Reviews for Loren Eiseley

The average rating for Loren Eiseley based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2020-05-29 00:00:00 C. P. Tichacek Eiseley is an author for whom getting to know the man behind the work is difficult, not only because of his prolific writing career but also because he was a man who understood himself not in terms of his daily, outer life but as a human being who mourned the loss of connection with nature that came from the separation of man and animal. Reflecting on his identification as a perpetual wanderer or, as the author puts it, an Ishmael (after the Biblical figure as well as the Moby Dick character), Heidtmann compares Eiseley to other American men of letters and other essayists, scientists, and naturalists of earlier times. The book shines most when Heidtmann delves into what he identifies as the primary question driving Eiseley's search for meaning: "Where am I?" Place plays such an important role in his works - indeed, without place he might be completely unmoored - but place is also interwoven with time to the point that the two cannot be separated. This book lays the groundwork for understanding a man who took a lifetime to understand himself and his place in the world, and would be a beneficial companion read to anyone interested in Eiseley's many works not only for the content but also for the man behind the so beautifully and carefully chosen words. . . . On a personal note, I'm completely biased. Loren Eiseley is my favorite author of all time. I have a tattoo of my nickname ("leaf") on my wrist in his handwriting (taken from his "lost notebooks"). Part of one of his essays was read at my wedding. I've actually had this book on my shelf for months afraid to read it because I didn't want to read any criticism or negativity about Eiseley. Thankfully Heidtmann recognized the same things I do; he's not infallible (there are some books of his I simply don't care for) but even so his writing remains awe inspiring, bordering on religious in its intensity and depth. I wish Eiseley were as well known as Thoreau or Emerson, but because his works span over several books he has no "Walden" for people to latch onto, though "The Immense Journey" comes close and is usually people's introduction to his work. The point is that reading this book won't diminish your love for the man but can only open up your understanding of him further.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-05-24 00:00:00 Gary Givens I really enjoyed this memoir of a young girl's experiences at a summer camp. What impressed me the most was her deep and obvious love for this place. Her descriptions were full of this love.