Muir looked forward to the trip and wasn't disappointed. "I made up a package of bread, tied my notebook to my belt, and strode away in the bracing air, every nerve and muscle tingling with eager indefinite hope, and ready to give welcome to all that wilderness might offer."
-- The Wisdom of John Muir: 100 Selections from the Letters, Journals, and Essays of the Great Naturalist by Anne Rowthorn.
This is a good example both of Muir's own writing -- I love "eager indefinite hope" -- and the way Rowthorn uses it. She uses Muir's own writing, in long passages and little snippets, interspersed with her own cogent explanations for context, to write a chronological biography of America's greatest naturalist.
The Wisdom of John Muir is a good introduction to Muir's life and thinking.
Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by Should Be Reading, where you can find the official rules for this weekly event.
John Muir, a hero of mine. I should find this book to read. So far, I've read only "about" him, and I'd love to read what he wrote himself.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fascinating book! Thanks for putting it on my radar. My teaser is here.
ReplyDeleteHi Gilion,
ReplyDeleteWhilst I am not sure that this is a book which would really appeal to me, I am tempted to give it a try.
The teaser lines were great and if the author uses much of Muir's own writing, then it could prove to be much more interesting than the usual biography offering.
An interesting choice of book, which I hope that you are enjoying.
Yvonne
Sounds like a very different kind of book than the novels we usually read. Hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeletehere's ours: http://ourstack.blogspot.com/2012/05/tuesday-teasers-words-and-white-cascade.html
I have heard of John Muir but never read anything he wrote or said, but the teaser sounds really good!
ReplyDeleteMy Teaser
Juli @ Universe in Words