Heart of Home: People, Wildlife, Place

by Ted Kerasote

Is home a place, a state of mind, or a way of participating in the natural world?

In HEART OF HOME, Ted Kerasote makes the case for all three. These thoughtful, provocative essays and stories showcase Kerasote at his best, probing the evolving relationship between humans and nature. Whether fly-fishing for trout, frolicking with coyotes, gauging the costs of logging, agriculture and hunting, or fantasy-camping with the fathers of conservation, John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, Kerasote eloquently illuminates an engrossing central theme; how we stay connected to the Earth's cycles of life and death through mindful participation. Kerasote discards the easy labels of hunters versus vegetarians, loggers versus environmentalists, and zeroes in on the interconnectedness of all human beings and their home, the Earth. In twenty reflective pieces, half of which have never before been published, Heart of Home solidifies Ted Kerasote's place among the best of American nature writers.

248 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Ted Kerasote's writing has spanned the globe and appeared in dozens of periodicals and anthologies, including Audubon, National Geographic Traveler, Outside, Salon, and The New York Times. He is also the author and editor of six books, one of which, Out There: In the Wild in a Wired Age, won the National Outdoor Book Award. He lives in Wyoming.

Reviews

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but a charming read nonetheless. This feels more like a series of essays, strung together with a common theme, rather than a book or novel. Kerasote is a compelling, charming, engaging writer: I'm not a hunter, nor do I ever expect to hunt or fish or climb mountains, but his words are engaging, passionate, and thoughtful. An informative, interesting read. You may get more out of this if you are a fisherman, hunter, or outdoorsman, as he talks sport for much of the book. However, he ties it into ethical considerations, stories of growth and trials and tribulations, and lessons learned in the mountains. Not what I expected, but an endearing read.

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kerasote effectively ties together all the essays in this book and gets you thinking about your role and relationship with nature. I guess the reason I enjoyed this books is that the labels and stereotypes that plague so many conversations about people's relationship with nature aren't taken for granted and each story leaves you with something to think about.

[L.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerasote is a beautiful writer. His pen gives life to wild places, animals, and adventure as well as finding a place for humans.

[Dean · Rating 1 out of 5]

More pieces with a hunting emphasis rather than nature.