The Road of a Naturalist

by Donald Culross Peattie

Book by Peattie, Donald Culross

Genres: Natural History, Nature, Nonfiction

315 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1941

About the author

Donald Culross Peattie was a U.S. botanist, naturalist and author. He was described by Joseph Wood Krutch as "perhaps the most widely read of all contemporary American nature writers" during his heyday. He was nature columnist for the The Washington Star from 1924 to 1935.
His nature writings are distinguished by a poetic and philosophical cast of mind and are scientifically scrupulous. His best known works are the two books (out of a planned trilogy) on North American trees which he wrote in the late 1940s and early '50s. These were published as a single volume for the first time in April 2007 as A Natural History of North American Trees. (Unfortunately, this hardbound volume reduces the two books' original 257 mini-essays to only 112 and includes only 135 of Paul Landacre's original 365 woodcut illustrations.)

Reviews

[Martin Kirby · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite, most treasured books. Far more than glorious nature writing. So so beautiful. Why he and his work are not better known and appreciated is beyond me.

[Bobby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently picked up a deeply discounted copy of this book by Donald Peattie. Had never heard of the book or the man, but what a find. Written in 1941, this is truly poetic prose that not only brings life to the study and love of the natural world, but develops a serious life-affirming philosophy as well. It is hard to believe that such wonderful works are out there, essentially forgotten. Not for everyone, but for the chosen few … a terrific read! From Trinity University Press, San Antonio.

[Tuck · Rating 2 out of 5]

i got into peattie through his wonderful tree identification books A Natural History of North American Trees where one comes upon gems of history,lyricism and geography.
thinking this book here would be more of the same was a mistake. while there is a flood of bird, flower, mineral, and animal 'facts', these collected essays of him decompressing from wwii, going to haavard, first discovering the western usa, are too florid and not that informative. plus he kills a rattlesnake with a hoe. what kind of naturalist does that? the wood engravings by paul landacre and incredible in this book. http://articles.latimes.com/2012/nov/...

pretty sure peattie is a morman too.

[Tom McCleary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Peattie's writing and found many, many passages in this book worth adding to my favorite quotes. This book was published in 1941 as the second World War was gaining momentum and the author refers to this at the beginning when he questions his own value as a naturalist in a time of war, and at the end of the book when he points out the promise of mankind in spite of the darkness of the times.

The "road" of the naturalist is both literal and figurative. The book is pinned to a chronology of Peattie's road trip with his wife from the Mojave Desert up through Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Oregon Washington and back to Peattie's home in Southern California. Along the way there are frequent side trips back in the author's life history as well as the natural history around the world.

[Dan Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are lucky, over the course of your life you will find a handful of writers whose style and subject fit you, embrace you, lift you up. Peattie is just such a one for me. This volume is part natural history, part memoire, wholly enjoyable.

[Truth Muller · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece of naturalist writing spanning America from coast to coast, with overtones of philosophy tempered by the shadow of WW2. Peattie's glorious prose cannot be done justice by my review.