Terry Tempest Williams' passion for preserving and protecting the environment truly mirrors my own deep interest in the environment.

She is an incredibly intelligent and eloquent writer when it comes to the ethics and politics of nature and wilderness. Her words make us realize our obligation to be fully engaged with the landscape around us. We need to be aware of the various issues that are affecting not only humans but also animals and the environment as a whole.

As always, Terry Tempest Williams offers a wealth of thought-provoking ideas. She has the remarkable ability to write with a poetic simplicity that makes her work accessible to a wide range of readers. Her writing not only makes us think but also touches our hearts and souls, inspiring us to take action and do our part in protecting the environment.

This is one of those books (from 2004) that serves as a powerful reminder.

It makes us realize that we shouldn't, yet often do, become overly absorbed in the specificity of the current political moment.

We tend to focus so intently on the immediate political events and issues that we lose sight of the bigger picture and more fundamental perspectives.

However, this book offers a very important perspective that helps us break free from this narrow focus.

It encourages us to step back and consider the broader context and long-term implications of political developments.

By doing so, we can gain a more comprehensive understanding and make more informed decisions.

Overall, this book is a valuable resource that challenges us to think beyond the present and look at politics from a more enlightened and objective standpoint.

I truly adored this book. It had such a profound impact on me that when I had the amazing opportunity to meet Michael Franti at a show in Aspen, CO, I didn't hesitate for a moment. I reached into my bag and gave him my only copy of the book.

Coincidentally, I had just completed reading it and was on my way to the desert.

The encounter with Michael Franti was like a dream come true. Handing over that book felt like a symbolic gesture, sharing something that had touched my heart with someone who I admired.

I wondered what he would think of the book and if it would have the same effect on him as it did on me.

As I left the show and continued my journey to the desert, I carried with me the memory of that moment and the hope that my book would bring some sort of inspiration or joy to Michael Franti.

Even though I no longer had my copy of the book, the experience of giving it away to someone special made it all the more memorable.

This is an excellent and quick read that offers some profound quotes.

The first quote makes us ponder how to be responsive citizens in times of terror and whether we can rediscover an authentic patriotism that values empathy and reflection over pride and nationalism.

The second quote emphasizes that the human heart is the first home of democracy. It is where we face questions about equity, generosity, listening with our whole beings, and having the resolve to act courageously in pursuit of a living democracy. The heart is the path to wisdom as it dares to be vulnerable in the face of power.

The third quote calls for an end to the national culture of self-interest that cuts the bonds of community for individual gain. It also highlights the violence done to our souls by actions like mountaintop removal and wetland destruction.

The fourth quote points out the mistake of confusing democracy with capitalism and political engagement with a corrupt political machinery. It advocates for a spiritual democracy that honors the well-being of all, not just the corporate few.

The fifth quote warns that if we don't embrace democracy as a way of life and participate in the formation of an ethical life, it will become a form of idolatry.

Finally, the sixth quote emphasizes the need for a reflective activism born out of humility, which can open the door to becoming a compassionate participant in the world.

Love her writing.

This piece was penned shortly after the tragic events of 9/11. It holds a significance that remains just as poignant today, especially with the approaching election.

The words seem to carry a deeper meaning, as if they are a call to action.

When we listen to the land, it is as if it whispers to us, guiding us towards what we should do.

Perhaps it is a reminder to be more in tune with the world around us, to pay attention to the signs and signals that are constantly being sent our way.

Her writing has the power to touch our hearts and minds, to make us think and reflect on the issues that matter.

It is a testament to the importance of words and the impact they can have on our lives.

As we move forward in this ever-changing world, we would do well to remember the wisdom and insights contained within her writing.

Let us listen to the land and let it guide us towards a better future.

I have a passionate admiration for Terry Tempest's writing. She has an extraordinary ability to express certain emotions and intuitive feelings that might be challenging for others to convey precisely.

She skillfully weaves together personal experiences with political policies, long-standing histories, and conservation activism over the past several decades. This results in a captivating narrative about American open lands policy, along with its recent progressions and regressions.

This book is composed of three of her essays that were published in Orion. All of them are interconnected and center around her concept of "the open space of democracy." She emphasizes how "raw, wild beauty is a deeply ingrained American value... liberty is manifested through the simple act of wandering" (60) and how "open lands expand minds" (76).

I truly love her assertions regarding the significance and power of community decision-making, which lies at the very heart of democracy. If we all held such strong convictions and listened to one another with such depth, America could potentially be a very different, and perhaps better, place.

This is a fantastic and quick read that still retains its freshness and immediacy.

Some of the select quotes from the book are: "In the open space of democracy, beauty is not optional, but essential to our survival as a species." (41) "An open democracy inspires wisdom and the dignity of choice. A closed society breeds terror and the tyranny of belief." (10) "To engage in responsive citizenship, we must become citizens who respond passionately. This is how we can make a difference and serve society." (10) "If we cannot engage in respectful listening, there can be no civil dialogue, and without civil dialogue, we the people will simply devolve into bullies and brutes, deaf to the truth." (23) "Patience is more potent than anger. Humor is more appealing than fear. Pay attention. Listen. We are most alive when we are discovering. Humility is the capacity to see. [...] We are meant to live simply. We are meant to be joyful. [...] Beauty is another word for God." (57) "Community interaction is the white-hot core of a democracy that burns brightly." (59) "It is time to recognize the violence inflicted upon our souls each time a mountaintop is removed to access a coal vein in Appalachia or when a wetland is drained, dredged, and filled for a strip mall." (86) "It is time to resist the simplistic, utilitarian view that what is beneficial for business is automatically good for humanity in all its complex web of relationships." (87)

