Best nature memoirs

Nature writers
Best nature writing
Eco memoir

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Autobiography, Ecology, and the Well-Placed Self

The Growth of Natural Biography in Contemporary American Life Writing

by Nathan Straight (Author)

English Studies

Series: Modern American Literature, Volume 59

Summary

Autobiography, Ecology, and the Well-Placed Self expands the field of autobiography studies by describing an emergent genre, natural biography, that embeds the human subject in a more-than-human world. Through an ecocritical analysis of three contemporary U.S. authors – William Kittredge, Terry Tempest Williams, and Mary Clearman Blew – Nathan Straight illustrates how ecologically situated life writing bridges the human/nature divide and responds to the pressing environmental and communal demands of our times. In his exploration of the well-placed self he challenges traditional concepts of the autobiographical subject and considers new models of selfhood in relation to regional and national identities. His illuminating discussions of specific texts en

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Writing Your Ecological Autobiography

People write memoirs or autobiographies for a number of reasons, but one thing we can expect as we go through the process is a deeper understanding of ourselves. As we recall and record our life stories, we learn a great deal about who we are and how we came to be the persons we are. Writing an autobiography can also give us some direction for the future.

I found this to be true as I wrote my own autobiography. Instead of writing a general autobiography covering different facets of my life, I decided to focus on my relationship with the natural world—or what some might call our ecological identity. I completed my ecological autobiography several years ago and have since conducted workshops leading others through the process. The results have been quite rewarding.

An autobiography with a specific focus is sometimes called a “focused autobiography.” While I chose to focus on my ecological identity, there are many other facets of life that might be chosen. Some people write a spiritual autobiography as a tool for understanding and

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Whenever I’m feeling distraught or confused about life, I like to either go on a walk or tend to my garden (depending on the season and my energy levels). That connection with the natural world always seems to help me focus and find a deeper sense of purpose, even if that purpose is as simple as caring for the plants I have grown or being mindful to the world around me.

If you’re looking for a similar sense of clarity, you can’t go wrong with a memoir about others’ experiences in the natural world and musings on the environment. You might not find answers that match up exactly with what you’re going for, but you may find inspiration to begin your own search. Plus, if you’re a bit of an armchair traveler, nature memoirs often have breathtaking descriptions — and there’s enough out there to let you experience wonderful places all over the world through the eyes of another person.

In these nine thought-provoking nature memoirs, readers can learn more about humanity’s responsibility to the plants and animals we coexist with, live vicar