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The Pine Barrens
The Pine Barrens | John McPhee
2 posts | 2 read | 6 to read
Most people think of New Jersey as a suburban-industrial corridor that runs between New York and Philadelphia. Yet in the low center of the state is a near wilderness, larger than most national parks, which has been known since the seventeenth century as the Pine Barrens. The term refers to the predominant trees in the vast forests that cover the area and to the quality of the soils below, which are too sandy and acid to be good for farming. On all sides, however, developments of one kind or another have gradually moved in, so that now the central and integral forest is reduced to about a thousand square miles. Although New Jersey has the heaviest population density of any state, huge segments of the Pine Barrens remain uninhabited. The few people who dwell in the region, the "Pineys," are little known and often misunderstood. Here McPhee uses his uncanny skills as a journalist to explore the history of the region and describe the people—and their distinctive folklore—who call it home.
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Eyejaybee
The Pine Barrens | John McPhee
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Beautiful writing beautifully presented in a wonderful edition not only bought from, but also published by, @DauntBooks. Even the Foreword by Iain Sinclair in sumptuous. #thepinenarrens #johnmcphee #dauntbooks #books #book #currentlyreading #bookstagram #history #geography #naturalhistory #newjersey #america #nonfiction #non-fiction #nature #vanishingwilderness

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Mitch
The Pine Barrens | John McPhee
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Originally written in 1968 - this slim volume celebrates the vast pine forests of NJ. I only knew of these from The Sopranos - when Paulie and Chris drive out there to dispose of a body! McPhee takes us past the stereotypes of the area to meet the people, understand the politics & gain deeper appreciation of fragility of this ecosystem & the wider political landscape. It's a beautiful drawing of the area and has cemented by resolve to return soon.

AlaMich The Sopranos is what I always think of too! Eating ketchup from a packet and chasing that huge guy through the forest. 🤣 5y
Mitch @AlaMich exactly! We did a great road trip a few years back inspired by the opening credits ! 5y
iread2much I didn‘t know that New Jersey has forests. I always think of it having beaches and urban areas 😅 5y
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SandyW Hah! My husband will love this! 5y
Mitch @iread2much yeah, large enough to rival Yosemite ! 🙀 5y
Mitch @SandyW really great little book. Highly recommend! 5y
iread2much @Mitch wow, fascinating:) thanks for sharing 5y
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