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The Adirondacks
His book is a romance, a story of first love between Americans and a thing they call "wilderness." For it was in the Adirondacks that masses of non-Native Americans first learned to cherish the wilderness as a place of recreation and solace.
In this lyrical narrative history, the author reveals that the affair between Americans and the Adirondacks was by no means one of love at first sight. And even now, Schneider shows that Americans' relationship with the glorious mountains and rivers of the Adirondacks continues to change. As in every good romance, nothing is as simple as it appears.
In this lyrical narrative history, the author reveals that the affair between Americans and the Adirondacks was by no means one of love at first sight. And even now, Schneider shows that Americans' relationship with the glorious mountains and rivers of the Adirondacks continues to change. As in every good romance, nothing is as simple as it appears.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
48 people are currently reading
326 people want to read
About the author
Paul Schneider
5 books28 followersPaul is currently the editor of Martha's Vineyard Magazine, the leading general interest magazine about the storied island off the coast of Massachusetts.
He is also the author of five books of non-fiction, most recently Old Man River: The Mississippi in North American History. (Henry Holt, 2013). The book was well reviewed in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere.
Previous books include:
Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend, which the LA Times called "extraordinarily immediate, not to mention lurid," and Oprah Magazine said "ignites like a combustion engine, driving the narrative toward its gruesome climax."
Brutal Journey: Cabeza de Vaca and the Epic First Crossing of North America, which Candice Millard, writing for the the New York Times, called "a fast-paced, moving story, one that is difficult to believe and impossible to forget."
The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, which Paul Theroux, writing for the New York Times, called "a happy blend of the dramatic, the colorful, the outlandish and the monumental."
The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness, which was a New York Times notable book of the year.
He is also the author of five books of non-fiction, most recently Old Man River: The Mississippi in North American History. (Henry Holt, 2013). The book was well reviewed in the New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, and elsewhere.
Previous books include:
Bonnie and Clyde: The Lives Behind the Legend, which the LA Times called "extraordinarily immediate, not to mention lurid," and Oprah Magazine said "ignites like a combustion engine, driving the narrative toward its gruesome climax."
Brutal Journey: Cabeza de Vaca and the Epic First Crossing of North America, which Candice Millard, writing for the the New York Times, called "a fast-paced, moving story, one that is difficult to believe and impossible to forget."
The Enduring Shore: A History of Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, which Paul Theroux, writing for the New York Times, called "a happy blend of the dramatic, the colorful, the outlandish and the monumental."
The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness, which was a New York Times notable book of the year.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 13, 2016
Absolutely fascinating, and hugely readable. I bought this book during a four day trip to upstate NY, for a job interview. The interview went very, very, well. I realised that I hadn't really spent much time beginning to think through the culture change, let alone the winter weather, I'd have to acclimatise to. This book, which I began reading on the ‘plane back to Britain was invaluable because I found myself able to begin to cross match the text to the characters of the Americans I’d met round Lake Champlain. Schneider certainly knows how to tell an engaging story. His characterisation of the landscape left me wanting to see more, and to learn more, even though I always would be an out-of-place Englander.
December 15, 2015
Enjoyable read. Parts of it I loved and parts just seemed to drag. I just had more interest in certain parts of the discussion than in others. I found the part about the lumbering business painful, especially since I moved to North Carolina and have beaucoup trees outside my window. And I understand the reason for why the water has to be poisoned but I disagree with the act.
I lived in Albany at one time and a friend came to visit and we drove up to the Adirondacks (I lived a similar distance from the Adirondacks, the Berkshires and the Catskills - all were within a 30-minute drive). It was beautiful. We drove up to Lake George and back. It was close to 40 years ago but I haven't forgotten it.
I enjoyed more of the history of the place than the land management portion of the book. I see the need for both. And this book is definitely an education.
I lived in Albany at one time and a friend came to visit and we drove up to the Adirondacks (I lived a similar distance from the Adirondacks, the Berkshires and the Catskills - all were within a 30-minute drive). It was beautiful. We drove up to Lake George and back. It was close to 40 years ago but I haven't forgotten it.
I enjoyed more of the history of the place than the land management portion of the book. I see the need for both. And this book is definitely an education.
