Battling for the National Parks

by George B. Hartzog Jr.

Book by Hartzog, George B., Jr.

288 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1988

Reviews

[Ayako · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the self-serving actions of past administrations as they used the creation and expansion of National Parks as political Pokémon cards. Hartzog leaves off with this commentary on the misdirection of the NPS in the early 80s, made me want to read some current takes.

[Greyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly excellent peek inside the extremely political battles fought between the National Park Service (NPS) and other facets of government (Interior more broadly, Forest Service, the Congress, and Executive branch). Hartzog was a smooth operator hailing from the boonies of Smoaks, NC--population of 98 at last count.

Throughout, Hartzog recounts shepherding the Gateway Arch, ANCSA, Wild & Scenic Rivers, and various recreation areas through the political morass. Shrewd move after shrewd move, he navigated the Parks through several administrations until getting canned by the Nixon administration in 1972. There is no love lost between he and Nixon's cronies (as he calls them). In 2024 terms, this is a Kendrick-Drake level beef and Hartzog is not shy writing about it 16 years after leaving government.

Beyond the anecdotes about politics and the vagaries of Park administration this memoir also serves as a primer on effective bureaucratic leadership and compromise, where he constantly "walks the walk" to advance the NPS' mission. A real gem.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read the background of how political EVERYTHING is. Pretty relevant in this climate.