Interesting and well written set of articles. Some feel relevant still.

Tight, jovial, enviably smooth long-form reporting. My favorite excerpts were The Crofter and the Laird, about semi-feudal life on a remote Scottish Isle; Levels of the Game, about Arthur Ashe and early diversity in American tennis; and Oranges, an exposé of mass orange production in Florida. The dude delivers on every piece. He's now an admirable 92 years young.

When I want to introduce someone to the writing of John McPhee this is my go-to volume because it comprises excellent selections from his first decade of published work.

Great forewords to each selection as well as a fascinating General foreword that discusses McPhee's "method"

What a wonderful writer! You feel as if you are right there in the room with him. I believe there is a second "Reader" I guess I will be reading that one as well.

I first started reading John McPhee's essays when they would show up from time to time in the New Yorker. The words stuck, the ideas taught, and the subjects delighted. Having a large collection of his essays in one place is great.

This is the book I read and re-read to try and figure out how McPhee does it. Might as well read the Bible to figure out how you part the Red Sea or walk on water.

Stopped in the middle because my library hold expired, but I'd gladly check it out again and keep going down the line.

Great introduction to one of the best literary journalists out there. Also good for people with short attention spans who don't want to read his full-length books, and just want a taste of some good creative non-fiction.

McPhees books can sometimes be hard to find. This taste of a number of his best, only served to make me more anxious to find them and flesh out each of the stories introduced within!

McPhee writes nonfiction like a surgeon performs an operation. Nothing escapes his calm perception, whether an art museum, snake-infested swamps, oranges, or nuclear weapons. If there's any flaw it's that his clinical precision maybe dampers the energy on occasion—but believe me, you won't be wasting your time. "The most versatile journalist in America" indeed.

I heard about John McPhee from new friend who was gobsmacked I didn't know who he was. This reader is a collection of writings from several books McPhee wrote. He's a master of non-fiction storytelling, draws you in to sit/stand/walk/paddle/ride next to him. His writing gives you the impression he's a master observer, that he never disturbs a scene or spooks a subject, always catching them in the truest light. Looking forward to reading more.