Wilderness Partners

by Phyllis Austin

Buzz Caverly first joined the ranger staff at Baxter State Park in 1960, when the new park was just taking shape under the direction of Helon Taylor and the park's donor, Percival Baxter, who wished the park to be forever wild. Caverly's legendary career in the park one of the most unusual wilderness areas in the nation culminated when he became park director in 1981. Over the years he saw tremendous changes in attitude about land conservation, public access, and park management. From the Wild West days of the 1960s to the intensely managed years of the 1990s and beyond, the clash of personalities and politics is entertaining and inspiring, and reveals the minefield of people and issues Buzz had to negotiate to save the park's wilderness character.

480 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
(1)novels
Phyllis Austin (1888-1979) , neé Coke was a British novelist wife of actor Edward Rigby.

(2)outdoors and nature
Phyllis Austin (1943-) is a professional journalist whose focus has been on environmental issues for many years. Most of her career was with Maine Times, a statewide weekly, the Associated Press, and numerous magazines and newspapers."

Reviews

[Josiah Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I may be a little biased since I know Buzz. My father served as Chief Ranger, reporting to Buzz for many years. And I lived in and loved the Park during all of my formative years — throughout the 70s and 80s. Consequently, I know many, if not most, of the people profiled. We lived on Mt Katahdin (Chimney Pond), and at Nesowadnehunk Field and Trout Brook Farm (though we mostly worked and slept at the Farm and played at South Branch Pond).

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down. Buzz Caverly was the Superintendent and main honcho of Baxter State Park for 40 years. The stories of the situations that he dealt with at the Park really opened my eyes: constant politics, recurrent deaths of hikers, his own amoebic management style, and uniqueness of the goals of the place. The park now has taken down and removed over 100 buidling that used to be there. "Forever Wild" and "Wilderness from Within" were mottoes that were taken seriously by this unique individual.

[Kristin Klin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I am right back in Baxter on a camping trip as I read through this piece of history. The title says it all: "Buzz Caverly AND Baxter State Park". Not only does it take you through Buzz's life (who is still a legend when I visit Baxter) but it takes you through Baxter from the days of Percival's youth. The only thing this book is missing are the maps!! I enjoyed pulling out my hiking maps and finding the places where I have hiked or stayed that are referenced in the book. Trails, roads, conflicts and celebrations. This is a great local read!!

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book from a historical perspective, although it could have used more editing. The author digested an enormous amount of records about the part, and interviewed more than a hundred people involved in Baxter State Park. I certainly know much more about the Park after reading this.