In American Places, Wallace Stegner and his son, Page Stegner, journey across the American landscape to explore how geography has shaped the nation's identity, history, and imagination. Blending travel writing, history, memoir, environmental reflection, and cultural criticism, the authors visit iconic regions—from the deserts of the Southwest and the Great Plains to New England villages and the Pacific Coast—examining the enduring relationship between people and place. Rather than serving as a conventional travel guide, the book offers a thoughtful meditation on the landscapes that have inspired explorers, artists, writers, and generations of Americans, arguing that an understanding of place is essential to understanding the country's character.
About the Author
Wallace Stegner (1909–1993) was one of America's most celebrated novelists, historians, essayists, and environmental thinkers. Often called the "Dean of Western Writers," he received both the Pulitzer Prize for Angle of Repose and the National Book Award for The Spectator Bird. A longtime professor at Stanford University, Stegner profoundly influenced generations of writers while advocating for conservation and thoughtful stewardship of the American West. His son, Page Stegner, is an accomplished novelist, essayist, and educator whose work frequently explores environmental issues and the cultural history of the American landscape. Together, they bring both historical scholarship and personal insight to American Places.
