Berry's writing has always been renowned for its beauty and the ability to stir emotions deep within the reader. I was truly captivated by this book, which, even 40 years after its initial publication, still holds an engaging and compelling charm.

Chapter Three, however, seemed a bit tenuous and not quite in line with Berry's typical style. Nevertheless, the remainder of the book is a prime example of his literary prowess. If you are a fan of Wendell Berry's work, this book is definitely a worthy read.

The book was penned in response to the proposal of damming the Red River Gorge to form a lake and prevent flooding in the area. To avoid spoiling the story for you, I will refrain from revealing what has transpired in the past 40 years. Instead, I highly recommend reading the book and then conducting your own research on the area. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

The book leans heavily towards the environmentalist perspective, but it does so without being overly preachy. It simply presents the issues in a matter-of-fact manner and offers a unique look at the area through the eyes of a visitor. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy this wonderful literary journey.

As a life-long Kentuckian,

I have a deep connection to this land. However, I am relatively new to backpacking and camping in the Red River Gorge.

Thanks to this book, I believe my appreciation for it will grow even deeper in the future.

Before, I would often rely on maps to navigate my way. But now, I think I'll look a lot less at maps and much more at Creation.

This book of essays has truly been a delight to read.

It has opened my eyes to the beauty and wonder that surrounds us in the Red River Gorge.

I can't wait to explore this area more and experience all that it has to offer.

With this new perspective, I'm sure my future adventures will be even more memorable and fulfilling.

Who could better depict the marvels of the Red River Gorge than native Kentuckyian Wendell Berry? His 1991 book was penned as part of the battle to safeguard the scenic gorge from a proposed dam. Fortunately, in this instance, the environmentalists emerged victorious. Berry vividly describes his thrilling hiking adventures, peaceful camping nights, and exciting canoeing escapades in that remarkable place. The Red River Gorge is a natural wonderland, with its majestic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and diverse wildlife. Berry's words bring this enchanting area to life, allowing readers to experience its beauty and charm vicariously. His love for the gorge is palpable on every page, and his passion for protecting it is truly inspiring. Through his writing, Berry has not only captured the essence of the Red River Gorge but also raised awareness about the importance of preserving our natural heritage.

Classic Berry is a remarkable piece of work.

It not only offers a generous dose of the concepts of “place” and “slow living” but also presents vivid and enchanting descriptions of the gorge throughout.

If you have ever hiked in that area before, you can easily picture each and every scene that the author describes.

It is truly interesting to observe how much has remained the same since this book was written more than 50 years ago.

This book would be highly recommended to be read either before or during a hiking or camping trip, especially if the destination is the Gorge itself.

It can enhance your experience by allowing you to envision the beauty and charm of the place even before you set foot there.

Moreover, during the trip, you can compare the real scenery with the descriptions in the book and gain a deeper appreciation for the area.

Overall, Classic Berry is a wonderful read that combines nature, travel, and a sense of tranquility.

Ah yes, it is so easy to simply blame environmental degradation on the “stupid” Appalachian farmer. The one who supposedly just wants to leave and doesn't care about the land at all. I do have a love for some of Wendell Berry's poems. But if he truly believes that Appalachians have such a callous attitude towards the land they inhabit, then my opinion of his intelligence and his awareness of the real world has just hit rock bottom.

It is unjust and inaccurate to generalize an entire group of people in such a way. There are many Appalachian farmers who have a deep connection and respect for the land. They have been stewards of it for generations, working hard to make a living while also trying to protect the environment.

We should not be so quick to judge and assume. Instead, we should take the time to understand the complex issues and the diverse range of people and perspectives involved. Maybe then, we can start to find more effective solutions to the problem of environmental degradation.

Wendell Berry's evocative language is an ideal fit for ruminating on the treasure that is the Red River Gorge.

Everyone who loves that land could not express themselves more effectively. And I'm certain that all are delighted that Berry is capable of expressing so poetically what most people feel the very first time they set foot in the Gorge, as well as the last.

The Unforeseen Wilderness is perhaps the finest book of all for experiencing the Gorge. Most other books about the Gorge are designed to be guides and, as a result, are overly and objectively descriptive. Berry desires for you to experience the unseen, as well as the unforeseen.

Ralph Eugene Meatyard (what an interesting name!) offers several black and white photographs. There are a few that I'm sure are breathtaking as original prints. His photography adds another dimension to the exploration of the Gorge, allowing readers to visually connect with the beauty and mystery that Berry describes in his words.

