Reading The Trail: Exploring The Literature And Natural History Of The California Crest (Environmental Arts and Humanities Series)

The work of three major California writers in the context of the landscapes they loved. John Muir, Mary Austin, and Gary Snyder are perhaps best known for their connection to specific California ecological regions--Muir’s Sierra Nevada "Range of Light," Austin’s southern "Land of Little Rain," and Snyder’s "Kitkitdizze" region of the north. In Reading the Trail, ecocritic and outdoorsman Corey Lewis proposes a provocative new way to read and interpret the classic works of these major nature writers and to bring their ideas into the discussion of ecological values and viable responses to the current environmental crisis. The literary work of Muir, Austin, and Snyder reflects intimate and passionate knowledge of their chosen regions. Their activist efforts contributed to the preservation of wilderness areas and national parks in the ecosystems they lived in and wrote about. In Reading the Trail, Lewis combines a lucid, perceptive discussion of their work and ideas with an engaging, closely observed account of his own trail experiences as a hiker/backpacker and volunteer trail builder, thereby achieving a new and deeper appreciation of their writing and values. He proposes that such a combination of literary study and experiential projects allows teachers to enrich the understanding of students and lay readers to find new insights into the work of nature writers and the purpose and importance of the environmental movement. The book will be inspiring reading for both teachers of literature and natural science, and for lovers of the outdoors seeking new ways to explore the natural world. John Muir, Mary Austin, and Gary Snyder are perhaps best known for their connection to specific California ecological regions--Muir's Sierra Nevada Range of Light, Austin's southern Land of Little Rain, and Snyder's Kitkitdizze region of the north. In Reading the Trial, ecocritic and outdoorsman Corey Lewis proposes a provocative new way to read and interpret the classic works of these major nature writers and to bring their ideas into the discussion of ecological values and viable responses to the current environmental crisis. The literary work of Muir, Austin, and Snyder reflects intimate and passionate knowledge of their chosen regions. Their activist efforts contributed to the preservation of wilderness areas and national parks in the ecosystems they lived in and wrote about. In Reading the Trail, Lewis combines a lucid, perceptive discussion of their work and ideas with an engaging, closely observed account of his own trail experiences as a hiker/backpacker and volunteer trail builder, thereby achieving a new and deeper appreciation of their writing and values. He proposes that such a combination of literary study and experiential projects allows teachers to enrich the understanding of students and lay readers to find new insights into the work of nature writers and the purpose and importance of the environmental movement. The book will be inspiring reading for teachers of literature and natural science, and for lovers of the outdoors seeking new ways to explore the natural world. "John Muir, Mary Austin, and Gary Snyder are perhaps best known for their passionate connection to specific California regions - Muir's Sierra Nevada "Range of Light," Austin's southern "Land of Little Rain," and Snyder's "Kitkitdizze" region of the north. In Reading the Trail, ecocritic and outdoorsman Cory Lewis proposes a new way to read and interpret the classic works of these major nature writers and to bring their ideas into the discussion of ecological values and viable responses to the current environmental crisis. He combines a discussion of their work and ideas with an account of his own trail experiences as a hiker/backpacker and volunteer trail builder, proposing that such a field-based, interdisciplinary approach to literary study and outdoors experience can enrich our appreciation for the work of nature writers and for the purpose and importance of the environmental movement."--Jacket A provocative new way to read and interpret the classic works of John Muir, Mary Austin, and Gary Snyder, and to bring their ideas into the discussion of ecological values and the current environmental crisis. Lewis combines a perceptive discussion of their work and ideas with an engaging account of his own trail experiences as hiker/backpacker and volunteer trail builder, proposing that such a field-based, interdisciplinary approach to literary study and outdoors experience can enrich our appreciation for the work of nature writers. Dry snow whips and rolls off cornices above us, exploding into the clear blue sky in sparkling ribbons and billowing white clouds.