Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors

by Rue Mapp

An exquisite combination of beautiful photography and compelling stories, this book from Outdoor Afro founder, Rue Mapp, celebrates Black joy in nature.

Filled with breathtaking photography, inspiring stories, profiles, and spotlights from Outdoor Afro group members, prominent Black leaders in outdoor spaces, and other organizations, this book inspires Black communities to reclaim their place in the natural world. Interspersed throughout are essays from Mapp on the rich history of Black involvement in the outdoors, activism, and conservation, as well as resources for readers who want to deepen their own connection with the elements. A perfect blend of gorgeous photographs, awe-inspiring stories, and Black history, this collection is the perfect gift for anyone looking to heal in these sacred natural spaces.

INCREDIBLE Outdoor Afro is a leading organization in the promotion of Black involvement and interaction with the outdoors. Their powerful work is leaving positive, lasting effects on the Black community and broader conservation community.

ACCOMPLISHED Rue Mapp's rich involvement in the outdoors and her connections with like-minded individuals and organizations offer a unique approach to educating, motivating, and encouraging Black connection with nature.

INSPIRATIONAL AND This book showcases Black joy and strength in spaces from which they have either historically been excluded, or less represented, and makes for an inventive and uplifting celebration of Black joy in nature.

A GREAT Perfect for the outdoorsy person in your life, this book will make for an excellent boost of inspiration and encouragement all year round.

Perfect

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction

192 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2022

Reviews

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great collection of essays and photographs of Black folks enjoying nature in all different ways. I enjoyed the stories and the photos, especially the ones of the authors growing up and the many ways they experienced the outdoors. There are all different kinds of experiences, each from a different person with a different viewpoint. A great book.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book for review.

[Tyler G. Warne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nature Swagger contains an abundance of natural experiences. In many forms, the stories relate to personal triumph, overcoming adversity, expressing creativity, and celebrating diversity through unique storytelling. Personal elements characterized by memoir and reflection illuminate the benefits of forging relationships with nature. Each person with their preferred activity states why nature helps their well-being and empowers their cultural identity. Black people have a long tradition of celebrating nature. Now they can recount how world travel opens opportunities to find more sanctuaries. Rue Mapp does an excellent job of compiling stories. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

[Kelsey Ciemny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book of short essays and poems, this is an excellent read for anyone who spends time outdoors. I would recommend as a book to browse over time, rather than sit down and read in one sitting, for maximum effect/to appreciate each individual.

[Alycia Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, these stories, the importance of diversifying the outdoors because it does and SHOULD be accessible to all.

[Camille Dungy]

It seems like a million years ago when the founder of Outdoor Afro and I met at a farmers’ market in Oakland. Rue was tabling to raise awareness of her new organization (I was all in immediately!) and I was giving a reading from my new anthology, Black Nature: Four Centuries of African American Nature Poetry. I had my infant daughter with me and needed a safe place to nurse her. Rue offered her chair at the Outdoor Afro table and we started to talk. From that conversation came over a decade of connection and collaboration and mutual encouragement and hard work and fruitful work and respect.

When Rue asked me to write for her new book, Nature Swagger, which celebrates Black joy in the outdoors, I had to share something with her (and with you, dear readers)! In Nature Swagger, you’ll find a sneak peak of some writing that will also appear in my new book, Soil: The Story of a Black Mother’s Garden, next May. I can’t imagine anything more perfect than the two of us birthing new projects so close to the same time again.

The soil that nourishes and supports us is rich because of many intricate and ongoing interconnections. Some of these go underground or dormant for years at a time, some stay visible always. Healthy soil is dark and lush and rich and vibrant, and lush life grows up from healthy soil. Like Rue’s amazing new collection.

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a powerful read, speaking to the value and importance of joy. Unlike happiness, joy is an internal choice that every human needs to survive and to live a quality life. As humans, we need a space to be, a place we can call our own and/or share with others. We need physical spaces that offer quiet, a place to "hear", a place of solitude. What better way to experience joy than through the outdoors, a natural and accessible resource available to all that connects us to our origins and to each other.

Within the context of black joy, this book speaks to historical and contemporary experiences of how black humans connect with the outdoors. Our experiences are rich in tradition, customs, knowledge and understandings. And I am very grateful to be a contributing author of this book and, speak to one of Oklahoma's black joys meaning, Boley, Oklahoma a historical black town with current opportunities to be and have joy.

Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors is a page-turner of visual and written outdoor journeys that will gently pull readers into its power of joy. I invite you to be a part of this necessary journey. Thank you, Rue Mapp and all the contributors of this book.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Summary: Inspirational and educational

My Review: Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors by Rue Mapp is an incredible resource. Not only does this book do much to educate, but it also does much to inspire. I love that it encourages readers to find the beauty, wonder, and joy that comes from communing with the environment. I appreciate that it joyfully promotes community and cheerfully supports individualized exploration. With personalized stories of adventures, heartfelt words of wisdom gained from experience, and candid photographs from a collection of empowered nature enthusiasts, Nature Swagger does an incredible job of attracting would be outdoors persons.

My Final Say: Nature Swagger would be an excellent addition to any family library. It would be also be a wonderful resource for nature programs, schools, and public libraries.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: All
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley, who provided access to this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own.

[Todd Waldron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding! This is a must read for anyone who is passionate about the outdoors and committed to building an inclusive, welcoming outdoor community and a safe space in the outdoors for everyone. There are so many heartwarming & powerful stories about the interconnections between nature, homecoming, reunion, and personal and family journeys. This book is an invitation for all to learn about the healing power of nature, representation and community in the outdoors. Thank you to Rue Mapp and all the inspiring contributors.

[Kait Vanderlaan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this but did not find many of the essays to be engaging or compelling. It felt like the same thing over and over again without variety. I put this down several times thinking maybe it was my headspace but after a month of trudging through I finally gave up on trying to finish it. I really appreciate the point of this book and what it’s trying to do, it just did not work for me.

[Elicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing outdoor experiences through so many eyes!

“Joy is a multidimensional feeling that expands and contracts as it responds to pain, emerges in healing, and is expressed in the day-to-day experience of being in relationship to our world.”

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of essays and a few poems of Black people in nature. Loosely collected by themes, it is a good book for traveler aficionados.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book full of Black nature joy! I’m so glad this book exists.

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool book! Love the positivity.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great concept from some amazing voices, but some of the pieces were too similar, and there was a lot of repetition.