Overview

This history of the first large land area to be set aside for preservation and public use by Congress follows Yosemite from its early Native American inhabitants, exploration, establishment as a national park in 1890, and through such controversial developments as Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the Badger Pass Ski Area, the so-called Firefall, and the infamous Stoneman Meadow riot of 1970. The story of Yosemite has proved to be a microcosm of the debate within the National Park Service itself over preservation versus access, development of resources versus conservation of them. “Yosemite,” Runte contends, “remains central to these and many other debates, suggesting its continuing importance as a field of investigation into the management of the national park system at large.”

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9781493052066

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Reviews

Runte focuses on the debate over the management of the natural resources of the park, deftly addressing delicate questions of the balance between preservation and use...His work is alive, and even more than his fine research and clear writing, his passion accounts for the wide readership his work enjoys - - Environmental History Review The history of Yosemite is symbolic of the environmental history of America itself. Those who read this fine study will come to understand that. --Utah Historical Quarterly 'A major work that has application beyond the Yosemite experience. Today, America's national parks are being destroyed by the unrestrained commercialism that Runte chronicles so effectively. His work is stimulating, thought-provoking, and valuable for its insights. --Nevada Historical Society Quarterly A powerful and important book, a critical contribution to Yosemite historiography and ideology at a time when the politicizing of the National Park Service and the vast hordes of visitors pose genuine threats...to the natural environment of Yosemite. -- Western American Literature This analysis is applicable to every park, wilderness, and national treasure; it is a warning for every conservationist to be on guard against the pressures for development. --Naturalist Review

Wilderness is going home, said John Muir--and freedom, his followers have added. Inevitably, and for each generation, the meaning of home and freedom have changed. Is wilderness really needed? Today, our unbroken answer--the miracle of Yosemite--is itself challenged, John Muir's vision aside. In renewing our commitment to wilderness Al Runte reminds us that Yosemite still is key. What did we intend? Never has the discussion--and this critical history--been in better hands. -Ken Burns, director/producer of the Emmy Award-winning series The National Parks: America's Best Idea

Author Information

An internationally recognized expert on America's national parks, Alfred Runte is based in Seattle, Washington. He was recently an adviser to the Ken Burns PBS documentary The National Parks: America's Best Idea and appeared in all six episodes of the Emmy Award-winning series. Runte has also been a guest on Nightline, The Today Show, 48 Hours, the History and Travel channels, and speaks frequently in public forums on the need to protect our parks. His other books include Allies of the Earth: Railroads and the Soul of Preservation, and Trains of Discovery: Railroads and the Legacy of Our National Parks, now in its fifth edition. In April 2011, Runte was elected to membership in the College of Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame at Illinois State University (his master's degree institution) ""in recognition of exemplary achievement"" as a teacher and public scholar. He also holds a B.A. from the State University of New York at Binghamton and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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