09-09-2021, 04:37 PM
The Making of Yosemite by Jen A. Huntley
The subtitle to this work is: James Mason Hutchings and the origin of America's Most Popular National Park.
After reading Into the Sierras, I figured I needed to know more about Mr. Hutchings since he seemed to be at the center of the development of Yosemite. This book was quite the rabbit hole to go down. I feel like Roddy Piper putting on the sunglasses in They Live. I learned so much about early California, maybe too much. Not a lot of the stories put the Anglos in a good light. Hutchings had his good points and his bad points. According to this book Hutchings kind of fell into the roll of villain to John Muir's hero because it makes a much better narrative. It's not entirely accurate.
The book was an expansion of Huntley's doctoral thesis so there are extensive notes to back up all her assertions. It also showed me more rabbit holes to explore.
The Making of Yosemite is really well written and completely eye opening examination of Yosemite. Yes, it made me sad.
The subtitle to this work is: James Mason Hutchings and the origin of America's Most Popular National Park.
After reading Into the Sierras, I figured I needed to know more about Mr. Hutchings since he seemed to be at the center of the development of Yosemite. This book was quite the rabbit hole to go down. I feel like Roddy Piper putting on the sunglasses in They Live. I learned so much about early California, maybe too much. Not a lot of the stories put the Anglos in a good light. Hutchings had his good points and his bad points. According to this book Hutchings kind of fell into the roll of villain to John Muir's hero because it makes a much better narrative. It's not entirely accurate.
The book was an expansion of Huntley's doctoral thesis so there are extensive notes to back up all her assertions. It also showed me more rabbit holes to explore.
The Making of Yosemite is really well written and completely eye opening examination of Yosemite. Yes, it made me sad.
As a matter of fact, my anger does keep me warm