53 pages • 1 hour read
Wilderness and the American Mind
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Book Brief
432
Book • Nonfiction
North America • 16th-20th Century
1967
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Wilderness and the American Mind by Roderick Nash traces the evolving relationship between US citizens and wilderness from colonial times to the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. Nash explores this transformation through historical figures, pivotal moments, and ideological shifts, influenced by enlightenment, Romanticism, and transcendentalism. He highlights the impact of key figures like Thoreau and Muir in the preservation movement and discusses ongoing ideological debates, offering his own solutions for a balanced coexistence between civilization and the environment.
Informative
Contemplative
Inspirational
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
2,144 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Roderick Nash's Wilderness and the American Mind is a seminal exploration of America's evolving relationship with wilderness. Reviews praise its thorough research and insightful historical analysis, highlighting Nash's ability to contextualize the cultural significance of nature. Some find the prose dense and occasionally dry, but overall, it's deemed essential for environmental studies.
Who Should Read Wilderness and the American Mind?
Readers passionate about environmental history and conservation, especially those intrigued by the evolution of American wilderness ideals, will enjoy Wilderness and the American Mind by Roderick Nash. Comparable to Henry David Thoreau’s Walden or Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac, this book captures the essence of environmental philosophy.
2,144 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Robert Wernick
Robert Wernick
A writer and vocal critic of the preservation movement, known for opposing the elevation of wilderness over civilization. His skepticism towards the movement challenged proponents to support their arguments with logical rebuttals.
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Former US President and a supporter of conservation, whose complex relationship with the preservation movement reflected the national tension between cultivation and preservation. His alliance with John Muir helped validate the wilderness preservation cause.
432
Book • Nonfiction
North America • 16th-20th Century
1967
Adult
18+ years
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