A High Uintas Bookshelf

In this column we’ll list 2-4 interesting articles, books or the like that have caught our attention. They aren’t necessarily recent or recently read-- sort of a random compilation. Within a year, hopefully, we’ll have an established and detailed reading list. It won’t be complete without your additions. Please send suggestions and a descriptive sentence or two.

This month's review is by Meg Barker.

"When Compassion Becomes Dissent," David James Duncan. Orion. Jan/Feb 2003.
    Duncan describes how his work as a writer, requiring "a dual love of language and life, human and otherwise," is at odds with the national security strategies of the Bush Administration, whose policies intimate that "biological health, a sustainable natural economy, and the conservation of ecosystems are beneath consideration in this time of red-white-and-blue crisis," though these are the underpinnings of true homeland security.
    While questioning the true motivations for war, Duncan reminds us that Iraq is not Saddam and that war will affect innocent lives, adding to the destruction from previous US involvement in Iraq, including depleted-uranium coated bullets left behind and water and sewer systems intentionally demolished after the first Gulf War.

Nature. Vol. 421/2 January 2003. "Fingerprints of global warming on wild animals and plants." Terry Root, et al.
    These two articles, while typical of deep mathematic and statistical reviews found in Nature, make the point clear enough to even the most causal reader-global warming is not an idea, but a real process with powerful consequences that play to the very survival of numerous species and ecosystems. Both studies note the difficulty in isolating global warming and showing the consequences but conclude with a very high confidence the climate change is having profound affects already and in combination with fragmentation of habitats from other human induced short-sightedness may result if deep and catastrophic impacts to many species and their habitats.

International Journal of Wilderness. December 2002, Vol. 8, #3. "On the Spiritual Benefits of Wilderness." Baylor Johnson. Wilderness, spirit and mystery- hardly a new context and the theme of some of the most eloquent and deep nature writing. This is not that but, nonetheless is an interesting introduction and review of wilderness and mystery.