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FOR THE LOVE OF SOME ISLANDS by Floyd Schmoe

FOR THE LOVE OF SOME ISLANDS

By

Publisher: Harper & Row

A thoroughly contented, retired Quaker naturalist writes a brief, philosophic yet engaging memoir of some years spent in casual exploration of the waters and land and around the San Juan Islands of Puget Sound. Having fallen in love with all aspects of this beautiful piece of the Pacific Northwest early in his career as forester, biologist and teacher, he returned to them time and again with his growing family. In 1961 he constructed a houseboat with a window in the bottom anchored in Friday Harbor to observe, learn and ""take stock."" He has produced a nicely written episodic narrative with a warm flow of wonder, feelings and nature description. He manifests strong faith in evolution but a strange distaste (for a scientist) of the battles for survival he witnessed. Actually, this is a testament to an unusual man whose intense satisfaction with what he has learned and experienced in life is evident throughout.