Through the Woods: A Journey Through America's Forests (The Sylvan Path) [Paperback]

Gary Ferguson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1998

An impressionistic odyssey through the rich beauty of America's forest wilderness captures the meaning of these last wild places, sharing interviews with men and women whose lives have become intertwined with the soul of America's woodlands.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ferguson writes of woods and forest with fervor and reverence. This fierce devotion first learned in childhood colors the book's beautifully written prose, resulting in a lyrical ode to the individuals--all of whom have retained deep connections to the natural environment and to the land itself--Ferguson encounters as he travels along the back roads of New England and the Midwest. As he roams, Ferguson ostensibly celebrates a colorful figure from the turn of the century, Joe Knowles, and if it is difficult to know for certain whether Knowles actually lived in the wild for months as claimed, there is little doubt his story awakened Ferguson to the idea of "waltzing the woods," rediscovering essential truths that to this day remain enveloped by "forest and tides and stars." Alice Joyce --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Griffin (June 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312187637
• ISBN-13: 978-0312187637
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Sociology of the Woods, April 12, 2001

By 

Donald A. Weir (Maitland, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sylvan Path: A Journey Through America's Forests (Audio Cassette)

Ferguson sets out on a tour to experience life in some of Americas most significant forests and woods. In each he camps out, hikes, takes notes, but most importantly, interviews people who have lived their entire lifetimes in the wilderness; farmers, sportsmen, forest rangers and moonshiners. from Maine to Appalacia to Minnesota's border lakes and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Ferguson is a master storyteller, painting word pictures which allow the reader to "see" life in the woods. His writing is crisp and clear and moves at a brisk pace. As I listened to this book I was reminded of Charles Karault's "On The Road" series, filled with colorful tales, generous sprinkles of humor and a sense of discovery on each page. If you love the outdoors, you will love this book. If you have never been in the woods, this book will make you wonder why.

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well done; Ferguson opens our eyes, March 31, 2005

By 

Matt Hetling "Matt" (Bethel, ME USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Through the Woods: A Journey Through America's Forests (The Sylvan Path) (Paperback)

I didn't think too much of Ferguson's "Walking Down the Wild," partly because I felt like Ferguson was struggling to find something to say about his journey through the Yellowstone wilderness.

But here, he has something to say, he says it, and he says it well.

Ferguson makes an impassioned argument about the wonder that the American forest can provide; usually, he takes a back seat to others and lets us see the forest through their eyes. Ferguson has chosen his subjects well; simple mountaineers to whom the forest is a way of life, moonshiners, American Indians, and trappers are just some of the people who allow us to see the woods as something more than a pretty view from the car.

The writing is strong, and the subject matter is entertaining. You don't have to be a tree hugger to enjoy this book. You just have to be open to developing a respect for the world in which we live.