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The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books
An omnibus of eight books of mountaineering and conservation "The Story of My Boyhood and Youth", "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf", "My First Summer in the Sierra", "The Mountains of California", "Our National Parks", "The Yosemite", "Travels in Alaska" and "Steep Trials".
1030 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1992
37 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
John Muir
621 books1,431 followersJohn Muir was far more than a naturalist; he was a secular prophet who translated the rugged language of the wilderness into a spiritual calling that saved the American soul from total surrender to materialism. Born in 1838 in the coastal town of Dunbar, Scotland, Muir’s childhood was a blend of seaside wanderings and a brutal religious upbringing. His father, Daniel Muir, was a man of uncompromising faith who forced John to memorize the New Testament and most of the Old Testament by age eleven. When the family immigrated to the frontier of Wisconsin in 1849, this iron-fisted discipline continued on their farm. However, for the young Muir, the "Book of Nature" began to rival the Bible. He saw the divine not just in scripture, but in the black locust trees and the sun-drenched meadows of the midwest.
The pivotal moment of Muir’s life occurred in 1867 while working at a wagon wheel factory in Indianapolis. A tool slipped, piercing his cornea and leaving him temporarily blind in both eyes. Confined to a darkened room for six weeks, Muir faced the terrifying prospect of a life without light. When his sight miraculously returned, he emerged with a clarity of purpose that would change the course of American history. He famously wrote, "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields. God has to nearly kill us sometimes, to teach us lessons." He immediately set out on a 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico, beginning a lifelong odyssey of exploration.
Muir eventually found his "true home" in California’s Sierra Nevada. To Muir, the mountains were not mere piles of rock, but "the range of light." He spent years as a shepherd and guide in Yosemite, living a life of extreme simplicity—often traveling with nothing but a tin cup, a crust of bread, and a volume of Emerson’s essays. His scientific contributions were equally profound; he defied the leading geologists of the day by proving that the Yosemite Valley was carved by ancient glaciers. While the state geologist, Josiah Whitney, dismissed him as a mere "shepherd," the world’s leading glaciologists eventually recognized Muir’s genius.
His transition from explorer to activist was born of necessity. Seeing the "hoofed locusts"—domestic sheep—devouring the high mountain meadows, Muir took up his pen. His landmark articles in The Century Magazine and his 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt became the catalysts for the modern conservation movement. Under the stars at Glacier Point, Muir convinced the President that the wilderness required federal protection. This meeting laid the groundwork for the expansion of the National Park system and the eventual return of Yosemite Valley to federal control.
As the co-founder and first president of the Sierra Club, Muir spent his final years in a fierce philosophical battle with Gifford Pinchot. While Pinchot argued for "conservation" (the sustainable use of resources), Muir championed "preservation" (the protection of nature for its own sake). Though he lost the battle to save the Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, the heartbreak of that loss galvanized the American public, ensuring that future "cathedrals of nature" would remain inviolate. John Muir died in 1914, but his voice remains ubiquitous, reminding us that "into the woods we go, to lose our minds and find our souls."
The pivotal moment of Muir’s life occurred in 1867 while working at a wagon wheel factory in Indianapolis. A tool slipped, piercing his cornea and leaving him temporarily blind in both eyes. Confined to a darkened room for six weeks, Muir faced the terrifying prospect of a life without light. When his sight miraculously returned, he emerged with a clarity of purpose that would change the course of American history. He famously wrote, "This affliction has driven me to the sweet fields. God has to nearly kill us sometimes, to teach us lessons." He immediately set out on a 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico, beginning a lifelong odyssey of exploration.
Muir eventually found his "true home" in California’s Sierra Nevada. To Muir, the mountains were not mere piles of rock, but "the range of light." He spent years as a shepherd and guide in Yosemite, living a life of extreme simplicity—often traveling with nothing but a tin cup, a crust of bread, and a volume of Emerson’s essays. His scientific contributions were equally profound; he defied the leading geologists of the day by proving that the Yosemite Valley was carved by ancient glaciers. While the state geologist, Josiah Whitney, dismissed him as a mere "shepherd," the world’s leading glaciologists eventually recognized Muir’s genius.