September 14, 2012
I highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in the Adirondacks and/or the history of American attitudes towards wilderness and/or the management of park lands. The book was full of entertaining stories that illustrated the themes the author was exploring. I learned a lot about the history of the Adirondacks and how it is such a unique entity as the largest park in the continental US (larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smokey Mountains combined!) and protected by the state's constitution that mandates that it be forever wild. The book has very interesting chapters on the challenges of carrying out that mandate when only half of the park is owned by the state, with the other half in private or corporate hands, along with the more typical challenges of satisfying different stakeholders (conservationists, hunters/anglers, local economy, etc.). The book traces the various eras of fur trapping, logging, mining, and attempts at other industries, and how those have shaped the park. Hard to believe that beavers were totally eradicated from the park by trappers! (have now been reintroduced) There are also lots of simply entertaining tales about the legendary Adirondack guides, the wealthy who established the Adirondack style in their 'great camps', and the artists and writers who helped shape American attitudes towards the wilderness during their time in the Adirondacks. The book was very well written to convey so much information in such a page turning manner. I can't wait to do some more exploring in the 'Dacks!
October 11, 2025
BOOK REVIEW - The Adirondacks, by Paul Schneider (1998)
As a native of Utah with plenty of experience in the Wasatch and Rockies I was anxious to discover the “little mountains” of the east when we moved to NY. I admit that I quickly grained great respect and indeed love of those “little” mountains.
Paul Schneider’s book is both a sweeping chronicle and a deeply human narrative of one of the most storied regions in the United States. The book explores not just the rugged beauty of the Adirondack Mountains but also the social, economic, and political forces that shaped their destiny. Schneider, a journalist and historian, traces the region’s journey from a remote frontier wilderness to a protected public park—an evolution that mirrors America’s own struggle to balance progress and preservation.
The book begins with the geological formation of the Adirondacks and the early Native American presence, emphasizing how the region remained largely untouched until European settlers arrived. The 19th century brought rapid change: the timber industry, iron mining, and the spread of railroads opened the area to exploitation. Forests were stripped bare, rivers choked with silt, and the wilderness that had inspired early travelers and artists faced annihilation.
It was precisely this devastation that gave rise to a remarkable conservation movement. Schneider recounts how concerned citizens, scientists, and state leaders—alarmed by the destruction of watersheds feeding the Erie Canal and Hudson River—pushed for protection. Their efforts culminated in the creation of the Adirondack Park in 1892, followed by the “Forever Wild” clause in the New York State Constitution (1894), which declared that the land “shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private.” This clause, Schneider argues, was not only revolutionary but foundational to modern environmentalism.
Unlike a traditional park, the Adirondacks is a unique blend of public and private land—an experiment in coexistence between human communities and natural wilderness. Schneider deftly captures this tension: lumber towns, vacation resorts, and rewilded forests all coexist within the park’s boundaries. He describes both admiration for the idealism that saved the land and realism about the ongoing challenges of stewardship.
Throughout the book, Schneider interweaves personal stories—of trappers, loggers, vacationers, and visionaries—making the historical narrative vivid and intimate. His treatment of the “Great Camps,” built by wealthy industrialists who sought rustic retreats amid the wild, illustrates the paradox of America’s relationship with nature: admiration mixed with possession.
The Adirondacks is a beautifully written history. Schneider succeeds in showing that this wilderness is not static—it is a living, evolving landscape shaped by human ambition, exploitation, and care. For anyone who loves the region or the broader story of conservation in America, this book offers both insight and inspiration.
Quotes:
“The Adirondacks were never meant to be preserved as a museum exhibit, nor were they created as a playground for the elite. They endure as a living experiment—a place where people and wilderness must continually negotiate their shared existence.”
“By saving the Adirondacks, New Yorkers did something extraordinary: they turned the destruction of nature into a turning point for its protection. The Park’s creation marked a moment when a society, for the first time, looked upon its wilderness not as an obstacle to progress but as a national treasure to be preserved for all time.”
As a native of Utah with plenty of experience in the Wasatch and Rockies I was anxious to discover the “little mountains” of the east when we moved to NY. I admit that I quickly grained great respect and indeed love of those “little” mountains.
Paul Schneider’s book is both a sweeping chronicle and a deeply human narrative of one of the most storied regions in the United States. The book explores not just the rugged beauty of the Adirondack Mountains but also the social, economic, and political forces that shaped their destiny. Schneider, a journalist and historian, traces the region’s journey from a remote frontier wilderness to a protected public park—an evolution that mirrors America’s own struggle to balance progress and preservation.
The book begins with the geological formation of the Adirondacks and the early Native American presence, emphasizing how the region remained largely untouched until European settlers arrived. The 19th century brought rapid change: the timber industry, iron mining, and the spread of railroads opened the area to exploitation. Forests were stripped bare, rivers choked with silt, and the wilderness that had inspired early travelers and artists faced annihilation.
It was precisely this devastation that gave rise to a remarkable conservation movement. Schneider recounts how concerned citizens, scientists, and state leaders—alarmed by the destruction of watersheds feeding the Erie Canal and Hudson River—pushed for protection. Their efforts culminated in the creation of the Adirondack Park in 1892, followed by the “Forever Wild” clause in the New York State Constitution (1894), which declared that the land “shall not be leased, sold or exchanged, or be taken by any corporation, public or private.” This clause, Schneider argues, was not only revolutionary but foundational to modern environmentalism.
Unlike a traditional park, the Adirondacks is a unique blend of public and private land—an experiment in coexistence between human communities and natural wilderness. Schneider deftly captures this tension: lumber towns, vacation resorts, and rewilded forests all coexist within the park’s boundaries. He describes both admiration for the idealism that saved the land and realism about the ongoing challenges of stewardship.
Throughout the book, Schneider interweaves personal stories—of trappers, loggers, vacationers, and visionaries—making the historical narrative vivid and intimate. His treatment of the “Great Camps,” built by wealthy industrialists who sought rustic retreats amid the wild, illustrates the paradox of America’s relationship with nature: admiration mixed with possession.
The Adirondacks is a beautifully written history. Schneider succeeds in showing that this wilderness is not static—it is a living, evolving landscape shaped by human ambition, exploitation, and care. For anyone who loves the region or the broader story of conservation in America, this book offers both insight and inspiration.
Quotes:
“The Adirondacks were never meant to be preserved as a museum exhibit, nor were they created as a playground for the elite. They endure as a living experiment—a place where people and wilderness must continually negotiate their shared existence.”
“By saving the Adirondacks, New Yorkers did something extraordinary: they turned the destruction of nature into a turning point for its protection. The Park’s creation marked a moment when a society, for the first time, looked upon its wilderness not as an obstacle to progress but as a national treasure to be preserved for all time.”
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January 6, 2016Paul Schneider has a thesis: people's attitude toward wilderness, and therefore toward the Adirondacks, has changed through the years. The earliest white men viewed the forest as a place of spiritual as well as physical danger, as it was the home of "devil-worshiping savages." Later people viewed it as a place for extracting resources from, first furs, then iron ore, then logs-- get the goods, and then get out. Some wanted to "improve" the "wasteland" by converting it into farms, a purpose which it was not suited for. Later it became a playground for rich people having a rustic adventure in great comfort. The first proponents of preserving the Adirondacks as a park did so, not for the park's sake, but for protecting the watershed downstream. Only very lately did people come to appreciate the wilderness for its own sake.
Paul Schneider, as I said, has a thesis, and he returns to it throughout the book, but what he really wants to do is tell stories. He tells stories of the early Indian wars, with their shifting loyalties, and of Sir William Johnson, who lived in a mansion, but scandalized other white men by dressing in a loincloth and dancing with the Indians. He tells of the hunters and trappers, and guides, rough men who might kill you and laugh it off. He tells of the famous John Brown of song, who, when he wasn't leading slave uprisings, was trying to run a farming community, and whose famous body is buried in the Adirondack town of North Elba, which I did not know. If there was a colorful character in Adirondack history, and there were many, you will probably find him here. There are also journalistic interviews with contemporary trappers, and loggers, and settlers.
The book is dense with information, and kind of jumps around from topic to topic, but almost all of it is fascinating.
