Go Outside and Come Back Better: Benefits from Nature That Everyone Should Know

by Ron Lizzi

"Go Outside and Come Back Better" is nature's brochure, an inspirational travel essay woven through a landscape photography collection. Readers will discover nature's power to teach, inspire, and improve lives. With 160 color photos from parks in all 50 U.S. states, "Go Outside" combines America's beautiful scenery with down-to-earth insight into how everyone--not just adventurers--can benefit from spending time in nature. Sprinkled with wisdom from naturalist John Muir, the book provides an uplifting look at life and the outdoors.

Genres: Nature, Health, Nonfiction, Travel

181 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2013

About the author

Ron Lizzi (pronounced LIT-see) has hiked 1,700 miles in nearly 500 parks across America, camera in hand. Still, he's no elite outdoorsman, just a regular guy, one that most readers can relate to. And that's important because he intends to make the case for spending time in nature, particularly in America's magnificent parks, and therefore he wants readers to imagine themselves behind his camera.

When he's not roaming the country, looking for beautiful scenery, he's at home in his native Connecticut.

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Beautiful, glossy photo's all taken by the author (who is apparently not a professional photographer). The writing is inspirational, healing and encouraging. It also encompasses the greater spirituality of nature (without speaking of any specifics). Through out the book are quotes from the author's nature, super-hero John Muir. As a nature-girl myself this is going up there as one of my favorite books of 2015. I look forward to another book from Mr. Lizzi in the near future.

FYI: In case it matters to people, I DID NOT receive this as a free copy to read & review. I purchased because it sounded like a book I wanted to read. Glad I did. It appears most of this author's reviews have been FirstReads so wanted to delineate I'm a purchaser.

[Katra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was expecting cerebral gushings. After opening and seeing lots of pretty pictures, I expected a picture book with some John Muir quotes. Then I read and fell in love. There are indeed, many gorgeous photos, good enough to make the book worth picking up by themselves. There were also some John Muir quotes. There was information about the photo locations and brief notes about the natural history of the places shown. All these were great. However, the best part was the text which in down to earth, accessible language, illustrated how to have a good life and how nature is the best way to get it. The arguments were sound; the examples meaningful. I will be buying this book to share with loved ones.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the book Go Outside and Come Back Better from Goodreads and Ron Lizzi for an honest review. Thank you to both Goodreads and to Ron Lizzi.

I don't give out five-star reviews that often, but this book certainly deserves it and more. I'm an outdoorsy type person by nature and enjoy hiking and backpacking. You don't have to be of either persuasion to enjoy the absolute beauty of this book.

"Many claim that America's strength lies in its history as a melting pot. But America must take a back seat to the greatest melting pot of all, nature, with its endless variety of flora and fauna all interconnected. To appreciate nature is to celebrate diversity."

This is an exceptional book that interweaves the pristine beauty of nature in an array of exceptional photos along with a thought provoking running dialog by the author. Even though John Muir distanced himself from the burden of books (his own personal stance) for the actual physical experience, I believe that ol' John would put his mark on this one. It's that good. Kuddos, Ron Lizzi.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

XXX I received this book from Ron Lizzi and River Stream Media on October 6, 2015 as a Goodreads Giveaway. Thank you so much for sharing your work with me.

This book is filed with spectacular photos of special places, and the information passed on is spot on on the parks I am familiar with, so I am trusting the rest. And there are places I must see - This book could encompass my entire bucket list. If you have a love of nature, please read this book. There are many very popular parks listed, but also some small or intimate ones easily overlooked, and the inclusion of John Muir quotes just adds to the appeal. Ron Lizzi coins a few new words that hit the spot - Awezure , a combination of awe and pleasure, and matterdays, days that are special. The photos though taken by Ron Lizzi, an amateur photographer, are really terrific, and the park info is up to date, which makes it easy to set up your bucket list trips.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it! The title grabbed me because whenever my kids are grumpy, it's time to go outside. Then we all feel better. You can read it in under an hour and there are just some great thoughts about making memories and that like great art or music, spectacular scenery can make a huge impression.

