The Waters Between Us: A Boy, a Father, Outdoor Misadventures and the Healing Power of Nature by Michael TougiasMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Mike Tougias looks back on his childhood and the experiences that shaped him. The author does not shy away from stating his exploits were likely misguided and made life for his mother quite difficult at times. The focus was with the relationship with his father, how they didn’t seem to be able to connect while he was growing up. Tougias thinks his hyperactive and impulsive behavior led to some of the issues. As he grew older and felt calmer in the natural environment, Tougias tried to seek it out more, even encouraging family vacations in a cabin in the woods. This led him to have a goal, to own his own cabin.
There are several themes that could be picked up here: such as giving your kids more freedom to roam and be creative instead of structured play time; cautionary tale for drinking and driving; spending time in nature can calm you. Often these themes were forcefully written, in a preaching manner.
The writing style wasn’t the most polished, but it expressed his thoughts clearly. Surprising since the author wrote and published many books. The primary experience in nature for Tougias was fishing, to where he even called it hunting.
I picked this book up as a nature lover, but the book does not fit well in that category, as this is more about using nature. Sorry, but cutting down trees for a better view isn’t what I love about nature.
Thanks to Rowman & Littlefield / Lyons Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.
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