A Natural History of Empty Lots
Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places
By Christopher Brown | Publisher: Timber Press
About the book
An \"instant classic\", this genre-bending blend of naturalism, memoir, and social manifesto is a fascinating study for rewilding the city, the self, and society (Jeff VanderMeer, New York Times bestselling author).
During the real estate crash of the late 2000s, Christopher Brown purchased an empty lot in an industrial section of Austin, Texas. The property—abandoned and full of litter and debris—was an unlikely site for a home. Brown had become fascinated with these empty lots around Austin, so-called “ruined” spaces once used for agriculture and industry awaiting their redevelopment. He discovered them to be teeming with natural activity, and embarked on a twenty-year project to live in and document such spaces. There, in our most damaged landscapes, he witnessed the remarkable resilience of wild nature, and how we can heal ourselves by healing the Earth. Beautifully written and philosophically hard-hitting, A Natural History of Empty Lots offers a new lens on human disruption and nature, offering a sense of hope among the edgelands.
“Brown lives far from any conventional battlefield, but he is surrounded by the wreckage of a different war, and he, too, finds hope in cultivating the ruins of nature…A Natural History of Empty Lots is less a departure from the nature writing tradition than a welcome addition to its edgelands.” —New York Review of Books
\"The nature writing we need now.\" —Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts
\"Incredible\" —Kelly Link, Pulitzer Prize finalist
Editions of A Natural History of Empty Lots
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781643263366
- EBook
- ISBN 9781643263373
Read an Excerpt
An \"instant classic\", this genre-bending blend of naturalism, memoir, and social manifesto is a fascinating study for rewilding the city, the self, and society (Jeff VanderMeer, New York Times bestselling author).
During the real estate crash of the late 2000s, Christopher Brown purchased an empty lot in an industrial section of Austin, Texas. The property—abandoned and full of litter and debris—was an unlikely site for a home. Brown had become fascinated with these empty lots around Austin, so-called “ruined” spaces once used for agriculture and industry awaiting their redevelopment. He discovered them to be teeming with natural activity, and embarked on a twenty-year project to live in and document such spaces. There, in our most damaged landscapes, he witnessed the remarkable resilience of wild nature, and how we can heal ourselves by healing the Earth. Beautifully written and philosophically hard-hitting, A Natural History of Empty Lots offers a new lens on human disruption and nature, offering a sense of hope among the edgelands.
“Brown lives far from any conventional battlefield, but he is surrounded by the wreckage of a different war, and he, too, finds hope in cultivating the ruins of nature…A Natural History of Empty Lots is less a departure from the nature writing tradition than a welcome addition to its edgelands.” —New York Review of Books
\"The nature writing we need now.\" —Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts
\"Incredible\" —Kelly Link, Pulitzer Prize finalist
Frequently Asked Questions
What is A Natural History of Empty Lots about?
An \"instant classic\", this genre-bending blend of naturalism, memoir, and social manifesto is a fascinating study for rewilding the city, the self, and society (Jeff VanderMeer, New York Times bestselling author).
During the real estate crash of the late 2000s, Christopher Brown purchased an empty lot in an industrial section of Austin, Texas. The property—abandoned and full of litter and debris—was an unlikely site for a home. Brown had become fascinated with these empty lots around Austin, so-called “ruined” spaces once used for agriculture and industry awaiting their redevelopment. He discovered them to be teeming with natural activity, and embarked on a twenty-year project to live in and document such spaces. There, in our most damaged landscapes, he witnessed the remarkable resilience of wild nature, and how we can heal ourselves by healing the Earth. Beautifully written and philosophically hard-hitting, A Natural History of Empty Lots offers a new lens on human disruption and nature, offering a sense of hope among the edgelands.
“Brown lives far from any conventional battlefield, but he is surrounded by the wreckage of a different war, and he, too, finds hope in cultivating the ruins of nature…A Natural History of Empty Lots is less a departure from the nature writing tradition than a welcome addition to its edgelands.” —New York Review of Books
\"The nature writing we need now.\" —Michelle Nijhuis, author of Beloved Beasts
\"Incredible\" —Kelly Link, Pulitzer Prize finalist
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in A Natural History of Empty Lots?
Lifestyle, Hobbies and Leisure > Nature and the natural world: general interest > The Earth: natural history: general interest
Where can I read a sample of A Natural History of Empty Lots?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781643263366
Who is/are the Author/s of the book A Natural History of Empty Lots?
Christopher Brown
Who is the Publisher of the book A Natural History of Empty Lots?
Timber Press
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
A Natural History of Empty Lots is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781643263366) and ebook(ISBN 9781643263373)
Where can I buy A Natural History of Empty Lots online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy A Natural History of Empty Lots from below
Where can I buy A Natural History of Empty Lots?