Description
Wallace Stegner is one of the finest American writers, teachers, and environmentalists of the twentieth century. While his writing, both fiction and nonfiction, was recognized by a Pulitzer Prize, a National Book Award, and many other distinctions major and minor, his legacy is much larger than any of these would suggest. His Stegner Fellows from Stanford include some of the best writers and scholars of this generation. His thoughtful environmental activism has ever more relevance for the world of today. His riveting nonfiction is taught in colleges and universities worldwide, and his subtle, many-layered fiction has brought joy, sometimes irritation, and inspiration to thousands of hopeful writers as well as readers.

Reviews
"Quite simply, Jackson Benson is the best-versed specialist we have on Stegner, whom I consider the best of our recent Western writers. The collection links a superb critic/biographer with a premier western writer. These essays reveal the strengths of Benson's approach to Stegner. Not only does he provide revealing commentaries on the best-known of Stegner's novels, nonfiction, and short stories, he also furnishes new material on Stegner's role in conservation and environmental efforts, his less recognized writings, and his friendship with Robert Frost." —Richard Etulain, author of Stegner: Conversations on History and Literature

"As Benson traces Stegner's development as a writer, he argues that Stegner truly developed his artistic voice late in his career, with the publication of his final four novels. Benson pays particular attention to what many believe to be Stegner's masterpiece, Angle of Repose (1971), as well as personal doubts that Stegner wrestled with throughout his career. Benson takes great pains to cover all sides and thoroughly addresses criticism of Stegner's work. This well-balanced biography is not afraid to shed a critical eye on Stegner and will be of great interest to Stegner fans and literary scholars alike." —Brendan Dowling, Booklist

"These well-seasoned Lemonade reflections are going on my shelf, right next to Benson's big biography. Down by the Lemonade Springs ought to be shelved within easy reach in all our public libraries, and in quite a few private ones, too. It is a good addition." —Russell Burrows, Utah Historical Quarterly, Summer 2002

“Readers of these essays will likely fall into two groups: those who have already read much of Stegner’s work and those who will.” —James W. Thomas, Pacific Coast Philology, 37 (2002)

“Jackson J. Benson has done it again. Down by the Lemonade Springs is a thoughtful, thoroughly researched and well-written book on one of the most important western authors of our time.” —Paul Strand

Contents
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Introduction: A Teacher for All Seasons
1 Writing as the Expression of Belief
2 The Battle Against Rugged Individualism
3 Artist as Environmentalist
4 Evaluating the Environmentalist
5 Why I Can't Read Elizabeth Cook-Lynn
6 Finding a Voice of His Own: The Story of Wallace Stegner's Fiction
7 The Short Stories: The College Years
8 A Friendship with Consequences: Robert Frost and Wallace Stegner
9 "Eastering": Wallace Stegner's Love Affair with Vermont in Crossing to Safety
10 An Introduction to Wallace Stegner's Angle of Repose
Chronology
Notes
Works Cited
Index