Special Feature

A glance at Orion‘s coverage of September 11, 2001

Thoughts in the Presence of Fear,” by Wendell Berry

A web exclusive to the Autumn 2001 issue of Orion, also published by Orion in In the Presence of Fear, available for purchase in the online store.

“The time will soon come when we will not be able to remember the horrors of September 11 without remembering also the unquestioning technological and economic optimism that ended on that day.”

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September/October 2011 Orion Editorial

“Ten years ago, a weekday that dawned in the usual fashion was quickly eclipsed by the unthinkable. It was a day that no American will ever forget. As disbelief gave way to despondency, we were forced to confront the hard truth of the moment. Nothing would ever be the same for us, or for our country.”

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Autumn 2001 Orion Editorial: Citizens of One World

“On the morning of September 14, we met to discuss the final layouts of this issue of Orion. Virtually the entire magazine was complete at that point, with only this page and a few others still lacking text. With the pages spread on the floor before us, we sought to resolve some problems…”

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In the Presence of Fear: Three Essays for a Changed World
By Wendell Berry

“Thoughts in the Presence of Fear”
“The Idea of a Local Economy”
“In Distrust of Movements”

In these three poignant essays, prolific author Wendell Berry reflects deeply on the current sources of world hope and despair. Berry’s powerful “Thoughts in the Presence of Fear,” written in response to the September 11 attacks, originally appeared on Orion’s website, and has since been reprinted in seventy-three countries and seven languages. Orion has now made it available in print form, along with two related essays by Berry previously published in Orion magazine. Together, they provide a much-needed road map to a full cultural recovery.

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Poster: Wendell Berry

Wendell Berry’s “A Citizen’s Response to the National Security Strategy of the United States of America,” from the March/April 2003 Orion, printed beautifully as a poster.

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