Have you read this nature book...?

[Sher]

Are you thinking about reading a nature book and you would like to know if other members have read it and what their opinion of the book is? Please post your request here...

[Sher]

Have you read The Snow Leopard ? Some of our members read it in January -- perhaps in 2020 or 2019...

Was this book more a memoir/travelog, or do you feel it has a lot of nature reflections? Quality of writing? Engaging? Bias?

[Cara]

Sher wrote: "Have you read The Snow Leopard ? Some of our members read it in January -- perhaps in 2020 or 2019...

Was this book more a memoir/travelog, or do you feel it has a lot of nature refl..."

I would say a mix of memoir/travelogue and nature writing, with a good dose of Buddhist history and spirituality mixed in. The writing is excellent and made me love this book even though it wasn’t quite what I expected going in. A worthwhile read, in my opinion! But I will say that when I read the book, I don’t think I was very aware of the dynamics of Matthiessen as a white westerner and how that would have influenced his perspective and writing. I admit I’ve been a bit hesitant to re-read the book with that in mind, so I’m curious what others who have read it more recently think.

[Cindy Ann]

I read The Snow Leopard recently and agree with Cara's comments. It is primarily memoir/travelogue/spiritual, but the language describing the nature he witnesses (mountain passes, bird sightings, etc) is beautiful.

I read it because it has been mentioned so many times in other books/articles I've read. Matthiessen was the adventurer that many of us armchair adventurers aspire to be - Cold, meh. Icy precipice, meh. Beautiful mountains and endless sky, worth it!

The more I think about this book, it is really a description of what field research was like in this time/place. Matthiessen is not the lead researcher on the Bharal, but only the narrator.

As such, he does give us an accurate description of the trials of field research. Follow the sheep around, observe them, count them and hope to discover information about their endangered apex predator, the Snow Leopard.

The cultural conflicts that result may be similar to any field research endeavors in modern day. Local support is necessary to carry equipment for, guide and feed researchers. It was just hard to read about this group buying up food that was supposed to feed the villagers through the winter.

[Sher]

Cara and Cindy Ann-- thanks for your feedback. I was aware of Matthiessen's interest in Zen Buddhism, because I saw that he published a memoir with Zen as the key theme.

The information you have provided helps me to know that is actually not the book I am looking for as an idea to read with a few friends-- just knowing the make up of these folks, I realize I will choose something else.

Very interesting comments -- thank you for responding.

[Ray]

I thoroughly enjoyed The Snow Leopard, but I agree that it is and is not a nature book - a Buddhist conclusion.

[Ray]

You might like The Birds of Heaven better, or perhaps Tigers in the Snow. Both excellent nature books of a more traditional sort and both written by Matthiessen near the end of his life.

[Ray]

Right now I am reading Lost Woods: The Discovered Writing of Rachel Carson . It is an interesting series of essays, lectures,and miscellaneous writing vs.

[Sher]

Ray wrote: "You might like The Birds of Heaven better, or perhaps Tigers in the Snow. Both excellent nature books of a more traditional sort and both written by Matthiessen near the end of his life."

Thank you Ray- I will look at both of these books.

Yes, I saw that book by Carson- recently published I believe ...

[Becky]

I know you've moved on from considering Mathiessen's book now, Sher, but I came across this from the Introduction of Searching for the Snow Leopard and thought it helped explain the particular slant that Mathiessen chose when writing his book as a travelogue/spiritual book.

"Beyond the ecological importance of a top predator like the snow leopard, there is something inherently mystical that draws us to these powerful big cats. Their ability to survive in one of the world's harshest climates, combined with their beauty and ethereal quality, has been the impetus for humans to not only respect and admire them but also revere them. Over the centuries, the snow leopard has become part of local culture and traditions and has been elevated to the position of 'sacred species.' This elusive cat is considered by indigenous wisdom to be 'a protector of sacred mountains, a unifying force and a source of spiritual power and wisdom.'"

[Sher]

Thanks Becky. That is thoughtful and does explain the connection between spiritual and mystic... It's a book I may read later on my own. I marked it. Thanks. :)

[Sher]

Curious- are any of you folks planning on reading Bill Gates's new book about climate change? Or, have you received an early copy? I think it just published today...?

[Sher]

Hi John:
Thanks for sharing your concerns and hesitancies about this book. My husband asked me to get a copy, so it is coming. I think I will read it too after he does. My view of Bill Gates, and this is just a feeling based on headlines, is that he has put a lot of money into humanitarian concerns such as world hunger. But, now he is turning strongly toward climate. We will see what he comes up with. Bruce, my husband, was saying Gates is calling for extreme dramatic reductions of fossil fuels and quickly.

I'll let you know my impressions when I get to the book!

[Sher]

Here is the thread for our side read In the Spirit of the Earth: Rethinking History and Time

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Sher]

If you have read Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants and you have a hard copy, could you please look and see if this book is a collection of separate stand alone essays or written as a book. I am listening, and I don't seem to be able to find the answer to this question. Thank you--

[Amanda]

Sher, I don't own a hard copy of Braiding Sweetgrass, I read a copy from our library, but I would definitely say it's a collection of standalone (interconnected) essays.
I did a quick search and found it was named a “Best Essay Collection of the Decade” by Literary Hub.

