Wildlife Photograph

UT Press publishes Lyn’s first book

Saturday April 21, 2007
Book signing at Ijams Saturday, May 5

Natural Histories: Stories from the Tennessee Valley available in Ijams museum shop

 

For any writer, having a book published is a time for celebration. Particularly so when it is a staff member of Ijams Nature Center!

 

For the past few years, Stephen Lyn Bales has been diligently working on his first book published by University of Tennessee Press. "Natural Histories:

Stories from the Tennessee Valley" is a fabulous trip through the lush and diverse Tennessee Valley. Each of the book’s 16 chapters focuses on the life

histories of key animal or plant species found in the region as well as their historical connections to the valley. No rock, literal or metaphoric, is left

unturned as Lyn takes us up and down the valley to discover the natural wonder and beauty of the Carolina chickadee, wild turkey, opossum, whip-poor-will, cicada, bald eagle, sycamore, pawpaw and many more. 

 

Lyn’s captivating writing style really kicks in when nature intersects with thought-provoking episodes throughout our history. How did the Osage orange play a part in one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War? How did a two-inch fish, the snail darter,

almost bring TVA’s ambitious reservoir project to its knees? What is the connection between the opossum and the Lost State of Franklin? Lyn answers all of these questions with panache as he takes the reader on a time-traveling trip through the distant past as well as the present.

 

You may already be familiar with Lyn’s articles in the "farragutpress" and "Hellbender Press." Or you may have had the pleasure of attending one of his

nature walks or programs. If so, you have already been exposed to Lyn’s talent as a published writer and educator. However, the mark of a great nature writer is to live and breathe the outdoors and to take the reader along as if they are silent companions on the journey. Like one of his literary heroes, Jack Kerouac, Lyn takes the reader with him "on the road." Yet, even for an outsider like me (I’m a Brit and a relative newcomer to the region), Lyn makes you feel like you’ve lived here all along.

 

The History Channel is often fond of saying that its programs "bring the past alive." Lyn does just that and teaches us about the subtleties of nature at the

same time. Rounding out the book is a charming selection of line drawings by the author himself. So, if you haven’t already guessed—I heartily recommend this book!

 

Join me in congratulating Lyn on this notable achievement. I also invite you to come and hear Lyn talk about his book on Saturday, May 5 at 2 p.m. at Ijams. Copies will be available for purchase. Please call 577-4717 ext. 10 to register.

By Paul James, Executive Director 

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