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The National Parks: America's Best Idea
The companion volume to the twelve-hour PBS series from the acclaimed filmmaker behind The Civil War, Baseball, and The War
America’s national parks spring from an idea as radical as the Declaration of Independence: that the nation’s most magnificent and sacred places should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone. In this evocative and lavishly illustra...more
America’s national parks spring from an idea as radical as the Declaration of Independence: that the nation’s most magnificent and sacred places should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone. In this evocative and lavishly illustra...more
Hardcover, 432 pages
Published
September 8th 2009
by Knopf
(first published 2009)
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Jeanette
rated it
This may appear to be just a "coffee table" book, but it's much more than that. This is a comprehensive history of our national parks, from the first molecule of an idea right up to the present.
I learned about many of the key figures here and there in my university degree program. This book pulled it all together for me chronologically, so I could appreciate each person's sacrifices and contributions within the context of the emerging national park system.
I've been...more
I learned about many of the key figures here and there in my university degree program. This book pulled it all together for me chronologically, so I could appreciate each person's sacrifices and contributions within the context of the emerging national park system.
I've been...more
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This is an excellent book on our National Parks. Not only does it expound the natural beauties of America, it is also a history of both the national park system and, indirectly, American conservation, which is deeply rooted in our citizens' awe with the land they saw when they expanded westward. Nearly all the the well-known (i.e. John Muir) and lesser-known figures (i.e. Lancelot Jones) in the history of our nation's parks make an appearance. And, like all of Ken Burns' works, it is imbued with...more
Have you seen the PBS documentary series of the same name? You have? OK, then don't bother with the book. Unless you want to read what is essentially the transcript of the narration and interviews from the series, with a few "deleted scenes" of extra stories/extended interviews, this book is a giant repeat of the last twelve hours of documentary-watching. Maybe there are a couple more pictures here and there (and hundreds of the same pictures in the show), but when you're reading w...more
There are two ways to read this book. The first would be a quick scan through, like a coffee table book to browse the beautiful photography and maybe read the short bios and interviews scattered throughout the book. Or, you can read the book in it's entirety and learn the history of how our national parks came to be, and who the pivotal people were who made it happen. Either way, I would give it a 5 star rating. I come from a family who has a great appreciation for the national parks. My gr...more
Cindi
rated it
I'm only in the preface and already loving it. I didn't see much of the PBS special, so I can't wait until my library gets it in. For now, I'm reading this.
Favorite quote so far:
"This is still," John Muir wrote assuredly, "the morning of creation."
This resonates with me and what I feel when I partake of the wild country of America.
Update:Wow! I wasn't able to watch much of this series on tv. I was initially dissatisfied that...more
Favorite quote so far:
"This is still," John Muir wrote assuredly, "the morning of creation."
This resonates with me and what I feel when I partake of the wild country of America.
Update:Wow! I wasn't able to watch much of this series on tv. I was initially dissatisfied that...more
Awesome pictures, interesting stories. Just read about Yosemite and Yellowstone so far.
Fabulous book! Wonderful pictures, wonderful stories. I gather that it is repetitive for those who have already watched the mini-series, but that wasn't a problem for me.
The most eye-opening aspect of the book is the documentation of the constant, CONSTANT attempts by citizens, corporations, and politicians to destroy the parks in order to make money off of them. Some of the stori...more
Fabulous book! Wonderful pictures, wonderful stories. I gather that it is repetitive for those who have already watched the mini-series, but that wasn't a problem for me.
The most eye-opening aspect of the book is the documentation of the constant, CONSTANT attempts by citizens, corporations, and politicians to destroy the parks in order to make money off of them. Some of the stori...more
An excellent companion book to the PBS documentary about our national parks!
I really like how well it matches up with what was said it the documentary. I could almost hear the people speaking as I read the words printed in the book.
