This month’s book recommendations come from none other than West Virginia Rivers Coalition’s Mike Jones. Mike coordinates the West Virginians for Public Lands Alliance and brings his passion for conservation with him to class as an adjunct professor at West Virginia University. Enjoy his submissions!
I enjoy reading, but sadly, work and life have kept me from it way too much. I’ve been vowing to do better – and so far, I’ve been reading science fiction (the “Expanse” series by James S.A. Corey and “The Three Body Problem” – which was excellent!) and biography (“Winning the Earthquake” about the first woman elected to Congress).
My recommendations are a bit dated — but reflect some things that I think are important. Common among them is the idea that environmentalism is something more than the ‘here and now,’ but a window to reach the questions of meaning and sacredness — and how to live a sustainable life.
Henry David Thoreau is pictured in the 1860’s. George F. Parlow (d. 1926), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
“Walden” by Henry David Thoreau — Thoreau’s account of his two years ‘living simply’ in a small cabin. It’s a reflection on simplicity – and raised important questions about the purpose of life – and the search for greater meaning.
“A Sand County Almanac” by Aldo Leopold — In this book, Leopold develops his “Land Ethic,” a responsible relationship existing between people and the land they inhabit. Inspired by his local area but impacting environmentalism worldwide.
“Wilderness, The Gateway to the Soul: Spiritual Enlightenment Through Wilderness“ by Scott Stillman — Environmentalism, for me, raises many questions. One is the search for quiet and aloneness, separated from others and the rush of daily life. Another is the attempt to reach the cosmic infinite. I’m not a religious guy, but there HAS to be some purpose to environmentalism and to life, bigger than just us. This book – and any book about returning into wilderness – raises these questions.
“Environmental Policy” (12th edition), editors are Kraft, Rabe, & Vig — Okay, it is academic, but a very good introduction to the role of the President, Congress, the Courts, and agencies in environmental policy, how states innovate and avoid innovation, and discusses several environmental policies in depth. This book gives you a good understanding of the policy players – and how they interact in environmental policy areas.
“The Art of War” by Sun Tzu — While Sun Tzu obviously is talking about real war, the lessons of understanding the opposition’s arguments and their tactics go a long way to informing a modern activist of the importance of knowing the counterarguments better than they do – and taking approaches to minimize any advantage they do have. Hope you enjoy this list – and keep reading. And always look for how humans and the environment interact in anything you read!