Together, Berry's writing and Meatyard's photography create a powerful and immersive experience of the Red River Gorge, one that will leave readers with a deeper appreciation for this remarkable place.

A beautiful and poetic book is singing the praises of a place that so many of us, myself included, hold dear. It truly captures the essence of what makes this place special. I am particularly drawn to his point about the importance of finding wonder in the small details. It's not just about the grand and majestic cliff line views that take our breath away. In fact, there is beauty and a sense of awe to be discovered everywhere if we only take the time to look closely.

Every little pebble on the beach, every delicate flower along the path, and every gentle breeze that caresses our faces has its own unique charm. This book reminds us to slow down, to stop and smell the roses, and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us in our daily lives. It encourages us to open our eyes and our hearts to the world around us and to find joy in the simplest of things.

Whether we are exploring a new place or simply going about our daily routines, there is always something beautiful waiting to be discovered. We just need to have the patience and the curiosity to look for it. This book is a wonderful reminder of the power of beauty and the importance of taking the time to appreciate it.

A beautiful book can be a source of无尽的 joy and inspiration.

It has the power to transport us to different worlds, introduce us to unique characters, and make us feel a wide range of emotions.

The cover of a beautiful book is often eye-catching, with its carefully designed layout and captivating imagery.

As we open the book, we are greeted with the smell of fresh paper and the promise of an exciting adventure.

The words on the pages seem to dance and come alive, painting vivid pictures in our minds.

Whether it's a classic novel, a thought-provoking non-fiction work, or a charming children's book, a beautiful book has the ability to touch our hearts and leave a lasting impression.

It can be a companion on a rainy day, a source of comfort in times of stress, or a means of escaping from the realities of the world.

A beautiful book is truly a treasure that we can cherish and revisit time and time again.

In 1971, a plan was put forward to dam the Red River Gorge for flood control. It was during this time that a set of essays about the Red River Gorge was written. These essays are truly thoughtful and interesting, offering unique perspectives on the proposed dam and its potential impact on the environment and the local community.

Reading these essays makes me dream of growing up to be like Wendell Berry. He is a remarkable figure, firm in his convictions and unafraid to take the less-traveled path. When he hikes, he bushwhacks, exploring the wilderness with a sense of adventure and a deep respect for nature.

Wendell Berry's writing and his way of life inspire me to think deeply about the world around me and to stand up for what I believe in. I hope that one day, I can also make a difference in the world, just as he has.

Wendell Berry's "The Unforseen Wilderness" was written forty years ago when the area was under threat from the Army Corps of Engineers. Berry's sense of urgency for the wilderness he loved is palpable in his writing. I picked up this book because I was preparing a sermon on part of the Abraham story and wanted to read something tangentially related. I was interested in exploring the meaning of "place," and I thought Berry would be a good guide.

So, I took Berry's books off my shelf. Instead of rereading one of the Port William stories I love, I turned to his essays. Many of his essay collections focus on technology, society, and agricultural practices and are often published thematically. This short book, which focused on a single theme, was the only one I found on my shelf, so I embarked on a journey with Berry into the Red River Gorge.

After finishing the book, I felt a bit ashamed that I had read it for its utility in providing me with insights or inspiration. I had wanted to extract the interesting parts, much like the strip miners in east Kentucky who decimate the landscape for coal. Perhaps my tendency to "use" Berry stems from my introduction to him via Eugene Peterson, who once said, "Every time he writes 'farm,' I substitute 'parish' or 'congregation.' It works every time. I have learned more usable pastoral theology from this farmer than from all my academic professors." However, what Berry says about agriculture is different from his reflections on wilderness. While this book is as critical of modern techniques and economics as any of Berry's works, it principally commends the experience of place beyond any human attempt at manipulation. Still, there were some things I found instructive.

"Slow is the only way to go." The Red River Gorge was as inaccessible to me as Xanadu was to Coleridge. I had never been to Kentucky except for a Greyhound ride through the state. As Berry says of those who travel the interstate at 70 mph, "Though one is in Kentucky, one is experiencing the highway, which might be in nearly any hill country east of the Mississippi." Other than that, my only experience of Kentucky was buckets of fried chicken and Bourbon, both exportable commodities that likely do not accurately reflect the culture, place, or people of the state. I learned from Berry that to experience a place, one must first slow down and allow oneself to see it and be present there. As Berry says, "The faster one goes, the more strain on the senses, the more they fail to take it in, the more confusion they must tolerate or gloss over—and the longer it takes to bring the mind to stop in the presence of anything." Berry's reflections on the relationship between the experience of place and the speed of travel and busyness are instructive to me, not only in terms of geographical space but also in terms of spiritual geography. I have reflected on this in terms of Scripture reading and what is seen or not seen based on how quickly one traverses the terrain. Berry's words tell me that I am on the right track, even if I take some of his words in an otherworldly direction he may not have intended.

