William Least Heat Moon Quotes

A collection of quotes by William Least Heat Moon.

William Least Heat-Moon is an American travel writer and professor. Born on August 27, 1939, in Kansas City, Missouri, he is best known for his critically acclaimed book "Blue Highways." Heat-Moon's given name, William Trogdon, was changed to Least Heat-Moon to honor his Osage and Cherokee ancestry.

He graduated with a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Missouri and later earned a master's degree in photojournalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Heat-Moon began his career as a professor of English at the University of Missouri before embarking on a transformative journey chronicled in his most notable work.

"Blue Highways," published in 1982, recounts Heat-Moon's cross-country road trip around the United States, sticking to the secondary roads that appear as blue lines on road maps. The book showcases his encounters with a diverse range of individuals and provides profound reflections on American society and its regional cultures. "Blue Highways" became a bestseller and established Heat-Moon as a prominent figure in travel literature.

Throughout his career, Heat-Moon has published several other travel books, including "PrairyErth" (1991) and "River-Horse" (1999). His works are distinguished by rich storytelling, meticulous observations, and an exploration of the American landscape and its people.

While Heat-Moon's public life has seen him traverse the country and share his experiences through his writings, he remains an enigmatic figure, preferring to keep his personal life private.

Suddenly, over the slope, as if tethered to a cord of air dr

Suddenly, over the slope, as if tethered to a cord of air drawing quickly upward, came a Northern Harrier, motionless but for its rising. So still was the bird - wings, tail, head - it might have been a museum specimen. Then, as if atop the wind, it slid down the ridge, tilted a few times, veered, tacked up the hill, its wings hardly shifting. I though, if I could be that hawk for one hour I'd never again be just a man.

William Least Heat Moon

Nature Inspirational

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to d

What you've done becomes the judge of what you're going to do especially in other people's minds. When you're traveling, you are what you are. People don't have your past to hold against you. No yesterdays on the road.

William Least Heat Moon

Past