First Along the River: A Brief History of the U.S. Environmental Movement

by Benjamin Kline

First Along the River is the first concise, accessible, and informative introduction to the U.S. environmental movement that covers the colonial period through 1999. It provides students with a balanced, historical perspective on the history of the environmental movement in relation to major social and political events in U.S. history. The book highlights important people and events, places critical concepts in context, and shows the impact of government, industry, and population on the American landscape. Comprehensive yet brief, First Along the River discusses the religious and philosophical beliefs that shaped Americans' relationship to the environment, traces the origins and development of government regulations that impact Americans' use of natural resources, and shows why popular environmental groups were founded and how they changed over time.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Environment, Read For School

Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Will · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking forward to the examination of the contemporary environmental movement, which to no fault of the author, I found to be a bit redundant due to the fact that its recent history.
Since reading Roderick Nash’s thorough survey “Wilderness and the American Mind,” I felt comfortable with my environmental history knowledge. If you feel the same way, read this book for its concise summary of this aspect of American history.

[Heather Pfannenschmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for my PS 320 class. It was my second least favorite textbook. It wasn’t useful for my class and just had a lot of background knowledge. It was enjoyable to read, but it had a lot of fluff instead of useful info for my course. A good read for someone who is interest in political science.

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a bit of political bias towards the end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Along the River by Benjamin Kline chronologically tells the history of the U.S. environmental movement from early philosophical relationships with nature to the BP Oil Spill. It also manages to keep each chapter within an average of 20 pages or so, making each time period discussed relatively "brief".

Sometimes the language Kline uses can be very plain and pedantic, but the content that he provides and the way in which he provides it makes up for this possible negative factor. Conveniently, the sources he cites within each chapter are listed before each new chapter begins, and along with a larger bibliography and suggested reading list at the end of the book, there is a glossary of common terms and people dealing with the U.S. environmental movement. If, however, there is a term that cannot be found in Kline's book alone, one will probably have to look it up elsewhere.

Because of its desire for brevity, Kline's book is a very good supplement to other complimentary books about the U.S. environmental movement. As a standalone book, this edition and its predecessors have done a very good job at detailing the most important parts of how the U.S. environmental movement has progressed throughout history. Yet in order to use it to its fullest potential, one would mostly use it alongside a more encompassing book---a textbook or study guide, for example---for reference, or a quick brush-up on murky areas dealing with certain environmental issues. Overall, however, Kline's book is very detailed, informative, and, even at times, enlightening.

Highly recommended to anyone who is studying environmental science and environmental history, or to anyone that wishes to learn about another perspective on United States history.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever the issue of economics comes into play, things can’t help but turn political. Nowhere is this more dangerous than in the area of environmental concerns. Kline does an excellent job at keeping this book politically neutral (well, as much as possible), and sticks to the key events, people, concerns, facts, and accomplishments from all sides of this eternal debate. He does this in a concise, easily readable volume that is recommended for everyone…in the interests of becoming more aware of what exactly are the various concerns and their history.
This planet will not survive at the rate we are going with the four key factors: wars of mass destruction, over-population, pollution, and the depletion of natural resources, unless some serious adjustments are made now and made extensively. Kline ends the book by saying that it will take a “9/11 of the environment” to wake people up. Sadly, like everything else in life, we are inclined to react…and by that time the costs will be catastrophic.

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

(1st ed., 1997)

This is a exactly what it purports to be. Kline succinctly covers most of the main environmentally relevant figures, events, and movements in U.S. history, as well as very briefly introducing most major federal legislation.

Two brief critiques:

First, Kline seems overly focused on Presidential policy, thereby understating some arguably more relevant congressional politics.

Second, Kline offers bizarre meta-commentary at some points, such as his criticism of the Wilderness Society for being overly focused on wilderness and enforcement of the Wilderness Act (categorizing this focus as failing to "tap the energies of the contemporary environmental movement" and "limit[ing] its appeal to the public").

Overall, I would recommend First Along the River as an introduction, and only an introduction, to American environmental history.

[Sara]

Yet another required book for a class...

[Aurali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good historical perspective on the environmental movement in the United States. I thought the edition could have used a little more careful updating, especially in the 1990s section.

[Nicole McCann · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fantastic little brief history of the u.s. environmental movement! it was a great book to read while transitioning into my graduate studies in environmental policy.