The Tallgrass Prairie: An Introduction

by Cindy Crosby

More than a region on a map, North America's vast grasslands are an enduring place in the American heart. Unfolding along and beyond the Mississippi River, the tallgrass prairie has entranced and inspired its natives and newcomers as well as American artists and writers from Willa Cather to Mark Twain. The Tallgrass Prairie is a new introduction to the astonishing beauty and biodiversity of these iconic American spaces. Like a walking tour with a literate friend and expert, Cindy Crosby's Tallgrass Prairie prepares travelers and armchair travelers for an adventure in the tallgrass. Crosby's engaging gateway assumes no prior knowledge of tallgrass landscapes, and she acquaints readers with the native plants they’ll discover there. She demystifies botanic plant names and offers engaging mnemonic tips for mastering Latin names with verve and confidence. Visitors to the prairie will learn to identify native plants using the five senses to discover what makes each plant unique or memorable. In the summer, for example, the unusual square stem of cup plant, Silphium perfoliatum, sets it apart from its neighbors. And its distinctive leaf cups water after the rain. A gifted raconteur, Crosby tells stories about how humankind has adopted the prairie as a grocery, an apothecary, and even as a shop for love charms. Rounding out this exceptional introduction are suggestions for experiencing the American prairie, including journaling techniques and sensory experiences, tips for preparing for a hike in tallgrass landscapes, ways to integrate native prairie plants into home landscapes (without upsetting the neighbors), and a wealth of resources for further exploration. An instant classic in the tradition of American naturalist writing, The Tallgrass Prairie will delight not only scholars and policy makers, but guests to tallgrass prairie preserves, outdoors enthusiasts and gardeners, and readers interested in American ecosystems and native plants.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Adult, Science

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 20, 2017

Reviews

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

GNAB I received a free electronic copy of this informative book from Netgalley, Cindy Crosby, and Northwest University Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me.

This is an excellent guide to understanding the intricate balance of the tallgrass prairie, which covers the midwestern plains from Canada to Mexico, though the native and restored prairie are a mere patchwork of preserved islands in a grand sea of people and their immediate needs. Though only very small sections of New Mexico and West Texas are of the tallgrass designation, we do have and visit it often, and try to preserve what we can in the Leopold fashion.

If you have a love of the wild and visit it often, please read this book. The etiquette involved in both preserving and visiting this precious threatened land is explained very well, as is restoring the natural balance on land that has been utilized for human needs, and then restored.
pub date April 20, 2017
Northwest University Press

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book received from NetGalley.

This book is part botany, part conservation cry and part history of the prairie. I thought it was a great introduction to a subject many people didn't know about. The prairies of Illinois have a place in my heart I spent as much time on them while growing up as I did in my home state. After reading this book I have realized that I know very little about them and basically took them for granted. The Tallgrass prairies are an endangered ecology due to the fact that we have changed them considerably to grow quite a bit of our foodstuffs on them. It is a good thing that places such as where the author of the book works does their best to reseed areas of it to try to keep the ecology going. I learned quite a bit from this short book and will be looking into some of the suggested reading that they have in the back of it.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is exactly what it says: a good high level introduction to seeing and interacting with the prairie. I liked how the author explains things in a simple and straightforward way, and how she focuses on experiencing and observing as you walk through prairie plants. I do wish there was more credit/mention of some of the Native peoples indigenous to the prairie lands, but I still think this is a good starting point for anyone wanting to learn a little more about tall grass plants and habitats.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this hoping that it would be a more comprehensive introduction to the natural history of the tallgrass prairie, but there's only a little bit of natural history here. The audience for this book is folks new to spending time "in nature." Crosby writes to folks about what to wear when visiting the prairie (warm clothes in winter, for example), how to start appreciating the prairie, and other basic introductory topics. Good if you are brand new to hiking or natural history -- otherwise, it may be too basic.

[Paul Deaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

If a person seeks to learn more about prairie, prairie restoration, and ways to interact with prairie, Crosby's book presents basic information in an approachable style to get started. It contains practical advise about how to learn the names of prairie plants, what to wear in prairie restoration areas, and basic tips for outdoors activities regardless of the weather. Nice, brief overview.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful introduction to Tallgrass Prairies from a wonderful steward leader and teacher that I have the pleasure of volunteering with at the Morton Arboretum. I take Cindy's classes every chance I get. She is a wealth of information on spring ephemerals, dragonflies, and damselflies as well as the tallgrass prairie.

[Melinda Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most informative nature book I ever read and I have bookcases full.

[JDav · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the title promises, this is a very nice introduction to the tallgrass prairie.

[Kayelee Arensman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is helpful as a beginners guide.