Bob Marshall in the Adirondacks: Writings of a Pioneering Peak-Bagger, Pond-Hopper, and Wilderness Preservationist

by Phil Brown (Editor)

Nearly forty writings about the Adirondacks by one of America's greatest champions of wilderness. These articles reveal Marshall's deep personal connection to the Adirondacks and the inspiration for his commitment to wilderness preservation.

Genres: History

308 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2006

Reviews

[Michael Morrisey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book includes a variety of writings including descriptions and ratings of Adirondack outings, more scholarly articles on wilderness generally, and a few things written by other authors. Two of my favorite pieces are in the Supplementary Materials section: "Contributions to the Life History of the Northwestern Lumberjack," Bob Marshall's tongue-in-cheek anthropological study of lumberjacks, and "Approach to the Mountains," his brother George's rumination on the changing nature of the wilderness experience with the advent of the automobile. I like the evolving picture the book presents of this man from a century ago, an extreme hiker even as a youth before studying forestry, chasing the pure wilderness encounters of the surveyors of the century before whose accounts had so captivated him, and unable to ignore the effects of logging and tourism on his own experiences of wilderness.

[Jenny Dohner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was only slightly interesting to me. I didn’t finish as it didn’t keep my attention. I love the area and being out in it, but the accounts were more of a journal for him ( exactly what he intended) and just not entertaining/engaging for me.

[Tony C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read book for anyone interested in Adirondack history and hiking.

[Thefeintinggoat · Rating 4 out of 5]

"It is true that certain people of great erudition "come inevitably to feel that if life has any value at all, then that value comes in thought," and so they regard mere physical pleasures as puerile inconsequences. But there are others, perfectly capable of comprehending relativity and the quantum theory, who find equal ecstasy in non-intellectual adventure. It is entirely irrelevant which viewpoint is correct; each is applicable to whoever entertains it. The important consideration is that both groups are entitled to indulge their penchant, and in the second instance this is scarcely possible without the freedom of wilderness. "
Bob Marshall -- The Problem of the Wilderness.

"Perhaps all this is merely one man's nostalgia. However, I believe it has this further meaning. Road walking having become a thing of the past, the transition to the mood of forest and mountain now must take place entirely within the wilderness itself. It really cannot occur by fiat at the car door or the trailhead with the speed and ease of switching off the ignition. Hours of walking and plenty of space are required for the transition alone. Much more of time and of big, roadless country are needed to give the opportunity for that complete and satisfying wilderness experience which thousands of people seek each year on their vacations into the backwoods. This re-emphasizes the continuing importance both to guard the boundaries of our Forest Preserve and to protect the wild-forest atmosphere within in order to preserve the wilderness and its unique, superlative values for generations to come. "
George Marshall - Approach to the Mountains."

"Time inevitably rounds off the sharp corners of detail and leaves only a softly curving mass we call impression. "