Arctic Refuge

Author's Bio:

Hank Lentfer, a writer and biologist, lives in Gustavus, Alaska. Carolyn Servid is director of the Island Institute in Sitka, Alaska, and is the author of Of Landscape and Longing and coeditor of The Book of the Tongass (both published by Milkweed Editions).

Quotes:

“This collection of essays warns of the dangers of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, making arguments that both supporters and detractors of the proposal should consider.”—Dallas Morning News

“An extraordinary collective effort that furthers the ability of literary activism to respond quickly and effectively to current issues. Here, too, is a reminder that the most powerful antidote to industry's qualitative mind may be a collaboration of creative, soulful, and inspired writing.”—Orion

“In short (and sometimes quite moving) essays and poems, scientists, native Alaskans, and former U.S. president Jimmy Carter warn against drilling for oil in th Arctic national Wildlife Refuge.”—Discover

“Yoking an activist desire to influence the debate surrounding proposed oil exploration and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to the rapid publication now possible with e-book technology, Alaska residents Lentfer and Servid compiled and completed this powerful collection of 31 essays, letters and poems in eight weeks.”—Publishers Weekly

“This is one of the most important books of the year, Highly recommended.”—Inside Outside Southwest

“A remarkable feat of publishing.”—Organica

“The contentious issue of “to drill or not to drill' in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is the catalyst for a new collection from Milkweed Editions, Arctic Refuge: A Circle of Testimony. . . . Your books editor and obedient servant tires to keep his yap shut when it comes ot political issues but must make an exception and strongly recommend this book. Drilling for oil in a pristine wilderness area isn't a 'proposal': it's an amBush.”—John Mark Eberhart, Kansas City Star

“This compact volume, edited by Alaskans Hank Lentfer and Carolyn Servid, collects essays and testimonials from a broad range of citizens who have been moved to speak out in behalf of preserving this pristine coastal plain. Each short piece is enhanced by the willingness of the authors to communicate in plain-speak and, at the risk of sounding sentimental, communcating heart-to-heart. . . . Some of America's most gifted writers weigh in on the issues as well, dispensing intelligent and reasoned opinions on the values of restraint, of conservation and forethought. The compact pieces from Barry Lopez, Rick Bass, Terry Tempest Williams, Wendell Berry, and Scott Russell Sanders each ring with valuable insights. Their sensitive contributions are like shelters of sanity in the gale force storm of political-driven controversy. Their writings exemplify the whole of the Arctic Refuge project, which is to bring some sort of balance and calm, rational thinking to the intensely passionate debate.”—Christian Martin, The Source Weekly (Bend, OR).

“With 31 brief essays from writers and scientists, poets and park rangers, Arctic Refuge is a forum for arguments against drilling in ANWR; it brings the northernmost tip of our country down to eye level, and gives an emotional underpinning to thinning sea ice and caribou calving areas. It offers a chance for those who cannot make the long trek north, to get lost in the tundra, to lock eyes with a wolf, and to feel how it is to live with the Porcupine caribou herd as a member of the Gwich'in people.”—High Country News

“Involves a wide spectrum of Alaskans: from scientists and educators to poets, essayists, subsistence hunters and wilderness advocates. Native and non-Native, rural and urban, these Alaskans have combined their voices with many of America's finest nature and environmental writers (plus one former U.S. president) to produce Artic Refuge: A Circle of Testimony.”—Anchorage Daily News

“Makes a powerful case for preserving the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge”—New Age Journal

“Timely and compelling”—Mike Nobles, Oklahoma Observer

“Impassioned literary essays and poems. . . For those within the beltway to whom caribou calving has little meaning, I would recommend Bill McKibben's piece, which succinctly outlines the folly of destroying pristine wilderness to foul the air and exacerbate global warming. Even Wendell Berry, who typically advocates staying home to mind one's own backyard and questions the idea of protecting isolated wildernesses, says, ''Hell no,' to drilling.' . . . The Bush administration should stand forewarned. This collection of eloquence is only the tip of the iceberg of public sentiment that could be unleashed to remind President Bush and his chohrts that the majority of Americans steadfastly oppose drilling in the Arctic Refuge.”—Elizabeth Grossman, Gristmagazine.com