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The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books
An omnibus of eight books of mountaineering and conservation "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth", "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf", "My First Summer in the Sierra", "The Mountains of California", "Our National Parks", "The Yosemite", "Travels in Alaska" and "Steep Trials".
1030 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1992
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497 people want to read
About the author
John Muir
596 books1,423 followersJohn Muir (1838 – 1914) was a Scottish-American naturalist, author, and early advocate of preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books telling of his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, have been read by millions. His activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is now one of the most important conservation organizations in the United States. One of the best-known hiking trails in the U.S., the 211-mile (340 km) John Muir Trail, was named in his honor. Other such places include Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, John Muir College, Mount Muir, Camp Muir and Muir Glacier.
In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large nature areas. He is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks" and the National Park Service has produced a short documentary about his life.
Muir's biographer, Steven J. Holmes, believes that Muir has become "one of the patron saints of twentieth-century American environmental activity," both political and recreational. As a result, his writings are commonly discussed in books and journals, and he is often quoted by nature photographers such as Ansel Adams. "Muir has profoundly shaped the very categories through which Americans understand and envision their relationships with the natural world," writes Holmes. Muir was noted for being an ecological thinker, political spokesman, and religious prophet, whose writings became a personal guide into nature for countless individuals, making his name "almost ubiquitous" in the modern environmental consciousness. According to author William Anderson, Muir exemplified "the archetype of our oneness with the earth".
Muir was extremely fond of Henry David Thoreau and was probably influenced more by him than even Ralph Waldo Emerson. Muir often referred to himself as a "disciple" of Thoreau. He was also heavily influenced by fellow naturalist John Burroughs.
During his lifetime John Muir published over 300 articles and 12 books. He co-founded the Sierra Club, which helped establish a number of national parks after he died and today has over 1.3 million members. Author Gretel Ehrlich states that as a "dreamer and activist, his eloquent words changed the way Americans saw their mountains, forests, seashores, and deserts." He not only led the efforts to protect forest areas and have some designated as national parks, but his writings gave readers a conception of the relationship between "human culture and wild nature as one of humility and respect for all life," writes author Thurman Wilkins.
His philosophy exalted wild nature over human culture and civilization. Turner describes him as "a man who in his singular way rediscovered America. . . . an American pioneer, an American hero." Wilkins adds that a primary aim of Muir’s nature philosophy was to challenge mankind’s "enormous conceit," and in so doing, he moved beyond the Transcendentalism of Emerson and Thoreau to a "biocentric perspective on the world."
In the months after his death, many who knew Muir closely wrote about his influences.
In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large nature areas. He is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks" and the National Park Service has produced a short documentary about his life.
Muir's biographer, Steven J. Holmes, believes that Muir has become "one of the patron saints of twentieth-century American environmental activity," both political and recreational. As a result, his writings are commonly discussed in books and journals, and he is often quoted by nature photographers such as Ansel Adams. "Muir has profoundly shaped the very categories through which Americans understand and envision their relationships with the natural world," writes Holmes. Muir was noted for being an ecological thinker, political spokesman, and religious prophet, whose writings became a personal guide into nature for countless individuals, making his name "almost ubiquitous" in the modern environmental consciousness. According to author William Anderson, Muir exemplified "the archetype of our oneness with the earth".
Muir was extremely fond of Henry David Thoreau and was probably influenced more by him than even Ralph Waldo Emerson. Muir often referred to himself as a "disciple" of Thoreau. He was also heavily influenced by fellow naturalist John Burroughs.
During his lifetime John Muir published over 300 articles and 12 books. He co-founded the Sierra Club, which helped establish a number of national parks after he died and today has over 1.3 million members. Author Gretel Ehrlich states that as a "dreamer and activist, his eloquent words changed the way Americans saw their mountains, forests, seashores, and deserts." He not only led the efforts to protect forest areas and have some designated as national parks, but his writings gave readers a conception of the relationship between "human culture and wild nature as one of humility and respect for all life," writes author Thurman Wilkins.
His philosophy exalted wild nature over human culture and civilization. Turner describes him as "a man who in his singular way rediscovered America. . . . an American pioneer, an American hero." Wilkins adds that a primary aim of Muir’s nature philosophy was to challenge mankind’s "enormous conceit," and in so doing, he moved beyond the Transcendentalism of Emerson and Thoreau to a "biocentric perspective on the world."
In the months after his death, many who knew Muir closely wrote about his influences.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 14, 2024
John Muir is so interesting! This book gave me such a clear picture of his travels, reading it I felt like I with Muir the whole time, finding out amazing things about nature and joining in with his adventures! The book had me hooked the whole time! I highly recommend this fascinating book to anyone.
