Challenge of the Big Trees: A Resource History of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

by Lary M. Dilsaver

Book by Dilsaver, Lary, Tweed, William

379 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Tweed is a National Park Service officer, historian, and author par excellence. His prose is as engaging as a mystery writer's, and he conveys a deep love for nature and the NPS. I got to know him 10 years ago when I was a board member of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Foundation. He is inspiring and so is his writing. This is a terrific book for anyone interested in how the NPS came to be, including the intrigue, politics, and personalities that have shaped it.

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skimmed for the Yosemite trip. The book recounts the history of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. I kept thinking of the Simon Winchester book I just read—“Land”. Land seems timeless and infinite, but how do we use and share it? Whose needs are most important? There has always been competition for land and its resources.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent review of the decisions that shaped Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks over the first century of the park service and the years leading to it. It gives a solid overview without getting bogged down in details, and was an insightful read into the history of the park.

[Bryanna Plog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for anyone interested in the history or running of national parks.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really complete history, but I was hoping on some more in depth info on some topics. But very good. Amazing all of the different road and facility proposals over the years. I'm glad I read this while I'm still here, but would have been helpful to have read early season (lots of good info for programs).