Edited by Tori Bush and Richard Goodman. University of Florida Press, 2021.

“The Gulf South: An Anthology of Environmental Writing” is the first collection of environmental writing to explore the rich and diverse ecological tapestry of the Gulf South region. Spanning a century and encompassing the vast stretch from Texas to Florida, this anthology features a wide array of voices that delve into the intricate relationship between people and the region’s ever-evolving ecology.

Editors Tori Bush and Richard Goodman have curated a thoughtful selection of works from various genres, including journalism, poetry, memoir, and graphic nonfiction, offering readers a comprehensive and vivid portrait of this environmentally rich area. The anthology presents works by renowned authors such as Natasha Trethewey, Jesmyn Ward, and E. O. Wilson, as well as emerging writers.

Reflecting a range of different landscapes and their inhabitants, the edited volume emphasizes the human voice and condition throughout its pages. Its pieces address a multitude of subjects, including natural and human-made disasters, industrial impacts, historical events, personal encounters with the environment, and the deep affection for the land and water by those who call the region home.

A timely collection, “The Gulf South: An Anthology of Environmental Writing” sheds light on a region whose impact on American commerce and culture extends far beyond its geographical boundaries. The volume encourages readers to consider how we choose to characterize the environment and its degradation through language, and how these accounts affect our thinking and planning for the future.