Gratefully, John Muir's impressions, adventures and memories of Yosemite and Alaska before tourism are preserved in this little treasure book. ( )

Inspiring. My dad amazes me (he thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail at age 65 and did almost all the Pacific Crest T. a couple years later, etc...) but Muir went on all his adventures into unknown terrritory without Gorp or Gore-Tex or GPS.

But looking past the Wild" in the title, the best part of the book for me was probably the joy Muir was able to share with us about what he saw and felt. Even in the most miserable conditions, his heart was full of sublime rapture. The only experience he hated was a visit to San Francisco, and when he got back to Yosemite he apologized to his feet for subjecting them to the dead pavement, and took them promptly to the living rock.

I think it would be cool if every young person, on their way to a park or camp, was able to listen to this on the drive. They'd be better prepared to notice and enjoy and be uplifted by the experience, and maybe do a little rock scrambling themselves." ( )

A compendium of John Muir adventures, I was surprised that they were all so short and he kept having them despite advancing age. All are Muir's own stories written by him. Most; however could be shorter despite their brevity, if one is only looking for adventure. If one is studying Muir, I would guess that these stories might make a good start. ( )

Here is an entertaining collection of John Muir's most exciting adventures, representing some of his finest writing. From the famous avalanche ride off the rim of Yosemite Valley to his night spent riding out a windstorm at the top of a tree to death-defying falls on Alaskan glaciers, the renowned outdoorsman's exploits are related in passages that are by turns exhilarating, unnerving, dizzying and outrageous. (Product Description)