John Angus McPhee stands as one of the most insightful chroniclers of the natural world in the twentieth century, yet he defies the label of "nature writer." His literary canvas is expansive, ranging from biographies and profiles of athletes and conservation leaders to explorations of geology, physics, and everyday people engaged in their daily work. Born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey, he naturally gravitated towards the local university, graduating in 1953. His career took off in journalism with a position at Time by 1957, and by 1965, he had become a fixture at The New Yorker, where much of his nonfiction found its audience.

Early Works and Diverse Interests

McPhee's initial literary endeavors focused on sports, education, and his home state of New Jersey. His breakthrough piece, A Sense of Where You Are, delved into the Princeton years of basketball star Bill Bradley, who later served as a U.S. senator. In Levels of the Game, McPhee meticulously examined a tennis match between Arthur Ashe and Clark Graebner, while The Headmaster offered a unique portrayal of Frank Boyden, the longstanding principal of Deerfield Academy. Meanwhile, The Pine Barrens provided a window into a secluded region of New Jersey, highlighting its intriguing history and inhabitants, set apart from the urban sprawl of the northeastern corridor.

A Broad Spectrum of Subjects

These books reflect McPhee's wide-ranging interests and the variety of his subject matter. Despite their diversity, they are unified by McPhee's penchant for capturing the essence of unique people and places, rendered through his precise and vivid descriptions. His dedication to thorough research is evident, as he immerses himself in his subjects, engaging with them and those acquainted with their stories, ensuring the accuracy of his accounts through repeated visits if needed.

Alaska and Beyond

McPhee's seminal work, Coming into the Country, illustrates his deep immersion into subject matter, drawn from extensive time spent in Alaska, particularly in the remote Eagle community and on challenging excursions through the state's vast interior. This book masterfully interweaves observations of the natural environment and its wildlife with the narratives of the people braving such a formidable landscape, while also examining the socio-economic dynamics shaping Alaska's future. Like much of McPhee's work, it offers profound insights into the author's own psyche and perception, as he maintains a careful balance between objectivity and personal engagement with his topics.

Geological Journeys

In the 1980s, McPhee ventured into the geological realm, exploring the varied topographies of the United States along the route of Interstate 80, from New Jersey to the West Coast. His geological series features narratives that blend portraits of the guides who educate him on diverse geological phenomena with analyses of the regions' socio-economic landscapes. McPhee's eloquence in depicting geological features and processes makes these subjects accessible to a wide audience.

Exploring Earth's Wonders

McPhee and his geological mentors share a fascination with mountains and distinctive landforms, as evidenced in works like Basin and Range, which studies the geology of the Great Basin's desert landscapes in Nevada and Utah. It's an area rich in history, dotted with abandoned mines and sparse populations, whose stories McPhee finds as compelling as the land they inhabit. In In Suspect Terrain, he traverses the eastern U.S. with a geologist who provides insights into the terrain laid bare by infrastructure projects. Through the lens of this geologist's spirited personality, McPhee demystifies the complexity of geology, making it approachable for readers. Rising from the Plains weaves the tale of a woman who ventured to Wyoming in the 1800s to teach, eventually becoming the mother of McPhee’s...