These Wilds Beyond Our Fences

Synopsis

Tackling some of the world's most profound questions through the intimate lens of fatherhood, Bayo Akomolafe embarks on a journey of discovery as he maps the contours of the spaces between himself and his three-year-old daughter, Alethea. In a narrative that manages to be both intricate and unguarded, he discovers that something as commonplace as becoming a father is a cosmic event of unprecedented proportions. Using this realization as a touchstone, he is led to consider the strangeness of his own soul, contemplate the myths and rituals of modernity, ask questions about food and justice, ponder what it means to be human, evaluate what we can do about climate change, and wonder what our collective yearnings for a better world tell us about ourselves. These Wilds Beyond Our Fences is a passionate attempt to make sense of our disconnection in a world where it is easy to feel untethered and lost. It is a father's search for meaning, for a place of belonging, and for reassurance that the world will embrace and support our children once we are gone.

Summary

These Wilds Beyond Our Fences, by Millie Phillips, is an exploration of our relationship- and disconnection- with the natural world. The book follows a journey from suburban life, through a set of wilderness experiences, to a close connection and understanding of the Earth and our place within the circle of life. The chapters of the book follow Phillips' journey of discovery in stages.

Chapter One examines the disconnection that we feel in our everyday lives from the natural world and our struggles to reconnect. Phillips uses her own experiences and those of her family to illustrate this disconnection, which is now so common for people living in modern cities.

Chapter Two introduces the idea of exploration and how it can bring us closer to the natural world. Phillips talks about choosing to go on a series of wilderness trips, including a hike in the Grand Canyon, and her first experience of the truly wild. Phillips describes her initial fears and trepidation in entering what she perceives as an alien landscape, but how her journey eventually leads to a new understanding and appreciation of nature.

Chapter Three dives into the idea of balance and interconnectedness between humans and nature. Phillips explains how the wilderness is a difficult and formidable environment, but one that can unlock new opportunities and insights within our lives. She relates the need for balance in our lives with that of the wilderness, and how in connecting with nature, both man and the environment benefit from the relationship.

Chapter Four explores the idea of solitude and how it is essential to deepening our connection to the natural world. Phillips recounts visiting a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and how she was able to reflect, unwind, and come to terms with her past. The chapter captures the feeling of isolation and reverence of the wilderness and the way it can drive us to examine our relationships with ourselves and the world.

Chapter Five focuses on the idea of home and belonging in the wild. Phillips talks about the freedom and joy of living in nature for a while and her own sense of home and belonging in the wilderness. Here she dives into the importance of place, both emotionally and geographically, and how our sense of home in the natural world is a window into understanding our place in the world.

Chapter Six covers Phillips' journey and relates it to others. Here, she looks at how these experiences have changed her, and how she has now developed a renewed sense of purpose and identity. She relates it to the larger picture of the disconnection between ourselves and the natural world, and how her journey was able to close that gap and develop a new understanding of our relationship with nature.

Chapter Seven brings the book to a close, as Phillips discusses her final thoughts on the journey and what she has learned. She has come to understand that there is no single answer for how we should view the world, but that having experienced her journey and explored the natural world, there is now a much closer connection between herself and nature.

Overall, These Wilds Beyond Our Fences is an exploration of our relationship with the natural world and how it can benefit us by giving us a better understanding of ourselves and the planet. Phillips' journey serves as a testament to how important it is to maintain a balance between man and nature and how taking time to explore the environment can lead to a deeper connection. With wisdom and insight, These Wilds Beyond Our Fences serves as an insightful guide to exploring our place in and relationship with the world.