The Sacred Earth: Writers on Nature & Spirit

Rating:
Summary: A Marvelous Reminder of Great Nature Writing
Review: Gardner's small treasure of spirited selections from some of the flat-out best writers on the planet (who just happen to write richly about the natural world, among other things!) is perfect and welcome. A compact and elegant volume, small enough for the reader to carry anywhere and writing grand enough to carry the reader anywhere!

Rating:
Summary: An anthology worthy of the name
Review: Jason Gardner's anthology presents a eloquent argument for nature writing--writing that explores how the power of the outdoors works on the soul-- to be accorded a more central place in the American literary landscape. The passages are short, but are thoughtfully arranged into sections--experience,texture,practice and belief, that speaks to that part in all of us that looks to the woods for a meaning that isn't easily defined and can't be found at Starbucks or on a hurried camping trip over a long weekend. The old, gravelly voices of Emerson, Thoreau are here, as well as Whitman's exulted one. But, the strongest part of the collection are new voices--some now established (Rick Bass, Barry Lopez);others less well-known but equally compelling (C.L Rawlins, John Haines). Surpising voices too. Louise Erdrich's passage about a religion of grass is just great literature. Small enought to fit into a day pack, Sacred Earth lets everyone in--this is no erudite tome.Its words affect you in a visceral way that is a lot like sitting under your favorite tree and listening to the woods shift.