What a wonderful book. Thoughful description of a part of New Jersey I never knew existed (or rather I had heard mentioned but had no idea what it was). Very reminiscent of "The Spirit of the Mountains" in its treatment of a land and people outside the mainstream. And like "Maryland: A Middle Temperment," I wish there was an update (this book dates to 1968) to know what has happened to the land... ( )

McPhee explores the natural history and culture of New Jersey’s Pine Barrens in this book developed from articles originally published in The New Yorker. Although the Pine Barrens is not geographically in Appalachia, its local culture seems very familiar to this southern Appalachian native. I was drawn to this book when I learned through family history research that a many-times great-uncle and cousins operated the Batsto Furnace from the late eighteenth century to the mid-nineteenth century. Batsto gets a couple page mention in this book.

The New York Times revisited the Pine Barrens in a 1985 article, speaking to the son of McPhee’s local guide, Fred Brown. In the twenty years between McPhee’s book and the NYT article, tourists and industry discovered the Pine Barrens. Did the attention from McPhee’s book hasten the inevitable “wheels of progress”? ( )

Published in 1967. John McPhee visits, interviews and documents the people and disappearing culture of the Pine Barrens that cover a large portion of southern New Jersey. There, people made a living from the land, doing seasonal work; farming, making charcoal, iron, hunting and other endeavors. Some worked in nearby towns and cities.

The vast area is a natural wonderland adjacent to some of the most populated areas on the Eastern Seaboard. The area supported blueberry and cranberry crops. Pickers were bussed in from Philadelphia in some cases. The barrens are susceptible to fire. “It is because of fire that pines are dominant in the Pine Barrens.” “Eighty-four different kinds of birds breed in the Pine Barrens, not to mention the ones that make stopovers there.” “The beavers are big and surprisingly fierce.”

Development has been attempted. “Over the years, more than a million people have bought or otherwise acquired lots in the Pine Barrens on which no houses have ever been built.” A “Supersonic Jetport” where supersonic jets would land “ninety minutes after leaving Paris” was envisioned around the time McPhee was researching the book. It seems funny now.

The legend of the Jersey Devil originated in the pines.

This is John McPhee’s typical mix of interesting people well observed, intensive research and telling detail combined to make an informative and entertaining book.

As a footnote, the Pinelands National Reserve was established in 1978 to protect and preserve the ecology of 1.1 million acres of the barrens. This book likely contributed to that effort. ( )

The Pine Barrens of New Jersey have been a wild area since colonial times. While New Jersey as most people see it from the highways seems totally developed the Pine Barrens remain wild. John McPhee used his suburb writing skill to tell about this unique land and the people who inhabit it. The "Pineys" have a reputation not unlike many backwoods folks of being inbred and backward. McPhee found them to be hospitable but shy. Even if I never get to see and explore the Pine Barrens I am glad I found this book. ( )

McPcPhee opens with a chapter to be read again and again.

Some slow movers follow, notably with the focus on industry.

When the author returns to nature and his Pinney muse, the tales flow.

For future editors, maps would be welcome. ( )