Vanishing America: In Pursuit of Our Elusive Landscapes

by James Conaway

A mixture of travelogue and personal narrative, James Conaway’s smart, informative essays offer an insightful depiction of his journeys between Washington, D.C., and Big Sur, California, as he tries to understand what has become of the places, people, and traditions that were once so precious but have now been irreparably changed. Incorporating the voices of cowboys, real estate agents, activists, and many others, he raises vital questions about the merits of sprawling development and the ever-increasing use of resources in the name of “progress.” He urges us to consider the value of preservation in our growth-driven culture, as well as the ramifications of prosperity on the places important to our national identity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 2007

About the author

James Conaway is a former Wallace Stegner fellow at Stanford University, and the author of thirteen books, including Napa at Last Light and the New York Times bestseller, Napa: The Story of an American Eden. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Harper's, The New Republic, Gourmet, Smithsonian, and National Geographic Traveler. He divides his time between Washington, DC, and California.

Reviews

[chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm reading this for booknotes. It's kinda cool. Like a travel book for a real bummer of a vacation. You get to go to all of these cool places with a narrator telling you how much better it used to be. Each chapter fits perfectly into the post-salad portion of a 50 minute lunch break.

[Kali Maisano · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very all over the place, the individual stories were not super captivating. They did in some areas highlight the changes in the tourism industry but overall no major focus to the book. I did read this for a tourism management class.

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting essays in the vein of James MacPhee. I look forward to reading his Napa Valley books as well.

[Kyle Dutrow · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - I felt like the stories lacked purpose. While Conway is a good writer, I just wasn't motivated to finish.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this series of essays, James Conaway travels across America to look at parks, islands and ranches that reflect another way of life. Every location in this book is threatened with extinction because of the modern way Americans live. The book is filled with a search for buffalo, black bears, moose, and eagles. The book is about conservation and just how confusing conservation became under the Bush administration. In one chapter Conaway looks at Nantucket and how it has changed from a depressed town during the mid-20th century to the getaway of the rich and famous. The essays examines the history of preservation that has ruled the island since the 1970s and how homeowners have been circumventing the rules to create million dollar getaways.

The collection as a whole is loosely connected around the theme. The collection is somewhat uneven, but worthwhile for those interested in maintaining spots that define the land that we imagine when we think "America."

[Ruby · Rating 4 out of 5]

The images of Maine and Nantucket rang true for me. Many of the places in the book I've never been to, especially the passages from out west and buffalo country. It seems that part of his position though is discouraging tourism, as the industry that springs up around it is generally detrimental to the landscape and environment.

[Judi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often with non-fiction I think certain chapters would have made great magazine articles. I enjoyed almost all the chapters of this book & was left feeling greatful for all the trips I have taken and all the parts of the US I have been able to visit.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is mostly about rural historic landscapes, but the author is at his best when describing cities (Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Portland). The writing is decent with a nice balance of wit, but he struggles to wrap up his thoughts at the end of each chapter.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought-provoking essays about the landscape of America, its origins, its diverse beauty, and what has been lost in the face of industry and social change.