Writing Naturally: A Down-To-Earth Guide to Nature Writing

Average customer rating:

Disappointing

A Mixed Bag

Petersen Knows His Stuff

Don't waste your money!

Writing Naturally

Writing Naturally: A Down-To-Earth Guide to Nature Writing
David Petersen
Manufacturer: Johnson Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Writing | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Reference | Subjects | Books
Nature Writing | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Natural History | Nature & Ecology | Science | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 1555662730

Amazon.com

Most writers spend their days confined by four walls. Not so the nature writer. Nature writers, says David Petersen, author of Writing Naturally, "must spend every minute [they] can manage out there, in the most natural (wildest) possible environs." Nature writing, for Petersen's purposes, is nonfiction prose, usually in the first person, that celebrates "wild nature." That is, not pop science and not "gadget-flacking" outdoor recreation. Petersen's specificity about his subject, his infectious passion for it, and his just-plain-sensible advice make Writing Naturally utterly engaging and eminently useful. His suggestions concern, among other things, subject matter, length, and research: "Shoot for a thorough, detailed, yet tenably limited discussion of a limited topic," he says, "painted as concisely as possible without making the reader feel cramped." Petersen provides ample examples from the works of such beloved nature writers as Edward Abbey, Tim Cahill, and Terry Tempest Williams. And for those who guiltily shirk the writing exercises in books such as this, Petersen offers relief: his range from "optional" to "utterly optional." Ahhhhh. --Jane Steinberg

Book Description

A uniquely compelling, refreshingly practical and unimpeachably informed how-to guide for aspiring and published nature writers.

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-02-01

I want to enjoy Petersen's books because I enjoy the subject matter. He has written a couple of others that I'll keep, including "Heartsblood," and "Ghost Grizzlies." But I have tried to read this book 4 times now, and each time I am put off by his style, and his obsession with himself. The style to me is presumptuous; Petersen has made even the parenthetical expression annoying. He uses them all the time, which indicates a writer too in love with himself. I also am repelled by his incessant use of familiar nicknames to indicate his back-slapping familiarity with someone. He refers to Guthrie, for instance, as "Bud," his editor as "Chip," ( who by the way refers to himself as "H. Emerson"). All of which seriously detracts from what the book is supposed to be about: writing. Petersen uses quotations at the start of each chapter, and he ought to apply them to his own writing. I am so turned off by how he represents himself that I can't get to the instructional info. And he doesn't even teach at a big-league school, where he might be able to indulge an oversized ego.

A Mixed Bag.......2003-10-30

Petersen's book is a mixed bag. The informaton is very good but, in places, the writing is clunky and breaks from commonly accepted standards (Petersen repeatedly refers to Edward Abbey as "Ed," which grated me.) He has a number of good observations and also brings in some good examples, but, as a previous reviewer pointed out, the book is far from flawless.

Peterson conveys an attitude in this book of being 100% right, which is important in an instructional book. In places, however, divergant opinions are just as valid as Petersen's.

Basically, if you have an idea about nature (or any type) of writing and want some additional keen insights, get this book. But, when reading it, be prepared to hold on to the ideas of yours which you feel are more apt than Petersen's.

Petersen Knows His Stuff.......2003-04-10

I just read Dave Petersen's "Writing Naturally" and loved every page. OK, so I am more partial to Ed Abbey and Ernest Hemingway than HD Thoreau or Diane Ackerman. OK, so I like Dave's down-home style and lack of pretension, and am impressed by his years of free-lance nature writing experience. So what?

Petersen reviews all the key topics, from title selection and journal-keeping to revision to making sales, with vivid, colorful anecdotes. The section comparing two essays on the porcupine, one drab, one brilliant, alone was well worth the price of admission. No matter how successful or jaded you may be as a writer, Dave's book will buck you up and get you in love with writing - and nature - again.

Don't waste your money!.......2003-03-04

This one was a huge disappointment. I've read Petersen's essays and they're not bad. But in Writing Naturally the prose is clumsy and cliched; the chapters focus on the most elementary writing topics. He makes absurd and insulting suggestions. For example, he advises readers to avoid Thoreau because the "archaic" prose is "a tough row to hoe." I expected content on how to use natrual imagery for metaphic purpose, or techniques on observation and description. Instead I got a chapter on tense and point of view. He puts down other authors who load their writing books with their own writing, then he does exactly that himself! If you are a beginning writer who needs good, concrete information, I suggest you spend your money on a subscription to Writer's Digest or another monthly magazine that deals with the basics. You'll get much more value for your money!

