A Sense of Place by Janice Emily Bowers

A Sense of Place by Janice Emily Bowers

This book came out in  1988, and the subtitle is The Life and Work of Forrest Shreve.

This is the first in-depth study of Shreve's life and work. It is a beautifully written account of Shreve's career. The author shares a friend's description of Shreve, which compares him to a desert,

"in his patience and his detachment, and like the desert, he put on a good display when he flowered."

A Sense of Place: The Life and Work of Forrest Shreve by Janice Emily Bowers is a captivating journey into the life of a pioneering ecologist. Forrest Shreve, a man deeply connected to the desert landscape, dedicated his career to unraveling the mysteries of plant life in one of the harshest environments on Earth.

Bowers' writing is both informative and engaging, vividly describing Shreve's adventures in the field. From his early days studying plants in Maryland to his groundbreaking research at the Carnegie Institution's Desert Laboratory in Tucson, Arizona, Shreve's passion for understanding the natural world shines through.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of Shreve's "sense of place." This concept, central to his scientific philosophy, highlights the importance of understanding plants within their specific environments. Shreve's deep connection to the desert allowed him to make groundbreaking discoveries about plant adaptations and resilience.

Whether you're a botanist, a history buff, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and complexity of the natural world, A Sense of Place is a must-read. It's a tribute to a remarkable scientist and a fascinating exploration of the history of ecology.

In writing about the desert, Shreve once noted,

"The most significant lesson that the desert dweller can learn from a familiarity with its plant and animal life is to regard himself not as an exile from some better place but as a man at home in an environment to which his life can be adjusted without physical or intellectual loss.'"

You can get a copy of A Sense of Place by Janice Emily Bowers and support the show using the Amazon Link in today's Show Notes for under $5.