From the cover, " Jonathan Williams has had a life-long interest in underdogs, strays, mavericks. For more that fifty years he has prowled the margins of the culture, writing, listening closely, photographing. 'A Palbable Elysium' is a treasure trove of his findings: poets, musicians, artists, photographers, a few tombstones, a few follies, a few gardens." Guy Davenport has contributed an opening essay. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.

The obituary of Johnson states that during hikes with Jonathan Williams on the Appalachian Trail, through the English Lake District, and throughout Europe. According to this obiturary, Johnson learned to become a writer by "paying attention to what he saw." -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.