Paul Schneider, as I said, has a thesis, and he returns to it throughout the book, but what he really wants to do is tell stories. He tells stories of the early Indian wars, with their shifting loyalties, and of Sir William Johnson, who lived in a mansion, but scandalized other white men by dressing in a loincloth and dancing with the Indians. He tells of the hunters and trappers, and guides, rough men who might kill you and laugh it off. He tells of the famous John Brown of song, who, when he wasn't leading slave uprisings, was trying to run a farming community, and whose famous body is buried in the Adirondack town of North Elba, which I did not know. If there was a colorful character in Adirondack history, and there were many, you will probably find him here. There are also journalistic interviews with contemporary trappers, and loggers, and settlers.
The book is dense with information, and kind of jumps around from topic to topic, but almost all of it is fascinating.
March 25, 2011
The book started out very interesting with early American history and included the geographic history. There was not as much coverage of Iraquois and Algonquin pre-history, though that is probably best left for a book on North-Eastern Tribes. I was a bit dissapointed as the work turned to the minutiae of the land owners over the centuries. Not that Schneider was at fault - he covered as much as anyone could ask. The problem was my expectations. As grand a park as the Adriondacks, I expected a story just as grand, or at least something different than how everyone is having their dreams dashed on the oldest rocks on the planet. So perhaps that is the lesson to be learned: that the Adirondacks are not here for mankind, and we should temper our human expectations in terms expected outcomes.
February 6, 2010
Schneider uses the history of the Adirondacks to examine over two hundred years' worth of shifting attitudes toward wilderness in America. The book is heavy on anecdote and description, but not quite as comprehensive as I might have liked. Schneider provides a rather impressionistic view of Adirondack history, with a loose approach to chronology and lots of attention to character. And the characters he describes are fun to read about: fur trappers, loggers, industrialists, millionaires, romantic poets, early conservationists, etc. As a lover of the Adirondacks with a long personal history in the area, I found the book fascinating--might not be for those who aren't intimately connected to the region.
August 7, 2017
This is was a good history book should be. Full of information balanced by tales of quirky characters, battles, mishaps, and unusual name origins. Definitely worth the read if you live in or love the Adirondacks.
March 14, 2021
I grew up in the Adirondacks in upstate New York and though I knew quite a bit about the famous State Park declared "Forever Wild, Forever Free." The biggest shock to me from this book was the fact that the Adirondacks have always been very active sights of human activity, including attempts to create agricultural land, mining, and industries. Schneider navigates well through the stories and complexities. The central premise of the book is that the Adirondacks were the first place that Americans really began to think about the concept of wilderness or wild places. The meaning of the world "wilderness" has gone through multiple iterations over history that are perfect demonstrations of the way that Westerners generally think about nature. The book tries to look at the Adirondacks through three ways. First, as a history or series of stories about the park. Second, a contemporary examination of life in the Park. Third, an interesting case study for environmental ethics and conservation that gets at broader philosophical questions about our relationship with wilderness. I think that Schneider is most successful with the last element. He shows how the tensions inherent in a protected wildlife area with a substantial year-round population. He talks about the tensions between people wanting to manage the forest versus those who want it to remain untouched. The Adirondacks are a microcosm of these broader conversations in ecology. I actually think the book is weakest as history because I feel that it relies too much of interesting anecdotes and does not keep returning to its central theses to keep the narrative grounded. But this could be due to the fact that the book is written for more of a general audience. The book has lots of interesting stories and some good examinations of issues in conservation and ecology. As a native of the Park, I'm glad I read it and understand my home region much more than I did before.
October 29, 2023
Lively telling of the story of the Adirondacks, from prior to the arrival of white settlers, through the days of beaver trapping, and the Industrial Revolution, up through the late 90s. Schneider does a masterful job of weaving the various perspectives and stories together. As he makes clear, there has always been a complicated dynamic at work, where human development has needed to be balanced against conservation of wilderness, and there are no easy answers. If you love the area as I do you’ll find this an enlightening read that will make you think differently about your next visit.
My only minor quibble with the paperback edition it the poor quality of the photo reproductions. Everything just looks washed out and muddy, and things are hard to make out. Would have much preferred higher quality illustrations on glossy inserts. Oh well.
