Scratching the Woodchuck:
Nature on an Amish Farm
by
David Kline
 
 
        This book is a compilation of observations by David Kline--who's Amish--about his farm during the different seasons of the year.  I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down.  I believe that I read it in two days.  This may be nothing for some folk, but on average I take a week or two to read a book.
        Kline is an acute observer of nature, probably because he's closer to nature than most.  He uses draft horses instead of a tractor, horse manure instead of chemical fertilizers, and he heats his house in the winter mainly by burning wood.  Kline also keeps a variety of species lists of the different flowers, animals, and birds that he observes throughout the year.
        Kline begins his book with how his love of nature developed from his childhood to his adulthood.  Growing up on the farm he currently tends to Kline was exposed to nature throughout his childhood.  He was able to gain a good deal of knowledge from a teacher of his during his schooling. Kline was then exposed to nature writing during the Vietnam War.  Being of age, he was drafted but being Amish he was declared a consciencious objector and worked at a Cleveland Hospital instead.  At the Cleveland Library Kline was exposed to the writings of Aldo Leopold and Edward Way Teale.  Missing nature greatly Kline returned to the family farm where he know resides after serving his country.
        I definitely recommend this book.  To any type of reader I say give it a try.  It is not only about nature but it is about Kline as well and his relationship with nature, which without he wouldn't be the man he is.