I loved reading the interviews; especially with Gerard Baker and Shelton Johnson. Shelton Johnson was very impressive in the documentary and he is equally impressive in the book. His voice was very lyrical in the documentary. I could listen to ...more
I really like how well it matches up with what was said it the documentary. I could almost hear the people speaking as I read the words printed in the book.
I loved reading the interviews; especially with Gerard Baker and Shelton Johnson. Shelton Johnson was very impressive in the documentary and he is equally impressive in the book. His voice was very lyrical in the documentary. I could listen to ...more
Have to confess that I didn't read this book cover-to-cover (yet), but it is a terrific companion to the PBS series by the same name. This beautiful book will appeal to vacationers, nature lovers, and history buffs alike. The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a comprehensive history of the park system and the people who had a passion to preserve these fantastic places for current and future Americans, brought to life with words, interviews, quotes and stunning photography. You certainly don...more
National Parks preserve some of the most breathtaking landscapes in our Country. But if most people are like me, we don't often wonder about the people and processes which created them. Following the financial crisis of 2008, and the huge government bailout and spending programs initiated as a result, there's been a clamor for smaller government across the board, and certainly for less government spending and taxing. However , the author makes a good case for the establishment of the Nationa...more
I loved reading the history of the National Parks. It got me homesick for the West as I remembered camping on most of these National Parks growing up, and what do you know, we moved West! This book is based on the PBS mini series by Ken Burns. The parks are written about in the order the National Park was formed. The history on making Yellowstone a National Park was most interesting, and I learned a lot about Pres. Teddy Roosevelt's role in helping establish these national treasures. I'm even (...more
I listened to this as an audio book, but own the book as well. I loved learning about the history of our national parks and how they came to be. I enjoyed learning about all the people that fought for the parks and had the vision to foresee that generations of Americans would come to treasure them. Now I would like to read more about John Muir. On a recent trip to Yosemite, I told someone that I had been a Sierra Club member since 1996. They said, "Welcome Home". After reading th...more
“For the first time in human history, land--great sections of our natural landscape--was set aside, not for kings or noblemen or the very rich, but for everyone, for all time.” -Ken Burns
At the risk of offending Ken Burns' fans, I found the PBS narrative to be a bit tedious (sorry, Ken Burns!), AND despite his wonderful intro (quoted above). However, this companion book to his documentary about our National Parks is a GEM. I liked the fact that I could take my time and choose...more
At the risk of offending Ken Burns' fans, I found the PBS narrative to be a bit tedious (sorry, Ken Burns!), AND despite his wonderful intro (quoted above). However, this companion book to his documentary about our National Parks is a GEM. I liked the fact that I could take my time and choose...more
I recommend the book, the audio book, and the DVD of this series to anyone who enjoys nature in any way. The book is a perfect bedtime story, something to read right before falling asleep. You can see pictures of the most beautiful places in the world and read about the battles that were won to protect them, and then you can dream about being there.
I recommend the audio book for listening to during a stressful commute to work. The material is read by an impressive cast of narrators a...more
I recommend the audio book for listening to during a stressful commute to work. The material is read by an impressive cast of narrators a...more
The book version of Ken Burns documentary. It was soooooo good, I had no idea that the history of our national parks could have so many interesting stories and that I would meet such amazing people!!! Living in Europe till I was 20, I've been so excited to "see America first" (a campaign slogan the railroads used) before we travel abroad, what we lack in cathedrals and castles we make up for in canyons and waterfalls . . . and SEQUOIA'S! Oh my goodness, they're marvelous and unparal...more
Lavishly illustrated with full color and b/w photos, this companion to the PBS special does not disappoint those who are interested in the formation, conservation, and upkeep of our US National Parks. A great coffee table book which will spark endless conversation about the majesty and wonder of our National Park System and the need for public lands. Heavy and oversized but a visual delight. Only drawback is that it could have had more color photos. Clear, readable text. Do try it!