May 15, 2020
Reviewing book 1 "The Story of my Boyhood and Youth" (began to read Mar 1) As a John Muir adherent, I have read some of his books and hiked significantly in the Sierra. Muir was obviously an exceptionally humble and spiritual individual calling himself "a bashful, home-loving boy." He loved and respected his severely strict father. When he first left home at age 22, his relatively simple exhibit of his scientifically and artistically creative home-made inventions at the Wisconsin State Fair brought him national attention. But he later explained, "I had been so lectured by my father above all things to avoid praise that I was afraid to read those kind newspaper notices, and never clipped out or preserved any of them, just glanced at them and turned away my eyes from beholding vanity." Quoting from the Introduction (by Terry Gilford) to this Omnibus, "His only autobiographical writing was forced out of him by way of dictation resulting in 'The Story of my Boyhood and Youth'." In this forced autobiographical writing Muir mentions "four years at the University." Terry Gilford mentions "entry to the University of Wisconsin for two and a half years ... interrupted by his draft-dodging from the Civil War. Muir decided to 'skedaddle' to Canada ... . When the war was over Muir returned home and immediately began plans to get to South America." I am not aware of draft-dodging being contemplated in any other writing about Muir - which makes me a bit uncomfortable. Still Muir is a pillar of wisdom, likely divinely inspired, who has added significantly to my life and to the lives of all of us. (finished reading Mar 13)
Reviewing book 2 "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" (began to read Mar 15) Having served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kentucky and Tennessee, some of Muir's experiences as he traveled through these States rang memory bells for me. The journey included some exciting incidents, some Civil War left-overs (but no mention of his dodging the actual war) and was an enlightening geography lesson. As a botanist and lover of nature Muir largely focused on the flora but occasionally deviated to philosophize on the equivalence of human beings to all other animal, vegetable, and mineral objects. (finished reading Mar 18)
Reviewing book 3 "My First Summer in the Sierra" (began to read Mar 19) From among the dozens of books written by and about John Muir, years ago I read a different version of "My First Summer in the Sierra" which presented more detailed, humorous, and/or inspirational narratives about the shepherd's greasy trousers, getting the sheep to cross the river(s), and Muir's epiphany revealing to him the unknown and unexpected presence of his former State University of Wisconsin friend, Professor J. D. Butler, in the Yosemite Valley far below. Muir writes inspirationally about all these things and more -- but mostly about his love affair with nature which can be informative or redundant. (finished reading Mar 22)
Reviewing book 4 "The Mountains of California" (began to read Mar 23) Summarized in one paragraph of Chapter Four, "A Near View of the High Sierra," from which (p. 324) I have gleaned: "Standing here in the deep, brooding silence all the wilderness seems motionless, as if the work of creation were done. But in the midst of this outer steadfastness ... there is incessant motion and change. Avalanches are falling ..., glaciers ... are flowing ... lakes are lapping ... rivers [are] ... carrying the mountains to the plains. Here ... is the eternal flux of nature manifested. We ... learn that as these we now behold have succeeded those of the pre-glacial age, so they in turn are withering ... to be succeeded by others yet unborn." The Sierra Nevada uniquely represents this incessant change for much of the whole world, and each chapter fascinatingly details some aspect of omnipresent change -- except Chapter Sixteen ("The Bee-Pastures") in which Muir, the botanist, redundantly buries the reader in technical and common flora names. (finished reading Apr 5)
Reviewing book 5 "Our National Parks" (began to read Apr 6) This Book 5 appears to be a collection of writings promoting National Parks and Federal protection of our country's forests -- especially Chapter Ten "The American Forests." What would we have in the Western United States without our National Forests -- the result, significantly, of Muir's teaching/leadership? Having read this far in this Omnibus it appears to me that said Omnibus or any of its contained books could be used as 'extra reading' for many and various college courses including literature, poetry, philosophy, geography, biology, and of course botany. Reading is very comfortable, and Muir often waxes poetic or philosophical. I am grateful for my 25 years in Fresno near Yosemite and my introduction to Muir and the 'Range of Light'. Wishfully I imagine sitting on a high Sierra ridge, reading and absorbing Muir's spirit, and gazing over miles of "majestic domed heads [of Sequoia Gigantea] rising above one another ... like a range of bossy upswelling cumulus clouds." Incidentally, I can't help but observe that Muir seems to favor purple in his colorful descriptions. (finished reading Apr 20)
Reviewing book 6 "The Yosemite" (began to read Apr 21) This book is for Yosemite visitors wanting to make the best use of their visiting time, whether it be for a couple days, a summer, or a couple years, according to Muir's heart -- best read with a map beside. A good map of the ancient glaciers likewise would have helped clarify the glacier path descriptions. (finished reading Apr 26)
Reviewing book 7 "Travels in Alaska" (began to read Apr 27) A wonderful and appreciated introduction to the back country of the Alaskan Panhandle and the countless glaciers because my impression had been that to see the real Alaska you needed to go north of Anchorage. Although lack of a map and personal knowledge (as I have for Yosemite and the high Sierras) moderated my interest, I did consult Mapquest and compare my brief visits to British Columbia mountains. I look forward to a better informed visit to Alaska. Similar to my interest in botanical details, Muir himself has begun to wear out. (finished reading May 2)
