Perspective

"Ecology of a Cracker Childhood" by Janisse Ray is written in the first-person narrative. The story of the struggles and joys of Ray's childhood could not have been told more accurately by anyone else. Her account is told through the eyes of the child who was there to experience them. Of course, a child sees things in a different way than does an adult and there could be a measure of unintended drama added to some of the accounts for that reason.

Janisse Ray's credentials for writing this book are undisputed. Not only did she live her story but she is a renowned poet and author. She graduated with an MFA in creative writing from the University of Montana, and has written professionally for numerous magazines and newspapers. Ray is more than qualified to tell the story of the abused and declining the southeastern longleaf pine forests. She...