Hay, author of The Undiscovered Country and other works, here ponders humankind's estrangement from nature. This condition he believes leads to our destruction of nature, and ultimately perhaps of ourselves. The solution can be found only by our associaton with the timeless rhythms of the wilderness. These thoughts are scattered throughout the various chapters on flora, fauna, and natural phenomena primarily in the Northeast, with a few travels further afield. Birds and their behavior play a prominent role. Hay captures the outdoors well, but his philosophical musings are less successful. Recommended only for comprehensive collections.