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The Future of Nature: Writing on Human Ecology from Orion Magazine
The western mindset is arguably one of the greatest threats to the world’s ecological balance. Corporatism and globalization are two of the obvious villains here, but what part does human nature play in the problem? Since its inception in 1982, Orion magazine has been a forum for looking beyond the effects of ecological crises to their root causes in human culture. Less an anthology than a vision statement, this timely collection challenges the division of human society from the natural world that has often characterized traditional environmentalism. Edited and introduced by Barry Lopez, The Future of Nature encompasses such topics as local economies, the social dynamics of activism, America’s incarceration society, naturalism in higher education, developing nations, spiritual ecology, the military-industrial landscape, and the persistent tyranny of wilderness designation. Featuring the fine writing and insights for which Orion is famous, this book is required reading for anyone interested in a livable future for the planet.
304 pages, Paperback
First published August 28, 2007
12 people are currently reading
600 people want to read
About the author
Barry Lopez
104 books917 followersBarry Holstun Lopez is an American author, essayist, and fiction writer whose work is known for its environmental and social concerns.
Lopez has been described as "the nation's premier nature writer" by the San Francisco Chronicle. In his non-fiction, he frequently examines the relationship between human culture and physical landscape, while in his fiction he addresses issues of intimacy, ethics and identity.
Lopez has been described as "the nation's premier nature writer" by the San Francisco Chronicle. In his non-fiction, he frequently examines the relationship between human culture and physical landscape, while in his fiction he addresses issues of intimacy, ethics and identity.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 7, 2022
My review of this collection of essays is, with substantial context, inherently biased. I am currently pursuing a career in sustainability and therefore, much of the combined scientific and poetic prose that comes with the typical style of writing related to such topics resonates with me tenfold. These essays were selected by Barry Lopez, all at some point published in the Orion magazine "focused on nature, culture, and place addressing environmental and societal issues" (as per Wikipedia).
With that in mind, I absolutely loved this collection. It's a beautiful mosaic of a number of insightful, introspective, and informative essays. I personally think Lopez selected and curated the chosen essays with such intellectual intention that I have to give applause to his construction of this anthology. There is lots to learn, to think, to say, and to wonder with all these essays and I am certain that at least a handful of them will resonate with any single reader. Furthermore, I have to say that I have the utmost respect for the integrity this book holds. To reiterate what Lopez notes in his introduction, not all these essays are necessarily the "best". But to add onto his notes as a reader, all these essays invoke so much feelings - despair, sadness, inspiration, everything - that wash over one in reading these stories for the first time. There were some essays I finished that had me wide awake in the middle of the night, and ones I could not stop thinking about for days that stalled me from moving onto the next essay. I also want to add that I absolutely love that Lopez sits essays with contradicting perspectives adjacent to each other. The organization of these essays alone serves to represent the book's integrity as an academic and community-focused publication.
I was delightfully surprised to see a wide range of topics discussed and of course, why wouldn't there be. From public health, indigenous knowledge, to social justice and more, our ability as humans to strengthen our communities is tied to our culture and the relationship we have with the natural environment. Again, I strongly believe at least one essay will resonate with every reader who picks up this book. I can't begin to retell any of these essays because firstly, there is so much to think, learn, question, and understand. But secondly, I definitely would not do any of these authors justice. While it surprised me that many of these pieces have been published many many years ago (in the early 2000's and even some before the millennium), what surprised me even more is how much power and truth their words hold in the 21st century. I firmly believe that much of their words stand the test of time and I would not be surprised upon reading these essays years from now, that they still hold true.
I recommend where possible, to slowly indulge in this collection like a decadent chocolate cake you want to savour. (I unfortunately partook in speed-reading some of the essays at the end because I was on borrowed time however, I truly wish I had more time to slowly savour reading this collection.)
I always imagined I would give 5 star reviews to books that I absolutely enjoyed from beginning to end, in which I am enthralled by every word. That was in fact, not the case with this book. Some essays did bore me slightly, some were too scientific in its detail, and some too poetic in prose. But I believe all but one essay had me entranced in the authors' intellect and stories. The 5 star review I give this book represents my belief that the insight provided in this anthology is endlessly important, sparking conversation and compassion that I sincerely think would be difficult for another collection to surpass.
In fact, after only reading the first section of this book (i.e., whilst 3 essays in, out of somewhere around 20 essays total), I was convinced that I had to buy a subscription to the Orion Journal which is still ongoing today! So now I excitedly await the delivery of Orion's next quarterly magazine so I can continue to delve into the modern discourse of nature as described by such wonderful authors. I am excited that my ability to partake in learning of environmental and social issues does not end with this collection. :)
With that in mind, I absolutely loved this collection. It's a beautiful mosaic of a number of insightful, introspective, and informative essays. I personally think Lopez selected and curated the chosen essays with such intellectual intention that I have to give applause to his construction of this anthology. There is lots to learn, to think, to say, and to wonder with all these essays and I am certain that at least a handful of them will resonate with any single reader. Furthermore, I have to say that I have the utmost respect for the integrity this book holds. To reiterate what Lopez notes in his introduction, not all these essays are necessarily the "best". But to add onto his notes as a reader, all these essays invoke so much feelings - despair, sadness, inspiration, everything - that wash over one in reading these stories for the first time. There were some essays I finished that had me wide awake in the middle of the night, and ones I could not stop thinking about for days that stalled me from moving onto the next essay. I also want to add that I absolutely love that Lopez sits essays with contradicting perspectives adjacent to each other. The organization of these essays alone serves to represent the book's integrity as an academic and community-focused publication.
