The Camping Trip That Changed America: Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir, and Our National Parks (review)

Impelled by the works of John Muir to learn more about endangered forests, President Theodore Roosevelt arranged to take a respite from his formal tour of the western states to go on a California camping trip with Muir and see the sights for himself. Getting up close and personal with the giant sequoias, admiring the rock formations in Yosemite Valley, and listening to Muir's campfire tales of grizzly bear encounters and even more frightening speculations about future runaway development of the wilderness, Roosevelt returned to the White House determined to protect the nation's natural treasures. The result? "With John Muir's spirit as his guide, Theodore Roosevelt saved more wild land than any president in history." This feel-good tale, smoothly narrated and peppered with credible though unconfirmed dialogue, introduces listeners to the two public figures instrumental in the development of our national park system. Gerstein's vivid artwork captures both the majesty of the western landscapes and the quieter personal exchanges between these men who shared a passion for the outdoors. Though the coverage is a little selective (Rosenstock omits any reference to Roosevelt's famed shooting trips, for instance), this will serve as an attractive step-up title for children not quite ready for more comprehensive works on Muir and Roosevelt. A concluding note provides more information and a brief list of sources.