Description
Book SynopsisThe fascinating biography of the Scots-born man regarded as the `father of America’s national parks’.
Trade ReviewJohn Muir changed the world – yet in this country we know almost nothing of him. Perhaps it's true that a prophet is without honour in his own land, but Mary Colwell is seeking to put that right, and she does him justice in this lively and accessible account. I hope it ensures that he now achieves the recognition in his homeland that is long overdue -- George Monbiot
John Muir is now regarded as the father of the great American national parks, a man who was far ahead of his time when he urged Americans to balance their headlong rush to development with a respect for nature, and especially for their unique wilderness areas. In this book, Mary Colwell, writer and film-maker, presents a clear and engaging account of Muir’s harsh upbringing in Scotland, and his later public role in the United States, where he led by example, living off the land in a minimal way, and writing powerfully about his love of Nature -- Professor Mike Benton
This is a most important biography. As environmentalists we may feel that we already know the man and his achievements but Mary Colwell gives us the whole life which is much less familiar. It was complex and not always easy. From harsh beginnings both physical and mental Muir emerged as a great speaker and writer about the natural world with huge influence in the USA and beyond. The most compelling aspect of Muir’s character is that, from childhood, he had an intense emotional and spiritual response to nature in all its forms. Colwell emphasises this at every point in her biography and correctly so. This is his key message to us now. We need to love the Earth for only from love can we generate a proper concern without which our species has no long-term future. -- Professor Aubrey Manning OBE
In his Foreword, Jonathon Porritt says `John Muir was indeed a quite extraordinary man … the author eloquently captures what it was that made him so special “as a naturalist, pioneering explorer, botanist, glaciologist, mystic, writer and activist.”’ -- Jonathon Porritt
'As this book so beautifully makes clear, John Muir deserves to better known by British naturalists. Read this and meet the man whose writing, commitment and integrity persuaded a president that nature matters.’ -- Professor Tim Birkhead FRS
"I wondered what an author could possibly find to say about Muir that had not been said before, but I found your thoughts fresh, thoughtful, and perceptive. For a British reader, who is likely new to Muir, you have provided an excellent starting point for understanding this fascinating man." -- Bill Tweed, former Chief Naturalist for Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
“Mary Colwell has performed a great service in bringing this engaging character to our attention. Her very readable account of his colourful life, and the contradictions within it, is liberally leavened with quotations from his extensive writings.” -- The Church Times
Table of ContentsContents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 9
FOREWORD 10
INTRODUCTION 14
CHAPTER 1 DUNBAR BOY 19
CHAPTER 2 EARLY AMERICAN DAYS 37
CHAPTER 3 THE YEARS OF LABOUR 55
CHAPTER 4 LEARNING AND INVENTING 70
CHAPTER 5 THE TRANSITION YEARS 85
CHAPTER 6 A LONG WAY FROM HOME 101
CHAPTER 7 THE BEST LAID PLANS 119
CHAPTER 8 COMING HOME 138
CHAPTER 9 JOHN OF THE MOUNTAINS 154
CHAPTER 10 OUT OF THE WILDERNESS 177
CHAPTER 11 ALASKAN ADVENTURES 197
CHAPTER 12 PREPARING FOR THE FIGHT 217
CHAPTER 13 THE LAST BATTLES 235
EPILOGUE JOHN MUIR TODAY 259
BIBLIOGRAPHY 271
INDEX 284
