WCC English Faculty Member Maryam Barrie To Discuss "The End Of Country" Book by Seamus McGraw

“The End Of Country” By Seamus McGraw

Maryam Barrie – WCC English Faculty Member To Lead Discussion

Book Focuses On The Fracking Industry

Thursday, Oct. 17, 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Activity Part of WCC Sustainability Literacy Task Force [SLTF] Year Of Energy Celebration

The book focuses on the controversial issue of fracking - the process of removing trapped natural gas by high pressure injections of water, sand, and chemicals.

The discussion is free and open to the public.

Book synopsis: “The End of Country”, published by Random House, illuminates the way fracking is done. The book is set in a small town in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania, where gas drillers have come to the area with grand promises.

Author Seamus McGraw recounts how fracking has turned his mother’s quiet rural community, and his family legacy, inside out.

McGraw informs the reader about the complexities of a natural gas boom and contains impartial information about the history of natural gas extraction, and the more recent and monumental discovery of hydraulic fracturing.

Seamus McGraw is an American journalist and author. He has received the Freedom of Information Award from the Associated Press Managing Editors as well as honors from the Casey Foundation and the Society of Professional Journalists.

The discussion will focus on how the natural gas companies speculation on the land affects the underemployed community where McGraw’s family resides.

WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, Oct. 17th from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Writing Center, Crane Liberal Arts and Science Building, Washtenaw Community College, 4800 E. Huron Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105.

WHY: “We look forward to a spirited discussion about the fracking industry,” said Maryam Barrie, WCC English faculty member.” “Fracking for natural gas has become a hotly debated issue across the United States – some industry leaders highlight the benefits the practice holds [e.g., offsetting the cost of importing oil] – yet health and environmental groups question its safety [e.g. exposure to fracking chemicals has shown to be toxic and poisonous]. Our conversation will focus on the breadth of perspectives and in particular, how the fracking industry affected the lives of author McGraw’s family,” Barrie added. “In fact, according to McGraw, the two most dangerous chemicals that are used far too liberally in the fracking process are testosterone and adrenaline.”

[Editor’s note: Contacts: Maryam Barrie, WCC Faculty, English, Member of SLTF Committee, is available for interviews. Contact Susan Ferraro at snferraro@wccnet.edu or (734) 922-5568.]

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) has made education accessible and affordable for the local community for 48 years. Located in Ann Arbor, MI, the College offers over 120 degrees and certificates, an open door admission policy and affordable tuition rates. WCC is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, the regional accrediting organization recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.