My writing explores the connections between the natural world and the traditional cultures of the American Southwest and Europe. Current works in progress include So Much More Than Trees: The Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forest and The Flower Clock: What Wildflowers Tell Us About Time.
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The Natural World of Saint Francis of Assisi. For eight centuries, folk wisdom has passed down the simple story of Saint Francis preaching to the birds. Many who know nothing else about him revere this passionate saint for his love of nature.
This book is a richly illustrated account of the natural world of central Italy that Saint Francis knew and loved, with medieval quotations by and about the saint, a chronology of his life, and a map of the region.
The Natural World of Saint Francis of Assisi
"The beauty of Umbria that inspired Francis is still there today, as you will see in the evocative words of Susan Lamb and the remarkable photographs of Tom Bean. The rocks and landscapes, the winds and climate, the rivers, lakes and marshes, the plants and animals of Umbria and the neighboring parts of Italy are all brought to life in this book. It could serve as a substitute for going there, or better, it could be the inspiration for a trip, and a memory afterward."
Dr. Walter Alvarez, Geologist and Author of
T.Rex and the Crater of Doom and The Mountains of Saint Francis.
"This book provides a valuable service, for it helps us to perceive the Earth not as a jumble of objects, but rather a communion of subjects (as Thomas Berry suggests), participating in the life of creation as holy gift of God. May Sister, Mother Earth, depicted in these pages, inspire you as it did Francis."
Keith Douglass Warner, OFM.
"We just spent the last hour paging through The Natural World of St. Francis. I wish you could have heard our comments. Your work, both the narrative and photographs, is just beyond description. We visualized you sitting at your desks poring over the Sources to get the absolutely perfect quotations for the sidebars. For the contemplative souls who love Francis and have been in Umbria it is a meditation that will help us walk the terrain all over again with Francis and his companions. I can’t even begin to say what this book means to us. It is a gift to know you and know how much love and care you put into this book. As we enjoyed your photo on the back cover, we commented that you look like you have an inner sense of knowing that this is a masterpiece. I think Francis and his 'guys' are rejoicing—just enjoying it all over again themselves."
Sister Teresine Glaser, OSF.
Pueblo and Mission
"The thoughtful text approaches the topic of culture and history with reverence…The result is an interdisciplinary story written by a scholar whose generous spirit excludes no one." Bloomsbury Review.
Ancient Walls
"There is a perfect balance between the facts you need to understand and the quality of magic in the places, the haunting haunted evocative specialness of the places. I incline to be silly on this subject, this book does it honor." Book Bag.
Channel Islands National Park
"The author has a pleasing way of telling the story of the history, geology, and wildlife of these not-so-remote places." Selection of Western Books, Rounce and Coffin Club, Occidental College.
A Guide to Navajo Rugs
"Very well done presentation of an unusual subject. Good, quick, clearly expert information here. The quotes are a nice element. Subject is excellently handled." Conference of National Park Cooperating Associatons.
Lightfall and Time
"Lamb’s texts emphasize in literate prose the geological structures that give these National Parks their individual natures." University of Arizona Library “Critical Checklist of Current Southwestern Americana.”
