Author Muir speaks to enthusiastic group at Writers House
The Daily Pennsylvanian
October 27, 2000
Felt hats, beavers, ever-flowing streams and Wampum shells are all subjects discussed in author Diana Muir's book Reflections in Bullough's Pond.
All these pieces come together in Muir's new work, which deftly chronicles the economic history of New England from the days of the Indians forward.
The book describes the region's history as a series of cycles in which man has exhausted the land's resources only to find new ways of making a living.
Muir read a chapter from her latest work and offered some insights on her subject before a small crowd at the Kelly Writers House.
The chapter Muir read dealt with the history of the beaver trade in New England. Beaver pelts were used to make felt for hats, hugely popular in European markets. The economic demand for the pelts lead to the beaver being hunted to the brink of extinction.
Before opening up the room to discussion and questions, she conveyed the message that she had wanted to write a book that could explain the economics of beavers to anyone with an ordinary 12th-grade education.
"It is a somewhat rarefied style of writing, but this is what I do," Muir explained. "The book took me almost a decade to write."
Muir was introduced by her son, Daily Pennsylvanian Executive Editor Binyamin Appelbaum.
As students inquired about her views -- ranging from the idea behind her book to her opinions on other writers of history -- Muir began to discuss her passion for the environment.
She discussed her views of nature -- indeed, her commitment to ensuring its salvation in a non-polluted state -- declaring that there is "no such thing, anywhere on earth, as natural nature."
She explained her idea when she said that humans have influenced everything on earth at this point, from polar bears in the Arctic having miscarriages to hermaphrodite alligators.
Muir stressed her belief that it is a choice, rather than a privilege, to have human civilization on this planet.
The students and other audience members who attended the book reading and forum said they found it informative and entertaining.
"It's been fascinating," Writers House Director Kerry Sherin told the author. "I'm really glad you came."
Many of the students in attendance expressed similar sentiments.
"I hadn't read the book," College sophomore Mike Stier exclaimed. "But I really did enjoy the snippet."
"It was a wonderful opportunity," said graduate student Jeremy Vetter. "She provoked some interesting discussion among the group."
Students at the Writers House were engrossed by the descriptive writing and the talking that ensued after the reading.