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| Sand County Almanac (Outdoor Essays & Reflections) | 
| Author: Aldo Leopold
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy New: $3.94
You Save: $4.05 (51%)
New (52) Collectible (3) from $3.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  74 reviews
Sales Rank: 13093
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 320
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.1 x 1
ISBN: 0345345053
Dewey Decimal Number: 508.73
EAN: 9780345345059
ASIN: 0345345053
Publication Date: December 12, 1986
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Crucial early conservation writings. August 18, 2005
9 out of 19 found this review helpful
As I reread this book, I kept finding ideas that were eerily modern. Leopold talked of preserving Arctic areas. He talked of roadless wilderness. He discussed the ethic of placing nature first, at least some of the time, even if it meant that humans wouldn't see or benefit in any economic way. This work was one of the earliest environmental books, written when there were very few others.
The first part is a month-by-month account of nature in Wisconsin. Leopold discusses natural history, hunting, land use policy, and other similar aspects throughout a year. Then there are several short essays on various similar subjects.
Leopold is an adequate author, but it is not his prose that sets him apart. (This is the reason for 3 stars) His ideas are profound and influential. Reading this book now will not seem as exciting as reading it 40 years ago when his ideas were not as generally accepted.
Another criticism is that Leopold seems rather full of himself. Conservation and land ethics had been around for quite a while by then, and Leopold never mentions Theodore Roosevelt, John Wesley Powell, Gifford Pinchot, or John Muir. Leopold owed a debt to these earlier conservationists that he never acknowledges in this book. Reading the book would leave you believing that all this conservation stuff never crossed any other human's mind until Leopold thought of it.
This book is not for sitting down and reading all the way through. I suspect that if you do this you will be soon nodding off. But if you read a chapter here and there from time to time, and think about the ideas expressed, you will be well served.
So, overall, a book of important ideas written in less than exciting form.
 Sustainable Wisdom July 30, 2005
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
My introduction to Aldo Leopold's words, reverberating within the covers of A Sand County Almanac, was at the age
of 5 on the earthy beat of my mother's voice. The message, though above my 5-years ability to comprehend, tolled
deep within. To this day I can still recall the imagery flowing across my imaginary stage as mom read the recounting
of Leopolds perceptive observations. Even though at 5 I'd never seen a wild goose, deer or turkey in my home
woods; and had never heard anyone talk of them there; I knew with a ferver, that they could be in my woods: they
should be in my home woods. I knew I would look for them there as well.
My first 'personal read' of A Sand County Almanac, was from that same book, checked out from the Library where my
mom worked. Even though I'd heard the words several times before, each page was a new adventure. But much more
than the adventure I felt when reading the adventure stories I'd read from time-to-time on the 'kids' shelves'. This
adventure was happening in a very real world; my world. That adventure went with me every day as I shuffled among
the leaves, branches, rocks and soil in my home woods; as I stealthly searched under rocks, in the riffles and holes of
my home waters.
Though I read of Leopold's observations in Wisconsin, Arizona, Illinois, Missouri and other places, I saw each of them
in my home woods; along the banks of my home creek; among the fields of my home wanderings.
Leopold's words did not become my words ... no, they inspired my innermost heartbeat to rise to the surface where
in time I developed my own 'home words'. Those are the same words that guide me to this very day.
This book is much more than a collection of words from a wise man. A Sand County Almanac is an inspired text.
Inspired by a time far removed from where our society stands today. Written by a man with a clear-eyed vision of
the future; from wisdom, born of knowledge and understanding on how to attain a better future; above the usual
human frailty. All said, in simple, clear, humble tones that beckon you to listen; to learn; to understand; to wisely
apply: to pass on. Leopold was a scientiest with a wonderous command for the ability to put his thoughts in the more
peaceable tones ... even when those words are meant as stern, hard-hitting corrections.
In essence, A Sand County Almanac is one of those rare pieces of literature that promotes the finest form of
sustainability: natural wisdom.
A Sand County Almanac is a must read for all people; of all ages; for all times. It is timeless and so is our human need to
hear it's timeless message. Read it often. Read it to others. Pass on the wisdom found within its pages.
Leopold would be the first to tell you, the book is not about him; it's far more important than a mere man. The book is
about peaceful coexistence with ourselves and all that encompasses life on this magnificent planet. A Sand County
Almanac is a guidebook to attaining a balanced life ... with all life, on earth.
The Ballantine version is censored June 6, 2005
64 out of 67 found this review helpful
I would give the actual ORIGINAL version of the text a 5 star rating, and indeed do so for the Oxford University Press edition. That version is slightly more expensive in Paperback, but has a better introduction and, more importantly, is actually printed as originally written by Leopold. The Ballantine version has been censored by the publisher to remove several sentences which either explcitly use the word "evolution" or which imply it.
Granted, these are only a few sentences out of the entire book. But it makes this work something other than the work which is seminal in the field of environmental philosophy and naturalism, and such censorship is intrinsically objectionable-note also that the publisher nowhere in this book tells you that such alterations have been made nor is this version described as an abridged or edited version. Further, this change makes this version unacceptable for use in teaching science courses where censorship because of ideology or market share is beyond the pale.
If you find any hint of evolution to be distracting (for one reason or another) from the fine naturalistic writing in which Leopold engages (evolution is not central to his argument or description), or are too cash-strapped to shell out an extra few bucks for the OUP edition or something at your local used book store or don't have the time to go to the library, by all means purchase this version. It is similar in most ways to Leopold's written work. But this is not to be mistaken for that work in its entirety.
The Conservationist Bible May 28, 2005
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book should be part of every persons education and incorporated into cirriculums everywhere.
Sewell's photos of Sand County April 3, 2005
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I first read Leopold's "Almanac" in 1981 as part of my undergraduate studies in ecology and now as a teacher make it part of our class reading because of Leopold's artistic ability with diction. However,only when I received this latest edition as a gift from students did I realize how little I understood the beauty of Sand County; Michael Sewell walked Leopold's footsteps and captured in brilliant color the world of Wisconsin that so inspired this poetic icon. Perhaps the greatest gift I've ever received from students.
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Wildlife, nature and the Environment
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