Knoxville writer celebrates Smokies in new book

Flat Creek Publishing announced recently the release of J. Greg Johnson’s new book, Sanctuary: Meditations from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the National Park, Johnson, award-winning opinion columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel, returned to the backcountry of the Great Smoky Mountains and wrote over two dozen intimate essays on popular places in the park. In Sanctuary, he recalls past hikes and personal experiences, and shares his lifelong love of the mountains and their healing power. Sanctuary includes over 80 photos, an appendix with directions and notes about each trail, and a foreword by Gary R. Wade, Chair Emeritus of Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Trails Forever Endowment of the Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Sanctuary is available at all Great Smoky Mountains Association stores in the National Park, Gatlinburg, Sevierville and Townsend; call 865-436-7833 for information on these location. The book is also available at Carpe Librum Booksellers in Knoxville, Cedar Springs Christian Stores in Knoxville and Oak Ridge, East Tennessee Historical Society’s Museum Shop in Knoxville, and Hastings Books in Maryville.