by Brian O'Riley | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks
We are about half way through the quarter right now — a good time to review some of the major themes in the class so far. Thus “compass bearings.” I think it is useful to consider the course in relationship to where we are today — where we are...
by Brian O'Riley | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks
During the past couple of months in History 453 we have often discussed the spiritual value of wilderness; and during the past couple of weeks we have studied a closely-related concept, the therapeutic value of wilderness — think Nash and “Wild.”....
by bill-youngs | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks
October, 2021: I wrote the fireside talk that follows several years ago, while visiting a “History of the American Wilderness ” student, Brian O’Riley. At the beginning of the class that year — as this year also — the students introduced...
by bill-youngs | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks
Wadi Rum is a marvelous wilderness of sand and rock in the Kingdom of Jordan. Long ago it was the setting for some of the scenes in the film “Lawrence of Arabia.” Recently it was the setting for all of the “Martian” scenery in the film of that...
by Brian O'Riley | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks, National Park
Again and again in History 453 we have encountered the question, what is wilderness? I would argue that one of the most useful concepts in answering this question is to do away with absolutes — with the idea that “wilderness” is an absolute. —...
by Brian O'Riley | Sep 14, 2023 | Fireside Talks, National Park
Tanzania Journal (2) Recurring Introduction: During August, 2021, I went to Tanzania with my family — eight of us in all. During this Fall Quarter I will post notes and images about our Safari for our course on the American wilderness. Now, of course, Tanzania...
