We must give Wayne Grady full marks for ambition. When his editor wished to elevate him to "the Canadian David Quammen", Grady upped the ante. He wants to be the "John McPhee" of The Great White North. That's about as lofty as you can get. Does he succeed? Does this book herald a replacement for The New Yorker magazine's eclectic journalist? The topics are varied and interesting. Grady explains them clearly and earnestly, with flashes of dry wit.
In his "First Words" introduction, Grady demonstrates his desire to set new patterns. He notes that this collection relies on his columns in "explore" magazine without simply reprinting old material. He has expanded and updated the original material, sometimes overly restricted in lengths and deadline limitations. These, he says, are essays, not merely retread columns. Further, he wishes to have these essays seen as a "single voice" addressing a "unified theme." The voice is his and the theme is that humanity considers itself detached from the remainder of the world. That, he stresses, is an attitude that must be overcome. The theme, thus, is a reconsideration of where evolution has left our species in the natural order of things.
Technology, in its various forms, has allowed this one species to inhabit nearly all the planet, Grady says. Instead of adapting to the local environment, Homo sapiens has learned how to change its surroundings to suit itself. Agriculture remade land use. Various animals were brought into our communities and put to work or on the table. Darwin's natural selection has been replaced by artificial selection of both plants and animals. More, these technologies now have a global reach and impact. Technology now brings to our table products from Mexico and Africa. Is this innovative practice the result of our sub-tropical origins? Do we need these "exotic" foods to survive?, he asks.
We are going beyond the changing of some species to our design, however. We are eliminating species we deem "harmful" in some way. Killing wolves and coyotes was almost a daily ritual for herdsmen a few years ago. It still is for some. Grady's account of the Harters, a retired couple who chase coyotes with a pick-up and a dog team is stomach-wrenching. Their motive, "It keeps us young" beggars comment. The modern capacity to assign guilt by proximity led to the killing of a cougar suspected of attacking a jogger. It was the wrong cougar. Our desire to limit the world we must cope with goes beyond a few geriatrics chasing coyotes or slaughtering predators until we find the one that may have attacked a human. We are expanding our denial of life's diversity into government policy. Grady quotes his hero: "Nature has become an enemy of the state". Grady wants at least an armistace, if not a peace.
Grady isn't contending we give up the benefits our evolved intellect has granted us. His articles on health and dealing with natural threats show his broad approach. It's not a return to our primitive roots he seeks, but the application of some common sense. He also knows that won't be forthcoming unless we are informed about the world around us. He's like his idol in that sense. Has Grady achieved his goal of using nature writing to become the northern equal to McPhee? His thinking certainly places him close, even if his stylistic abilities fall slightly short. And it's Grady's knowledge of and depiction of the issues that make this book valuable. If he's fallen short, it's not for want of trying or talent. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
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