The Peace of Blue
Water Journeys
Bill Belleville
"Eloquent. Belleville's passion and curiosity invigorate us and challenge us to rediscover the world as if for the first time."—Ann Fisher-Wirth, coeditor of The Ecopoetry Anthology
"Belleville reminds us of the fragile nature of our springs, rivers, lakes, beaches, and shorelines while always celebrating their beauty. This book, combining the best of Henry David Thoreau and Rachel Carson, is a necessary addition to every bookshelf."—Steve Noll, coauthor of Ditch of Dreams
The Earth's surface is mostly oceans, the human body is approximately 60% water, and the human imagination has been captivated by this life-giving, life-sustaining liquid from time immemorial.
According to Carl Hiaasen, Bill Belleville "writes gorgeously and straight from the heart." In The Peace of Blue, the documentarian and nature writer guides you on a lyrical journey to the natural places in Florida and the Caribbean that have been forged and shaped by water. He poetically affirms the vitality of this most essential substance in our lives by showing the many ways in which water-driven landscapes nurture plants, wildlife—and the human spirit.
Experience the thrill of traveling to the remote islands of Cuba and to sacred cenotes in the Dominican Republic. Contemplate the shores of Florida's rivers and lakes, and marvel at swamps and seepage slopes. Immerse yourself in the underwater world of clear, fresh springs, and dive into the deep karst caves that are worlds unto themselves.
Through adventure and contemplative excursions, Belleville shares his contagious respect—and awe—for the singularity and transcendence of the natural world. We are companions in his search for a distinct sense of place, fellow journeymen in his quest to discover within the watery depths a greater awareness that informs and shapes our common identity.
Bill Belleville is a documentary filmmaker and the author of several books, including Losing It All to Sprawl: How Progress Ate My Cracker Landscape, Salvaging the Real Florida: Lost and Found in the State of Dreams, and River of Lakes: A Journey on Florida’s St. Johns River.
- Sample Chapter(s):
- Excerpt
- Table of Contents
- Press Kit
Awards
Florida Book Award for Florida Nonfiction, Silver - 2014
The author breathes life into these narratives by providing crisp on-site observations that help re-create his many walkabouts and adventures – near, atop, or under water.
--Sanford Herald
Through his remarkable ability to describe the natural history, anthropogenic influences, and the ecological connections of Florida’s wild places, Belleville is able to transport every reader into the peace that surrounds us in our water. Belleville also helps us understand the threats to these natural systems from Florida’s unbridled sprawl.
--EU Jacksonville
The collection of story-driven essays from Florida and the Antilles takes readers on a literary journey from above, under and near fresh and marine waters while also explaining how essential these resources have been to our region of the earth over time.
--Sanford Herald
Bill masterfully describes his experiences while weaving in some historical and natural facts, creating a riveting story that draws readers in.
--Lake Mary Life
In tightly woven essays, he strives to argue… that the watery wilderness is threatened.
--Foreword Reveiws
Takes us from one end of Florida to the other and parts of the Caribbean where Bellevile finds inspiration and discovery.
--City and Shore Magazine
Describes excursions through springs, rivers, oceans, and other bodies of water. Belleville’s essays reveal his affection for Florida’s watery wonders.
--Forum
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