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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
shakespearesgirl's review against another edition
3.0
While this was much better than The Worst Hard Time, only half the book is dedicated to the fire, and the development of the Forest Rangers. The rest is a weird biography of Gifford Pinchot, who I don't really care about. Egan did nothing to draw me into Pinchot's life, either.
Overall, I'd say if you really want to know about the 1910 wildfire, watch the PBS American Experience documentary of the same name. If you, for some reason, have a fascination with Gifford Pinchot, read the book.
Overall, I'd say if you really want to know about the 1910 wildfire, watch the PBS American Experience documentary of the same name. If you, for some reason, have a fascination with Gifford Pinchot, read the book.
iceskaterelizabeth's review against another edition
4.0
engrossing narrative of Progressive Era focused on the founding of US Forest Service and the largest wildfire in the country's history. I recommend this for history and nature fans.
writerwendywag's review against another edition
5.0
If you have ever wanted to know more about the creation of the Forest Service and how it was put in charge of America's fires, this is a terrific book to read. If you love conservation, it will really touch you!
ratmanrat's review against another edition
5.0
Dramatic, good, and sooo informative about the start of public land, Gifford Pinchot, Roosevelt, and the battle for the forest service, the burn that swept through , and some of the fall out after. Amazing to learn the real Pulaski story, real stories of the firefighters drafted in for th emergency, and their fates good and bad (mostly bad!).
Important history of the US and how so much of the landscape could have been different without public land…… and how it still struggles in danger of overuse today.
Recommend! Good fast read too.
Important history of the US and how so much of the landscape could have been different without public land…… and how it still struggles in danger of overuse today.
Recommend! Good fast read too.
bglvy325's review against another edition
5.0
There is also a PBS special about this topic. A great learning experience about President Roosevelt, John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and Ed Pulaski. Their hard work and heroic actions led to the parks that we enjoy today. Studying About the conditions that led to The Big Burn fire, is sobering for those of us who live in the wildland urban interface. This is the second book that I've read, by Timothy Egan, and both have been mind altering. His books stick with you, for a very long time.
seano312's review against another edition
5.0
The story of the 1910 fire is a must read of any fan of Teddy Roosevelt and the progressive movement of the early 20th Century.
It's a story of many heroes, many victims, and an implacable force and how none were unaffected.
There are few domestic events in our country that has as broad an impact. It changed the course of presidential power, it changed the face of the American west, and it altered how man fight disasters to this very day.
Highly recommended.
It's a story of many heroes, many victims, and an implacable force and how none were unaffected.
There are few domestic events in our country that has as broad an impact. It changed the course of presidential power, it changed the face of the American west, and it altered how man fight disasters to this very day.
Highly recommended.
hmcgivney's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so well written. The part about the beginnings of the forest service were a little bit drier, but necessary to understand the complete devastation of this 36 hour big burn that destroyed 3 million acres of forest. I was pretty amazed with the story of Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, two millionaires that were considered by many to be traitors to their class because they campaigned for the rights of the little guy and for preserving public land for future generations instead of giving in to the short term economic interests of a few powerful men.
My heart really went out to the firefighters who sacrificed so much and then got little compensation from the government for trying to battle the impossible.
My heart really went out to the firefighters who sacrificed so much and then got little compensation from the government for trying to battle the impossible.
_roxanne12's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Well told story of the massive 1910 fires.
kalirev's review against another edition
4.0
This is an engaging non-fiction history of one of the largest wildfires in US history, at a time when the US Forest Service was in its infancy.
The outcome would mold and influence the agency into the 21st century.
While the subtitle names Teddy Roosevelt, the president is more of a supporting character in this telling. The battle for forestry and the "father" of the USFS, Gifford Pinchot features more prominently.
That said, it is a fascinating and enjoyable read, and well worth it as long as you are not expecting a significant TR biography.
The outcome would mold and influence the agency into the 21st century.
While the subtitle names Teddy Roosevelt, the president is more of a supporting character in this telling. The battle for forestry and the "father" of the USFS, Gifford Pinchot features more prominently.
That said, it is a fascinating and enjoyable read, and well worth it as long as you are not expecting a significant TR biography.