Bøker av David K. Leff

The art of discovering cultural and natural treasures in everyday landscapes

Since its founding four hundred years ago, New England has been a vital source of nature writing. Maybe it's the diversity of landscapes huddled so close together, or the marriage of nature and culture in a relatively small, six-state region. Maybe it's the regenerative powers of the ecosystem in a place of repeated exploitations. Or maybe we have simply been thinking about our relationship with the natural world longer than everyone else. If all successive nature writing is a footnote to Thoreau, then New England has a strong claim to being the birthplace of the genre. But there are, as the 60 entries in this anthology demonstrate, many other regional voices that extol the wonders and beauty of the outdoors, explore local ecology, and call for environmental sustainability. Anyone wanting to understand our relationship with nature must start here.

"e;Takes readers into the forests and sugar shacks of New England . . . Filled with entertaining anecdotes, traditional knowledge and recipes."e; -Waterbury Republican-AmericanThese stories, told by real-life sugarmakers, reveal how this ancient industry has continued into the twenty-first century. Thanks to the newest technology-and the old-fashioned virtue of patience-New England sugarmakers are still keeping it real. A former maple sugarmaker and board member of the Maple Syrup Producers' Association of Connecticut, David Leff takes us on a journey into the very heart of New England's character. Along the way he talks with the sugar gurus, who share their expertise, insights, and anecdotes about their experiences in the business. What makes maple sugaring such a beloved tradition? Is it marketing savvy or something deeper-and harder to tap? This book is for anyone with a sweet tooth who is curious about the science, or simply enjoys a good story full of wisdom, quirky characters, and recipes.

With warmth and a keen eye for the nuances of history and place, David K. Leff offers this affectionate, insightful portrait of his adopted home of Coilinsville, Connecticut, a village that looked perfectly ordinary until he fell prey to its rhythms and charm.