Elemental South: An Anthology of Southern Nature Writing

by Dorinda G. Dallmeyer (Editor)

Nature writers know that to be fully human is to be engaged with our natural surroundings. Elemental South is a gathering of works by some of the region's best nature writers―people who can coax from words the mysteries of our place in the landscape and the human relationship to wildness.

Arranged by theme according to the basic elements by which many cultures on earth interpret―earth, air, fire, water―the writings consider our actual and assumed connections in the greater scheme of functioning ecosystems. As we read of bears, ancient magnolias, swallow-tail kites, the serenity of a country childhood, the pleasure of eating real food, the remarkable provenance of ancient pottery shards, and much more, these works lure us deep into the southern landscape, away from the constructs of humanity and closer to a recognition of our inextricable ties to the earth.

The writers are all participants in the Southern Nature Project, an ongoing endeavor founded on the conviction that writing like the kind gathered here can help us to lead more human, profound, and courageous lives in terms of how we use our earth. Some of the featured writers are originally from the South, and others migrated here―but all have honed their voices on the region's distinctive landscapes.

Genres: Southern, Nature, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 4, 2004

About the author

Dorinda G. Dallmeyer is a faculty member of the Environmental Ethics Certificate Program at the University of Georgia and is also the associate director of the University of Georgia's Dean Rusk Center of International, Comparative, and Graduate Legal Studies. She is the editor of five books, including Values at Sea.

Reviews

[Julia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself zoning out while reading this. From the blurb I’d hoped these would be interesting, moving stories of how deeply individuals are impacted by nature, but they really lack voice and sometimes focus. It felt like more effort was put into getting lots of species names in rather than saying something to emotionally involve the reader.

I also found all the authors’ styles way too similar. If this is what all “nature writing” is like, maybe it’s not for me.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts a little slow, but before long I found myself not just reading, but re-reading the short essays and poetry with pencil in hand marking the words that were speaking to me. A great way to sample a variety of writers while enjoying the sum of the parts together.

[Kristina Watts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. One of the books that has been on my nightstand, half-read, for a while. The essays are intellectual, not beautiful, as they seem to try to be. Poetry not moving. Not as interesting as I hoped.

[Mark Lacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would've suggested not using any particular author more than once, but the editor chose to use multiple pieces from several authors.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This collection of short stories thoughtfully captures both what it is like to live and be from the South, as well as the influence of nature on our everyday lives.

[Ray Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous southern nature writing from the University of Georgia Pres.