Liberty and Freedom: North Carolina's Tour of the Bill of Rights (original) (raw)
I n western North Carolina, communities hundreds of years old are now under assault. Population growth exceeds the carrying capacity of the land and triggers permanent environmental degradation, while the influx of newcomers swamps local traditions, values, and adaptations to the surrounding ecosystems. Sound bad? It is, but End of Eden offers hope and illustrates a way to communicate effectively about the very real dangers that threaten the communities, human and natural, of the mountains of North Carolina. A poet and environmentalist, Thomas Rain Crowe is the author of twenty books, including Johnson illustrates the beauty and biodiversity of western North Carolina. The first of the book's three sections presents broader perspectives on the ecosystems, history, and cultures of the mountains. The second, a collection of articles and editorials, focuses on local issues and political responses. Crowe concludes with columns from the Smoky Mountain News that capture the vibrancy and promise of the Jackson County Farmer's Market. The farmers market is one traditional organization that is getting much attention now as a sustainable solution to current economic and environmental problems.
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