Between Grass And Sky: Where I Live And Work (Environmental Arts and Humanities)
by Linda M. Hasselstrom
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Acclaimed nature writer Linda M. Hasselstrom sees herself as a rancher who writes - a self-definition that shapes the tone and content of her writing. Now owner of the cattle ranch where she grew up in western South Dakota, she lives in daily intimate contact with the natural world. As she says, ""Nature is to me both home and office. Nature is my boss, manager of the branch office - or ranch office - where I toil to convert native grass into meat...If I want to keep my job as well as my show more home, I pay attention not only to Nature's orders, but to her moods and whims."" The essays in this book reflect Hasselstrom's close attention to her homeplace and the depth of her sympathy with the world around her. She writes knowingly of the rancher's toil and of the intelligence and dignity of the animals she tends, especially the much-maligned cow, as well as of the wild creatures - the owls and antelope and coyotes and others - that share the prairie grassland she calls home. Hasselstrom's voice rings with the ardent common sense of one who knows and loves the land, who appreciates the concerns of environmental activists but also knows the role that responsible ranchers can play in nurturing a healthy rural ecosystem. This book is by no means an apologia for ranching but rather a lively picture of a specific part of the world, a world Hasselstrom writes about with candor, love, and the clear sight of one who knows it well. The essays are rich in closely observed details of the natural world, in humor and pathos and wry commentary on the scope of human folly and the even vaster potential of humans for community and empathy. These are essays to read with wonder and delight, to relish and ponder. show lessTags
Member Reviews
Loved the short story format that weaves together across the chapters into an understanding of ranch life, the great plains, living, and dying.
Hasselstrom writes about the relationship between ranching and the environment.
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Books Set in South Dakota
9 works; 5 members
Author Information
21+ Works 594 Members
Linda M. Hasselstrom received her bachelor's degree in English and journalism from the University of South Dakota in 1965 and her master's degree from the University of Missouri in 1969. She then taught communications at Black Hills State College in Spearfish, S.D. She also taught poetry and fiction as a writer-in-schools for the South Dakota Arts show more Council. An accomplished author and poet, Hasselstrom founded Lame Johnny Press with the goal of publishing the poetry, fiction, and nonfiction works of writers in the Great Plains states. The press published 23 books before it closed down in 1985. Hasselstrom was named "Author of the Year" by the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1989. Some of her books include Windbreak; The Book Book: A Publishing Handbook; Roadkill; and Going Over East--Reflections of a Woman Rancher, which won the Fullcrum American Writing Award in 1987. Linda Hasselstrom runs the family ranch in South Dakota and teaches freshman English at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Awards and Honors
Awards
Classifications
- Genres
- Fiction and Literature, Biography & Memoir
- DDC/MDS
- 818.5409 — Literature & rhetoric American literature in English American miscellaneous writings in English 20th Century 1945-1999
- LCC
- PS3558 .A7257 .Z4636 — Language and Literature American literature American literature Individual authors 1961-
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 16
- Popularity
- 1,521,544
- Reviews
- 2
- Rating
- (3.50)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 3
