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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
a densely gorgeous read, forcing me to read at the speed of a meditation and feel extra gratitude and awe as a result.
informative
slow-paced
Fantastic perspective on the Arctic. Interesting how the last two chapters felt so very different (the "explorers" of the Arctic vs the indigenous people) but the resolved into a well integrated perspective on the Arctic. My favorite quote from the book was the in the second to last chapter (although I liked it for the contrast / negation): "... monks intent on cordial visits, moving back and forth between insight and awe, travels without a thought of ownership or utility. And ... not constrainted by timetables of accomplishments."
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Arctic Dreams is a beautiful exploration if the natural and human history of the Arctic region, focusing on Alaska, Canada, and Greenland. Lopez writes in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd person at different points throughout the book as he recounts his personal experiences, describes historical accounts, and tries to place you in the setting, imagining the full sensory experience of the environment.
Lopez‘s thesis is philosophical, advocating that we have a conversation or relationship with the land, as many native people in North America, including Eskimos and Inuit traditionally had. However, he is realistic and never idealistic. He acknowledges both the imperfections and the endearing qualities of all human beings who interact with the land.
An interesting aspect of his argument is his warning against taking a quantitative approach to evaluating the environment and our impact on it. If we only consider our impacts on species population numbers and similar figures, we may use our calculations as justification for destruction. Without making a physical and emotional connection the environment, we miss out on the qualitative aspects if this beautiful world, and we may irreversibly destroy it.
This work could be classified as travel, history, natural history, geography, anthropology, and more. There is so much to take away from the knowledge, perspectives, and great writing. It is no wonder that this is a National Book Award winner. It is spectacular!
Lopez‘s thesis is philosophical, advocating that we have a conversation or relationship with the land, as many native people in North America, including Eskimos and Inuit traditionally had. However, he is realistic and never idealistic. He acknowledges both the imperfections and the endearing qualities of all human beings who interact with the land.
An interesting aspect of his argument is his warning against taking a quantitative approach to evaluating the environment and our impact on it. If we only consider our impacts on species population numbers and similar figures, we may use our calculations as justification for destruction. Without making a physical and emotional connection the environment, we miss out on the qualitative aspects if this beautiful world, and we may irreversibly destroy it.
This work could be classified as travel, history, natural history, geography, anthropology, and more. There is so much to take away from the knowledge, perspectives, and great writing. It is no wonder that this is a National Book Award winner. It is spectacular!
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Long drawn out sentences. It’s giving, Ulysses
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
A beautiful reflection on land and place and how these things shape us. Not only that, but also how we influence how land is perceived. The author begs the questions: When will we let the land speak for itself? When will we offer the land its own dignity? We should interact with the land just as we would another beloved human being: listen to it, speak to it, tend to it, spend time with it, love it, nurture it, get to know it. The arctic is such a poignant example of how important this is.