Synopses & Reviews
These essays have such charm and perfection of style that reading them gives me a greater sense of well-being than the pills I occasionally take for my back. And that is powerful medicine. -Katherine A. Powers, Boston Globe. . . a graceful and gracious observer of the human condition. -Wilson Quarterly . . . will give more lasting pleasure than anything currently on the nonfiction bestseller list. . . . This is a wonderful book, made even more so by the pen-and-ink drawings of Mitchell's longtime illustrator, artist Susan Davis. -Michael Dirda, Washington Post Book WorldNow . . . I can have my Mitchell seven days a week and twice on Sundays without fussing (all-thumbs Mitchell fashion) with microfiche reels. -Indianapolis StarThis is a stimulating collection of essays by a man who had something to say and knew how to say it well. -Library Journal . . . superb . . . acute observations by a writer whose sharp eye and grace with words are a blessing to those fortunate enough to read them. -Publishers WeeklyThis man's place in the wilder, more creative confines of journalism is secure. This man's voice will never die. This man's voice will resound forever. -Benjamin Bradlee, The Washington PostBest known for his gardening columns in the Washington Post, some of which were gathered in two famous books, The Essential Earthman and One Man's Garden, Henry Mitchell (who died in 1993) also wrote feature stories and for years had a general interest column called Any Day. This new book collects the most enduring of those popular columns as well as some of the most memorable features from this great writer.
Synopsis
Henry Mitchell wrote for the Washington Post from the early 1970s to 1991. He was best known for his gardening columns, some of which have been gathered in two beloved books, The Essential Earthman and One Man's Garden. In addition to his gardening columns, Mr. Mitchell also wrote feature stories and for years had a general interest column that appeared on Fridays under the title Any Day. This book collects the most enduring of those brilliant columns. Henry Mitchell was a bit of a curmudgeon. He had an eye for cant and an even sharper eye for the deeper truths of reality. Never pompous, his columns were frequently hilarious. He could make you cry, he could make you weep and he could catch you up in the midst of a busy, confusing day and make you pause and reflect: Hey, look at this! He will make you feel good about being a flawed human, and he will even make you think that mortality isn't so bad.
Readers who have enjoyed The Essential Earthman and One Man's Garden will thrill to discover their favorite author's additional accomplishments as they are represented in this lovely book. The illustrations are by Susan Davis, a gifted Maryland artist whose work accompanied many of Henry's columns during the 1980s and 1990s.
Synopsis
Henry Mitchell wrote for the Washington Post from the early 1970s to 1991. He was best known for his gardening columns, some of which have been gathered in two beloved books, The Essential Earthman and One Man's Garden. In addition to his horticultural writing, Mitchell also wrote feature stories and for years had a general interest column that appeared on Fridays under the title "Any Day." This new book collects the most enduring of those popular columns as well as some of the most memorable features. Henry Mitchell had an eye for cant and an even sharper eye for the truths that matter. Never pompous, his columns were frequently hilarious. He could make you cry or see afresh or feel good about being a flawed human. He could even make you think that mortality isn't so bad. He was, that is, a great writer.
About the Author
Henry Mitchell, who died in 1993, was a long-time columnist for the Washington Post and the author of two famous gardening books, The Essential Earthman and One Man's Garden.