From the wonder of the first American explorers to cries for conservation from contemporary writers, this substantive collection of articles and essays includes writings on science, travel, country life, hunting, and fishing in the central Atlantic region, with period illustrations and naturalist drawings. Here you'll find Walt Whitman's musings on bird migrations at midnight; John Lederer's account of the first recorded expedition, with native guides, to the summit of the Blue Ridge mountains; Pendleton Kennedy's reflections on a 19th-century fishing trip to Blackwater River; and Tom Horton on serious dangers that the Potomac continues to face.

"This region of ours is a jewel. If there be any doubt, read these authors. Their voices will fuel not only many future journeys but also explorations of the mind.... The readings brim with lyrical prose and memorable lines."—Audubon Naturalist News

"An extraordinary book that looks through time and space—and through changing perceptions—at the nature of the mid-Atlantic region.... The book makes accessible a tremendous and eclectic range of fine regional writing—not only selections from lesser-known authors, but also lesser-known pieces of the many famous writers included."—Baltimore Sun