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Post by trinity on Oct 8, 2015 7:52:43 GMT -8
I finally got around to this classic of nature literature. I had put it off in part because I didn't think I had much interest in the arctic. Wrong. This is a fascinating and engrossing book, a very deep and broad examination of the natural history and the human history of the arctic. The early chapters focus on natural history, including individual chapters on Polar Bears, Musk Oxen, and Narwhals. Later chapters focus on human history in the arctic, including the earliest native people to settle there, and the often disastrous search by Europeans for a northwest passage. Lopez' understanding of the topics he explores is exhaustive and nuanced. But what really sets this book apart is the quality of the writing. This is one of the most beautifully written books about nature that I can recall having read, descriptive, evocative, and poetic. Lopez turns an often critical eye on the role humankind has played in the arctic, but without a trace of misanthropy. I would say this book has been instantly catapulted into my top 5 or 6 books about nature and the ways that humans engage our environment. It is a stunning piece of work.
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Post by hikerjer on Oct 8, 2015 11:32:06 GMT -8
I agree it was a great book and I liked it. Lopez is an eloquent writer. Highly reocmmended.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 11, 2015 16:52:04 GMT -8
I really enjoyed this book, too.
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Oct 12, 2015 9:19:22 GMT -8
I'm a huge fan of books about the arctic and still felt like this one had its ups and downs.
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Post by ecocentric on Oct 13, 2015 12:39:59 GMT -8
I read the book on the train between The Pas and Churchill, Manitoba. It was a good way to start off a visit to the Arctic. I appreciate Lopez, and would recommend Of Wolves and Men.
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Post by trinity on Oct 14, 2015 10:27:53 GMT -8
I read the book on the train between The Pas and Churchill, Manitoba. It was a good way to start off a visit to the Arctic. I appreciate Lopez, and would recommend Of Wolves and Men. Wow, sounds pretty amazing, I would love to take that train some day. Of Wolves and Men is definitely on my list.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Dec 18, 2015 22:25:31 GMT -8
I need to read this one. It's been vaguely on my list for eons.
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