Compass Points : How I Lived

by Edward Hoagland

For nearly fifty years Edward Hoagland has proven himself to be, in the words of William Kittredge, "one of our basic writers"--a writer whose novels, essays, and travel books have demonstrated a "pungency, directness, and his special gift for finding joy in the most unexpected places" (Alfred Kazin).  

In Compass Points, Hoagland looks back over his life in an attempt to discern the fundamental directions in which he is traveling, and he tells a story that embraces some of the contradictions and complexities of human experience. It reflects with elegance Hoagland's intransigent honesty, his protean ardor, and, most important, his generosity. Here, family and friends, wives and lovers, mentors and fellow writers are given their due in a life's reckoning that is shrewd in observation, marvelously crafted, rapturous in its
acceptance and appreciation. A pithy mix of family history and personal insight, Compass Points transforms one man's story into an American saga.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Essays

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Edward Hoagland (born December 21, 1932, in New York, New York) is an author best known for his nature and travel writing. His non-fiction has been widely praised by writers such as John Updike, who called him "the best essayist of my generation."

Reviews

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I read this. It was a very interesting read. The author has had quite an interesting life - a fascinating family - going off to work in the circus out of high school - living the writing life - and his reflections on marriage. He doesn’t beat himself up - but he is painfully honest sometime. He is an evocative writer. He wrote about places I love and places I’ve never been.