His transition from explorer to activist was born of necessity. Seeing the "hoofed locusts"—domestic sheep—devouring the high mountain meadows, Muir took up his pen. His landmark articles in The Century Magazine and his 1903 camping trip with President Theodore Roosevelt became the catalysts for the modern conservation movement. Under the stars at Glacier Point, Muir convinced the President that the wilderness required federal protection. This meeting laid the groundwork for the expansion of the National Park system and the eventual return of Yosemite Valley to federal control.
As the co-founder and first president of the Sierra Club, Muir spent his final years in a fierce philosophical battle with Gifford Pinchot. While Pinchot argued for "conservation" (the sustainable use of resources), Muir championed "preservation" (the protection of nature for its own sake). Though he lost the battle to save the Hetch Hetchy Valley from being dammed, the heartbreak of that loss galvanized the American public, ensuring that future "cathedrals of nature" would remain inviolate. John Muir died in 1914, but his voice remains ubiquitous, reminding us that "into the woods we go, to lose our minds and find our souls."
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 14, 2024
John Muir is so interesting! This book gave me such a clear picture of his travels, reading it I felt like I with Muir the whole time, finding out amazing things about nature and joining in with his adventures! The book had me hooked the whole time! I highly recommend this fascinating book to anyone.
May 15, 2020
Reviewing book 1 "The Story of my Boyhood and Youth" (began to read Mar 1) As a John Muir adherent, I have read some of his books and hiked significantly in the Sierra. Muir was obviously an exceptionally humble and spiritual individual calling himself "a bashful, home-loving boy." He loved and respected his severely strict father. When he first left home at age 22, his relatively simple exhibit of his scientifically and artistically creative home-made inventions at the Wisconsin State Fair brought him national attention. But he later explained, "I had been so lectured by my father above all things to avoid praise that I was afraid to read those kind newspaper notices, and never clipped out or preserved any of them, just glanced at them and turned away my eyes from beholding vanity." Quoting from the Introduction (by Terry Gilford) to this Omnibus, "His only autobiographical writing was forced out of him by way of dictation resulting in 'The Story of my Boyhood and Youth'." In this forced autobiographical writing Muir mentions "four years at the University." Terry Gilford mentions "entry to the University of Wisconsin for two and a half years ... interrupted by his draft-dodging from the Civil War. Muir decided to 'skedaddle' to Canada ... . When the war was over Muir returned home and immediately began plans to get to South America." I am not aware of draft-dodging being contemplated in any other writing about Muir - which makes me a bit uncomfortable. Still Muir is a pillar of wisdom, likely divinely inspired, who has added significantly to my life and to the lives of all of us. (finished reading Mar 13)
Reviewing book 2 "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" (began to read Mar 15) Having served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kentucky and Tennessee, some of Muir's experiences as he traveled through these States rang memory bells for me. The journey included some exciting incidents, some Civil War left-overs (but no mention of his dodging the actual war) and was an enlightening geography lesson. As a botanist and lover of nature Muir largely focused on the flora but occasionally deviated to philosophize on the equivalence of human beings to all other animal, vegetable, and mineral objects. (finished reading Mar 18)
Reviewing book 3 "My First Summer in the Sierra" (began to read Mar 19) From among the dozens of books written by and about John Muir, years ago I read a different version of "My First Summer in the Sierra" which presented more detailed, humorous, and/or inspirational narratives about the shepherd's greasy trousers, getting the sheep to cross the river(s), and Muir's epiphany revealing to him the unknown and unexpected presence of his former State University of Wisconsin friend, Professor J. D. Butler, in the Yosemite Valley far below. Muir writes inspirationally about all these things and more -- but mostly about his love affair with nature which can be informative or redundant. (finished reading Mar 22)
