Hands on the Land: A History of the Vermont Landscape
"The fascination of Hands on the Land lies in its beautifully orchestrated build-up to the Vermont of today." Tom Hotaling Architecture Boston"Jan Alber's provocative book walks the reader through the fascinating geography and history of Vermont. Throughout, she artfully captures the events contributing to the shaping of the land, thus giving a history of the people and communities who have creatively lived and worked against the backdrop of one of the most remarkable and gently preserved landscapes in the world."Thomas P. Salmon, Governor of Vermont, 1973-1977, and President of the University of Vermont, 1991-1997"Jan Albers has captured the essence of Vermont, showing us how inextricably linked are its land, its people, and its way of life. In chronicling the changes time has brought to Vermont's land and economy, Albers prompts us to look anew at how inevitably the decisions of today will determine the Vermont of tomorrow."Jean Hocker, President, The Land Trust Alliance"Jan Albers's wry, sympathetic portraits of immigrants, farmers, entrepeneurs, scientists, politicians, and eccentrics combine with a remarkable sequence of illustrations to make Hands on the Land feel like a family album for Vermont. This is a book of illuminations and delights."John Elder, Middlebury College"The unique character and timeless appeal of Vermont are rooted largely in the look of the land itself. In Hands on the Land, Jan Albers offers a lively and insightful study of the geological factors, the social and economic trends, and—perhaps most compelling—the human dreams and schemes that have shaped the landscape and in the process made Vermont one of America's truly special places."Richard Moe, President, National Trust for Historic Preservation"What an exciting book! Jan Albers is eloquent and expert. This is an important work both for its historical perspectives and considerable foresight. Opening it, I'm invariably absorbed."Edward Hoagland, author ofWalking the Dead Diamond River