The Trail Home

In these delightful essays, poet Daniel ( Common Ground ) compares depicts the pleasures of many modes of observing nature--whether in the backyard, on television, at with or the more conventional contrasting sightseeing spots as well as through in scenic places as well as with participatory outdoor activities--and concludes that the quality of the natural environment is not best seen through tourism sightseeing and nature documentaries, to say the least. diminish the viewer's engage ment with nature. Daniel offers trenchant comments about the effects of foot traffic in wilderness, and provides an engaging account of a territorial dispute with a pack rat. Once an activist, Daniel confesses to ambivalence about environmental radicalism and is troubled by current policies of land use, noting that cults of beauty and utility alike reduce nature to a commodity. His final essay expresses appreciation of his home landscape on the San Francisco Bay Peninsula. This is a personal, contemplative and satisfying view of nature. (June)