In 'On Trails,' Robert Moor takes readers on a captivating journey through the history and philosophy of trails, revealing what they mean to humanity and the natural world. He explores how trails connect not just landscapes but also ideas and cultures. Through his adventures, he uncovers the intricate relationship between humans and the paths we create. Moor's blend of personal narratives, science, and history invites you to reconsider the meaning of wandering. This thought-provoking exploration leaves you pondering the trails in your own life and the connections they foster.
By Robert Moor
Published: 2017
""Trails are the veins of the earth. They tell the stories of those who have walked before us and lead us to places we have yet to explore.""
"In 2009, while thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, Robert Moor began to wonder about the paths that lie beneath our feet: How do they form? Why do some improve over time while others fade? What makes us follow or strike off on our own? Over the course of the next seven years, Moor traveled the globe, exploring trails of all kinds, from the miniscule to the massive. He learned the tricks of master trail-builders, hunted down long-lost Cherokee trails, and traced the origins of our road networks and the Internet. In each chapter, Moor interweaves his adventures with findings from science, history, philosophy, and nature writing--combining the nomadic joys of Peter Matthiessen with the eclectic wisdom of Lewis Hyde's The Gift. Throughout, Moor reveals how this single topic--the oft-overlooked trail--sheds new light on a wealth of age-old questions: How does order emerge out of chaos? How did animals first crawl forth from the seas and spread across continents? How has humanity's relationship with nature and technology shaped the world around us? And, ultimately, how does each of us pick a path through life? With a breathtaking arc that spans from the dawn of animal life to the digital era, On Trails is a book that makes us see our world, our history, our species, and our ways of life anew"--Book jacket flap.
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“"Trails are the veins of the earth. They tell the stories of those who have walked before us and lead us to places we have yet to explore."”
On Trails
By Robert Moor
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Robert Moor is an acclaimed American author and essayist, recognized for his unique blend of narrative non-fiction and philosophical inquiry. His notable works include 'On Trails: An Exploration', which reflects on the significance of paths and trails in both nature and human experience, and 'This Land Is Our Land', which examines the cultural and ecological nuances of American landscapes. Moor's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose, deep curiosity, and an ability to weave personal anecdotes with broader social and environmental themes, inviting readers to ponder their relationship with the world around them.
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