Reviewing book 4 "The Mountains of California" (began to read Mar 23) Summarized in one paragraph of Chapter Four, "A Near View of the High Sierra," from which (p. 324) I have gleaned: "Standing here in the deep, brooding silence all the wilderness seems motionless, as if the work of creation were done. But in the midst of this outer steadfastness ... there is incessant motion and change. Avalanches are falling ..., glaciers ... are flowing ... lakes are lapping ... rivers [are] ... carrying the mountains to the plains. Here ... is the eternal flux of nature manifested. We ... learn that as these we now behold have succeeded those of the pre-glacial age, so they in turn are withering ... to be succeeded by others yet unborn." The Sierra Nevada uniquely represents this incessant change for much of the whole world, and each chapter fascinatingly details some aspect of omnipresent change -- except Chapter Sixteen ("The Bee-Pastures") in which Muir, the botanist, redundantly buries the reader in technical and common flora names. (finished reading Apr 5)
Reviewing book 5 "Our National Parks" (began to read Apr 6) This Book 5 appears to be a collection of writings promoting National Parks and Federal protection of our country's forests -- especially Chapter Ten "The American Forests." What would we have in the Western United States without our National Forests -- the result, significantly, of Muir's teaching/leadership? Having read this far in this Omnibus it appears to me that said Omnibus or any of its contained books could be used as 'extra reading' for many and various college courses including literature, poetry, philosophy, geography, biology, and of course botany. Reading is very comfortable, and Muir often waxes poetic or philosophical. I am grateful for my 25 years in Fresno near Yosemite and my introduction to Muir and the 'Range of Light'. Wishfully I imagine sitting on a high Sierra ridge, reading and absorbing Muir's spirit, and gazing over miles of "majestic domed heads [of Sequoia Gigantea] rising above one another ... like a range of bossy upswelling cumulus clouds." Incidentally, I can't help but observe that Muir seems to favor purple in his colorful descriptions. (finished reading Apr 20)
Reviewing book 6 "The Yosemite" (began to read Apr 21) This book is for Yosemite visitors wanting to make the best use of their visiting time, whether it be for a couple days, a summer, or a couple years, according to Muir's heart -- best read with a map beside. A good map of the ancient glaciers likewise would have helped clarify the glacier path descriptions. (finished reading Apr 26)
Reviewing book 7 "Travels in Alaska" (began to read Apr 27) A wonderful and appreciated introduction to the back country of the Alaskan Panhandle and the countless glaciers because my impression had been that to see the real Alaska you needed to go north of Anchorage. Although lack of a map and personal knowledge (as I have for Yosemite and the high Sierras) moderated my interest, I did consult Mapquest and compare my brief visits to British Columbia mountains. I look forward to a better informed visit to Alaska. Similar to my interest in botanical details, Muir himself has begun to wear out. (finished reading May 2)
Reviewing book 8 "Steep Trails" (began to read May 4) We members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep an eternal perspective. Muir lived and wrote with an ice-age perspective and has helped me to realize that everything is continually changing -- even the climate. Whether you speak of 'global warming' or the more recently politically correct term 'climate change,' both are happening, and although the human family influences them, they cannot be entirely humanly controlled. I learned much and enjoyed a few stories from book 8 -- often by gleaning from among the repetitive and lengthy botanical descriptions. All five appendices at the end of this Omnibus were very informative, helped to explain Muir's global notoriety and his appreciated and widespread accomplishments, and compensated somewhat for the redundancy in book 8. (finished reading May 15)
Reviewing book 2 "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf" (began to read Mar 15) Having served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kentucky and Tennessee, some of Muir's experiences as he traveled through these States rang memory bells for me. The journey included some exciting incidents, some Civil War left-overs (but no mention of his dodging the actual war) and was an enlightening geography lesson. As a botanist and lover of nature Muir largely focused on the flora but occasionally deviated to philosophize on the equivalence of human beings to all other animal, vegetable, and mineral objects. (finished reading Mar 18)