Reviewing book 8 "Steep Trails" (began to read May 4) We members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep an eternal perspective. Muir lived and wrote with an ice-age perspective and has helped me to realize that everything is continually changing -- even the climate. Whether you speak of 'global warming' or the more recently politically correct term 'climate change,' both are happening, and although the human family influences them, they cannot be entirely humanly controlled. I learned much and enjoyed a few stories from book 8 -- often by gleaning from among the repetitive and lengthy botanical descriptions. All five appendices at the end of this Omnibus were very informative, helped to explain Muir's global notoriety and his appreciated and widespread accomplishments, and compensated somewhat for the redundancy in book 8. (finished reading May 15)
Reviewing book 2 "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" (began to read Mar 15) Having served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kentucky and Tennessee, some of Muir's experiences as he traveled through these States rang memory bells for me. The journey included some exciting incidents, some Civil War left-overs (but no mention of his dodging the actual war) and was an enlightening geography lesson. As a botanist and lover of nature Muir largely focused on the flora but occasionally deviated to philosophize on the equivalence of human beings to all other animal, vegetable, and mineral objects. (finished reading Mar 18)
Reviewing book 3 "My First Summer in the Sierra" (began to read Mar 19) From among the dozens of books written by and about John Muir, years ago I read a different version of "My First Summer in the Sierra" which presented more detailed, humorous, and/or inspirational narratives about the shepherd's greasy trousers, getting the sheep to cross the river(s), and Muir's epiphany revealing to him the unknown and unexpected presence of his former State University of Wisconsin friend, Professor J. D. Butler, in the Yosemite Valley far below. Muir writes inspirationally about all these things and more -- but mostly about his love affair with nature which can be informative or redundant. (finished reading Mar 22)
Reviewing book 4 "The Mountains of California" (began to read Mar 23) Summarized in one paragraph of Chapter Four, "A Near View of the High Sierra," from which (p. 324) I have gleaned: "Standing here in the deep, brooding silence all the wilderness seems motionless, as if the work of creation were done. But in the midst of this outer steadfastness ... there is incessant motion and change. Avalanches are falling ..., glaciers ... are flowing ... lakes are lapping ... rivers [are] ... carrying the mountains to the plains. Here ... is the eternal flux of nature manifested. We ... learn that as these we now behold have succeeded those of the pre-glacial age, so they in turn are withering ... to be succeeded by others yet unborn." The Sierra Nevada uniquely represents this incessant change for much of the whole world, and each chapter fascinatingly details some aspect of omnipresent change -- except Chapter Sixteen ("The Bee-Pastures") in which Muir, the botanist, redundantly buries the reader in technical and common flora names. (finished reading Apr 5)
Reviewing book 5 "Our National Parks" (began to read Apr 6) This Book 5 appears to be a collection of writings promoting National Parks and Federal protection of our country's forests -- especially Chapter Ten "The American Forests." What would we have in the Western United States without our National Forests -- the result, significantly, of Muir's teaching/leadership? Having read this far in this Omnibus it appears to me that said Omnibus or any of its contained books could be used as 'extra reading' for many and various college courses including literature, poetry, philosophy, geography, biology, and of course botany. Reading is very comfortable, and Muir often waxes poetic or philosophical. I am grateful for my 25 years in Fresno near Yosemite and my introduction to Muir and the 'Range of Light'. Wishfully I imagine sitting on a high Sierra ridge, reading and absorbing Muir's spirit, and gazing over miles of "majestic domed heads [of Sequoia Gigantea] rising above one another ... like a range of bossy upswelling cumulus clouds." Incidentally, I can't help but observe that Muir seems to favor purple in his colorful descriptions. (finished reading Apr 20)
Reviewing book 6 "The Yosemite" (began to read Apr 21) This book is for Yosemite visitors wanting to make the best use of their visiting time, whether it be for a couple days, a summer, or a couple years, according to Muir's heart -- best read with a map beside. A good map of the ancient glaciers likewise would have helped clarify the glacier path descriptions. (finished reading Apr 26)
Reviewing book 7 "Travels in Alaska" (began to read Apr 27) A wonderful and appreciated introduction to the back country of the Alaskan Panhandle and the countless glaciers because my impression had been that to see the real Alaska you needed to go north of Anchorage. Although lack of a map and personal knowledge (as I have for Yosemite and the high Sierras) moderated my interest, I did consult Mapquest and compare my brief visits to British Columbia mountains. I look forward to a better informed visit to Alaska. Similar to my interest in botanical details, Muir himself has begun to wear out. (finished reading May 2)
Reviewing book 8 "Steep Trails" (began to read May 4) We members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep an eternal perspective. Muir lived and wrote with an ice-age perspective and has helped me to realize that everything is continually changing -- even the climate. Whether you speak of 'global warming' or the more recently politically correct term 'climate change,' both are happening, and although the human family influences them, they cannot be entirely humanly controlled. I learned much and enjoyed a few stories from book 8 -- often by gleaning from among the repetitive and lengthy botanical descriptions. All five appendices at the end of this Omnibus were very informative, helped to explain Muir's global notoriety and his appreciated and widespread accomplishments, and compensated somewhat for the redundancy in book 8. (finished reading May 15)
January 9, 2025
It was amazing to me that Muir worried about making the National Parks accessible to people so that the parks would be protected. Now, over 100 years later, they are being loved to death with too many visitors.
