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Echoes of the Badge: Stories from a National Park Service Career
Introducing an extraordinary and unforgettable journey through the eyes of a National Park Service Ranger, John Goodwin. Prepare to be captivated by heart-pounding encounters with dangerous animals, as well as the inspiring triumphs over personal struggles and the discovery of inner strength. This remarkable book is a source of inspiration and enlightenment, showcasing tales of courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication.
John Goodwin's stories will give you a fresh perspective on the National Park Service and the vital role of law enforcement rangers, as you delve into the pages of this captivating read. Be prepared to be inspired by stories of bravery, perseverance, and the awe-inspiring power of nature.
His book has the power to change lives, motivating readers to explore the wonders of nature and fostering a deep appreciation for the invaluable work of park rangers. He encourages individuals to conquer their own challenges and never give up, while providing a profound understanding of the National Park Service.
Within these pages, you will find personal experiences and thrilling adventures he experienced as a law enforcement park ranger, as well as heartwarming accounts of saving lives and facing danger head-on. Gain unique insights into the inner workings of the National Park Service and the pivotal role of law enforcement rangers.
Don't miss out on this captivating book that will forever alter your perception of the world.
Purchase now before the price changes and embark on a transformative journey of courage, resilience, and the boundless wonders of the great outdoors.
John Goodwin's stories will give you a fresh perspective on the National Park Service and the vital role of law enforcement rangers, as you delve into the pages of this captivating read. Be prepared to be inspired by stories of bravery, perseverance, and the awe-inspiring power of nature.
His book has the power to change lives, motivating readers to explore the wonders of nature and fostering a deep appreciation for the invaluable work of park rangers. He encourages individuals to conquer their own challenges and never give up, while providing a profound understanding of the National Park Service.
Within these pages, you will find personal experiences and thrilling adventures he experienced as a law enforcement park ranger, as well as heartwarming accounts of saving lives and facing danger head-on. Gain unique insights into the inner workings of the National Park Service and the pivotal role of law enforcement rangers.
Don't miss out on this captivating book that will forever alter your perception of the world.
Purchase now before the price changes and embark on a transformative journey of courage, resilience, and the boundless wonders of the great outdoors.
372 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2024
8 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
March 3, 2024
Honest, harrowing, heartbreaking, and hopeful
“Stories from a National Park Ranger’s Career” is also hilarious at times, especially when Goodwin employs his dry humor to his escapades involving drunk birds, hungry alligators, aggressive raccoons, and one unfortunate battle with a deceased manatee.
A great book to pick up and read during short breaks, the stories move efficiently as the author guides you to five national parks—Rocky Mountain. Mount Rainier, Everglades, North Cascades, and Golden Gates. After reading forty-five vignettes from these wild landscapes, you’ll get to know the idealistic heart of a dedicated, hard working park ranger—a family man who gave his all to protect National Parks and the people who visit them….and suffered the consequences. Like the plants and wildlife they protect, park rangers have been described as “endangered” and Goodwin fits the bill. Over the course of his career, he was struck by lightning(twice!), assaulted, (many times), overcome by heat exhaustion, tased, nearly shot, and kicked in the groin by a dead guy.
But the emotional toll is often worse than the physical one. So much so that after witnessing tragedies time and time again, the ranger says he became “a shell of a person I used to be.” Goodwin shares his struggles, relapses, and eventual recovery from PTSD with stoic sensitivity. He admits that his goal wasn’t to become a best selling author. “Rather,” he writes, “I wanted to give the public and honest look at a man, who despite his flaws, kept fighting to make a difference in the world.”
Three hundred pages into this eye-opening book detailing an extraordinary life working for the NPS, we are heartened and relieved to see the author is still in one piece. But Goodwin is not the type to recline into an easy retirement. No, not yet. Not this guy. Because, at the end of this epic journey, the beaten yet big-hearted park ranger steps into the fray again, this time, to take on an entirely new challenge.
“Stories from a National Park Ranger’s Career” is also hilarious at times, especially when Goodwin employs his dry humor to his escapades involving drunk birds, hungry alligators, aggressive raccoons, and one unfortunate battle with a deceased manatee.
A great book to pick up and read during short breaks, the stories move efficiently as the author guides you to five national parks—Rocky Mountain. Mount Rainier, Everglades, North Cascades, and Golden Gates. After reading forty-five vignettes from these wild landscapes, you’ll get to know the idealistic heart of a dedicated, hard working park ranger—a family man who gave his all to protect National Parks and the people who visit them….and suffered the consequences. Like the plants and wildlife they protect, park rangers have been described as “endangered” and Goodwin fits the bill. Over the course of his career, he was struck by lightning(twice!), assaulted, (many times), overcome by heat exhaustion, tased, nearly shot, and kicked in the groin by a dead guy.
But the emotional toll is often worse than the physical one. So much so that after witnessing tragedies time and time again, the ranger says he became “a shell of a person I used to be.” Goodwin shares his struggles, relapses, and eventual recovery from PTSD with stoic sensitivity. He admits that his goal wasn’t to become a best selling author. “Rather,” he writes, “I wanted to give the public and honest look at a man, who despite his flaws, kept fighting to make a difference in the world.”
Three hundred pages into this eye-opening book detailing an extraordinary life working for the NPS, we are heartened and relieved to see the author is still in one piece. But Goodwin is not the type to recline into an easy retirement. No, not yet. Not this guy. Because, at the end of this epic journey, the beaten yet big-hearted park ranger steps into the fray again, this time, to take on an entirely new challenge.
February 8, 2024
The book reads as a very candid view into what it is like to work as a park ranger in America's national parks. Presented as a series of short stories, it feels like reading the author's personal journal. We get to briefly experience the highs, lows, challenges, surprises and frustrations of the job. A quick, entertaining and informative read.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews