Wisdom of John Muir: 100+ Selections from the Letters, Journals, and Essays of the Great Naturalist

by Anne Rowthorn (Compiler), Bill McKibben (Foreword)

The Wisdom of John Muir marries the best aspects of a Muir anthology with the best aspects of a Muir biography. The fact that it is neither, and yet it is both, distinguishes this book from the many extant books on John Muir. Building on her lifelong passion for the work and philosophy of John Muir, author Anne Rowthorn has created this entirely new treatment for showcasing the great naturalist's philosophy and writings. By pairing carefully selected material from various stages of Muir's life, Rowthorn's book provides a view into the experiences, places, and people that inspired and informed Muir's words and beliefs. The reader feels able to join in with Muir's own discoveries and transformations over the arc of his life. Rowthorn is careful not to overstep her she stands back and lets Muir's words speak for themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Travel, Biography, Biography Memoir, Environment

220 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2012

Reviews

[Calvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a naturalist and a historian, this was a really enjoyable read. It was not so bogged down with commentary that it became unenjoyable, and it had enough commentary to fill in the gaps. This is well done. I give the compiler serious props. I’d only read short snips of Muir’s work but this was a great dive into more than his most iconic pieces.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wisdom of John Muir by Anne Rowthorn is a nice selections of Muir's work including items from letters, journals, and essays. For fans of nature writing, this would be an excellent introduction to his work. The context provided by Anne Rothorn make the selections even more meaningful and help readers better understand the life of John Muir.[return][return]The small format and readable length make the book an excellent choice as a gift.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a descriptive writer, not only about nature, trees, landscape, and his travels...but even about the more day to day things like a baby's smile. I cried when I read his description of the death of his beloved horse, Nob. Really interesting read about an interesting man I knew little about before reading this. I was inspired to read this after visiting Muir Woods redwood forest in California this year.

[Will Witkop · Rating 4 out of 5]

John Muir was an American conservationist and explorer icon in the late 18oo's. He was integral in creating our national parks and forests and preserving the beautiful environment of the United States. Muir was also a phenomenal write and Rowthorn compiled his works into this collection to give an understanding of Muir's impacts on environmental policy, his passion for the natural world, and his adventures that shaped the icon that he was.

My biggest take away from this book was how Muir was able to honor and respect the natural the world in multiple ways that showed a true and genuine admiration. His relationship with nature started at a young age when he would hike, camp, and hunt growing up. This exposure showed him the beauties of the natural world which expanded his curiosity. His curiosity pushed him to learn and understand the flora and fauna and geological and environmental historical development. His attentiveness made him one of the first people to articulate the observations of climate change and hypotheses of how current national parks such as Yosemite Valley formed. He then became an outspoken protector and political activist developing relationships with presidents to further expand protections of the areas that Muir admired so deeply.

I hope to emulate the characteristics of John Muir in my life. I have a love for the ocean and have spent many days enjoying the power and beauty. I have been developing my understanding wind and waves to improve my surfing. This pursuit of knowledge is really the best way to honor the ocean that I have such admiration for the same way John Muir did with his surroundings. While I have spent much time enjoying the water and have begun trying to understand the ways of the water, I have not come close to the example of activism and protection that John Muir has set for me.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure, I bought this at Lassen NP because I forgot to bring a book for a week of camping! I also wanted to see if it shed any light on recent accusations of racism by John Muir against African-Americans and Native Americans. Spoiler alert - not so much. It ignores some of the quotes I’ve read elsewhere from his “1000-mile walk to the Gulf,” denigrating some of the poor black folx he met along the way. The book does talk about his evolving relationship with Native Americans, from the “unfavorable encounter” in Wisconsin when a Native youth stole the family horse, to his evolving appreciation of how indigenous people lived in harmony with the Yosemite area for thousands of years.

Of course, the selected readings are uplifting. They are well curated with minimal but helpful introductions. A deeper exploration of Muir’s dark side will need to happen elsewhere. This book is a celebration of the iconic wilderness advocate. In context, it is well worth reading and keeping around for reference.

[Sarah Bodaly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a unique one – part anthology with selections from some of Muir’s most notable works, and part biography. It spans the length of his life, from his upbringing in rural Scotland, to his growing love for both God (not sure fully where he stands on God, but he does show a marvel, love, and respect for his Creator) and nature, and his travels, both across America and around the world. (He’s known for his part in conservation and founding National Parks in California, but he was a frequent traveler to Alaska, and spent time also in Africa, Asia, and South America.)
Muir loved the things of the outdoors that I love – the trees, mountains, and unspoiled wilderness of the American West. So, when I found this book at the Sequoia National Park gift shop last year, it caught my eye. I enjoyed reading it, though the depth of it, with the bulk of it being quotations from his wordy writings, was not something I could read quickly. If you can make it through the descriptions of Dickens and Austin, and you like the outdoors, you’ll enjoy this book.

[Marion Sieg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Letters and poetic essays from this great man are bundled into a thematic narrative which can be found repetitive at times but gives you a great overview of his life and style of writing.

The love of John Muir for nature and wilderness is beautiful, remarkable. I definitely keep with me some valuable quotes, to be cherished forever whilst thinking back of my time in the Sierra Nevada and the California mountains he liked so dearly.

I felt connected to Muir through this book.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this small volume....learned so much about his life. Didn't realize he was also an inventor. Designed an "early rising machine" which tumbled him out of bed at 0130 so he could read! He taught himself all kinds of math and science classes. This guy's brain should have been examined. If I wake up at 0130 I am definitely not reaching for a Trigonometry text.

[Jaron Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muir is a saint, and the way he talks about the wilderness is inspiring. I especially appreciate how he writes about the connection between God and "wildness". My only complaint is that the selections that simply describe a region of the world are less interesting than the selections that illuminate the effect of creation on the souls of humanity.

[Roxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muir is one of the most inspiring characters I’ve ever come across. I appreciated the author’s commentary, and while I enjoyed the Muir passages, I didn’t feel that his gift for ecstatic nature writing came across in this book as much I believe it could have.

[Janet Jongebloed · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Muir had the kind of life that I always wanted -- just traveled the natural world, wrote about it and educated people on why they should go hike what later became, through his devoted efforts, the national parks. I think the way he describes stuff is incredibly beautiful. However, it was THICK. I think I hurt my brain. When I finished this book, I threw it across my apartment just because I was so glad I was finished. I've never had this reaction to a book before. I loved it but it was sooooo hard to get through. The way he describes the places he's walked and things he's seen makes me want to devour every single word, but then I get full and nearly choke on it. And in between, there's the writers from our modern world giving some biographical narration between John Muir's snippets. It was good, but again THICK and my concentration was hard to capture. If descriptive beauty and a textbook met, it would be John Muir's writing style. I think I'd like to read more of his work, but as an audiobook instead just to make sure my attention doesn't fade.

[Robert Priest · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good with the writings of Muir, but to much repeating of story's. I probably should have started first with one of Muir's books, but then I wouldn't have some of the authors insights.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

less commentary, more Muir

[Joe Macdonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening , inspirational

[P.J. Wetzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Nevermore, however weary, should one faint by the way who gains the blessings of one mountain day." 6/23/1869

"... rejoice and exult in the imperishable, unspendable wealth of the universe, and faithfully watch and wait the reappearance of everything that melts and fades and dies about us, feeling sure that its next appearance will be better and more beautiful than the last." 9/2/1868

These John Muir quotes capture perfectly his unswerving faith in the healing and restorative power of nature over the human spirit. If Muir was a preacher, this would be his sermon.

John Muir had a gift for prose that he discovered only reluctantly, and at the prodding of friends and colleagues with whom he corresponded. He had no real desire to make his intimate personal writings available to the general public. The above two quotes are from his personal journal. Many of the other quotes in 'The Wisdom of John Muir' come from private letters to friends. He didn't publish his first article until 1872 at age 34. When encouraged by a friend to write a book he lamented:

"Book-making frightens me because it demands so much artificialness and retrograding ... Moreover I find that though I have a few thoughts entangled in the fibers of my mind, I possess no words into which I can shape them ... These mountain fires that glow in one's blood are free to all, but I cannot find the chemistry that may press them unimpaired into booksellers' bricks. True, I can proclaim that moonshine is glorious, and sunshine more glorious, that winds rage, and waters roar ... This is about the limit of what I feel capable of doing for the public. But for my few friends I can do more because they already know the mountain harmonies and can catch the tones I gather for them, though written in a few harsh and gravelly sentences." 12/25/1872

Thank goodness Muir's friends persisted, for despite his perceptions that the wider public would not fathom his passion for nature, he discovered that such passion lies dormant in all of us; and we are much the better for having had him to express for us what we can only vaguely sense.

Anne Rowthorn had admired Muir's work and writings for years, and seems a kindred spirit. She lovingly and thoughtfully assembled her 100+ selections of Muir's writing, dividing them into twelve themed chapters that are roughly chronological and reflect ups and downs, ins and outs of the man's life. Rowthorn's commentary provides a rich frame for the quotes, and serve as a decent biography. Her touch is light yet its impact on this final product is considerable. She adds value, make this book far more than an assemblage of memorable snippets. It becomes a coherent package.

In summary, I found 'The Wisdom of John Muir' to be a thoroughly enjoyable introduction to the man - a fine guidebook to his personality and his unique spirituality as well as to his style and craft as a writer. This would be an excellent choice as a gift to any young lover of nature.

[Nelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. For any John Muir fans, this is a must-read.