Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship That Saved Yosemite (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781982144463)

* "We see through this book the immense power of language...to change the minds of lawmakers and tourists alike." --The New York Times Book Review * "A poignant portrait of an era when mere words could change the world." --San Francisco Chronicle *

The dramatic and uplifting story of legendary outdoorsman and conservationist John Muir's journey to save Yosemite is "a rich, enjoyable excursion into a seminal period in environmental history" (The Wall Street Journal).

In June of 1889 in San Francisco, John Muir--iconic environmentalist, writer, and philosopher--meets face-to-face for the first time with his longtime editor Robert Underwood Johnson, an elegant and influential figure at The Century magazine. Before long, the pair, opposites in many ways, decide to venture to Yosemite Valley, the magnificent site where twenty years earlier, Muir experienced a personal and spiritual awakening that would set the course of the rest of his life.

Upon their arrival the men are confronted with a shocking vision, as predatory mining, tourism, and logging industries have plundered and defaced "the grandest of all the special temples of Nature." While Muir is devastated, Johnson, an arbiter of the era's pressing issues in the pages of the nation's most prestigious magazine, decides that he and Muir must fight back. The pact they form marks a watershed moment, leading to the creation of Yosemite National Park, and launching an environmental battle that captivates the nation and ushers in the beginning of the American environmental movement.

"Comprehensively researched and compellingly readable" (Booklist, starred review), Guardians of the Valley is a moving story of friendship, the written word, and the transformative power of nature. It is also a timely and powerful "origin story" as the towering environmental challenges we face today become increasingly urgent.

Author: Dean King
ISBN-10: 1982144467
ISBN-13: 9781982144463
Publisher: Scribner Book Company
Language: English
Published: 03/21/2023
Pages: 480
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.45lbs
Size: 9.10h x 6.40w x 1.50d

Review Citation(s):
Library Journal Prepub Alert 03/01/2022 pg. 20
Publishers Weekly 01/30/2023
Kirkus Reviews 02/15/2023
Booklist 03/01/2023 pg. 17
Choice 03/01/2024