Writing Naturally.......2001-09-28

If you are serious about nature writing, this book written by the David Peterson is a must, must, read. This brilliant work is an insight into what a great nature writer should be; crack the cover and you won't be able to put it down. Myself being a late bloomer to nature writing, that was born from an intense passion to learn and photograph the nature and wildlife of Florida, Writing Naturally is just what the doctor ordered. Enjoy and be masterful!

Average customer rating:
Mushrooms of the Great Smokies: A Field Guide to Some Mushrooms and Their Relatives
L. R Hesler
Manufacturer: The University of Tennessee Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B00072YYOE

Average customer rating:
MUSHROOMS OF THE GREAT SMOKIES a Field Guide to Some Mushrooms and Their Relatives
L.R. Hesler
Manufacturer: University of Tennessee Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000JVAGWM

Book Description

This title in the acclaimed Green Guide series describes the "best of France" in one volume: a mosaic of regional entities, shaped by geography and history and each with its own vibrant customs and traditions. Designed for discerning travellers who wish to capture the quintessential nature of the country, the guide features charming old towns and dynamic modern cities as well as the enchanting countryside framing slender church spires and bell-towers, austere castles and elegant chateaux

Customer Reviews:

You don't need anything else... except maybe the red guide.........1998-08-28

When I travel to Europe, I never fail to get the green guide of the country I plan to go to, and the corresponding red guide. One tells me what is worth to be visited, the other advises me on restaurants and hotels. I appreciate the accuracy and I trust their star system. I feel I can trust the guides and I believe Michelin when they claim not to get any money to give stars to restaurants, hotels or cities (which is not always the feeling I get from some other guides)

Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE Paris, 3e (THE GREEN GUIDE)

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The most comprehensive guide to Paris
The Only First Class Paris Travel Guide
Wow, what a disappointment.

Michelin THE GREEN GUIDE Paris, 3e (THE GREEN GUIDE)

Manufacturer: Michelin Travel Pubns
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Europe | Travel | Subjects | Books

Guidebooks | Reference & Tips | Travel | Subjects | Books

General | Travel | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 206135503X

Book Description

Discover Paris with this best-selling title in the acclaimed Michelin Green Guide collection. Fully revised and specially adapted for the English-speaking visitor, this handy edition is your indispensable guide to the French capital.

Customer Reviews:

The most comprehensive guide to Paris.......2001-04-27

This book covers the sites (not restaurants or hotels - they are in a different book) of every neighborhood of Paris in extraordinary depth. It is an indispensible tool for visiting the city.

The shortcoming of the book is that it provides little assistance in planning and prioritizing your trip. If you are looking for sites in a particular neighborhood, or know what you want to see - this guide will get you there and give you the background information you need.

Like an encyclopedia - it has a lot of information, but you have to know what you are looking for to make it useful. A perfect complement to the Green Guide is a book like Rick Steve's Paris 2001 - which helps in organizing and prioritizing your trip, but covers only the most popular sites in the city.