January 10, 2025
I loved his absolute joy in describing nature, though the books did tend to repeat. Had I read them individually with time between it would have been better. Oh, and his level of understatement is almost unbelievable. Enjoy his description and go experience it yourself.
December 19, 2013
Researching and writing about the Sierra Club inspired me to read John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books. I could have read each book separately but decided to immerse myself in John Muir’s writing by reading the 1030-page tome containing all eight books. It was an adventure that spanned over a month as I traveled with Muir from his early childhood home in Dunbar, Scotland to the frozen realm of Glacier Bay, Alaska.
The Bottom Line
Before reading John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books, I knew John Muir traveled and lived in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, was instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park, and founded the Sierra Club. I’ve since been introduced to him as a Scotsman, inventor, botanist, glacier expert, and writer.
Although he was born 175 years ago, I can easily imagine running into John Muir on a trail in Yosemite, sitting down on log, and talking with him about sugar pine trees or global warming.
I believe John Muir’s books would appeal to a wide audience including history buffs, scientists, mountaineers, environmentalists, and wilderness enthusiasts. John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books should be required reading for all government officials, especially those charged with protecting our public lands.
Read the whole review at: http://greengroundswell.com/john-muir...
The Bottom Line
Before reading John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books, I knew John Muir traveled and lived in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, was instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park, and founded the Sierra Club. I’ve since been introduced to him as a Scotsman, inventor, botanist, glacier expert, and writer.
Although he was born 175 years ago, I can easily imagine running into John Muir on a trail in Yosemite, sitting down on log, and talking with him about sugar pine trees or global warming.
I believe John Muir’s books would appeal to a wide audience including history buffs, scientists, mountaineers, environmentalists, and wilderness enthusiasts. John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books should be required reading for all government officials, especially those charged with protecting our public lands.
Read the whole review at: http://greengroundswell.com/john-muir...
January 8, 2017
Not the type of book you read cover to cover (I didn't), I had been interested in experiencing Muir's prose since watching Ken Burns years ago. However, the experience was somewhat less than promised. Muir's prose occassionally soars to transcendental heights with encomium atop encomium for America's beautiful spaces. But too often he is either bogged down in the worthy, but boring, enumeration of plant species. He also has a little too much of the salesman in him, but the national parks are what he is selling. Interesting to read to get a good taste of his prose, but the full meal is not necessary.
September 18, 2013
I keep several books going at once - usually a coming of age and a mystery or two as time allows. Johnny is my escape hatch - my companion on a journey through the garden of Eden. It's still there - within arms reach. We just have to slow down and stretch - - what a treasure.
For God so loved the world . . .
For God so loved the world . . .
February 1, 2011
Of course, this book is essential, brilliant, honest, direct and damn humorous. I don't need to go into detail, how could it not be an amazing, accessible read? Plus, Muir had such a refreshing sense of humor.
Read
September 30, 2009Everything about true love of the wilderness. I remember things from this book every time I go hiking. Love the way "Johnny " writes. It's very much like being there.
Want to read
September 28, 2010Started reading this book after I purchased it on trip to Mt Rainier, May 2010. Put it aside, not out of disinterest, but because I had too many books on the go, as usual.
August 30, 2010
a hero of mine
January 21, 2016
John Muir's love of nature shines through in these books - he speaks earnestly and knowledgeably about everything from bugs to birds. Best read outdoors.
December 1, 2021
I am reading it slowly and deliberately in between other books. I am highlighting passages so I can return to many of his great quotes. Truly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews