From The Land Book

<p>This anthology, a fascinating mosaic, compiled from the 13 years of The Land - conservation writings from the 40's and 50's - tells in fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and philosophy the story of how we changed from a nation of small farms to the agri-business we have today. Among the 40 authors included are conservation and literary giants such as Aldo Leopold, E.B.White, Louis Bromfield, Paul Sears, Allan Patton and Wallace Stegner.<p>Begun in 1941 as an outgrowth of Friends of the Land, the magazine was an attempt by editor Russell Lord to counteract - by education, information, and inspiration - the rampant abuse of soil, water, trees and rivers.<p>But for all its seriousness of mission, The Land was a stimulating mix of fact and charm. The Land included literature, philosophy, art, and the practical observations of farmers and conservation workers, to encourage small farmers to understand and apply conservation principles to their lands. Packed with history, humor, science, poetry, short stories, reports from other lands, letters, controversies, and anecdotes, The Land had its own complicated ecology, which we hope we have replicated in our Island Press anthology.