I have to admit, I really just wanted to look at the pictures. I didn't read most of it, but the bits here and there that I did were interesting. I'm sure as a comprehensive look at the history of the national parks, it is pretty good, there are probably better "photographic photo tour" books out there if you want to just look and not read.
I still want to see the TV series/documentary... but reading the book gave me a pretty good sense of the history & heart behind the National Park system. As is typical for PBS books AND Ken Burns-project-related books, it gets a little verbose & overly poetic in the text, but that can be overlooked as these folks are working hard to tell the stories of people we barely know who made a major dent on how we view the natural world & natural wonders.
Recommended.
Recommended.
The most fascinating book I've read recently, this is a history of the parks and the people associated with them. It's chock-full of stunning photographs, both aesthetically and historically, and of stories of transcendent experiences due to the parks. The lengths to which individual Americans have gone to create and preserve these parks sent chills down my spine.
I guarantee you'll want to head off to the nearest National Park after reading this.
I guarantee you'll want to head off to the nearest National Park after reading this.
This is a great book - I highly recommend it if you're interested in the history of the National Parks - it's also a great coffee-table book for park pictures. The reason it's under the "not finished" category is b/c I had to return it to the library (someone else requested it) - I got about half way through in a month -- it is coffee table book size, so reading takes some time.
I also recommend the documentary this accompanies, though I've only watched a very small part of it t...more
I also recommend the documentary this accompanies, though I've only watched a very small part of it t...more
Fabulous read! I was already "in love" with our national parks, but now I appreciate them even more. I'm so glad to know the history -- the struggles and the deep commitment of several individuals who fought to create our parks and the park system in hopes that some of the world's most beautiful areas would be protected for all generations to come. And John Muir - wow - now some of his books are on my "must read" list.
I haven't yet seen the Ken Burns documentary on our National Parks, and was a bit leery of wading through this audiobook, but Duncan and Burns are wonderful writers, and I was swept away. It's a marvelous story, filled with fascinating characters and revealing insights. For those of us who've visited the parks, and especially for those who haven't, this book is extremely important.
Loved it. Amazing personal histories and unbelievable struggles to bring us the national parks. I didn't realize how much opposition each park had to overcome, and the huge influence that individual crusaders exerted.
A very interesting history of the National Parks in America. The sad part is that this history is steeped in politics, and the amazing part is so much land has been saved due to the people with foresight.
Incredibly unique and special book. From the description, it's hard to convey how riveting this kind of story is; since there's no unifying storyline, and since a history of the national parks needs to ramble a bit, it's hard to do the book justice. Like doing justice to visiting a national park, I suppose, you really just have to go there to appreciate it. Besides focusing on fascinating people and places, it's also easily the most patriotic book I've ever read: celebrating the fact that th...more
A very unique view of American politics and history from the perspective of the national parks. It's extremely well done and interesting, but don't expect a geology or ecology lesson from this book - it's primarily historical.
I listened to this audiobook while I traipsed around the U.S. from one national park to the next with my little boy. Some people have reviewed this book and said that it's essentially the same as the Ken Burns' documentaries of the same name. Wrong. This book is much more in-depth (in fact, too in-depth for someone like me who probably could have done it with some light reading while driving down the windy roads of Rocky Mountain National Park or out of the canyons of Yosemite).
Great ...more
Great ...more
Good companion to the documentary. Full of brilliant photography, and the text is an enjoyable refresher on all the names, places, & etc.
Wonderful history and pictures of all of the national parks. Makes you want to add all of them to the bucket list.
Great photos! The history was interesting, but the photos is what made it really worth reading.
The pictures were breathtaking. The history and narrative were detailed and informative. But I just never did really get into it.
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Historian and screenwriter Geoffrey C. Ward is the author of 14 books, including Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (2004) and co-author, with Ken Burns, of The War: An Intimate History, 1941-1945 (Knopf, 2007). He has also written or co-written many documentary films, including The Civil War, Baseball, and Jazz. The recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award and th...more
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