The Only First Class Paris Travel Guide.......2000-03-16

The Michelin Paris Green Guide is the Cadillac of the Paris travel guides - I wouldn't recommend visiting Paris without it, no matter how well you may think you know the city. Michelin has been around for so long, and is so closely tied to the French culture, you can't go wrong with their recommendations. This is the only travel publication that really gets a traveller into the spirit of Paris. The Michelin 3-star ratings are trusted worldwide, and there's a reason why. I've never been disappointed with a Michelin recommended establishment. Travelling in Europe can be very intimidating, especially when you don't speak the language, but the 3-star ratings made it possible for us to prioritize our outings. The Paris Green Guide made me feel like an insider. The detailed maps include recommended walking tours - a great way to see the sights up close without getting lost! The color photos are beautifully arranged, but the real advantage of this book is that it offers substance over "fluff" - something sadly lacking in many travel books. The great Paris sights are all arranged in alphabetical order, and once you know the name of the sight you'd like to read about, it's right at your fingertips. The detailed information provided for each sight allows you to read as much or as little as you'd like about your destination. This works well for us because my husband is a real history buff and likes all the details in advance, while I prefer to have more of an overview of what I'm about to see, and then I like to go back and get the details after I've seen the sight. The small area maps are also a great feature - we particularly appreciated the museum maps. You can truly get lost in the Louvre, but as long as we had the Green Guide in our bag, we knew we wouldn't miss the highlights we really wanted to see. For practical information (time changes, weather patterns, currency exchange, etc.), the Green Guide offers a special quick reference section in the back of the book. I would highly recommend the Paris Green Guide to anyone visiting Paris - whether it's your first time or you're a seasoned pro - you will appreciate the expertise offered in this first class travel book.

Wow, what a disappointment........1999-12-03

Let me start by saying I own at least a dozen (if not more) Michelin Green Guides. This was a real let down. The organization was terrible. For example, the book is supposed to be in alphabetical order but some places are listed under their own name i.e. Louvre and others are listed under their location - NOT ARONDISSMENT- i.e. St. Germain. This makes it extremely confusing to figure out where to find the monument, museum, etc. that you're trying to visit.

Also, the index at the back is completely useless. Some places are entered in French alphabetical order and some in English. A lot of places don't even appear in the index at all. This is especially annoying since the main section of the book is so disorganized.

Book Description

La geografía e historia de Francia han configurado el mosaico actual de regiones, donde todavía se preservan las costumbres y el folclore. El visitante se sentirá inmediatamente atraído por el rico patrimonio de este país, por sus contrastes y por su diversidad de tradiciones y culturas. Los redactores de LA GUÍDA VERDE hemos trabajado sobre el terreno para preparar los intinerarios a pie o en coche más interesantes, para elegir las especialidades regionales más sabrosas, para recoger las informaciones prácticas necesarias ; todo para hacer su viaje inolvidable. Pero sobre todo, hemos selecccionado los lugares y monumentos que "jusfican el viaje" ***, por los que "vale la pena desviarse" ** y los que son "de particular interés" *. La guía, práctica y completa, le invita a pasar buenos momentos en un país del que guardará un recuerdo imborrable.

Book Description

In this classic frontier adventure, Lois Lenskireconstructs the real life story of Mary Jemison, who was captured in a raid as young girl and raised amongst the Seneca Indians. Meticulously researched and illustrated with many detailed drawings, this novel offers an exceptionally vivid and personal portrait of Native American life and customs.

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic!.......2007-01-25

Indian Captive was probly one of THE best books I have ever read. The story line was great and had many supporting details. As a summary the book is about a girl who's family gets attacked by Indians and she was kept as a captive. Molly has to learn the way of the indians. Sometimes she got so homesick, She even attempted to run away. She made a hard decision in the near end. The big question of who will she choose to live with?
So read the book! It has so much more to it.
I promise to you that you will find this book amazing. I give it a positive 100%. SO what are you waiting for hurry and read it!

Indian Captive.......2007-01-12

Indian Captive, writhen by Lois Lenski, is a based true story of young Mary Jemison, who was taken, in the year of 1758, by Seneca Indian. A band of warriors invaded her house and took her family captive. Mary is separated from her family. They went across mountains and valleys to get to Fort Duquesne. Mary was sold to two Indian women, and was taken to their village.
At the village, Mary got a new name of Corn tassel and was called Corn tassel because of her blond hair. She was miserable so she tried to runaway. She makes new friends and starts to enjoy living with Indian. She is offered a chance to go back with her family, but she can't leave her new family behind. Will she ever see her family again, or will she stay with the Indians? Read the book and find out.
We give this book *** [3] and a half stars, because interesting and exciting. We recommend this book to our friends.

Great Job!! .......2007-01-04

This book is an exciting adventure about a girl who got captured by indians. At the end she has a choice to go back to her own kind. She has now become a sister of the indians. I love this book.

