Freedom in the Wilds

Book excerpt: Harold Weston's Freedom in the Wilds brings an informal history of the rugged Adirondack wilderness together with Weston’s own adventures there as an artist. The vivid and spirited stories he gathered from guides, lumbermen, and visionaries continue to make the case for preserving the wild lands of the region. First published in 1971, the book became a classic of Adirondack literature notable for its exploration of the dynamic relationship between wilderness and creativity and its ever more relevant appeal to protect an area within ourselves forever wild. In this third edition, Rebecca Foster brings Weston’s fascinating personal story to the foreground. A new section of the book with excerpts from Weston’s rich storehouse of letters and diaries will be a revelation to fans of Weston’s work or for anyone interested in the growth of an impassioned, artistic mind. Here too are new illustrations, explanatory notes, and an introduction tracing the irrepressible energy behind Weston’s accomplishments, including the writings in this book.