations about their own writing techniques and philosophies into a discussion about the key elements of nature writing. The result is a fascinating disclosure of how sensory impressions and raw field notes become coherent, eloquent, and passionate essays about the natural world." —Sierra
"What this book is about is not nature, but conscience: about the relationship of humankind (a piece of nature) to the rest of nature; indirectly about destruction, over-development and greed. Trimble, himself a superb writer, provides an introduction that has food for years' thought." —Books of the Southwest
This edition expands Trimble's 1988 anthology of master nature writing to include vital new writers who focus on our relationship with the Earth.
In his fascinating introduction, and in biographical sketches of each contributor, Trimble illuminates the practice and spirit of natural history writing, the fruit of "the naturalist's trance." He explores how writers learn their craft, how they meet daily challenges, and how they feel about being labeled "nature writers." The interaction between the essays and the introduction provides an unusual perspective on writers who connect the worlds of story and landscape. A new preface brings Trimble's critical commentary up to date.
Contributors: Edward Abbey , Wendell Berry, Annie Dillard, Gretel Ehrlich. Robert Finch, Linda Hasselstrom, John Hay, Edward Hoagland, Sue Hubbell, Barry Lopez, John Madson, Peter Matthiessen, John McPhee, Gary Paul Nabhan, Richard Nelson, Robert Michael Pyle, David Quammen, Stephen Trimble, Terry Tempest Williams, and Ann Zwinger.
(University of Nevada Press, revised edition, 1995)