Reviewing book 3 "My First Summer in the Sierra" (began to read Mar 19) From among the dozens of books written by and about John Muir, years ago I read a different version of "My First Summer in the Sierra" which presented more detailed, humorous, and/or inspirational narratives about the shepherd's greasy trousers, getting the sheep to cross the river(s), and Muir's epiphany revealing to him the unknown and unexpected presence of his former State University of Wisconsin friend, Professor J. D. Butler, in the Yosemite Valley far below. Muir writes inspirationally about all these things and more -- but mostly about his love affair with nature which can be informative or redundant. (finished reading Mar 22)
Reviewing book 4 "The Mountains of California" (began to read Mar 23) Summarized in one paragraph of Chapter Four, "A Near View of the High Sierra," from which (p. 324) I have gleaned: "Standing here in the deep, brooding silence all the wilderness seems motionless, as if the work of creation were done. But in the midst of this outer steadfastness ... there is incessant motion and change. Avalanches are falling ..., glaciers ... are flowing ... lakes are lapping ... rivers [are] ... carrying the mountains to the plains. Here ... is the eternal flux of nature manifested. We ... learn that as these we now behold have succeeded those of the pre-glacial age, so they in turn are withering ... to be succeeded by others yet unborn." The Sierra Nevada uniquely represents this incessant change for much of the whole world, and each chapter fascinatingly details some aspect of omnipresent change -- except Chapter Sixteen ("The Bee-Pastures") in which Muir, the botanist, redundantly buries the reader in technical and common flora names. (finished reading Apr 5)
Reviewing book 5 "Our National Parks" (began to read Apr 6) This Book 5 appears to be a collection of writings promoting National Parks and Federal protection of our country's forests -- especially Chapter Ten "The American Forests." What would we have in the Western United States without our National Forests -- the result, significantly, of Muir's teaching/leadership? Having read this far in this Omnibus it appears to me that said Omnibus or any of its contained books could be used as 'extra reading' for many and various college courses including literature, poetry, philosophy, geography, biology, and of course botany. Reading is very comfortable, and Muir often waxes poetic or philosophical. I am grateful for my 25 years in Fresno near Yosemite and my introduction to Muir and the 'Range of Light'. Wishfully I imagine sitting on a high Sierra ridge, reading and absorbing Muir's spirit, and gazing over miles of "majestic domed heads [of Sequoia Gigantea] rising above one another ... like a range of bossy upswelling cumulus clouds." Incidentally, I can't help but observe that Muir seems to favor purple in his colorful descriptions. (finished reading Apr 20)
Reviewing book 6 "The Yosemite" (began to read Apr 21) This book is for Yosemite visitors wanting to make the best use of their visiting time, whether it be for a couple days, a summer, or a couple years, according to Muir's heart -- best read with a map beside. A good map of the ancient glaciers likewise would have helped clarify the glacier path descriptions. (finished reading Apr 26)
Reviewing book 7 "Travels in Alaska" (began to read Apr 27) A wonderful and appreciated introduction to the back country of the Alaskan Panhandle and the countless glaciers because my impression had been that to see the real Alaska you needed to go north of Anchorage. Although lack of a map and personal knowledge (as I have for Yosemite and the high Sierras) moderated my interest, I did consult Mapquest and compare my brief visits to British Columbia mountains. I look forward to a better informed visit to Alaska. Similar to my interest in botanical details, Muir himself has begun to wear out. (finished reading May 2)
Reviewing book 8 "Steep Trails" (began to read May 4) We members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to keep an eternal perspective. Muir lived and wrote with an ice-age perspective and has helped me to realize that everything is continually changing -- even the climate. Whether you speak of 'global warming' or the more recently politically correct term 'climate change,' both are happening, and although the human family influences them, they cannot be entirely humanly controlled. I learned much and enjoyed a few stories from book 8 -- often by gleaning from among the repetitive and lengthy botanical descriptions. All five appendices at the end of this Omnibus were very informative, helped to explain Muir's global notoriety and his appreciated and widespread accomplishments, and compensated somewhat for the redundancy in book 8. (finished reading May 15)
January 9, 2025
It was amazing to me that Muir worried about making the National Parks accessible to people so that the parks would be protected. Now, over 100 years later, they are being loved to death with too many visitors.
