Autobiography Ecology and the Well-Placed Self expands the field of autobiography studies by
describing an emergent genre natural biography that embeds the human subject in a
more-than-human world. Through an ecocritical analysis of three contemporary U.S. authors -
William Kittredge Terry Tempest Williams and Mary Clearman Blew - Nathan Straight illustrates
how ecologically situated life writing bridges the human nature divide and responds to the
pressing environmental and communal demands of our times. In his exploration of the well-placed
self he challenges traditional concepts of the autobiographical subject and considers new
models of selfhood in relation to regional and national identities. His illuminating
discussions of specific texts engage with ecofeminist and bioregional theory and will appeal to
readers in environmental studies literary criticism and American regionalism. Autobiography
Ecology and the Well-Placed Self presents an important new perspective onplace-based identity
and literature and the inclusion of a «Selected Readings» appendix makes it a valuable
resource for scholars and students alike.
