Thinking like a Mountain

by Robert Bateman

Nature has been Robert Bateman's inspiration ever since he began painting birds from his bedroom window as a young boy. The wildlife he features in his paintings are expressions of his love and respect for the natural world.
A passionate environmentalist who has devoted his life to documenting the awesome power of nature, Bateman is deeply worried about the state of our planet and the fate of our natural heritage. Whenever he talks about his paintings, he talks about the environmental messages they convey, and those who have heard him speak have clamored for a book that encapsulates his philosophy.

Thinking Like a Mountain is the result of many years of thinking, talking and writing about the world's growing environmental crisis. Beautifully designed and illustrated with original drawings, it is a gathering of questions, observations and ideas Robert Bateman has drawn from his own life experiences and gleaned from the writings of some of the visionaries who have influenced him.

As Einstein said, "We cannot solve the problems of today with the same thinking that gave us the problems in the first place."Only a profound shift in philosophy, Bateman believes, can save our species from extinction.

Thinking Like a Mountain is printed on 100 per cent ancient-forest-free paper that is 100 per cent post-consumer recycled and has been processed chlorine free.

Genres: Environment, Nature, Nonfiction, Canada, Animals

144 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book wasn't what I expected.
When I picked it up at a library book sale I just saw the name "Robert Bateman" and grabbed it thinking it would have photos of some of his pictures. It was actually a very moving and interesting series of thoughts on everything from family to nature conservancy to his work as a teacher and an artist.
Now I want to learn more about the man beyond his art!

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Bateman's Thinking Like a Mountain is a short work. Environmentalism is best understood as a coalition of interests and priorities, but I see in this work nature writing, a yearning to feel one's self within the context of the wilderness, and a distrust of modernity. I suspect Bateman would have endorsed de-growth ideas when he wrote this book, though he seems closer to new urbanism than new pastoralism. Bateman appears to be a painter by trade, rather than a writer. I finally note that he takes his title, "thinking like a mountain," from a passage in Aldo Leopold's famous Sand Country Almanac.

[Evelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

These essays by the Canadian wildlife artist are part biography and part environmental commentary. They argue for engaging in a sustainable lifestyle to conserve and protect the environment so that nature’s treasures will be present for future generations to enjoy.

A few of the essays are outdated. As a result the book rates 4 stars.

[Justin Monahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful text that walks the line between philosophy and geography really well.

While some of the information is dated… no fault of the author… the message is still incredibly, perhaps even more than ever, relevant.

He makes very large complex issues understandable and personal.

Small is beautiful.

Great way to get your hands on a few of his illustrations as well.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series of essays about nature conservancy. Some good thoughts here but not much earthshaking. The book may have been meant to raise money for conservationism. Not sure. It didn't seem to add a whole lot to the argument from my perspective. Worth a read, though.

[Aditi Hongalgi · Rating 4 out of 5]

super well written, the short stories complement the hefty lessons very well. these themes are all things i have come to realize in the last few years, but seeing them in words is jarring and beautiful at the same time.

[Kasey Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very profound amd calming read to increase your natural awarenesses and enhance your appreciation of the beauty and strength of The Great Outdoors.

[Linda Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small and beautiful book about the importance of respecting nature. While published in 2000, it is still so very applicable today.

[Kathleen McRae]

Loved this book full of wise things!

[Tao Zheng · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most poetically written memoir about art, nature, and ecology I've read.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about conservation and nature. We need to do better.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thinking like a Mountain is a collection of short essays and stories from Robert Bateman's career as an artist, teacher, and environmentalist that encapsulate his personal philosophies. You can easily see the passion and worry that Bateman feels for the environment the man made crisis we have caused to so much of the natural world. The simple pencil drawings that accompany each essay or story are quite good and is evident that Bateman takes great care in capturing nature as it really is, in his artwork.

[Nai · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great coffee table book, easy to flip through and find inspiration.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a chill read with loads of interesting call backs to an amazing painters life and experiences. If you want to change your perspective, check this one out