With this book, Barbara Kingsolver has officially laid claim to the title of My Favorite Author. It's a beautifully written collection of essays, undertaken in response to 9/11, at the request of American journalists and readers looking for answers. Not all of the essays directly revolve around 9/11, but follow the basic theme "America: What is wrong with it and what is right about it". She discusses how/why America may have gone off track and lost touch with its values and purposes, and what some people are doing to correct it.

I agree with so much of what these essays say, it's almost creepy. I feel like Kingsolver has been creeping around in my brain, condensing my opinions, and then reformulating them so that they make sense on paper, in more powerful and inspiring terms than I ever could. And in learning more about her personal background, I find that she and I have so much in common--we were both nerdy, awkward kids, always feeling different than other people; both biologists; similar values and stances. Granted, I can't quite get behind her tirade against ALL television (once you wade through the reality TV and celebrity gossip, some real gems can be found), but even that essay got me rethinking my ways. Some of these essays might make it into my environmental science lessons as required reading; all of them could be used as instructional material for social studies classes. An all-over good read for decent American citizens.