Sharpe's Blog: The Wooded Sea

Sharpe

2/7/2017

The Wooded Sea

For this weeks reading, we had to read chapter four of the book "Mountains of the Heart" by Scott Weidensaul. Within the chapter, it states "in the spring of 1776, as the Continental Congress grappled with the word independence in Pennsylvania (Weidensaul, 57)." Unlike most of my classmates in the class, I am a huge history buff. But to me, I think this statement is not necessary for the book. To me, I think it should just state the year, and go on to talk about William Bartram.

Betsy Ross Flag

(Author: Unknown)

Photo Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_flag_13_stars_%E2%80%93_Betsy_Ross.svg

Another interesting fact that I noticed was when the author was discussing the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest. The main theme was that "the surrounding woodland was clear-cut in the first two decades of the twentieth century. Then, in 1925 a huge wildfire" hit the region next to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest (Weidensaul, 58). To me, it is surprising that this piece of land was able to survive for so long without being destroyed by human greed or by natural causes. In addition, I also believe that the topic of this page should also be decreased in size. Mostly on the extra words that the author placed in. Like the regions that were cut down by human interactions.

Location of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest

(Author: Unknown)

Photo Location: http://www.carolinaoutdoorsguide.com/joycekilmerforest.html

Another depressing thing within the chapter was when the author was discussing about the Chestnut trees that use to grow in the United States. "At one time, the more northern areas were oak-chestnut forest, until an introduced blight killed the great chestnut" (Weidensaul, 65). A depressing story, about a species of plant within the United States that ended up being severely reduced in population size, due to human ignorance, and carelessness. A tragedy that could have been prevented.