I was delightfully surprised to see a wide range of topics discussed and of course, why wouldn't there be. From public health, indigenous knowledge, to social justice and more, our ability as humans to strengthen our communities is tied to our culture and the relationship we have with the natural environment. Again, I strongly believe at least one essay will resonate with every reader who picks up this book. I can't begin to retell any of these essays because firstly, there is so much to think, learn, question, and understand. But secondly, I definitely would not do any of these authors justice. While it surprised me that many of these pieces have been published many many years ago (in the early 2000's and even some before the millennium), what surprised me even more is how much power and truth their words hold in the 21st century. I firmly believe that much of their words stand the test of time and I would not be surprised upon reading these essays years from now, that they still hold true.
I recommend where possible, to slowly indulge in this collection like a decadent chocolate cake you want to savour. (I unfortunately partook in speed-reading some of the essays at the end because I was on borrowed time however, I truly wish I had more time to slowly savour reading this collection.)
I always imagined I would give 5 star reviews to books that I absolutely enjoyed from beginning to end, in which I am enthralled by every word. That was in fact, not the case with this book. Some essays did bore me slightly, some were too scientific in its detail, and some too poetic in prose. But I believe all but one essay had me entranced in the authors' intellect and stories. The 5 star review I give this book represents my belief that the insight provided in this anthology is endlessly important, sparking conversation and compassion that I sincerely think would be difficult for another collection to surpass.
In fact, after only reading the first section of this book (i.e., whilst 3 essays in, out of somewhere around 20 essays total), I was convinced that I had to buy a subscription to the Orion Journal which is still ongoing today! So now I excitedly await the delivery of Orion's next quarterly magazine so I can continue to delve into the modern discourse of nature as described by such wonderful authors. I am excited that my ability to partake in learning of environmental and social issues does not end with this collection. :)
October 7, 2008
This is a devastating, perspective-altering book. The Future of Nature is a collection of pieces from 15 years of Orion Magazine, edited by the essayist and journalist Barry Lopez. The magazine's trademark is dense, richly reported personal narratives intertwining ecology, society and human nature. This is like Grist.org for the more literary set. TO be sure, some of the material here is hugely depressing. "Winged Mercury and the Golden Calf," a brilliant account of the poisonous, connected histories of mercury and gold mining in California, is deeply depressing. "The Black Mesa Syndrome," which describes how a Utah lawyer exploited inter-tribal rivalries to co-opt a huge swath of tribal land for mining, almost made me cry.
But the book isn't all doom and gloom stories. There are moving pieces about community organizing, a great piece about the joys of sleeping in highway medians, and the inspiring story of how a lawyer brought organic farming to a California prison. All told, the collection offers the most emotionally and intellectually-satisfying primer on global environmental issues I've read, giving voice to the emerging idea that solutions to the environmental crisis can only come from understanding the crisis' complex historical and sociological roots.
But the book isn't all doom and gloom stories. There are moving pieces about community organizing, a great piece about the joys of sleeping in highway medians, and the inspiring story of how a lawyer brought organic farming to a California prison. All told, the collection offers the most emotionally and intellectually-satisfying primer on global environmental issues I've read, giving voice to the emerging idea that solutions to the environmental crisis can only come from understanding the crisis' complex historical and sociological roots.
April 27, 2009
These are essays from the journal Orion, so I'm not reading them in sequence. Several horrifying yet enlightening pieces about environmental pollution--in southern IL (from an industrial accident I don't even remember); from Chernobyl (20 years later); from the CA Gold Rush (150 years later). Half of Niagara Falls is diverted to make electrical power? What happened to "naturalists"? Refugees from conservation efforts? And the wonderful Scott Russell Sanders. Already well worth the $$ of admission.
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January 15, 2008I haven't read this book, but it was the best way I could think of to list Orion Magazine, which, in my humble opinion, is the best magazine being published these days and deserves to be noted. Orion Magazine exists to explore how to live artfully, justly and wisely on earth. That's not a direct quote, but it is pretty close.
June 18, 2011
Overall, these were all strong essays with only a couple that didn't hold my interest well. The authors are some of the best in terms of environmental writing, and this collection is a great way to gain insight into the minds of some of today's best thinkers. This book has a broad range of topics, and there is certainly something in here that will pertain to your specific interests.
May 27, 2010
great collection of articles from Orion Magazine about our impact on the environment. Some of the most interesting so far: an article about the effects of Chernobyl (still happening today!), and an article about current coal-mining practices. I highly recommend!
February 2, 2008
A whole bunch of Orion's best, in one place. nice.
August 13, 2009
Milkweed Editions is a wonderful independent literary press based in Minneapolis. Their "World as Home" series is especially impressive.
February 9, 2013
Sorry, but it didn't touch me, empty reading.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews