Advancing for the first time the concept of "post-pastoral practice," Reconnecting with John Muir springs from Terry Gifford's understanding of the great naturalist as an exemplar of integrated, environmentally conscious knowing and writing. Just as the discourses of science and the arts were closer in Muir's day--in part, arguably, because of Muir--it is time we learned from ecology to recognize how integrated our own lives are as readers, students, scholars, teachers, and writers. When we defy the institutional separations, purposely straying from narrow career tracks, the activities of reading, scholarship, teaching, and writing can inform each other in a holistic "post-pastoral" professional practice. Healing the separations of culture and nature represents the next way forward from the current crossroads in the now established field of ecocriticism. The mountain environment provides a common ground for the diverse modes of engagement and mediation Gifford discusses. By attempting to understand the meaning of Muir's assertion that "going to the mountains is going home," Gifford points us toward a practice of integrated reading, scholarship, teaching, and writing that is adequate to our environmental crisis.

In the collection of Western Classics, Historical Novels & Tales of the Old West by B. M. Bower (Illustrated), readers are transported into the rugged and unpredictable world of the American frontier. Bower masterfully captures the essence of the Old West through her compelling storytelling and vivid descriptions of the landscape, characters, and daily struggles of the time. The collection is a valuable literary contribution that offers insight into the historical and cultural context of the West, making it a must-read for fans of Western literature. Bower's attention to detail and authentic portrayal of the era immerse readers in a bygone age, showcasing the harsh realities and heartfelt moments that defined the Western experience.

In 1897 Henry Savage Landor headed north from Bombay, India into uncharted territory to explore the magnificent mountains and wild glacial rivers of Tibet, trying to reach the Providence of Lhassa deep into the Forbidden Land without the benefit of maps, or previous knowledge of history or local customs. Accompanied by a few coolies, hired locally, carrying the best photographic and scientific equipment money could buy, he went off onto what was to be the adventure of a lifetime. He battled with gangs of trail robbers, exchanged gunfire with the Tibetans and fell prisoner of the local warlords, all while charting and mapping the territory, taking photographs and recording scientific observations. This book was last published in 1910. This is a reprint for those who enjoy reading adventures of yesteryears.

The combined expertise of Art Bermstein and Andrew Jackman make this book a special one, more than just another guidebook. The authors are naturalists, long time observers of nature in the Pacific Northwest. Art Bernstein's warm and down to earth style conveys to the readers the authors' knowledge of the flora, fauna, geology, and local history, including the reforestation of the Mount Saint Helens region. His descriptions and story telling are vivid, entertaining and inviting. "Portland Hikes" has good literary value, as well as being a primer for observant hikers wanting to know more about this beautiful region. "Portland Hikes" goes beyond the city boundaries. The 70 selected trails described are day-hikes. Some are short and some are a little longer. All are of easy access from downtown, and a short drive away to the surrounding wilderness areas, state, and national parks of Oregon and Washington.

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Nikita Khrushchev presided over a pivotal period in Soviet-American relations. The ongoing Korean War and the lack of an American ambassador in Moscow illustrate the strain in Soviet-American relations at the start of Eisenhower's presidency, but things changed after Stalin died only 44 days later. Stalin's successors began to liberalize both domestic and foreign policy in what became known as the Thaw. There was an increase in diplomatic exchanges, including the first modern summit conferences. Of even greater importance, the Soviet leaders began to reestablish the scientific, cultural, and tourist contacts that had been broken under Stalin. Because political and ideological tensions remained and there were still restrictions on contacts, the Soviet overtures can best be described as a half-offered hand of friendship, and perhaps it was less of a thaw than the end of a blizzard. Nevertheless, these contacts began a process which would help end the Cold War three decades later. This history of relations between the Soviet Union and the United States during the Eisenhower and Khrushchev administrations explores political, social and cultural exchanges, and assesses their impact upon the two countries. Besides diplomatic documents, memoirs from Americans and Soviets, and works of history, it relies upon eyewitness accounts by journalists, tourists and others to paint a detailed picture of the era. Notes are included for each chapter, and there is a bibliography and an index.