Matthew Dickerson

Discover the enchantment of Tolkien's Middle-earth... "What are the costs of military victory? Is mercy sometimes too expensive? Can torture ever be justified? Are there any moral absolutes in a world of competing faiths and cultures? A Hobbit Journey traces these and many other issues through their surprisingly detailed presentation in Tolkien's fiction. If anyone should still doubt Tolkien's applicability and relevance to the 21st century, this is the book to put in their hands." -Thomas Shippey, author of J. R. R. Tolkien: Author of the Century "J. R. R. Tolkien's stories are countries full of treasure that will go undiscovered and unappreciated unless we learn how to be attentive treasure hunters. Matthew Dickerson writes as one who has spent his summers in the Shire, hiked every trail in Mirkwood Forest, taken counsel from Gandalf, and argued with Gollum and Smaug. It's as though he sharpened the tools of his intellect in deep conversation with Tolkien himself. He will prove to be a thought-provoking guide through Middle-earth whether you're a frequent visitor there or a newcomer ready for the adventure of a lifetime." -Jeffrey Overstreet, author of Auralia's Colors and Through a Screen Darkly "A Hobbit Journey instantly engages readers with its combination of scholarly knowledge and love for J. R. R. Tolkien's work. Matthew Dickerson resists imposing his own rigid, limiting thesis and instead interprets the text by simply pointing out to fellow readers what is there. In doing so, he illuminates the power of Tolkien's stories to challenge, delight, and transform us." -Colin Duriez, author of Tolkien and C. S. Lewis: The Gift of Friendship and J. R. R. Tolkien: The Making of a Legend

The Lord our God has set his glory in the heavens and made us stewards over the works of his hands--all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild. Yet how often do we stop to consider the world around us, or be mindful of the creatures he has made? In this illustrated book two naturalists collaborate to help us to delight and wonder at the works of God, through careful attentiveness to creation, as well as seek to deepen our understanding of why such attentive wonder is so important. In doing so, Birds in the Sky, Fish in the Sea draws us to deeper worship of the Creator, who made not only birds and fishes, but also trees and toads, lizards and lilies, the denizens of the deep, and the bumblebees of our own backyards--as well as the air and waters through which they fly and swim, and the earth across which they run and crawl. Begin to explore our Father's world through the microscope of this collection of essays, poetry, drawings, and prints, allowing it to inspire you to join with all of Creation and sing "Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth "

"One of America's greatest (and most threatened) glories is its network of public lands, and in this volume, the talented Dickerson makes the most of them. These landscapes are not the backdrop but the foreground of his lovely essays, that will make you want to travel to these treasures." -Bill McKibben, author of Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet

Matthew Dickerson takes his readers from an Applachian trout stream in western North Carolina where wild trout are reduced to sipping cigarette butts, up through his home state of Vermont where development and the ski industry threaten the state's iconic pastoral riversides, and finally into western Maine to a once dead river that has returned to life. The tale takes us not only to the three eponymous rivers, but to other nearby streams and waters. Though neither an historical nor as scientific text, the writing is informed by both, and as readers are drawn through the tale, they will grow in their own understanding of both stream ecology and the history of human habitation and consumption. The book is illustrated by original prints from Vermont artist Courtney Allenson.

The Salvelinus, the Sockeye, and the Egg-Sucking Leech: Abundance and Diversity in the Bristol Bay Drainage (from the Eyes of an Angler) is the fourth book in Matthew Dickerson's Heartstreams series. This exciting ramble among the remote and beautiful mountains, lakes, and rivers of around Alaska's Bristol Bay is full of encounters with bears, caribou, and other wildlife. But the heart of the book is Dickerson's exploration of native trout, river ecology, and the joys of experiencing wild places and fish by casting flies among them. This volume focuses on rivers and lakes in Alaska's Bristol Bay drainage, and on the native fish that inhabit those waters, from the abundant sockeye salmon species to the Salvelinus genus, which includes the stunningly beautiful Dolly Varden char as well as its cousin the Arctic char, the northernmost freshwater fish species in the world. Although the book explores some of the environmental threats facing these waters, the stories are also full of hope, delight, and awe. Though not a science text, it is well-informed by science as well as by the author's careful eye. The book also includes photographs by Alaskan bush pilot Glen Alsworth.

Explores the impact and importance of Greek mythology, Arthurian legend, fairy tales, and other works of fantasy on the literary culture of today.