A classic foundational text on environmental and conservation ethics. It is a well constructed prose poem/philosophical tract that enters the mind and speaks to the soul.

My full review here: http://booktrek.blogspot.com/2009/06/... ( )

A storm blew up out of nowhere this spring while I was solo paddling the South Branch of the Muskoka river, just outside of Bracebridge. I pushed my canoe into the brush at the end of a secluded bay, and watched the storm approach. As it intensified, I pulled out this small paper-back book and read a section. That's just the sort of book it is.

Leopold's words read like poetry. You immediately realize that you're in the company of someone who loves wilderness. The cover has a quote from the San Francisco Chronicle stating that this book belongs on the shelf with Thoreau and Muir. I heartily agree—so long as Sigurd Olson's right there with them. Even better than the shelf: this book belongs in your backpack.

I had to pull my canoe out of the water, and turn it over to shelter my pack. I stood at the base of a large hemlock tree and watched the spring-time hail bounce off the scarred underbody of my 14 foot red solo canoe. A mere 15 minutes later the storm was over and I was back in the water. Leopold's words far outlasted the storm. ( )

If you are interested in the environmental movement than this classic is a must read. This is often cited as one of the best books and authors of the early environmental movement. Aldo Leopold started the Wilderness Society in 1935. He moved to Wisconsin in 1924 to work for the Forest Service and then worked at the University of Madison, Wisconsin, in the agriculture department. The book's name comes from the sand counties in Wisconsin along the Wisconsin River just north of the Dells (Juneau and Adams counties). I read this book while camping one summer a few years back in Juneau county. This book was published in 1949, but time stood still for me when I read this book within the natural setting being written about, as nature knows no time. It was quite enjoyable to be fishing on the river, or sitting on a sandbar in the river, while reading this book. Aldo Leopold described the ever shifting nature of the sands in the Wisconsin river, which form and reform sandbars which are most prominent in late summer when the water level is lower than in the spring. The surrounding area soil is naturally quite sandy, smaller jack pine trees dot the landscape, bluffs contain Native American ancient art - truly it is a magical place that is mostly left undiscovered except for the tourist trap that is the Dells. If you want some true Wisconsin natural beauty, head to the sand counties, and take this book along on your adventure. ( )

Beautifully written and thoughtful. A window into the practical and personal importance of nature. ( )

This is a special issue of Sand County Almanac