It's okay.......2006-12-29

Indian Captive is a great book but a little sad. I would not want to be in Molly's place when she was taken away from her family. I'm glad she didn't know what happened to her family in reality. It's not my favorite book, but it's still good. My teacher really liked it.

not fan of long books.......2006-12-09

I did not like this book.
It was way to long and it was all about Mollys mood swings and nothing else. The plot was amazing but the book was horriable writen.

Average customer rating:

Indian Captive

Manufacturer: Harpercollins Juvenile Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 9994587900

Average customer rating:

Mary Jemison Seneca Captive
J. L. Gardner
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0152521909

Average customer rating:

Mary Jemison, Seneca Captive
Jeanne Lemonnier Gardner
Manufacturer: Harcourt
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OJ3XHY

Deh-he-wa-mis: Or, A narrative of the life of Mary Jemison: otherwise called the White woman, who was taken captive by the Indians in MDCCLV; and who continued ... Indian barbarities, customs and traditions

Average customer rating:

Deh-he-wa-mis: Or, A narrative of the life of Mary Jemison: otherwise called the White woman, who was taken captive by the Indians in MDCCLV; and who continued ... Indian barbarities, customs and traditions
James E Seaver
Manufacturer: W. Seaver and Son
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

Deh-he-wa-mis; or, A narrative of the life of Mary Jemison: Otherwise called the White woman, who was taken captive by the Indians in MDCCLV; and who continued ... Carefully taken from her own words
James Everett Seaver
Manufacturer: S. Thorne; [etc., etc.]
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Average customer rating:

MARY JEMISON: SENECA CAPTIVE

Manufacturer: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000ID38LM

Mary, Mary not contrary & the man called "Indian": The true story of De-gi-wa-nus a white indian captive & Pioneer Ebenezer Allan

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Mary, Mary not contrary & the man called "Indian": The true story of De-gi-wa-nus a white indian captive & Pioneer Ebenezer Allan
Shirley Cox Husted
Manufacturer: Parma Meetinghouse Museum
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Adventurers & Explorers | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006RDUZ4

The White Woman of the Senecas: The tale of a tiny, tough, girl captive who became matriarch of an Iroquois nation

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The White Woman of the Senecas: The tale of a tiny, tough, girl captive who became matriarch of an Iroquois nation
Peggy Robbins
Manufacturer: American Legion magazine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Women | Specific Groups | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds presents the most recent work of renowned evolutionary scientist and dinosaur illustrator Gregory Paul. Dinosaurs of the Air synthesizes the growing body of evidence which suggests that modern-day birds have evolved from theropod dinosaurs of prehistoric times. Paul argues provocatively for the idea that the ancestor-descendant relationship between the dinosaurs and birds can on occasion be reversed, and that many dinosaurs were secondarily flightless descendants of creatures we would regard as birds.

Controversial and comprehensive, Dinosaurs of the Air also offers new, firsthand interpretations of major fossils; a balanced, rewarding discussion of the ways we think flight may have evolved (comparing "ground up" and "trees down" scenarios); a close look at the famous urvogel Archaeopteryx, discussing what it can and cannot tell us about bird origins; and in-depth analyses of bird and theropod phylogenetics. Full of rich detail for the specialist but accessible to the intelligent lay reader, the book includes the author's own stunning illustrations and a technical appendix which provides information, for example, on body mass/wing dimension relationships and avian/dinosaurian metabolics.

Customer Reviews:

Dinosaurs of the Air.......2002-11-10

Dinosaurs of the Air: The Evolution and Loss of Flight in Dinosaurs and Birds written by Gregory S. Paul is a well detailed book on comparetive anatomy between bird and dinosaurs.

The author is a well known evolutionary scientist and dinosaur illustrator and he has some interesting things to tell about in this book. For instance, the ancestor-descendant relationship of to birds and dinosaurs, most of the conventional thinking is that dinosaurs evolved into birds, but the author believes that on occasion the rolls could be reversed. That there may be many dinosaurs that were the secondarily flightless descendants of creatures we would think as birds.

This is contraversial, but the author makes his point with in-depth analyses of bird and theropod phylogenetics. There are many line-drawings that do a comparetive analysis, wing dimensions, avian/dinosaurian metabolics... this book has very detailed information. But, the book is written so that the layperson with a little scientific knowledge will unterstand the author intent.

