nature writing

Outside's 25 is a broad collection of subject matter that has been published in the magazine during the last 5 years or so. While I enjoyed the entire book, some of the narratives were especially good.

Over the last decade or so "Outside" has repeatedly proven itself to be the magazine with the most compelling and well-written feature stories anywhere. For example, Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" and Sebastian Junger's "The Perfect Storm" began as stories in the magazine. The definition of what constitutes an "Outside" article is very loose and there are stories here about animals, landscapes, extreme sports, exotic travels, and yes, even an ongioing Communist insurgency. "Outside" is the magazine you read if you want to know what is going on in the world around you beyond the insipid sniping of politicians and celebrity-obssessed news reports.

"Outside 25" collects nearly three dozen articles into a nearly 600 page volume that never lags for a second. Some of the "giants" of modern literature and journalism are here, including the aforementioned Krakauer and Junger, Peter Maas, Hampton Sides, Paul Theroux, Tim Cahill, Bob Shacochis and many others. The one thing ever piece has in common is a refusal to in any way to limit the imagination. The articles are almost all from the last five years, meaning that they are mostly still fresh and relevant.

Overall, an outstanding and well thought out collection that even couch potatoes can enjoy.