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Rating: 
Summary: A John Hay "Greatest Hits"
Review: If you're unfamiliar with this naturalist's writings, then you're in luck. This sampler contains essays from nine of his books, from _The Run_ (1959) to _In the Company of Light_ (1998), as well as several of Hay's poems and his John Burroughs Medal acceptance address. Here you will follow and see along with him as if on the same trail, gleaning tidbits of natural science in the process. Shorelines and wetlands are the main areas featured -- mostly in New England, and often in Cape Cod -- though a few forays take us to Florida and to the rainforest of Costa Rica. Read Hay's insights into the intricacies of salt-water habitats, and you're apt to see more the next time you go beach-combing yourself -- from the smallest creatures in the water to the larger ones winging above you. Here you will also run across Hay's astute environmental observations and admonishments:
"Every life that touches on another, or becomes a part of another, keeps the earth's fluidity in being." ("Homing," from _The Undiscovered Country_)"We ought to be tuning up to what is around us, but our own static is too loud." ("Listening," from _The Undiscovered Country_) "At times I think that all the plants, birds, fish, and every other living organism are waiting for our departure so that they can resume timeless engagement with the earth." ("Fire in the Plants," from _A Beginner's Faith in Things Unseen_) This smorgasbord is a nice addition to any nature-lover's bookshelf and could inspire the reader to search out one or more of the featured titles to delve deeper into John Hay's work.
Rating:
Summary: A John Hay "Greatest Hits"
Review: If you're unfamiliar with this naturalist's writings, then you're in luck. This sampler contains essays from nine of his books, from _The Run_ (1959) to _In the Company of Light_ (1998), as well as several of Hay's poems and his John Burroughs Medal acceptance address. Here you will follow and see along with him as if on the same trail, gleaning tidbits of natural science in the process. Shorelines and wetlands are the main areas featured -- mostly in New England, and often in Cape Cod -- though a few forays take us to Florida and to the rainforest of Costa Rica. Read Hay's insights into the intricacies of salt-water habitats, and you're apt to see more the next time you go beach-combing yourself -- from the smallest creatures in the water to the larger ones winging above you. Here you will also run across Hay's astute environmental observations and admonishments:
"Every life that touches on another, or becomes a part of another, keeps the earth's fluidity in being." ("Homing," from _The Undiscovered Country_) "We ought to be tuning up to what is around us, but our own static is too loud." ("Listening," from _The Undiscovered Country_) "At times I think that all the plants, birds, fish, and every other living organism are waiting for our departure so that they can resume timeless engagement with the earth." ("Fire in the Plants," from _A Beginner's Faith in Things Unseen_) This smorgasbord is a nice addition to any nature-lover's bookshelf and could inspire the reader to search out one or more of the featured titles to delve deeper into John Hay's work.
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