Early American Nature Writers

Thomas Wilson Flagg's understanding of genetics convinced him of white supremacy, but he warned even those most "advanced" people to preserve the land. Although Annie Trumbull Slosson's writing too often depicted hapless orphans and other marginalized characters, a subject that had become unfashionable, but she also advocated study of plants. Along with luminaries such as John James Audubon, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis and Henry David Thoreau this collection of essays includes information on fiction and nonfiction writers who may not be well-studied today, but were very influential in describing young America to America. The 53 entries include descriptions of birders, adventure writers, authors of juvenile fiction, nature guides, botanists, and even the occasional committed hunter, each of whom, in his or her own way, wished to make readers understand that the lush beauty of America was a treasure meant to be cherished rather than consumed. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Daniel Patterson is Associate Professor of English and Coordinator of Graduate Studies in English at Central Michigan University. His previous books includeReading the Earth: New Directions in the Study of Literature and Environment (1998),Susan Fenimore Cooper: New Essays on Rural Hours and Other Works (2001), an edition of Susan Fenimore Cooper'sRural Hours (1998), Essays on Nature and Landscape by Susan Fenimore Cooper (2002), andEdward Taylor's Gods Determinations and Preparatory Meditations: A Critical Edition (2003).