"Artist George Olson has a special affinity for sketching plants of the vanishing American prairie. The fine results of his assiduous efforts are an excellent companion to John Madson's absorbing and informative essay on the North American prairie. Together, Olson and Madson are the ideal authors for this satisfying book, an aggregate of art, plants, and history."--James J. White, curator of art and principal research scholar, Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation
"Capturing the spirit of individual prairie plants in a way that is both moving and beautiful, George Olson here presents a sensitive and loving visual memoir of the plants that now survive mainly in small patches of natural grassland and glades. A book to be appreciated by all who love nature!"--Peter H. Raven, director, Missouri Botanical Garden
"George Olson and John Madson are the artist laureate and poet laureate of the prairie. They capture its beauty, complexity, and magic in ways that allow us to really see and feel and understand this uniquely American habitat and all that it represents. The Elemental Prairie's compelling mix of illustration and text make it one of the best natural history publications I have seen in a very long time."--Robert McCracken Peck, Senior Fellow and Librarian, Academy of Natural Sciences