[R.l. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book!
Full of gorgeous photos and inspiring quotes. I love the way the author uses nature to show us how good life is meant to be, and how we can learn from nature how to enjoy life. A relaxing and meditative read.

*FTC Disclosure: I received this book free through the GoodReads Giveaways and the opinions in this review are my own.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning high gloss color photos of beautiful places to visit in the USA! This is a perfect coffee table book. Thx to Good Reads & Author for this beautiful book!

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I read it at work and others would look and want to know what I was reading, so I passed it along. The places in this book are so full of depth! Some places I thought were in one place but then the actual place was different, so many places around the USA look so much alike, who knew? I am now wanting to do some traveling and I will, especially in NC, where I did not know had its own Stone Mt. I just hope that through your book that people will take notice and find ways to keep our national sites, unlike those hikers who recently tore down that ancient rock column out west, I wish you had a picture of that in your book, you have several from Utah, just not the one that has been destroyed, too bad! But thank you so very much for deciding this needed to be done, and I hope you have more coming!! What a beautiful country we live in and we need to "see" more of it!
I find this book to be very calming and peaceful, it sooths my headaches and is a pleasure to go through!!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads and waited to start reading till I had a full day to enjoy it the experience. It soon became part of my New Years resolution. Not only are the pictures fantastic, it contained a strong message. To find balance in our lives we must put away the cell phones and stop living through social media. Although I cannot travel to see many of these sites, I found peace and wonder locally. Now instead of focusing on the tv or what concert to attend, I take my book or camera and enjoy the world around my own farm. I began to see things anew as I now take time to enjoy them. I have become aware that more is not always better sometimes it's just more. I plan to review this book periodically to rebuild on this therapeutic approach. I feel it was most striking when the author brought up the point of loss turning us into stronger people and giving us a sense of renewal. I thank you for sharing your work.

[Cathy Henderson]

This book came to me via a Goodreads Giveaway. Before I begin the review, let me say I love nature. I'm not athletic, and so in some ways I'm certainly not considered an 'outdoorsy' person. I don't backpack, rock climb or ride ATV's. My connection with nature is a quieter one, an observance perhaps more than a participation.

Ron Lizzi's "Go Outside and Come Back Better" was thought provoking. Which is pretty amazing considering there's not a lot of narrative in the book. The words he does use make you think, consider and ponder. His pictures are beautiful. As he admits, there are many similar photos, some probably even better, but the pictures lend credence to the point he's asking the reader embrace.

I highly recommend Go Outside and Come Back Better, not just the book, but the message.

[Melinda M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Outside and Come Back Better: Benefits from Nature That Everyone Should Know is a book that reminds you that we are surrounded by nature but we need to slow down and enjoy what is there. The pictures are beautiful and make your feel th e tension roll off. It is a good representation of the views of nature that is available in 120 national parks in the 50 states of the USA. It is a great book to give as a gift. Ron Lizzi is a wonderful and talented photographer.

I received a good thru the Goodreads Giveaway.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea this was a book of epic pictures. It was frank and funny and reminded me a lot of Internet style blogging where authors manage to get their point across quite concisely. It says a lot with little writing. It made me smile for the duration. Probably the whole icing on the cake was that it worked to instill the reader with action to go out and see it for yourself. It lived up to the task of being "nature's brochure."

[Pat Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Go Outside and Come Back Better is full of stunning pictures with an essay on the benefits of being in nature continuing on every page. It reminds us of the importance of nature to our physical and mental well being. I will read it again just as soon as my husband finishes his turn with it.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of book after winning copy through goodreads. A wonderful read with a lot of useful and easy suggestions and tips.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great reminder of the beauty to be found in the US - makes me want to plan more "back to nature" types of vacations.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. Inspirational and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this book. I'm ready to get out there and see even more of the natural beauty of our country.

[Nichole]

Excellent little free book I found online with some inspiring nature photos.. it's got me excited for my two month US road trip from MI to CA and back!

[Emily Fox · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but it’s mostly beautiful pictures and little text. The information is surface level at best and relies on you to interpret tons quotes and meaning yourself.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won a free copy from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway Program and think that it interesting. I would recommend it to everyone.