"The actor has plenty of rich material to mine - he has been held hostage at gunpoint by a lunatic, suffered an apocalyptic infestation of fleas, barely eluded a goring by a bull, and auditioned with a broken neck - but the delight of the book is the author's voice: wry, discursive and full of generous spirit and curiosity [...] A copiously examined life rendered with humor and heart." 

-- Kirkus, Starred Review   

If you ran into Stephen Tobolowsky on the street, you would not be mistaken: Yes, you've seen him before. A childhood dentist? A former geometry teacher? Your local florist? Tobolowsky is a character actor, one of the most prolific screen and stage presences of our time, having appeared in productions that range from Deadwood to Glee, from Mississippi Burning to Groundhog Day.

"Dissatisfaction with nature flows throughout Western civilization, as deep as its blood, as abiding as its bones. Convinced to the marrow that something is deeply wrong with nature, . . . the Western world tries to remake it into something better."

For Priscilla Stuckey, this is a fundamental and heartbreaking misconception: that nature can be fixed, exploited, or simply ignored. Modern societies try to bend nature to human will instead of engaging in give-and-take with a living, breathing land community.

Using her personal experiences as the cornerstone, Stuckey explores the depth of relationship possible with the birch tree in our backyard, the nearby urban creek, the dog who settles on our bed each night.

Drawing inspiration from sources as varied as ancient philosophers and contemporary biologists, Stuckey challenges readers to enact a different story of nature, one in which people and place are not separate, where other creatures respond to human need, and where humans and all others together create the world.

With the eloquence of the great nature writers before her, Stuckey encourages us to open ourselves to the unlimited possibilities of a truly connected life.

This collection of fifteen profiles captures the stories and spirit of the people who choose to live in New Hampshire's craggy, remote North Country. 

Over nearly two decades, authors Doug Mayer and Rebecca Oreskes interviewed extraordinary people whose lives are intricately linked to the history of the White Mountains. 

With humor, wit, and unforgettable personal style, these trailblazing pioneers describe in their own words the foundation they laid for today's outdoor adventurers. They tell of hard work in the White Mountain National Forest, on hiking trails and in the high huts of the Appalachian Mountain Club, and through groundbreaking mountaineering and search and rescue efforts. They've made quintessential climbing gear like Limmer boots, run Mount Washington's famed Cog Railway, and achieved bold and selfless conservation and stewardship victories. 

Historical photographs accompany each interview. Profiles include Brad and Barbara Washburn, Guy and Laura Waterman, and other notable figures in the history of the region. 

Fall is the ultimate hiking season - and the perfect time to celebrate the 75th birthday of the Appalachian Trail. The Appalachian Trail: Celebrating America's Hiking Trail is part history lesson, part inspirational photo album and part practical travel guide. Fortunately, there's a removable map so you don't have to squeeze a coffee-table tome into your pack." 

-- The Wall Street Journal