Islands Apart: A Year on the Edge of Civilization
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Book Overview
Author Ken McAlpine stands in his front yard one night in Ventura, California, trying to see the stars. His view is diminished by light pollution, making it hard to see much of anything in the sky. Our fast-paced, technologically advanced society, he concludes, is not conducive to stargazing or soul-searching. Taking a page from Thoreau's Walden, he decides to get away from the clamor of everyday life, journeying alone through California's Channel Islands National Park. There, he imagines, he might be able to "breathe slowly and think clearly, to examine how we live and what we live for." In between his week-long solo trips through these pristine islands, McAlpine reaches out to try to better understand his fellow man: he eats lunch with the homeless in Beverly Hills, sits in the desert with a 98-year-old Benedictine monk, and befriends a sidewalk celebrity impersonator in Hollywood. What he discovers about himself and the world we live in will inspire anyone who wishes they had the time to slow down and notice the wonders of nature and humanity.
Format:Paperback
Language:English
ISBN:1590305302
ISBN13:9781590305300
Release Date:July 2009
Publisher:Trumpeter
Length:265 Pages
Weight:0.53 lbs.
Dimensions:0.7" x 5.4" x 8.4"
Related Subjects
Biological Sciences Camping Ecology Hiking & Camping Pacific State & Local Travel Travel Writing WestCustomer Reviews
3 ratings
Great local story
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 14 years ago
A great book that includes information about Santa Barbara, with people that I know featured.
Islands Apart
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
I listened to Ken McAlpine being interviewed on a National Public Radio "Fresh Air" segment and was immediately drawn to the topics of discussion: the Channel Islands, which are extraordinary in and of themselves, and also Ken McAlpine's intertwining chapters which offer slices of life most of us have not investigated in depth. I slowly read the chapters, savoring each word. At one point I discovered my eyes were welling with tears because I had to leave one of the islands. Ken writes with a delightful touch, tossing humor into the most unexpectedly terrain, yet watches man with a keen and knowing eye. I couldn't wait to read this book and now treasure it.
Savory
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
There are two authors whose work I pre-order; Pat Conroy and Ken McAlpine. Both write in a way that I LOVE to savor as I would a fine meal, or a good cold mug of root beer. Ken's words are as to literature as fresh herbs are to your favorite dish. If you love the nature and people and living a life of thoughtful introspection, buy this book YESTERDAY!
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