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John Muir: My Life With Nature
John Muir's remarkable adventures and attunement with nature are told in his own words, edited for a young audience. His joyous enthusiasm for nature comes through powerfully. The book includes "explore more" activities.
79 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2000
11 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
John Muir
621 books1,430 followersJohn Muir was far more than a naturalist; he was a secular prophet who translated the rugged language of the wilderness into a spiritual calling that saved the American soul from total surrender to materialism. Born in 1838 in the coastal town of Dunbar, Scotland, Muir’s childhood was a blend of seaside wanderings and a brutal religious upbringing. His father, Daniel Muir, was a man of uncompromising faith who forced John to memorize the New Testament and most of the Old Testament by age eleven. When the family immigrated to the frontier of Wisconsin in 1849, this iron-fisted discipline continued on their farm. However, for the young Muir, the "Book of Nature" began to rival the Bible. He saw the divine not just in scripture, but in the black locust trees and the sun-drenched meadows of the midwest.
The pivotal moment of Muir’s life occurred in 1867 while working at a wagon wheel factory in Indianapolis. A tool slipped, piercing his cornea and leaving him temporarily blind in both eyes. Confined to a darkened room for six weeks, Muir faced the terrifying prospect of a life without light. When his sight miraculously returned, he emerged with a clarity of purpose that would change the course of American history. He famously wrote, "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields. God has to nearly kill us sometimes, to teach us lessons." He immediately set out on a 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico, beginning a lifelong odyssey of exploration.
Muir eventually found his "true home" in California’s Sierra Nevada. To Muir, the mountains were not mere piles of rock, but "the range of light." He spent years as a shepherd and guide in Yosemite, living a life of extreme simplicity—often traveling with nothing but a tin cup, a crust of bread, and a volume of Emerson’s essays. His scientific contributions were equally profound; he defied the leading geologists of the day by proving that the Yosemite Valley was carved by ancient glaciers. While the state geologist, Josiah Whitney, dismissed him as a mere "shepherd," the world’s leading glaciologists eventually recognized Muir’s genius.
His transition from explorer to activist was born of necessity. Seeing the "hoofed locusts"—domestic sheep—devouring the high mountain meadows, Muir took up his pen. His landmark articles in The Century Magazine and his 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt became the catalysts for the modern conservation movement. Under the stars at Glacier Point, Muir convinced the President that the wilderness required federal protection. This meeting laid the groundwork for the expansion of the National Park system and the eventual return of Yosemite Valley to federal control.
As the co-founder and first president of the Sierra Club, Muir spent his final years in a fierce philosophical battle with Gifford Pinchot. While Pinchot argued for "conservation" (the sustainable use of resources), Muir championed "preservation" (the protection of nature for its own sake). Though he lost the battle to save the Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, the heartbreak of that loss galvanized the American public, ensuring that future "cathedrals of nature" would remain inviolate. John Muir died in 1914, but his voice remains ubiquitous, reminding us that "into the woods we go, to lose our minds and find our souls."
The pivotal moment of Muir’s life occurred in 1867 while working at a wagon wheel factory in Indianapolis. A tool slipped, piercing his cornea and leaving him temporarily blind in both eyes. Confined to a darkened room for six weeks, Muir faced the terrifying prospect of a life without light. When his sight miraculously returned, he emerged with a clarity of purpose that would change the course of American history. He famously wrote, "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields. God has to nearly kill us sometimes, to teach us lessons." He immediately set out on a 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico, beginning a lifelong odyssey of exploration.
Muir eventually found his "true home" in California’s Sierra Nevada. To Muir, the mountains were not mere piles of rock, but "the range of light." He spent years as a shepherd and guide in Yosemite, living a life of extreme simplicity—often traveling with nothing but a tin cup, a crust of bread, and a volume of Emerson’s essays. His scientific contributions were equally profound; he defied the leading geologists of the day by proving that the Yosemite Valley was carved by ancient glaciers. While the state geologist, Josiah Whitney, dismissed him as a mere "shepherd," the world’s leading glaciologists eventually recognized Muir’s genius.
His transition from explorer to activist was born of necessity. Seeing the "hoofed locusts"—domestic sheep—devouring the high mountain meadows, Muir took up his pen. His landmark articles in The Century Magazine and his 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt became the catalysts for the modern conservation movement. Under the stars at Glacier Point, Muir convinced the President that the wilderness required federal protection. This meeting laid the groundwork for the expansion of the National Park system and the eventual return of Yosemite Valley to federal control.
As the co-founder and first president of the Sierra Club, Muir spent his final years in a fierce philosophical battle with Gifford Pinchot. While Pinchot argued for "conservation" (the sustainable use of resources), Muir championed "preservation" (the protection of nature for its own sake). Though he lost the battle to save the Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, the heartbreak of that loss galvanized the American public, ensuring that future "cathedrals of nature" would remain inviolate. John Muir died in 1914, but his voice remains ubiquitous, reminding us that "into the woods we go, to lose our minds and find our souls."
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 23, 2021
This informative book is chock full of information about the inspiring naturalist, John Muir. This book gives an in-depth view into this unique man and his impact on conservation in our nation.
