Showing results for "John Muir" in History

Journey into the heart of California’s Sierra Nevada with John Muir, the legendary naturalist whose observations and writings helped inspire America’s conservation movement. In The Yosemite, Muir explores the magnificent landscapes of Yosemite Valley, bringing its towering granite domes...

Join naturalist and adventurer John Muir as he vividly recounts the gripping tale of his journey with his loyal dog, Stickeen, as they confront their fears on a treacherous Alaskan glacier in 1880. This captivating story of bravery and companionship will leave you inspired and in awe of the natural world. (Summary by Sue Anderson)

The naturalist, author, and advocate for preservation, John Muir (1838-1914) was also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the National Parks". In the spring of 1869, John Muir was looking for ways to fund his explorations of California’s Central Valley region, when a ranch owner offered him a job herding sheep in the Sierra Nevada. In The Yosemite, Muir chronicled his experiences of the beautiful wilderness in appealingly descriptive prose. The audiobook is a treasure trove of portrayals of the shifting phases of the year in Yosemite.

At stake in 1896 was the new idea that some landscapes should be collectively, permanently owned by a democratic government. Although many people today think of public lands as an American birthright, their very existence was then in doubt and dependent on a merger of the talents of these two men. Natural Rivals examines a time of environmental threat and political dysfunction not unlike our own and reveals the complex dynamic that gave birth to America’s rich public lands legacy. 

Part of John Muir's appeal to modern audiences is that he not only explored the American West and wrote about its beauties but also fought for their preservation. His successes dot the landscape and are evident in all the natural features that bear his name: forests, lakes, trails, and glaciers. Here collected are some of Muir's finest wilderness essays, ranging in subject matter from Alaska to Yellowstone, from Oregon to the High Sierra. 

Join us on a captivating walking tour through the stunning Cañon of the south fork of King’s River in California. Originally published in the Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine in 1881-82, this article features a collection of beautiful charcoal illustrations that bring the majestic landscape to life. Discover the visionary ideas of John Muir, who inspired the establishment of what would become Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, officially designated by Congress on October 1, 1890. This piece not only highlights the natural beauty of the area but also reflects the early conservation ...

Discover the extraordinary legacy of John Muir (1838–1914), one of the pioneers of modern preservationism. His captivating letters, essays, and books recounting his adventures in the breathtaking Sierra Nevada Mountains have inspired millions and continue to resonate today. Muirs passionate activism played a crucial role in the preservation of Yosemite Valley and other pristine wilderness areas. As the founder of the Sierra Club, he established one of the most significant conservation organizations in the United States. His profound writings and philosophy laid the groundwork for the modern ...

John Muir (1838 -1914) was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness areas in the United States. In the late 1800s, Muir made several trips to the relatively unexplored territory of Alaska. Travels in Alaska, originally published in 1915, describes the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness and its inhabitants as observed during his travels between 1879 and 1890. In poetic prose, he describes the area’s magnificent glaciers and its animals like bears, bald eagles, wolves and whales.

In the late 1800s, John Muir made several trips to the pristine, relatively unexplored territory of Alaska, irresistibly drawn to its awe-inspiring glaciers and its wild menagerie of bears, bald eagles, wolves, and whales. Half poet and half geologist, he recorded his experiences and reflections...

For two years, Scots-born John Muir lived in a small cabin along the Yosemite creek, observing the valley's natural beauty and reading Emerson under the stars. The experience forged a lifelong affinity with the site, which would result in its establishment as a national park in 1890. Originally written as a guidebook to the park, The Yosemite describes every aspect of wildlife and landscape that one might encounter there.

Embark on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Americas western national parks with this captivating collection of sketches. First published in the Atlantic Monthly magazine and compiled into book form in 1901, this work highlights four iconic parks. Dive into the wonders of Yosemite National Park, where six of the ten articles are dedicated to its majestic beauty, alongside vivid descriptions of Yellowstone, Sequoia, and the once-known General Grant National Park, now Kings Canyon. - Summary by TriciaGThis show includes AI-generated content.

