This Too Shall Burn: America in the Age of Wood

I’m writing a book on how environmental catastrophes, particularly the conflagrations that beset wooden towns and cities, shaped American history over centuries. It’s history written in the light (or scorching heat) of today’s climate change. Research partners will mainly read through primary sources in English—novels, newspapers, reports—but will also be asked to review scholarly literature, edit, proofread, and check facts. This will be a chance to not only practice the art of research, but to think about how research feeds into narrative writing. I also occasionally write essays for magazines, and may seek help there, too.