[Sher]

What I am struggling to discover is whether these essays were published elsewhere alone and then collected into a book. Do you have any recollection about that? We are curious about the repetition of key terms -- gift and reciprocity. I am having some discussion about this with some other readers- but we are listening, and we can't seem to find the answer.

[Julie]

Sher, I can’t find that the essays were published elsewhere. The author bio says she has been published in Orion, Whole Terrain, and numerous scientific journals. The author’s acknowledgment says, “Many of these pages were filled during the tender care of writers’ residencies at Blue Mountain Center, The Sitka Center for Art and Ecology and Mesa Refuge....time at Spring Creek Project and The Long Term Ecological Reflections Residency at the H. J. Andrew’s Experimental Forest.” There’s no reference to being previously published.

[Amanda]

I was just reading earlier posts about the new Bill Gates book. My feelings are on the fence about reading that one, too. I saw a copy while working at our area library last week and hesitated over it. Perhaps, but not yet.
Has anyone read David Attenborough's A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future?
I thought it was outstanding, and it focuses on the biodiversity decline John mentions.

[Sher]

Amanda-- my husband has read Bill Gates's new book carefully, and he found it inspiring/unsettling. It was not at all what he expected, because Gates lays out why it is so difficult to get away from fossil fuels as quickly as we need to. And, also the book argues strongly for a return to Nuclear Power. Bruce, my husband, definitely found new views and new ways to think about the existential crisis we face on the planet. So, he was really glad he read the book.

[Amanda]

Thanks for the feedback via Bruce, Sher.
The nuclear power debate is one I'd like to be better informed on. Our grown twin sons both work in the electrician field.. they have a great deal more knowledge than I do on the topic and have expressed the benefits and improved safety of nuclear power.

I agree, John. Attenborough's book is sorely needed. I hope more and more people will continue to read it and be rallied by it.

[Sher]

Has anyone read The Cost of Free Shipping: Amazon in the Global Economy

Please let me know - I have a few questions. Thank you!

[Sher]

Has anyone read The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable

I'm about 3/4 of the way done, and I am finding it very stimulating -- such an interesting mix of discussion about literature and climate change, and reflections on India and other newly developing nations. I'd like to discuss this book a bit if you have read it.

[[deleted user]]

I just put this on hold at the library this morning. This one is intriguing. I steer clear of some climate change books because I am reading about it daily as part of my work, and sometimes it just depletes me emotionally to read these books. so I've skipped several of the ones that have come out in the past year or two. But this one seems different.

[Sher]

Sam- did you see my review comments about this book. I think I posted those two days back. It's definitely different. Not saying it is hopeful or feel good, but very interesting and interdisciplinary.

[Cindy Ann]

Looks good, thanks for the review - adding to the growing list. Dang, reading really makes life worthwhile.

[[deleted user]]

Sher wrote: "Sam- did you see my review comments about this book. I think I posted those two days back. It's definitely different. Not saying it is hopeful or feel good, but very interesting and interdisciplinary."

Yes, thanks!

[Sher]

Have you read Vesper Flights. Were the essays engaging--interesting? How does it compare to _ H is for Hawk_? Would you recommend this book?

Thanks...

[Sher]

John wrote: "Hi Sher,

I read Vesper Flights about 6 months ago. It was okay but the book did not really engage me."

Hi John:
I was wondering, because MacDonald spoke about the writing of _Vesper Flights_ in that interview we watched. Were you not engaged by the topics or the writing-- do you recall?

[Margie]

Hi Sher,
I just finished Vesper Flights and hope to post a detailed review of it soon. I liked it overall a lot, although not every essay was insightful or memorable. It doesn't have a central focus/narrative thread as did H is for Hawk, with the essays on a wide range of topics. But I enjoyed it as much as I did H is for Hawk if not more so because of her usual detailed descriptions that let the reader be a part of any scene she is writing, and because she has such an honestly empathetic, engaging and often lyrical voice. And usually each essay leaves you with a bit of insight to ponder. It's not a page turner, but a great book to savor over time.

[Sher]

Margie:
Thank you for sharing your observations and insights regarding Vesper Flights--sounds like it would be a good book to dip into here and there--perhaps not read straight through. I am going to check and see if it is available as an audio title as I have 8 credits right now I need to start using. I really enjoy listening to books... Or, I might get a used copy of the book to have on hand.

[John]

Hi all. I recently saw, but have not yet read, an essay in the New Yorker about Wendell Berry.

I would be interested in reading his essays and wonder if anyone has a particular edition to recommend.

Thanks.

[Jeff]

You can't go wrong with Berry, who has published a number of collections of essays, along with novels and poems. I personally like his novels best, but first read him in college shortly after his book, "The Unsettling of America" came out. For essays, I might start with "Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community." Over all, I would recommend reading "Jayber Crow" (a novel) to understand him.

[John]

Jeff wrote: "You can't go wrong with Berry, who has published a number of collections of essays, along with novels and poems. I personally like his novels best, but first read him in college shortly after his b..."

Thanks.