Roadcuts will never seem the same again.

books:


	• Annals of the Former World John McPhee Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2000 - 696 pages average customer review:based on 55 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

Roadcuts will never seem the same again.

John McPhee's books fascinate me. He delves into obscure subjects like they are hot fudge sundaes, scooping out the best experts, and allowing their words to reveal their inner selves by talking about those things they love the most. Since I travel with a copy of "Roadside Kansas" in my car at all times, reading about the rocks in other parts of the continent was pleasurable. The reason I read McPhee isn't to find out more about Oranges, or Merchant Marines, or Geology, though. Its to understand that unique person who has been blessed with the elusive opportunity to earn their living doing the thing they love the most. McPhee's books let me see their world better than any other writer.

for more information click here

We're on shaky ground.

John McPhee unearths facts that are more fascinating than any fiction I've read. In Annals, even though you've read before that the highest point on earth contains aquatic fossils (and was therefore once under water), he says it with such elegance that you gain a new depth of appreciation for the earth. He reminds me of Richard Feynman the way he turns complexity into easy-to-read understanding. He makes the millions and millions of years that have produced the earth seem simple as a cartoon. Be humble, for we're all sitting on faults.

for more information click here

A hellofa travelogue!

McPhee is a writer I've visited from time to time over the past 20 years. I succumbed to this latest, a rebinding of several earlier books with new information on Archaen geology, because of McPhee's sheer exuberance at the natural world. The writing is pure McPhee, with all the quirks and foibles that he brings to writing. Some of his metaphors are wonderful; others seem too strained. He leaps like a brook, jumping from a comment about rock (naturally) to one about Mormons or birds or triple-long tractor trailors. At times, it's irritating. The biggest criticism is goes to the maps, what there is of them... they're poorly printed, in black and white and (mostly) gray. They're barely legible and far too few. This books calls for an abundance of maps and illustration as McPhee discusses very complicated issues of geology, tectonics and continental movement. Still, the book is enjoyable. All he needs to do, besides republishing it with another 50-or-so maps, is to print it in a format that you can handle while driving across I-80!

for more information click here

Thank you

Having read everything that I can find written by Mr. McPhee, can only say, "Thank you".

The Pulitzer Prize was long overdue

John McPhee has re-written the book on non-fiction, turning science and history into one gripping drama after another in writing that brings to mind the finest Sunday newspaper features. No matter the subject, he's set the standard by which others should be measured; the Pulitzer committee couldn't have chosen better. It's especially proper that this book be so honored, as it represents a body of work spanning many years and concerning what I suspect is McPhee's very favorite subject matter; geology and natural history. Call it his "life achievement award" but don't tell him that (we need him to keep writing for ages to come). John, I've got a shelf set aside just for your books in my library but it's half empty all the time - I can't stop lending them out.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, page 10, 11

hot

not?

What's your opinion?

Write a review and share your thoughts!

recommendations

Pulitzer General Non-Fiction Prize (1982-2005)
Doorstops? Sure! Fun to Read? You Bet!
2005 Reading List - Part II
Non-Fiction
McPhee

search for books
annals of the, annals, former, world

Impressum / about us