Terry Tempest Williams is an American author, conservationist, and activist whose writing is deeply rooted in the American West. Her work explores ecology, wilderness preservation, women's health, and our relationship with nature and culture. Williams fearlessly advocates for her convictions, whether through testimony before Congress or acts of civil disobedience. Her unique style blends personal reflection with urgent environmental and social concerns, offering readers profound insights into our interconnected future.
The sociologist Terry Williams returns to the cocaine culture of Harlem in the 1980s and '90s with an ethnographic account of a club he calls Le Boogie Woogie. He explores the life of a cast of characters that includes regulars and bar workers, dealers and hustlers, following social interaction around the club's active bar.
In Erosion, Terry Tempest Williams delivers fierce and spirited essays that resonate like a howl in the desert. She confronts the ongoing attacks on America's public lands and the erosion of our commitment to democracy's open spaces, posing the question: "How do we find the strength to not look away from all that is breaking our hearts?" Williams explores the elements of erosion—wind, water, and time—that have shaped our nation's landscape while bravely examining the erosion of democracy, science, compassion, and trust. She highlights the cultural and environmental consequences of actions like the gutting of Bear Ears National Monument, sacred to Native Peoples, and the undermining of the Endangered Species Act, alongside the fossil fuel industry's relentless pressures that mar the horizon with oil rigs. The climate crisis is made tangible through her experiences with drought, both outside her door and within herself. These essays serve as a call to action, guiding us through challenging times toward new emotional, geographical, and communal territories. The erosion of desert lands reveals the truth of change, reminding us that what has been worn away is as significant as what remains. Williams asserts that beauty is a form of resistance and that even water can crack stone, making this work both politically and spiritually relevant.
Show the richness of environmental thought, and point the way to a fairer, saner, greener world
Set in a dystopian future where individuals are ranked by their social media performance, the concept of "The Number" governs employment and social standing. As a crisis of "Social Media Disorders" emerges, Maddie, a troubled artist, grapples with her inability to meet these standards, leading her to a mental breakdown. Through her struggles, she embarks on a transformative journey to uncover her true creative abilities, challenging the societal norms that define worth and success.
Exploring the hidden world beneath Manhattan's Riverside Park, the book delves into the lives of unhoused individuals who have sought refuge in long-abandoned railroad tunnels. Sociologist Terry Williams immerses himself in this underground community, aiming to shed light on their struggles and resilience while revealing the complexities of life on society's fringes. Through his journey, the narrative uncovers the harsh realities and human stories often overlooked in urban landscapes.