Inaugurating a new annual series devoted to selecting and presenting the best in contemporary American nature writing, this initial volume includes some of America's most distinguished nature writers as well as some promising new talents. This first collection encompasses a variety of genres, including fiction, journal writing, poetry, personal essays, and feature articles. Also included are an excerpt from Annie Dillard's novel, The Living, and a previously unpublished selection from the journals of Edward Abbey. At last here is nature writing at its boisterous, gritty, and lyrical best.
Nature writing is poised at the beginning of a period of wonderful exuberance.
All of the excitement that attends the beginning of a new century, and the start of a new millennium, together with a growing awareness of the interdependence of nature and culture, cannot help but fuel this historic genre.