- Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Mariner Books; Harvest edition (Dec 1987)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0156720361
- ISBN-13: 978-0156720366
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 14.7 x 3.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,051,556 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This was an enjoyable and interesting read mostly because it seemed to me the author had passion for his subject.
It is a history of the Yellowstone Park, National Park Service, the American Environmental Movement and the Natural History of the Western United States. It looks at the people behind the policies and decisions. A rare critical analysis of those policies that were endorssed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior and such organizations as the Sierra Club, WWF and the Audubon Society. If any thing, there was too much of the people and politics.
It covers the stories of numerous animals of Yellowstone. Such as the Beaver, Wolf, Elk, Mountain Lion, and Bison. Surprisingly little research was ever done by the time the author wrote the book. Some of the stories and anecdotes are what made this book the more interesting. Also, the look at the history of geological work in the park. The story of the dog diving into hot water and his poor owner high light the power of the place.
The author is somewhat critical of the way the Park was run and the development of the environmental movement. He is a true naturalist looking for evidence rather than trying to make it fit policy. He explores the founding philosphies behind each movement and how they evolved. The consequences were dire for Yellowstone. Most of it revolves around "Natural Regulation" and the problems this caused for Biologists studying Grizlies and the invasion of foreign species. And the Elk! Should they be in the Park at all?
A great read with many lessons for today when mixing science and politics, or balacing wild places with people.
I was lead to this book by the bibliography in the back of State of Fear
It is a history of the Yellowstone Park, National Park Service, the American Environmental Movement and the Natural History of the Western United States. It looks at the people behind the policies and decisions. A rare critical analysis of those policies that were endorssed by the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior and such organizations as the Sierra Club, WWF and the Audubon Society. If any thing, there was too much of the people and politics.
It covers the stories of numerous animals of Yellowstone. Such as the Beaver, Wolf, Elk, Mountain Lion, and Bison. Surprisingly little research was ever done by the time the author wrote the book. Some of the stories and anecdotes are what made this book the more interesting. Also, the look at the history of geological work in the park. The story of the dog diving into hot water and his poor owner high light the power of the place.
The author is somewhat critical of the way the Park was run and the development of the environmental movement. He is a true naturalist looking for evidence rather than trying to make it fit policy. He explores the founding philosphies behind each movement and how they evolved. The consequences were dire for Yellowstone. Most of it revolves around "Natural Regulation" and the problems this caused for Biologists studying Grizlies and the invasion of foreign species. And the Elk! Should they be in the Park at all?
A great read with many lessons for today when mixing science and politics, or balacing wild places with people.
I was lead to this book by the bibliography in the back of State of Fear
Format:Paperback
Mr. Chase has written a book that should be required reading for anyone involved in natural resource management, be they agency professionals, activists, or recreationists. As a wildlife biologist, I found the book fascinating; Mr. Chase is able to investigate aspects of resource management that often go overlooked in today's media. Beyond that, Mr. Chase provides a brutally honest account of the evolution of Park Service policy. Whether you have a PhD in resource management or you love the park on a personal, more intimate level, this book is for you.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
10 reviews
35 of 41 people found the following review helpful
The uncomfortable truth
26 Jun 2002
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first learned of this book when I was working as a volunteer fire fighter in Northern California back in 1989. The subject came up one evening and the dinner table polarized between the Park Service/Forestry workers and the "environmentalist" crowd. (I was just helping out because my house was at risk from the fire and didn't fit into either camp.) The environmentalists hated the book while the professional forestry managers tried to explain to them that Chase had a lot of good points. I was curious enough to seek out the book to read and learned a lot. Chase's main point is that you can't have it both ways - if you don't want to manage these areas actively you are going to end up with the destruction of habitat and species you were trying to avoid - and proves his case in detail using the Yellowstone disaster as an example. His more recent book, In a Dark Wood, provides more evidence (including a depressing acount of how the unmanged elk herds in Yellowstone are destroying entire ecosystems...
31 of 36 people found the following review helpful
God's Playground for Man to Feel in Control
20 Feb 2000
Format:Paperback
Chase presents an interesting history of Yellowstone National Park and its human destroyers/protectors. Chase shows the reader how good intentions sometimes do pave the way to bad experiences and worse results. Who could have imagined a national park having fences put up to keep wild animals in? Who would have thought that park rangers would decide that the beavers' dams were too destructive? From my own travels, there is still evidence of beavers and their dams, yet at one point this was nill. That's just one example. Wolves were destroyed because they were seen as a horrible threat, yet now wolves have been reintroduced with brand new controversy. When will we stop playing God? Did we ever not play God in this/and other parks? This is a great read for someone who has interest in national parks and the salvation of these "natural lands." Read it with questions forming, and then go find other sources to answer your questions. This is just one person's research/view point, but Chase gives us a lot to consider and look into. When is it right for humans to interfere? Or is it ever right?
19 of 23 people found the following review helpful
This is a book that makes you really think....what did we do?
21 Sep 2005
Format:Paperback
This is a wonderful book if you are a wildlife biologist or avid wildlife observer. The author does bash the Park Service quite severely, but in all honesty - look into the overall history of the Park Service - he isn't off by far. I truly enjoyed his personal point of view. If you are looking for just a history type book, this really isn't it. This is more of a personal account, more than it is strictly history based about the park service/yellowstone. Highly recommended for those of you with an open mind and a deep concern for our wildlife and national parks.
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