"Entering the wilderness on the wilderness's terms." Berry writes, "A man enters or leaves the world naked. And it is only naked—or nearly so—that he can enter and leave the wilderness. If he walks, that is; if he doesn't walk, he can hardly be said to have entered. He can bring only what he can carry—the little things that it takes to replace for a few hours or a few days an animal's fur and teeth and functioning instincts." Likewise, he reflects, "For the time, I am reduced to my irreducible self. I feel the lightness of my body that a man must feel whose lost fifty pounds of fat. As I leave the bare expanse of the rock and go in under the trees again, I am aware that I move in the landscape as one of its details." In this, Berry makes it clear that the only way one can truly be said to enter this wilderness place is by entering into it. When approaching a landscape, one must adjust one's step to its contours. There must be no coercion or manipulation. Otherwise, one has not really been there but somewhere else, and the path one travels is only a means, not a place.

"Place is dynamic." Perhaps it is inevitable that reflections on a river gorge would postulate that to experience a place is to know it as constantly changing. Berry writes, "No place is to be learned like a textbook or a course in school, and then turned away from forever on the assumption that one's knowledge is complete. What is to be known about it is without limit, and is endlessly changing. Knowing is only like breathing: it can happen, it stays real only on the condition that it continues to happen. As soon as it is recognized that a river—or for that matter, a home—is not a place but a process, not a fact but an event, there ought to come an immense relief: one can step in the same river twice, one can go home again." Therefore, nature/place/home/anywhere is not a static locale to behold or lament but a dynamic relational event. When a place is not a static point on a map, it becomes a dynamic point of encounter. When Berry entered the Gorge, he was encountered by the presence of what he found there. At one point, he reflects on his ignorance about the nearness of Dog Drowning Hole and says, "Before the Gorge had been a place I understood as I understood its maps. But now it became a presence that I felt in the roots of my hair and the pit of my stomach, as though something whose existence I failed to anticipate in the dark had come up behind me and touched the back of my neck." Following Berry, one does not experience "place" unless one allows that "place" to press upon and change one.

It should be obvious that much of what Berry says here about the Kentucky Gorge can be applied to any wilderness, or for that matter, to God and marriage if one allows metaphor to frame one's thinking on the matter. I'm not sure if there is anything in this book that I can use for my sermon, but it was well worth the read.

I have gained a new appreciation for the importance of slowing down, entering a place on its own terms, and recognizing the dynamic nature of place.

These lessons will no doubt influence my future travels, both physical and spiritual.

Berry's writing has a way of making me see the world in a new light, and for that, I am grateful.

A truly delightful reflection on nature and modern society has emerged. It has such a profound impact that it stirs within me an intense desire to step out and embark on an exploration of the Kentucky Wilderness. This wilderness, which I have unfortunately neglected for most of my life, now seems to hold a world of wonder and mystery waiting to be discovered.

As I think about it, I realize how often we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of modern life, forgetting the beauty and tranquility that nature has to offer. The Kentucky Wilderness represents a haven, a place where I can escape the chaos and reconnect with the natural world.

I imagine myself walking through the lush forests, breathing in the fresh air, and listening to the sounds of birds chirping and leaves rustling under my feet. It would be a rejuvenating experience, one that would allow me to clear my mind and gain a new perspective on life.

So, I have decided that it's time to take the plunge and explore this neglected part of my state. I can't wait to see what awaits me in the Kentucky Wilderness and to create memories that will last a lifetime.

I thought the issues presented in this book, even though they might seem dated at first glance, are truly timeless.

The concepts and ideas explored within its pages have a universality that transcends the specific era in which they were written.

They speak to the fundamental aspects of human nature, society, and the world we live in.

Despite the passage of time and the many changes that have occurred since the book was published, these issues remain relevant and thought-provoking.

They have the power to make us reflect on our own lives, our values, and the choices we make.

Whether it's about love, friendship, justice, or the pursuit of happiness, the lessons in this book can still teach us valuable things today.

It serves as a reminder that some things never change and that the wisdom of the past can still offer us guidance and inspiration in the present.