Gary Snyder and Eastern Influence

The Back Country (1971) stands as one of Gary Snyder's most beautifully woven tapestries, where Eastern philosophies gracefully intertwine with the rugged essence of the western United States. This collection is particularly captivating due to its harmonious fusion of East Asian wisdom and American cultural identity.

Buddhist Poetry Anthology

Beneath a Single Moon: Buddhism in Contemporary American Poetry, published in 1991, emerges as perhaps the most prolific anthology on Buddhist themes, sprawling over 358 pages. Under the editorial guidance of Kent Johnson and Craig Paulenich, and introduced by Gary Snyder himself, this formidable volume gathers a myriad of poems from global voices, featuring luminaries such as Stephen Berg, Diane Di Prima, Allen Ginsberg, and Anthony Piccione.

Jack Kerouac's Buddhist Exploration

While Jack Kerouac's name often sparks thoughts of his Beat-generation masterpiece On the Road, his novel Dharma Bums, published in 1958, unveils an intimate glimpse into his Buddhist journey during his mid-1950s California sojourn. Within its pages, "Japhy Ryder"—a character embodying the spirit of a poet, woodsman, and Buddhist—mirrors the real-life presence of Kerouac’s friend and guide, Gary Snyder.

Native American Perspectives

American Indian Studies: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Contemporary Issues, edited by Dane Morrison and brought to life in 1997, offers a fresh and thought-provoking lens on diverse elements of Native American existence. This compilation of essays assembles the expertise of scholars across various fields—ranging from economics and education to literature and religion—each illuminating a unique facet of the American Indian narrative.

Myths and Legends Brought to Life

Gerald Hausman's Tunkashila: From the Birth of Turtle Island to the Blood of Wounded Knee, released in 1994, unfolds like a rich tapestry of storytelling rather than a mere collection of fables and myths. Through 88 myths accompanied by 100 vivid illustrations, the book breathes life into enduring Indian legends, bridging ancient tales with the modern world.

Environmental Ethics

Robin Attfield's The Ethics of a Global Environment presents an engaging, approachable discourse on the moral responsibilities humans bear towards nature, the bounty of natural resources, and the planet as a whole. Attfield envisions compelling future scenarios, grappling with issues such as dwindling water supplies, shifting climates, overpopulation, and the ravaging of ecosystems.