This book has stunning illustrations throughout and well detailed bibliography making the information found in this book believable. There is a detail appendix toward the back of the book that covers in detail things of import for the book.

If you are one of the people who has an interest in avian/dinosaurian link this is a must purchase. This is an excellent book as it combines a large amount of technical data with drawings and related bird origins, including the energetics of the origin of avian flight. But, even with this detail, it is highly readable.

This book is actually longer than Amazon claims.......2002-05-16

First of all this book is 436 pages. The cover is a painting of Sinornithosaurus I believe. The only reason I took off a perfect five star rating is the lack of pictures. Let's face it, who doesn't check out Greg's pictures first? There are illustrations (all line drawings, no color) but they do not cover enough pterosaurs. The only Pteranodons are skeletal drawings, and there are no Quetzalcoatlus life drawings. There are life restorations of Anhanguera and Pterodaustro. There are pictures of lots of fossil birds and a new skeletal drawing of Bambiraptor and of Deinonychus with the re-evaluated skull that is more like what Ostrom described in 1969. Disappointed to see no new life restoration of it. There are some of the old drawings (Oviraptor, Archaeopteryx, Elaphrosaurus, etc). Don;t expect this textbook to show up on ebay or even at your local stores. Get it if you're a completist or a dino technician or not convinced that birds are related to dinos.

Book Description

Based on over twenty years' experience as supervisor and external examiner of project work in mathematics, Phil Dyke shows you how to get the best out of degree projects and case studies in mathematics. There are guidelines on setting up a project - be it individual or group - advice on time management, and tips on how to get the most out of verbal presentations and how to succeed in peer assessment. Pointers as to what the assessor will be looking for and advice on the all-important project write-up also provide an essential head start. This practical guide will be essential reading for students in the second or final year of a mathematics degree - or other courses with a high mathematical content - and a useful resource for lecturers and project advisors looking for ideas on how to devise, assess and manage projects.

Customer Reviews:

A Real Success.......2005-07-01

This is the first time I have seen this kind of book in mathematics and it is a very refreshing change from all those standard texts. It is written in a friendly style and contains a lot of useful information. For the student, the examples will be very useful as will be the ideas on assessment.

Overall the book achieves its aims and will be an invaluable aid to mathematics students everywhere who are undertaking a project.

Book Description

novel of Elizabethan magus John Dee, tr M Mitchell

Customer Reviews:

Fascinating Stuff.......2007-10-07

This is a truly fascinating and at times startling account of one man's
desperate search for wisdom and knowledge.
Few books have held my attention as this one did,and any serious seeker
for Truth will recognise in the author and the main character a fellow
seeker.
To follow his journey through deception and delusion to his final encounter with destiny was a delight indeed.
Recommended to all who likewise seek for wisdom and understanding.

UN LIBRO INTEMPORAL.......2003-04-14

En esta obra, Gustav Meyrink logra una de sus mejores novelas junto con "El golem". Este es un libro profundo, lleno de misterio, que sabe lo que dice... Una obra que refleja la busqueda de la identidad y nos habla de las herencias malditas.

The Angel at the West Window.......2000-07-24

A man inherits the collected papers of his deceased cousin and is suddenly plagued with nightmares and flashbacks of the past and of the life of his ancestor, John Dee. Strange people start visiting him: the mysterious Lipotin, the seductive Assia Chotokalungin, both demanding of him his most valuable heirloom, the legendary spear head of Hoel Dhat, of which he has no knowledge of possession. Full of alchemistic symbols, the plot spans the time from the reign of Elizabeth I. to early 20th century. The atmosphere is one of increasing angst, the images heavily tinted with the shadiest of grays. Highly recommended!

Un librazo, de lo mejor.......1999-02-09

Huy

Intimations of Immortality.......1997-10-15

Meyrink's final work, though flawed, is a brilliant and heartfelt exploration of the individual's search for mystical individuation. It is evident throughout that the spiritual quest of the main character mirror's Meyrink's own struggles in his final hours. Because of its profundity, The Angel of the West Window is of more than occult interest; it has a universal application.

Average customer rating:

THE ANGEL OF THE WEST WINDOW
Gustav Meyrink
Manufacturer: Dedalus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000LKQMEC

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