In her typically eloquent plea for love and protection of the American West wilderness, Terry Tempest Williams makes a powerful statement. She says, "The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time. They are kneeling with hands clasped that we might act with restraint, that we might leave room for the life that is destined to come" (215). What a profound quotation!

One can envision this statement chiseled in stone in the offices of the Senate and House of Representatives. If only our lawmakers and advocates would take this beautiful sentiment seriously!

When it comes to U.S. law, Williams includes at the back of this book a detailed description of America's Redrock Wilderness Act of 2001. It outlines all of its provisions for the protection of wilderness areas in the Great Basin. Additionally, she provides an astonishingly long list of specific areas that are in desperate need of protection from developers and those who would exploit the land for personal gain.

"Only a few generations ago, Utah was settled on spiritual grounds. It is ironic that now Utah must be protected on spiritual ground for the generations to come... Wilderness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from" (75). I will always be grateful to Williams for her beautifully written admonishments regarding the preservation of our wilderness areas. This book, as well as her others, is truly a gift.

Her words serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting our natural heritage for future generations.

In the heart of Utah lies a desert, a place that holds a profound and passionate love affair with nature. It is a land of vastness and beauty, where the golden sands seem to dance in the wind, as if engaged in an intimate embrace with the elements.

The desert is a metaphor for the deep connection that exists between humans and the natural world. It is a place that evokes a sense of wonder and awe, inspiring a desire within us to protect and defend its fragile ecosystem.

Like a lover, the desert reveals its secrets slowly, inviting us to explore its hidden nooks and crannies. With each step, we discover new treasures, from the delicate wildflowers that bloom in the spring to the ancient rock formations that tell the story of the land's history.

In my spring nature writing course, I used this text as a means to explore the power of place and the love that it can inspire. Through words, we attempted to capture the essence of the desert, to convey its beauty and its importance. For in loving this place, we also recognize our responsibility to safeguard it for future generations.

Terry Tempest Williams always makes me vividly remember why I have such a profound love for Utah’s red rock deserts. The dry hot air seems to caress my face, the red dust dances in the wind, and the swirling Colorado River flows majestically. After reading her works, I have an intense desire to roll around in the mud, sleep under the clear sky, and watch the enchanting moonrise reflect off the magnificent canyon walls.

But then, my mind is jolted back to my last trip to Moab. I recall the hordes of people along Mill Creek, leaving their bags of dog shit and garbage carelessly everywhere. The creeping sprawl of houses expanding on all sides is a disturbing sight. And my favorite river beaches, which used to be peaceful havens, are now constantly swarming with college students and metro families who treat the river like just another spring break destination or a ride at Disney World.

I fell in love with the desert in the spring of 1990. I was a high school freshman at a small boarding school in central Utah. Every spring, we would embark on a week-long adventure on the river, after a five-hour drive south from Sanpete County to Moab. I will never forget the sheer red cliffs that reached up towards a perfect blue sky. This girl from Kansas had never witnessed a landscape so utterly raw and breathtakingly beautiful. My teachers introduced me to the remarkable books of Ed Abbey and Aldo Leopold and regaled all of us kids with stories of the evil Glen Canyon Dam that had killed the natural landscape and given birth to Lake “Foul.” They reminded us all that this was sacred land and we were to treat it with the utmost respect. They also solemnly told us that if we didn’t fight tooth and nail to protect it, it would disappear forever.

And now, 30 years later, it seems as if we have unfortunately lost the fight. The dam still stands tall, and the urban sprawl continues to march on relentlessly. The Red Rock Wilderness Act has yet to make its way through Congress. It’s enough to make me want to weep tears of frustration or, better yet, grab some dynamite, a monkey wrench, and take matters into my own hands to get down to the business of protecting this precious land.

Anyway, this book by Terry Tempest Williams is just absolutely gorgeous. Her prose is nothing short of perfection; you can almost feel the desert heat emanating from each and every page. She masterfully shows us why the wilderness is worth protecting at all costs and what we will all stand to lose if we allow it to keep disappearing right before our very eyes.

A beautifully poetic plea to conserve the wilderness areas of the American West.

These vast and unspoiled regions are a treasure trove of natural beauty and biodiversity. The rugged mountains, sprawling plains, and meandering rivers are home to countless species of plants and animals, many of which are unique to this area.

However, these precious wilderness areas are under threat from a variety of sources, including urban expansion, industrial development, and climate change. If we do not take action to protect them, we risk losing these irreplaceable habitats forever.

We must all do our part to conserve the wilderness areas of the American West. This can include everything from reducing our carbon footprint and supporting conservation organizations to simply spending more time in nature and appreciating its beauty.

Let us come together and make a commitment to protecting these precious areas for future generations to enjoy.

I truly wish that I had been able to like this piece even more.

There were certain parts of the writing that were simply gorgeous, with beautiful descriptions and a lovely flow. However, it felt disjointed at times, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the essay.

It is evident that the author is surely in love with Utah, and that passion comes through on every page. I really loved being able to sense that deep affection and connection.

Despite the disjointedness, there were still many redeeming qualities to this work. The author's love for Utah was palpable and added a unique charm to the piece.

I hope that in future works, the author is able to smooth out the transitions and create a more cohesive and engaging essay.

Overall, while this one didn't quite hit the mark for me, I can still appreciate the beauty and passion that went into it.

