David James Duncan
American novelist, essayist, and environmental activist. Born in Portland, Oregon, and educated at Portland State University, Duncan is best known for his two best-selling novels, The River Why (1983) and The Brothers K (1992), both of which center around his passion for fly-fishing and wilderness. Duncan's other books include River Teeth (1996), a volume of short stories; My Story as Told by Water (2001), a memoir; and most recently God Laughs and Plays: Churchless Sermons in Response to the Preachments of the Fundamentalist Right (2006). A student of Eastern spiritual traditions, Duncan advocates "direct, small-scale compassion-activism" in response to threats to the natural environment. See also davidjamesduncan.com.