Going to See - by Kurt Caswell & James Perrin Warren (Paperback)

About the Book

Celebrates the legacy of influential writer Barry Lopez through stories and reflections from 30 distinguished American nature writers

Book Synopsis

"These encounters invite the reader to pull up a third chair and listen in on what feels like a one-on-one conversation between Barry and friends, as they consider our responsibilities to this life and this earth we've been given. The respect which suffuses these pages of tribute are rivaled only by Barry Lopez's reverence for the land." -- Robin Wall Kimmerer, author of Braiding Sweetgrass

• Contributors include Rick Bass, David James Duncan, Gretel Ehrlich, Kate Harris, and Deborah A. Miranda
• Explores Lopez's writing about the natural world in the context of current concerns about the planet's future
• Shares stories of Lopez's travels, inspirations, and friendships

Barry Lopez was not only a writer, but also a traveler, visionary, and someone with a deep love for humanity and the natural world. Going to See illuminates how the stories he shared with us were like stones in a pond, sending ripples throughout not just a world of readers, but also a network of writers. Here, 30 of those writers reflect on Lopez's tremendous influence on their work and their lives.

From stories of intimate conversations with Lopez, to insightful examinations of his writing and outdoor experiences, to deeply heartfelt tributes about his generosity of spirit, what emerges is a "many-sided" portrait of Lopez, as co-editor James Perrin Warren writes. It's also a celebration of the fellowship of writers that Lopez helped create, writers who are committed to serving the natural world, human and nonhuman communities, and the planet we all share.

Review Quotes

Going to See is a brilliant gathering of diverse perspectives on why and how Barry Lopez has been a transformative force in environmental writing. A deeply moving appreciation for a writer who has profoundly shaped the way we view our troubled but redemptive relationship to the natural world, this book reminds us of the remarkable ethical and aesthetic accomplishments of Lopez's work. A humbling and inspiring book, Going to See reminds us that superb writing can help us to reinvent how we understand the world, and ourselves within it.--Michael P. Branch "author of Raising Wild and On the Trail of the Jackalope"

Barry Lopez was a brilliant writer who traveled the world and peered deeply into its mysteries. About as deeply as anyone ever has, I suspect. He was at the forefront of a generation of ethically-minded writers who found in the natural world and indigenous cultures an antidote to the despair of our cracked civilization. Going to See is a joyous gathering of Barry's friends and fellow travelers, who by examining him from all angles, give us the first of what I hope are many celebrations of his vital legacy.--David Gessner "author of All the Wild That Remains"

These encounters invite the reader to pull up a third chair and listen in on what feels like a one-on-one conversation between Barry and friends, as they consider our responsibilities to this life and this earth we've been given. The respect which suffuses these pages of tribute are rivaled only by Barry Lopez's reverence for the land.--Robin Wall Kimmerer "author of Braiding Sweetgrass"