In Wongo And The Wise Old Crow, we delve into the formative years of John Muir at the University of Wisconsin, where he often sought solace at the home of Dr. Ezra S. Carr. The warmth and encouragement he received from Mrs. Carr, a passionate botanist and nature enthusiast, sparked a profound friendship that Muir cherished deeply, referring to her as his spiritual mother. This connection is beautifully captured in Muirs heartfelt letters to her, penned from the breathtaking Yosemite Valley. Through these writings, we gain an intimate glimpse into Muirs life as he juggled sheep-herding, guiding...

Join John Muir on an exhilarating journey through Yosemite Valley, where adventure and nature intertwine. Discover the wonders of the great outdoors as Muir shares his captivating insights and experiences in this enchanting guide.

It was June of 1869 when John Muir reluctantly accepted a job herding sheep from the central valley of California to the headwaters of the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, high into the Sierra Nevadas and deep into the Yosemite region. He felt ill equipped for the work, and yet the opportunity thrilled his adventurous spirit. With a notebook tied to his belt, he set out for a summer he would never forget. My First Summer in the Sierra is Muir’s classic account of that extraordinary journey.

John Muir (1838-1914) was an influential naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and advocate for the preservation of wilderness areas in the United States. In 1869, Muir traveled to California and spent a long time in the area that is now the Yosemite National Park. This narrative takes the form of a hiking guide filled with adventure. Muir was a master of description, providing stirring portraits of the area’s wildlife, waterfalls, valleys, meadows, giant sequoias groves, lakes, mountains, and glaciers. 

"I am hopelessly and forever a mountaineer," John Muir wrote. "Civilization and fever and all the morbidness that has been hooted at me has not dimmed my glacial eye, and I care to live only to entice people to look at Nature's loveliness. My own special self is nothing". In Donald Worster's magisterial biography, John Muir's "special self" is fully explored as is his extraordinary ability, then and now, to get others to see the sacred beauty of the natural world.

Step into the extraordinary world of John Muir, the renowned naturalist and author celebrated as the Father of the US National Parks. In this poignant short piece, written later in his life for Century Magazine, Muir invites us to wander alongside him, unhurried, through the breathtaking beauty of the Grand Canyon. Here, amidst its splendor, lies the essence of what every life craves. Muirs words envelop us, transporting us to a time long past while urging us to explore the vibrant life that surrounds us today. Together, we enrich our own existence by immersing ourselves in the wonders of ...

John Muir, who was born in Scotland and emigrated to America in 1849, was an advocate of U.S. forest conservation and was largely responsible for the establishment of Sequoia and Yosemite national parks in California. Muir has emerged as perhaps the greatest prophet of an era which finds itself suddenly aware of the urgent need to care for our planet.

In the heart of a Wisconsin pioneer farm in the 1850s, young John Muir recounts a childhood marked by struggle and resilience. With a kitchen stove that barely warmed the home, Muir paints a vivid picture of life for his family of ten, all huddled together in the biting cold. Uprooted from a comfortable life in Dunbar, Scotland, Muirs father, a strict religious fundamentalist, imposed a harsh doctrine of self-denial that clashed with Johns secret love for poetry and literature. Lacking formal education, John turned to nature for wisdom, observing the changing seasons, the farm animals, and the...

Dive into a captivating collection of John Muirs previously unpublished essays, released shortly after his passing. This volume is sure to fulfill the high expectations of Muir’s devoted readers. Experience the thrill of his harrowing night on the summit of Mount Shasta, a tale that ranks among the most exhilarating of his adventures. Muirs reflections on the abandoned towns of Nevada and the Native Americans harvesting pine nuts evoke a vanishing chapter of Western life that remains largely uncharted in American literature. The breathtaking landscapes Muir encountered now exist mainly ...