THE PINE BARRENS

Grover Gardner imbues this exploration of a charming section of rural New Jersey, first published in 1968, with a knowledgeable and authoritative tone. The celebrated and groundbreaking NEW YORKER reporter John McPhee runs into several colorful characters, now long gone, during his visit. This look back at a simpler, more rural time both entertains and informs. Gardner's even and rhythmic delivery explains how seventeenth-century residents first used the name Pine Barrens for the vast area in the state's center. One of the best feature writers ever, McPhee uncovers the importance of its pine trees and loamy soil. Gardner pairs an inquisitive tone with McPhee's uncanny abilities as a reporter to survey this territory and its inhabitants. R.O. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2024]