January 10, 2025
I loved his absolute joy in describing nature, though the books did tend to repeat. Had I read them individually with time between it would have been better. Oh, and his level of understatement is almost unbelievable. Enjoy his description and go experience it yourself.
December 19, 2013
Researching and writing about the Sierra Club inspired me to read John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books. I could have read each book separately but decided to immerse myself in John Muir’s writing by reading the 1030-page tome containing all eight books. It was an adventure that spanned over a month as I traveled with Muir from his early childhood home in Dunbar, Scotland to the frozen realm of Glacier Bay, Alaska.
The Bottom Line
Before reading John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books, I knew John Muir traveled and lived in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, was instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park, and founded the Sierra Club. I’ve since been introduced to him as a Scotsman, inventor, botanist, glacier expert, and writer.
Although he was born 175 years ago, I can easily imagine running into John Muir on a trail in Yosemite, sitting down on log, and talking with him about sugar pine trees or global warming.
I believe John Muir’s books would appeal to a wide audience including history buffs, scientists, mountaineers, environmentalists, and wilderness enthusiasts. John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books should be required reading for all government officials, especially those charged with protecting our public lands.
Read the whole review at: http://greengroundswell.com/john-muir...
The Bottom Line
Before reading John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books, I knew John Muir traveled and lived in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, was instrumental in the establishment of Yosemite National Park, and founded the Sierra Club. I’ve since been introduced to him as a Scotsman, inventor, botanist, glacier expert, and writer.
Although he was born 175 years ago, I can easily imagine running into John Muir on a trail in Yosemite, sitting down on log, and talking with him about sugar pine trees or global warming.
I believe John Muir’s books would appeal to a wide audience including history buffs, scientists, mountaineers, environmentalists, and wilderness enthusiasts. John Muir: The Eight Wilderness Discovery Books should be required reading for all government officials, especially those charged with protecting our public lands.
Read the whole review at: http://greengroundswell.com/john-muir...
January 8, 2017
Not the type of book you read cover to cover (I didn't), I had been interested in experiencing Muir's prose since watching Ken Burns years ago. However, the experience was somewhat less than promised. Muir's prose occassionally soars to transcendental heights with encomium atop encomium for America's beautiful spaces. But too often he is either bogged down in the worthy, but boring, enumeration of plant species. He also has a little too much of the salesman in him, but the national parks are what he is selling. Interesting to read to get a good taste of his prose, but the full meal is not necessary.
September 18, 2013
I keep several books going at once - usually a coming of age and a mystery or two as time allows. Johnny is my escape hatch - my companion on a journey through the garden of Eden. It's still there - within arms reach. We just have to slow down and stretch - - what a treasure.
For God so loved the world . . .
For God so loved the world . . .
February 1, 2011
Of course, this book is essential, brilliant, honest, direct and damn humorous. I don't need to go into detail, how could it not be an amazing, accessible read? Plus, Muir had such a refreshing sense of humor.
Read
September 30, 2009Everything about true love of the wilderness. I remember things from this book every time I go hiking. Love the way "Johnny " writes. It's very much like being there.
Want to read
September 28, 2010Started reading this book after I purchased it on trip to Mt Rainier, May 2010. Put it aside, not out of disinterest, but because I had too many books on the go, as usual.
August 30, 2010
a hero of mine
January 21, 2016
John Muir's love of nature shines through in these books - he speaks earnestly and knowledgeably about everything from bugs to birds. Best read outdoors.
December 1, 2021
I am reading it slowly and deliberately in between other books. I am highlighting passages so I can return to many of his great quotes. Truly enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews