People We Like: Wendell Berry

During the holidays, we at AltTulsa like to sit down with a good book or two. One of our long-time favorites is the Kentucky writer and poet Wendell Berry. Berry is an unusual American writer, a literary man who has spent years working on his family's land in rural Kentucky.

When he's not composing poems, essays, and novels, he's a leading spokesman for a number of worthy causes, including alternative farming and land-use policies. Berry's life and his work represent old-fashioned American virtues, such notions as hard work, stewardship of the land, and the simple pleasures of nature. We've also admired his devotion to his wife of many years, Tanya, who is an obvious inspiration in his life and work. Even the titles of Berry's books carry the message of devotion, hope, and joy: A Place on Earth, Openings, The Country of Marriage, A Continuous Harmony, to name just a few.

In this season of joy and good will toward men, we tip our hat to
Kentucky's own Wendell Berry, a joy to read and re-read even on the
Oklahoma prairies.