Inaugurating a new annual series devoted to selecting and presenting the best in contemporary American nature writing, this initial volume includes some of America's most distinguished nature writers as well as some promising new talents. This first collection encompasses a variety of genres, including fiction, journal writing, poetry, personal essays, and feature articles. Readers will hunt for peregrine falcons near the Great Salt Lake with Terry Tempest Williams; sneak into Cuba with Bob Shacochis to observe the Ernest Hemingway International Classic Billfish Tournament; and explore the botanical and paleontological wonders of the Central American land bridge with David Rains Wallace. Also included are an excerpt from Annie Dillard's novel, The Living, and a previously unpublished selection from the journals of Edward Abbey. At last here is nature writing at its boisterous, gritty, and lyrical best. "Nature writing is poised at the beginning of a period of wonderful exuberance. All of the excitement that attends the beginning of a new century, and the start of a new millennium, together with a growing awareness of the interdependence of nature and culture, cannot help but fuel this historic genre. I believe that as the genre attracts more and more gifted young writers, and addresses increasingly the compelling political and social issues of our time, it will gain in stature and maturity, offering what Barry Lopez so eloquently called 'a literature of hope.'" John A. Murray, from the Introduction John A. Murray is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, and the author/editor of eleven previous books, including Wild Africa: Three Centuries of Nature Writing from Africa, Nature's New Voices, The Great Bear: Contemporary Writings on the Grizzly, The Islands and the Sea, and A Republic of Rivers.