A few of the pieces were really good. They managed to capture the essence and beauty that was intended. However, others unfortunately felt a bit dated. It was as if they belonged to a different era and didn't quite fit in with the current context. Additionally, some of them didn't seem to have done the necessary work to reach the emotional or poetic payoff that Williams was striving for. There was a lack of depth and connection that could have made them more impactful. It's important to note that while not all the pieces were perfect, there were still those few gems that shone through and showed the potential and talent that was present.

TTW's work is truly remarkable. Not only are her words beautiful and wholehearted, but her craft itself is a work of art. The way she juxtaposes stories, carefully arranges words on the page to create a visual and literary masterpiece, and seamlessly transitions from fact to fiction is simply breathtaking. She has an innate ability to capture the essence of truth in both the natural and human worlds. Her profound connection to people and place allows her to create a unique and compelling case. She writes with a sincerity that is palpable, an indifference that is refreshing, and a deep reciprocity with the desert landscape that is truly inspiring. Her work is a testament to the power of words and the beauty of the written word.

This collection of essays about red rock and canyon country was a bit of a mixed bag.

Some of them I absolutely adored and couldn't resist re-reading right after the initial perusal. They painted such vivid pictures of the beauty and allure of the area that it was impossible not to be charmed.

However, others made me quite frustrated. For example, when the author wrote about going off alone in the middle of summer in the desert, barefoot and without water, I wanted to shout, "Dear Terry, you can't do that! It's an extremely bad idea. I don't care how deeply you feel the spirit within the rocks or how closely you identify with the landscape. Just stop it!"

Despite these moments of irritation, in many respects, this book can be seen as a series of passionate love letters to the place I consider my home, the magnificent high desert of south-central Utah. It captures the essence and magic of this unique region, warts and all, and for that, it is值得一读 (worth reading).

Eloquent, poetic, and beautiful writing awaits within the pages of this book. It offers profound reflections on the magic of the desert, making one truly contemplate the need for the protection of these sacred spaces. The power of the desert is palpable, as it has the ability to transform us and make us believers.

The quotes within the book are equally captivating. "It’s strange how deserts turn us into believers. I believe in walking in a landscape of mirages because you learn humility. I believe in living in a land of little water because life is drawn together. And I believe in the gathering of bones as a testament to spirits that have moved on." This passage beautifully captures the essence of the desert's influence.

Another quote, "If the Desert is holy, it is because it is a forgotten place that allows us to remember the sacred. Perhaps that is why every pilgrimage to the desert is a pilgrimage to the self. There’s no place to hide so we are found," further emphasizes the spiritual connection one can have with the desert.

The final quote, "The fire now bears the last testament to trees. I blow into the religious caverns with wood and watch them burn brightly. My breath elucidates each yellow room as I remember the body as sacrament," adds a touch of mystery and wonder.

Definitely recommend reading this book outside under the sun. It especially hits close to home for those who have experienced these places first hand.

On a quest to find lady naturalists who could counterpoint Edward Abbey's crabby borderline misogyny, I happened to come across Terry Tempest Williams. At first, I wasn't entirely sure. The first couple of chapters, and the quartet at the end, seemed rather woo woo. However, upon further reading, it became reasonable.

I fell in love with Utah's slickrock desert. It was truly a sight to behold, and it was well worth being a little wacky over. In Williams' writing, there is much good, nutritional nature and solitude meditations. She delves deep into the beauty and power of the natural world, inviting readers to do the same.

Moreover, there are some really nice thoughts about society versus wilderness. Williams explores the delicate balance between the two and makes us question our place in the world. Her words are both thought-provoking and inspiring, making this a must-read for anyone interested in nature, feminism, or social commentary.

Overall, Terry Tempest Williams' work is a refreshing and important addition to the canon of naturalist literature. She offers a unique perspective on the natural world and challenges us to see it in a new light. I would highly recommend her books to anyone looking for a meaningful and engaging read.

There is a strong likelihood that if I had perused this at a distinct time, I might have derived greater enjoyment from it.

On far too many instances, I would commence daydreaming only to discover that I could recall nothing of what I had just read and was unable to fathom how anything was connected.

Certain sections of the essay would be truly remarkable, only to be submerged in the torrent of random thought associations that Williams would employ.

However, at the conclusion of the day, it still led me back to the realization that I渴望 to explore more of the area (Southern Utah and Northern Arizona).

Moreover, we have only a single opportunity not to despoil the natural beauty of our country because once it has been exploited for profit, there is no turning back.

It is essential that we recognize the significance of preserving our environment and take appropriate measures to safeguard it for future generations.

We must not allow short-term gains to overshadow the long-term consequences of our actions.

By respecting and protecting the natural world, we can ensure that it continues to inspire and enrich our lives.

I think probably a 3.5.

I continue to love TTW!! Her writing has this magical charm that nothing else can compare to. It's like a gentle breeze that soothes my lil desert heart. The desert, with its vastness and beauty, has always held a special place in my heart. Even when I'm not physically there, it beats within me, a constant reminder of its allure.

TTW's words seem to capture the essence of the desert perfectly. They transport me to that arid land, making me feel the heat of the sun, the softness of the sand beneath my feet, and the tranquility that comes with being in such a desolate place.

With each sentence she writes, I find myself falling deeper in love with the desert and her unique way of expressing its beauty. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.