The majority of the chapters are a biography of John Muir taken from the naturalist's own writings. The author mentions in his 'Note From the Author' preceding the text of the book informs readers:
"To stay true to the spirit of Muir as clearly and fully as possible, I have told his story as if he were alive, using his own words and colorful expressions as often as possible." (pg.4)
The book also includes many of Muir's sketches and journal entries. There are a lot of historical photographs of the naturalist on his many adventures as well as photographs of Yosemite and Mt. Shasta, his wife and daughters, and members of the Sierra Club which he co-founded in 1892.
The back matter of the book entitled, 'Explore More', includes extension activities to get youngsters motivated to examine nature and think like John Muir did regarding nature and conservation. There is a list of his longer journeys around the world along with a world map that plots out these trips. There is a chronology of John Muir's life and a Further Reading list.
Highly-recommended! I borrowed this book from the children's collection at the local public library.
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The majority of the chapters are a biography of John Muir taken from the naturalist's own writings. The author mentions in his 'Note From the Author' preceding the text of the book informs readers:
"To stay true to the spirit of Muir as clearly and fully as possible, I have told his story as if he were alive, using his own words and colorful expressions as often as possible." (pg.4)
The book also includes many of Muir's sketches and journal entries. There are a lot of historical photographs of the naturalist on his many adventures as well as photographs of Yosemite and Mt. Shasta, his wife and daughters, and members of the Sierra Club which he co-founded in 1892.
The back matter of the book entitled, 'Explore More', includes extension activities to get youngsters motivated to examine nature and think like John Muir did regarding nature and conservation. There is a list of his longer journeys around the world along with a world map that plots out these trips. There is a chronology of John Muir's life and a Further Reading list.
Highly-recommended! I borrowed this book from the children's collection at the local public library.
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September 5, 2020
John Muir was an amazing character. I bought this book when i went to see the Giant Sequoia trees in California, which he wrote about at length.
Quotes i loved:
“Happy is the man to whom every tree is a friend, and so also with the small flower that dwell beneath them.”
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, and places where nature can heal and cheer us.”
“The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Whoever gains the blessings of one mountain day is rich forever.”
Quotes i loved:
“Happy is the man to whom every tree is a friend, and so also with the small flower that dwell beneath them.”
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, and places where nature can heal and cheer us.”
“The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past, but through us. Whoever gains the blessings of one mountain day is rich forever.”
May 20, 2022
John Muir has been one of my heroes & this book was wonderful. The author told his story in the first person using the words of Muir from his many publications. It was full of adventures & explorations told in the most lyrical writing. The story was beautiful & magical & totally expressed Muir's love of Nature & all its creatures. Every plant was a miracle, a little being to watch & get to know; every tree was a friend to admire & protect; every stream was musical, every mountain full of majesty & challenge. Muir spent his life traveling the world just to get to know it & see all the wonders God made. He loved life & all it brought him & his mission was to share it with others, encourage them to enjoy Nature, & to treat every plant, stream, mountain & animal with respect as a fellow being on this planet & to protect & preserve it. He was the happiest person I've ever heard of & so appreciative of everything he saw. An amazing man! I want to read more of his writings because he makes you feel so good. I loved this book. It also had several activities for readers to try as the author teaches classes about conservation around the world.
May 13, 2017
This was a lovely book. John Muir was quite an amazing man. We could all learn so much from nature if we'd only take the time to listen. This was a "children's book", but I believe this could be great for some adults as well, as a stepping stone into the wonderful world of John Muir's other writings. I just picked up a few more books from the library today because I want to read more stories of the beauty that surrounds us all. Great read!
May 17, 2023
This is great for kids. And by "great for kids," what I mean is that I think kids should like it, but will they? I'm not sure. The writing style is kind of dry. It is definitely not terribly exemplary of his writing as far as the poetic side of it goes. But as far as a short biography and to get a feel of what kind of man John Muir was, I think this is great. late elementary, early middle school level.
July 14, 2017
I like that this book is meant to be read by children, but contains a fairly accurate representation of John Muir's words. I think it's a great introduction to kids about this important man's life and his connection to the beautiful nature around us. It's a quick read and would be easy to read aloud to a small child or to give to an elementary school or older child to read independently.
August 10, 2021
Great book for kids! It’s a fun, entertaining, and inspirational read about the joys of nature.
May 2, 2022
Fantastic book to read with a child (age 6-8) over a week or two. Interesting illustrations and short chapters. Loved learning about his life.
September 18, 2023
Inspiring in every way! 5/5!
June 19, 2025
Great for teaching kids about this famous conservationist.
February 10, 2026
Shoutout John Muir #bookmaxxing
November 9, 2014
A quick and delightful read. Must have been difficult for Mr. Cornell to choose what to put in, what to leave out. He chose well - now I want to read some more of Muir's books. (especially the one about his dog friend in Alaska, Stickeen.
Want to read
June 20, 200910+
July 11, 2009
Thoroughly enjoyable and endearing.
August 1, 2014
nice book, though especially for children (young adults). I'ld like it deeper.
December 29, 2014
Great introduction to this great naturalist. Great for children.
May 1, 2016
A fascinating introduction to one of America's best naturalists
August 5, 2016
Great book for kids, I just didn't research it enough to realize I ordered a juvenile book from the library.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews