“Breathtaking. [Rasmussen’s] scholarly detective work reveals a fascinating narrative of slavery and resistance; but it also tells us something about history itself—about how fiction can become fact; and how ‘history’ is sometimes nothing more than erasure.†—Henry Louis Gates; Jr.“Deeply researched; vividly written; and highly original.†—Eric FonerHistorian Daniel Rasmussen reveals the long-forgotten history of America’s largest slave uprising; the New Orleans slave revolt of 1811. In an epic; illuminating narrative; Rasmussen offers new insight into American expansionism; the path to Civil War; and the earliest grassroots push to overcome slavery.
#411027 in Books Philip Connors 2012-02-28 2012-02-28Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .61 x 5.31l; .45 #File Name: 0061859370272 pagesFire Season Field Notes from a Wilderness Lookout
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Wonderful; beautifully written and educational book. Loved it!By PatriciaAnother gorgeously written book by Philip Connors and his experiences as a fire lookout in the mountain ranges converging in southwestern New Mexico; Arizona; and Mexico. Having formerly been a writer for the Wall Street Journal; he chucked his professional career to become a bartender in New Mexico for seven months of the year to live his true life calling to live in a ranger station as a fire observer for five months of the year. Connors provides historical information on the creation of the U.S. Fire Service; the conservation laws initated from 1901-1950; the need to burn the forest; the devastation of cattle grazing and erosion of the land; and all of his magical experiences living 100 days in near solitude on his Apache Mountain peak harking the cry of fire as it appears across the wildnerness. Connors writing is poetic; lyrical and mystifying. He grew up in rural southwestern Minnesota; in Currie; on the plains and has a full appreciation for nature; agriculture; solitude; and the beauty of nature.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. I absolutely loved this bookBy Lucy44I absolutely loved this book. What I thought would be a dry account of a season in a fire tower was indeed a lyrical narrative about life; love and the eternal draw of nature. His writing reaches in and touches your soul; descriptive; mindful and challenging at times. It was a book to be savored for the quality of gifted writing Connors brings to the page. As a hiker I've seen the devastation of forest fire and find it difficult to reconcile the charred embers with new life; but his patient explanation made me realize we have to look below the surface to see the treasure that lies beneath. I would love to sit down on a bar stool and have a beer with him. A clink of the bottle and no words necessary; just a silent toast to dignity and glory of our wilderness areas. Thank for the tutorial......it's an awesome read. author of Adirondack Audacity0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Small book with a BIG IMPACTBy DBWow! Found this book on the Banff Mountain Festival website. It was the 2012 winner as best "Mountain Book". Once started; I couldn't stop reading it. I learned so much. It includes the history and science of fire fighting strategies and of the role the forest service plays in executing the strategies. He also relates the excitement of discovering a fire; relaying the information to the forest service and the amount of threat the fire provides as it grows. The author is so in tune with the environment. His representations of all he sees are incredible. Then there is the history of inspirational environmental writers who all worked as fire tower lookouts...there was just so much to learn from beginning to end. Interlaced with that were the lookouts own feelings about day to day experiences; his appreciation of his dog and the acknowledgement of the love and support of his wife. Also; some humorous encounters with hikers and others who found the lookout while he was on duty.The author had been employed to write for the Wall Street Journal. He is an excellent writer and should be added to the list of inspirational environmental fire tower writers! It's a MUST Read.One suggestion; the book should contain maps...yes; one could go online but you don't want to stop reading. Maps would really put things in perspective for readers. I guess the author really; really doesn't want company.
