Patriotism and the American Land (The New Patriotism Series, Vol. 2) [Paperback]

Lopez Barry (Author)

Book Description

Series: New Patriotism | Publication Date: September 11, 2002

Terrorism. Homeland Security. Patriotism. Since September 11, 2001, these terms have emerged as a fundamental part of our cultural lexicon, with their unsaid assumptions and attendant emotions being used to inspire and buttress a varied set of cultural, political, and military responses to the events of that day. What is terrorism? What is a secure homeland? Who is a patriot?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Barry Lopez is the author of fourteen works of fiction and nonfiction, including Arctic Dreams, About This Life, and Light Action in the Caribbean. He is the recipient of the National Book Award, the John Hay Award, Guggenheim and Lannan fellowships, and other honors. He lives and works in Oregon.

Richard Nelson is a nature writer and cultural anthropologist whose work explores the relationship between people and the environment. His books include Make Prayers to the Raven, Shadow of the Hunter, Heart and Blood: Living with Deer in America, and The Island Within. He is also a conservation activist and public wildlands advocate, working for protection of old-growth rainforest in the Tongass National Forest.

Terry Tempest Williams lives in Utah. Her books include Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place; Desert Quartet; Leap; and most recently, Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert. She is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship and a Lannan Literary Fellowship in creative nonfiction. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, The Nation, The New York Times, Orion, Parabola, and The Best American Essays.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Chief Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce Indians, expressed it in the following words: "The earth and myself are of one mind. The measure of the land and the measure of our bodies are the same." Sentiments like these, offered in many native voices over many generations, should be recognized as the bedrock of American patriotism and the foundation for a human commitment to stand in defense of the earth.
–"Patriots for the American Land" by Richard Nelson

Historically, tyrants have sought selectively to eliminate firsthand knowledge when its sources lay outside their control. By silencing those with problematic firsthand experiences, they reduced the number of potential contradictions in their political and social designs, and so they felt safer.
–"The Naturalist" by Barry Lopez

Do we have the moral courage to step forward and openly question every law, person, and practice that denies justice toward nature?

Do we have the strength and will to continue in this American tradition of bearing witness to beauty and terror which is its own form of advocacy?

And do we have the imagination to rediscover an authentic patriotism that inspires empathy and reflection over pride and nationalism?
–"One Patriot" by Terry Tempest Williams

Product Details

• Paperback: 58 pages
• Publisher: Orion Society; First Edition edition (September 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0913098612
• ISBN-13: 978-0913098615
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,993,616 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > History > Historical Study > Revolutionary
  • #93 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Current Events > Terrorism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Complete Slam Dunk!!, November 17, 2002

By 

Harold Marks "hthoreau" (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Patriotism and the American Land (The New Patriotism Series, Vol. 2) (Paperback)

My goodness! I don't think you could ask for a more extraordinarily effective and inspiring rebuttal to the clap-trap about patriotism being bantered about by the current administration and the media.

This book contains maybe the best definition of an authentic patriotism that I have ever read. All three essays are beautiful, passionate, and powerful in completely different ways.

If you want to know what being an American is all about, please read this book!