Showing results for "John Muir" in History

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.

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.

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.

"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 has left a mark on history in a way that is quite unique. There are very few people whose powerful love for nature has caused such a truly lasting impact as his. While his early childhood was largely what one would consider normal in Scotland, a life changing event while working in a factory, which nearly blinded him, caused John to totally change the direction of his life. He suddenly found great beauty in every moment, and especially nature and the outdoors.

This insightful collection features two essays, each penned by a distinguished author, exploring the rich histories of Hinduism and Islam. Delving into the contrasts with Christianity, these essays provide a thought-provoking examination of these major world religions. Originally part of the early 1900s curriculum for the C.L.S.C. (Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle), this book remains a valuable resource for understanding faith and culture. (Summary by Scientila)

John Muir: The Life and Legacy of America’s Most Famous Conservationist examines the legendary career of one of the country’s most influential figures. You will learn about John Muir like never before.

"In mid-July of 1879, John Muir sailed for the first time through the sheer-walled fjords of Alaska's Inside Passage. 'Never before this,' he wrote, 'had I been embosomed in scenery so hopelessly beyond description.' During the previous 15 years, Muir had vanished into the north woods of Canada, walked a thousand miles from Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico, and nested himself in the granite heart of California's Sierra Nevada mountains. Wild nature burned with volcanic intensity in the core of John Muir's soul."

This set of six talks reveals a lesser-known side of Thomas Merton: an eminent critic and teacher of literature. His dual identity as a monk and literati make him the premier guide to poetic expression. As you listen along, you will enjoy moments of penetrating insight and reflection as often as moments of levity and laughter.

Join nature enthusiast John Muir as he embarks on a transformative journey through California’s breathtaking Sierra Nevada range during the summer of 1869. From the picturesque landscapes of French Bar to the serene shores of Mono Lake and the majestic Yosemite Valley, Muir was captivated by the wonders of the natural world. He marveled at the intricate lives of the smallest “insect people” and found inspiration in the resilience of ancient Juniper trees clinging to life in the most unlikely places. This recording not only celebrates the 140th anniversary of that remarkable ...

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.

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 TriciaG

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 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)

Finalist for the PEN/Jacqueline Bograd Weld Award for Biography *“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.”...

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.

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.

In this poetic audiobook, hear the words of legendary outdoorsman John Muir's entreaty to the American people imploring them to develop, as he did, a connection to their national parks. An ardent outdoorsman, a gifted writer, a dedicated preservationist, and a spiritual beacon, John Muir worked in his life and in his writing to inspire everyone to find a love for the wilderness and to become invested in its preservation.

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...