“In the literary tradition of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau come the poignant reflections of the Great Western Catskills from lifelong naturalist Leslie T. Sharpe. A former “flatlander,” Sharpe traded bustling New York City for the untamed mountains of the Catskills—and the critters that inhabit them. Now, in her new book THE QUARRY FOX: And Other Critters of the Wild Catskills, Sharpe trains her keen eye and narrative gifts on the surrounding wildlife through her tales of close observations as a naturalist living in this scenic region. Fans of Annie Dillard’s Pilgrim at Tinker Creek will be drawn to Sharpe’s beautiful descriptions of the Catskill wilderness.
THE QUARRY FOX is the first in-depth study of Catskill
wildlife since legendary nature writer John Burroughs first chronicled the area in the 19th century. Now, Sharpe breathes new life into these storied mountains, introducing the genre to a whole new audience. Through her lyrical prose, she weaves her experiences with the seasons, plants and creatures with their natural history, revealing their sensitivity to and resilience against the splendor and cruelty of Nature.”