I enjoyed reading this. John Burroughs writes beautifully about nature. However, this is composed of chopped up bits of the author's many books and writings. It can be confusing. One is reading, becoming immersed in the subject, then suddenly the next paragraph veers off in a different direction. Like a man who sees squirrels. If you keep in mind that each chapter is composed of snippets and not finished thoughts, it reads okay.

I found it interesting to read in light of conservation efforts of today, to compare the thinking and experiences of a lover of nature in the 1800s. Already he speaks of entire species disappearing or becoming scarce. For instance, when he was a boy the skies were black at times with passenger pigeons, but he states that he only sees a few now, when he is out hunting them! He also speaks of the sadness of certain plant species which seem to be disappearing.

It was worth the read just to be transported to the middle of his forest, and the small portion on the ocean may be the most beautiful writing I have read on the sea. ( )