My only minor quibble with the paperback edition it the poor quality of the photo reproductions. Everything just looks washed out and muddy, and things are hard to make out. Would have much preferred higher quality illustrations on glossy inserts. Oh well.
July 26, 2019
Good read. The author jumps back and forth from past to present and gives some stories of Native people, trappers past & present, wildlife,etc. I like to read this book every few years to refresh my memory of my forever wild home.
May 30, 2024
thorough history of many of the important events that happened in the area of the Adirondack Park in New York, going back to Native American traditions. Thorough, well-written, entertaining. I feel like I know some of the people who lived there. Good book if you plan to travel there
July 28, 2024
I started this a few years ago and set it aside. I finished it up recently. It was well written and covered so much of the history in a way that wasn’t just names and dates. I enjoyed how he interleaved some interviews and other approaches to presenting the information.
October 13, 2018
Some really great history in here, but I got bogged down in the industry sections
April 12, 2020
A nice history of the Adirondack region, but probably best read by those who enjoy nonfiction and love the Adirondacks.
January 4, 2021
Excellently researched history of the Adirondacks, surveying a wide array of topics.
May 25, 2021
Great stories about the Adirondacks from the earliest non-native settlers to the present. Would have preferred more historical continuity but it was a very enjoyable read.
July 4, 2023
What we think of wilderness has changed in time,
From bad, to useful, to a leisure clime.
From bad, to useful, to a leisure clime.
August 10, 2023
Some sections were a bit dry and harder to get through than others but overall an interesting and important read for anyone interested in the ADK and the protection of the forever wild lands.
March 22, 2025
Great book of the history of the Adirondacks. Could be a slower read at times but very interesting and informative.
November 30, 2025
Good history, I'm glad I read it.
April 10, 2011
A good social and political history of the Park. He intersperses history with accounts of current activity in the Park, including LOTS of trapping. Who knew there were so many beaver there? And what do people do with all those beaver furs? I thought the most interesting was the great camp era--Vanderbilts, etc, all playing at “camping.” And the discussion at the end of wilderness. Can we really preserve something “forever wild” that hasn’t really been wild since the European-Americans first came upon it and began removing resources at incredible paces? And that is riddled with resorts, private homes, etc.?
January 18, 2011
Schneider narrates a fun history, about a place I love and where I used to work as a journalist. You've got to be a poor writer to deaden Adirondack history, which is rich beyond measure. Schneider avoids that crime. But the huge volume of tales and trivia drowns the essence of the ADK's history with superfluous information. I was less than satisfied at the end. What are the lessons? What are Schneider's thoughts on this place of hope and conflict?
February 22, 2014
One of the most entertaining histories I have ever read. An anecdotal history told through stories of Native Americans, reprobates, explorers, presidents and robber barons. Reads like a book of the most entertaining short (true) stories. I was not happy when I read the last page, knowing there was no sequel.
July 14, 2014
The book gave me background knowledge to the Adirondacks region and the many types of people who lived there. Now driving through and visiting a few towns and musuems plus hiking a few mountains puts this beautiful region into perspective. Lots more to see and do next time in the Adirondack region.
October 16, 2010
This is a FABULOUS book about The Adirondacks if you are interested in the history of the best park in New York state. It is a good balance of political and government history with the local population. By the end, you will understand why the park is so loved - and yet so threatened.
August 3, 2014
A narrative history of one of America's great wilderness areas. Very readable. the author evokes memories of the area I visited often as a young person. It is only as an adult I fully realize how lucky I was to grow up with the park in my back yard.
January 1, 2025
I love the Adirondacks. Even though the process can be flawed, divisive and contentious, I find it a miracle that six million acres have been preserved to the extent that they are. Schneider gives a very thorough look into the natural and political history of the land.
May 30, 2008
The Adirondacks ROCK. Totally, dude. And so does their history. Furtrappers. The French and Indian War. John Brown. Logs. Hermits. It's all here, man.
September 2, 2009
I loved this book. It's been a very long time since I read this but I found it a fascinating page-turner about a place that I love dearly.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews