"I have talked about luscious wines and succulent fruit and exquisite dinners. But there may be no more evocative experience of the two valleys than the smell of new-mown hay in the fields at dusk. If a person were to close their eyes, they could not tell if they were in Provence or the North Fork Valley. That sweet, earthy odor is part of the beauty of these places." -From An American ProvenceIn this poetic personal narrative, Thomas P. Huber reflects on two seemingly unrelated places-the North Fork Valley in western Colorado and the Coulon River Valley in Provence, France-and finds a shared landscape and sense of place. What began as a simple comparison of two like places in distant locations turned into a more complex, interesting, and personal task. Much is similar-the light, the valleys, the climate, the agriculture. And much is less so-the history, the geology, the physical makeup of villages. Using a geographer's eye and passion for the land and people, Huber examines the regions' similarities and differences to explore the common emotional impact of each region. Part intimate travelogue and part case study of geography in the real world, An American Provence illuminates the importance sense of place plays in who we are.

About the Author
Thomas P. Huber is a professor of geography and environmental studies at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

Reviews
"Tom Huber's perspectives, rooted in geography and the sense of place, should awaken readers to a work that refines the definition of a nonfiction narrative....Huber shines in his ability to evaluate his perceptions of sensory qualitites that are influenced by a variety of physiological and psychological factors and his ability to draw out and articulate those criteria that are often hidden in subtle cultural influences." -Douglas Fowler, Center for Colorado and the West



Book Information
ISBN 9781607321507
Author Thomas P. Huber
Format Hardback
Page Count 224
Imprint University Press of Colorado
Publisher University Press of Colorado
Weight(grams) 506g
Dimensions(mm) 235mm * 159mm * 23mm