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Barry Lopez

    January 6, 1945 – December 25, 2020

    Barry Lopez was an American author, essayist, and fiction writer whose works are known for their environmental and social concerns. In his writing, he frequently examined the relationship between human culture and the physical landscape. He has been described as "the nation's premier nature writer." In his fiction, he addressed issues of intimacy, ethics, and identity.

    Field Notes
    The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine
    About this Life
    Of Wolves and Men
    Arctic Dreams
    Horizon
    • Horizon

      • 592 pages
      • 21 hours of reading
      4.3(35)Add rating

      Taking us nearly from pole to pole -- from modern megacities to some of Earth's most remote regions -- Barry Lopez gives us his most far-ranging and personal work to date. Spanning decades of travel, Horizon describes journeys to six regions of the world: from Western Oregon to the High Arctic; from the Galápagos to the Kenyan desert; from Botany Bay in Australia to finally, unforgettably, the ice shelves of Antarctica. Lopez also probes the history of humanity's quests and explorations, from prehistoric expeditions to today's ecotourism. He takes us to some of the hottest, coldest, and most desolate places on the globe, via friendships with scientists, archaeologists, artists and local residents, in a book that makes us see the world differently.

      Horizon
    • **AS HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4** 'A master nature writer' (New York Times) provides the ultimate natural, social and cultural history of the Arctic landscape. The author of Horizon's classic work explores the Arctic landscape and the hold it continues to exert on our imagination. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ROBERT MACFARLANE Lopez's journey across our frozen planet is a celebration of the Arctic in all its guises. A hostile landscape of ice, freezing oceans and dazzling skyscapes. Home to millions of diverse animals and people. The stage to massive migrations by land, sea and air. The setting of epic exploratory voyages. In crystalline prose, Lopez captures the magic of the Arctic: the essential mystery and beauty of a continent that has enchanted man's imagination and ambition for centuries. 'The Arctic dreamland seen and described by a writer of rare perception and poetic descriptive power... The pages sparkle with Arctic light' Scotsman

      Arctic Dreams
    • "The wolf exerts a powerful influence on the human imagination. It takes your stare and turns it back on you." So Barry Lopez writes in his first major work of nonfiction, a careful study of the way that wolves and humans have interacted over centuries, and the way that the wolf has become so central to our thinking about animals. Drawing on considerable personal experience with wolves and on an astonishing range of literature, Lopez argues for the necessity of wolves in the world, which would be much poorer without their howl. Thanks in part to the influence of this essential book about Canis lupus, first published in 1978, we know a great deal more about wolves and are all the better prepared to assure their protection.

      Of Wolves and Men
    • About this Life

      Journeys on the Threshold of Memory

      • 275 pages
      • 10 hours of reading
      4.1(84)Add rating

      This is a collection of beautifully written and precisely observed essays that take the reader on a literal and figurative journey across the landscape of autobiography. There are essays on Lopez's travels to places such as the remote Hokkaido island, to the over-explored Gal pagos and to enigmatic Bonaire. There is an account of a return to the Arctic he evoked in Arctic Dreams. There are essays which meditate on fundamental questions of man's relationship to the natural world. Why, Lopez wonders, does our society strip political power away from people with an intimate knowledge of the land? There are several exquisite memory pieces, hauntingly lyrical yet unsentimental recollections that represent Lopez's most personal work to date and which will be read as classics of the personal essay for years to come. This is a magically-written series of journeys on the threshold of memory, the work of a major American writer.

      About this Life
    • Exploring the complex interplay between human nature and environmental goals, this collection features contributions from notable writers like Ursula Le Guin and David Orr. It delves into themes such as America's consumer society, the concept of spiritual ecology, and the impact of the military-industrial complex on the environment. The essays assess how human behavior can both facilitate and hinder progress towards ecological sustainability.

      The Future of Nature: Writing on a Human Ecology from Orion Magazine
    • Field Notes

      The Grace Note of the Canyon Wren

      • 178 pages
      • 7 hours of reading
      4.1(434)Add rating

      Exploring themes of beauty and connection, this collection of twelve stories by Barry Lopez delves into our relationships with each other, our memories, and the natural world. Renowned for his poignant storytelling, Lopez captures the deep longing that shapes our experiences and interactions, inviting readers to reflect on the intricate ties that bind us to our surroundings and to one another.

      Field Notes
    • Winter Count

      • 128 pages
      • 5 hours of reading
      4.1(653)Add rating

      The collection features intricately woven stories that resonate deeply with readers, leaving a lasting impression akin to vivid imagery. Each narrative unfolds naturally, drawing the audience into its rich, evocative world. The writing style captivates, encouraging reflection and evoking strong emotional responses. The stories are designed to linger in the imagination, showcasing the author's skill in creating memorable and thought-provoking literature.

      Winter Count
    • Resistance

      • 176 pages
      • 7 hours of reading
      3.8(358)Add rating

      Exploring the lives of individuals resisting societal norms, this work presents nine fictional testimonies that reveal their struggles and transformations. A young woman in Buenos Aires seeks compassion amid family betrayal, while a carpenter in India faces the consequences of a violent outburst. A man's encounter with a grizzly in Montana leads to profound realizations, and a Vietnam veteran grapples with his past actions and the concept of innocence. Accompanied by striking artwork, this narrative resonates deeply with contemporary issues.

      Resistance
    • Outside

      • 120 pages
      • 5 hours of reading
      3.7(96)Add rating

      Exploring the beauty and complexity of the natural world, this collection features six short stories that delve into the intricate relationships between humans and nature. The author, renowned for his National Book Award-winning work, crafts vivid narratives that illuminate the wonders and challenges of the environment. Each story offers a unique perspective, inviting readers to reflect on their own connection to the earth and its ecosystems.

      Outside
    • Light Action in the Caribbean

      Stories

      • 176 pages
      • 7 hours of reading
      3.8(285)Add rating

      Exploring themes of desire, morality, and redemption, this collection features diverse narratives that blend historical and contemporary elements. In "The Letters of Heaven," a modern man's dilemma unfolds as he grapples with a secret from 17th-century Peru. Young boys seeking fortune face unexpected consequences, while convicts find hope in a gathering of birds. The title story delves into profound darkness, highlighting the complexities of good and evil. Each tale showcases compelling characters navigating their enigmatic choices in a richly layered world.

      Light Action in the Caribbean