Super Short Summary

A Wilderness Within by David Backes details the life of Sigurd F. Olson, a major figure in the American environmental movement, known for his role in the creation of national parks and his influential nature writing. From his upbringing in a devout Swedish Baptist family in Chicago to his deep connection with the wilderness in Wisconsin and Minnesota, Olson's journey intertwines with his literary career and advocacy for conservation, culminating in significant contributions such as the Wilderness Act of 1964. The book also explores Olson's personal struggles, including his experience with depression.