On page 44 of this book, within the section titled "Ground Truthing," Terry Tempest Williams描绘了她在北极国家野生动物保护区所感受到的广袤无垠。她写道：“在这里，规模无法用人类的尺度来衡量……我原以为是一只燕子，结果却是一只鹰。天气每分钟都在变化。灰色的汹涌云层交织成人字形的图案，但即使在这片崎岖地形如剃刀般锋利的恐惧中，仍有一种奇怪的柔软存在。”

我们现在正处于一个如剃刀般锋利的恐惧时代，也是一片崎岖的 terrain。然而，就像在2004年的这本书中一样，Williams的声音是一种持久的奇怪柔软。她的话语如微风般轻轻落下，但却有着力量和激情，推动着它们前进，带着她对这片土地的强烈热爱和对荒野的保护。我发现这本书令人鼓舞，它提醒我们，文明的对话是可能的，这就是它的样子。

A strange collection

It is a truly strange collection that consists of three very different parts. Each part has its own unique charm and characteristics. The first part might be filled with mysterious and unknown elements, leaving the reader intrigued and eager to discover more. The second part could be completely different, perhaps presenting a humorous or light-hearted side that brings a smile to the face. And the third part might tie everything together in a unexpected and clever way, adding an extra layer of depth and interest. Despite their differences, the three parts are all interesting and well-written, flowing seamlessly from one to the next. It is this combination of diversity and quality that makes this collection truly special and worth exploring.

I have made no secret of my profound love for Terry Tempest Williams. It's not merely her writing, which is truly peerless, but also her politics as a naturalist that deeply resonate with me. This small volume is an absolute treasure.

It includes her Commencement Address delivered at the University of Utah (she being a Mormon) on May 2, 2003. That alone makes the book worth its price. The second section, "Ground Truthing," involves walking the ground surveyed by either aircraft or satellites to confirm the actual truth on the ground. In this instance, she and her companions are ground-truthing the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge. These are her notes and reflections. Just as she did in "Refuge," she uses nature to draw analogies to other aspects of life. In "Refuge," she compared her thoughts and observations of her dying mother with the sudden rise of the Great Salt Lake, which threatened the nearby Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. It's brilliant writing, seamlessly combining her scientific knowledge with her personal observations of both events.

In "The Open Space of Democracy," she analogizes the fragile nature of the Arctic Refuge with the fragile nature of our democracy and our personal responsibility to preserve both. Once again, her writing is without equal: "Experience opens us, creates a chasm in our heart, an expansion in our lungs, allowing us to pull in fresh air to all that was stagnant. We breathe deeply and remember fear for what it is - a resistance to the unknown." (p.32). She wrote this in 2003, and it's evident to this reviewer that things have only deteriorated as our "leaders" try to keep us living in fear instead of breathing the fresh, open, and liberating air of democracy. She goes on to pose these questions after vividly describing, in her unique way, the beauty she has absorbed and observed over the past few days: "What will we make of the life before us? How do we translate the gifts of solitary beauty into the action required for true participatory citizenship?" (p. 42)

The book continues with more of her personal and intimate musings and scientific observations not only of the National Arctic Wildlife Refuge but also, in section 3, about her own home turf. It's challenging to review such a book as it is so rich that it demands to be read and reread, to be opened randomly for a glorious indulgence in beauty and wisdom. I will conclude this very inadequate review with Terry Tempest Williams' own words: "The open space of democracy provides justice for all living things - plants, animals, rocks, and rivers, as well as human beings." Amen, I say, to that.

Anyone who firmly believes in the significance of keeping and safeguarding wild spaces will毫无疑问 find this book absolutely amazing. Truly.

This book offers a captivating exploration into the world of wild areas, highlighting their beauty, importance, and the urgent need for their protection.

It takes the reader on a journey through various landscapes, from vast forests teeming with diverse wildlife to untouched mountains and serene wetlands.

The author presents compelling arguments and real-life examples that illustrate the value of wild spaces not only for the survival of countless species but also for the well-being of humanity.

Whether you are an environmental enthusiast, a nature lover, or simply someone who cares about the future of our planet, this book is a must-read.

It will inspire you to take action and contribute to the conservation of these precious wild spaces before it's too late.

I have a profound affection for the first section of this book. It is truly remarkable. I found myself highlighting an abundance of content. In fact, if there was an option to white out what I didn't desire, it would have been a more convenient choice. There is so much great stuff within it that I am still deeply pondering and reflecting upon. Moreover, I am certain that I will be incorporating it into my classroom this year. It has managed to rekindle my long-dormant sense of democracy.

The second and third sections, on the other hand, are beautifully composed and crucial to the author's point. However, they are a bit too transcendental for my personal taste. This is precisely the reason why I decided to rate it as 4 stars instead of a higher score. Nevertheless, I still appreciate the effort and thought that went into these sections. They offer valuable insights and perspectives that are worth considering. Overall, this book is a great read, and I would highly recommend it to others.

Possibly my favorite from Terry Tempest Williams, and that's really saying something. Her work in this piece beautifully mixes environmentalism with democratic ideals, all through the lens of Alaska and anti-war activism. It's truly a remarkable combination. What's more, it has the added advantage of being small enough to carry in your pocket, making it extremely convenient to have with you wherever you go. It's just tremendous. I vividly remember buying it with cash at a charming used bookstore in Seattle. The moment I laid my eyes on it, I knew it was something special. The bookstore itself had a cozy atmosphere, filled with the smell of old books and the promise of hidden treasures. As I handed over the cash and walked out with this precious find, I couldn't wait to dive into its pages and explore the world that Terry Tempest Williams had created.