Fall Books I’m Reading – This Contested Land by Long

It’s always this time of year I want to go back to school to get my masters or to learn new skills. I think to myself, I have enough money to go back to school, but then reality hits, and for tens of thousands of dollars I think I want to travel or put in a new kitchen … Maybe, let’s see what next fall brings. 

In the meantime, I’m in full on reading mode because it’s how I learn; and books always make me want to travel.

Last week I was looking through the pile of book and journals next to my sofa, and I started reading a journal that I subscribe to: Western American Literature, a Journal of Literary, Cultural, and Place Studies. The edition was from last Winter but I don’t think I ever read it. I started reading it and got to the book review section and started reading a review of This Contested Land written by McKenzie Long. As I read, I’m underlining and highlighting. 

The reviewer, Talley V. Kayser wrote, “using her own outdoor adventures to frame meditations on the histories, presents, and futures of national monuments in the United States.” I’m intrigued. I keep reading. A quote from Long states: “Monuments are quintessentially American. After all, what is more American than disagreements over the scope of governmental powers.”

Note: National parks are protected due to their scenic, inspirational, education, and recreational value. National monuments have objects of historical, cultural, and/or scientific interest. And, most importantly: Congress designates national parks; presidential proclamations establish national monuments, thus the scope of government powers quote above.

Kayser wrote “Long emphasizes the relations (from romantic affairs to family ties) that shape and sustain her journeys.”

After reading the review, I immediately searched for the book online and bought it through the Glacier National Park Conservancy. 

When the book arrived I couldn’t put down.  All weekend I worked around reading this book. I enjoyed Long’s writing perspective; an outdoor adventurer telling her personal story with a backdrop of the these 12 national monuments. The writing is crisp and clear; I am taken to each place. I write comments in the margins of my book, and highlight key phrases. I write about how I need to get more involved where I live and advocate for the issues I care about: public lands, clean water, clean air, biodiversity, recreation and conservation.

I’m just thrilled to get back into reading and learning more about the world. I’ll write a full review of each book as soon as I finish. I would love to hear your comments. 

And, I don’t read one book at a time when I’m back on a reading bender. I read several. Here’s what I’ve been reading.

America for Americans; A History of Xenophobia in the United States 

and 

The 12-Week MBA.

ABL – Always be Learning