Need Nature Book Titles

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I really enjoy reading about Nature and would appreciate some suggestions for some great literary nature works. I am new to reading nature literature and could use some advice. I am currently reading John Muir and lovin it!

As a homeschooler, I am interested in both adult and children books. Books focusing on evolution do not interest me. I am specifically looking for works of literature that resemble John Muir's works. His writings are informative and he is an excellent writer. Does anyone have any favorite nature reading they would like to suggest?

-- Tiffani Cappello (cappello@alltel.net), February 27, 2002

Answers

Of course you have to read: "Walden and Other Writings" by Henry David Thoreau. Another good nature author is: Tom Brown, Jr. Start with his book "Grandfather" then move on to his others. He's a particularly good author for children and people new to nature. He's got several nature books out for children that are excellent. When you're done with those, let me know. I'm sure I can think of some others, but thought you should definitely start with these.

-- rose marie wild (wintersongfarm@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

"A Sand County Albumac" by Aldo Leopold

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Since it bears repeating: A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold :)

Also the various works by Stokes are good reading if you're interested in specific plants but don't want to go too deep into taxonomy and such. They're more interpretive than scientific.

-- Susan from MO (smtroxel@socket.net), February 27, 2002.


Edward Abbey, Joseph Wood Krutch, R.D. Lawrence. Don't know if they'd meet your requirements, but check out their non-fiction writings.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Hello Tiffani,

Henry David Thoreau has a excellent source of essays that talk about his trips into the wilderness as well as his two year stay at Walden Pond, however it is wise to have a dictionary handy as you read Thoreau. His cliches are similar to parables and occasionally need more depth of understanding.

Sincerely,

Ernest

-- http://communities.msn.com/livingoffthelandintheozarks (espresso42@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.



some of my favorites Tiffany are: "A WALK IN THE WOODS" about hiking the Appalachian Trail, Wonderful! and "SANDY"

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 27, 2002.

Some of my favorites Tiffany are: "A WALK IN THE WOODS" about hiking the Appalachian Trail, Wonderful! and "SANDY" by Dayton O. Hyde, about Sandhill Cranes(you will love it!). "WATCHERS AT THE POND" by Franklin Russell. If you would like to read some astounding stories about struggling to keep abandoned and unwanted Big Cats, Elephants etc etc. alive and well, read "THE CATS OF SHAMBALA" by Tippi Hedren the onetime movie star. For something a bit broader in scope try "THE MAKING OF A CONTINENT" and "CORRIDORS OF TIME" by Ron Redfern. Have fun........LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), February 27, 2002.

Wow! Thanks alot folks. All these books sound very interesting.

-- Tiffani Cappello (cappello@alltel.net), February 27, 2002.

Gary Paulsen writes books for young adults dealing with coming-of-age in the natural world. The Haymeadow, The Voyage of the Frog, Hatchet, Dogsong, Woodsong, The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, The Island-Many more.

-- Mitzi Giles (Egiles2@prodigy.net), February 27, 2002.

Anything by Sue Hubbell. She is definitely one of my favourite authors. She has a homestead in Arkansas, and makes her living raising bees and selling the honey. "A Country Year" is the one I think everyone on this list would enjoy, she describes everything from the change of the seasons to beekeeping to building and repairing barns and the mechanical work on her truck, along with some funny anecdotes about her neighbours. "Broadsides from the other Orders" is about insects, I've read and reread this book at least 3 times. Her writing is immensely enjoyable, like sitting around the fire and sharing stories.

I'll add my vote to the Stokes books. Just picked up another one last week at a discount book store.

A couple of Canadian books that are also great fun to read are "Up North" and "Up North Again" by Doug Bennet and Tim Tiner. Covers nature in Ontario, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, astronomy...even Mother Earth. Each subject is individually covered on two or three pages, it's the kind of book you can flip through and stop anywhere to read about something.

-- Chelsea (rmbehr@istar.ca), February 28, 2002.



Another book by the same title A WALK IN THE WOODS was written by Bill Bryson. It too is about hiking the Appalachian(sp?) Trail, and is written in a funny (profane!), informative matter. Another book by Bryson, A SUNBURNED COUNTRY, is written about traveling in Australia. Completely fascinating; makes me want to emigrate there.

-- j.r. guerra in s. tx. (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), February 28, 2002.

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