This is an important book both because this is the first biography of Benton MacKaye and because it explores the philosophy behind the Appalachian Trail.
(Carol Niedzialek
Potomac Appalachian 2003)
In the first comprehensive biography of MacKaye, Larry Anderson does an impressive job of bringing an enigmatic figure into sharper focus and shedding light on the long list of important contributions MacKaye made to the American environmental movement... A readable, engrossing biography.
(Lucille Stott
Appalachia 2003)
Larry Anderson's splendid biography of Benton MacKaye recounts the life of an American pioneer in regional and recreational planning, wilderness preservation, and environmental thought... A first-rate biography of a unique American thinker. Throughout, Anderson ably places MacKaye in political, cultural, and environmental contexts and reveals the reciprocal influences among MacKaye, Mumford, Stein, and others.
(Mark Harvey
Journal of American History 2003)
Anderson's thoroughly researched book is the first complete biography of MacKaye.
(
Choice 2003)
Benton MacKaye was a visionary whose original ideas deserve to be better known among contemporary planners, and this first detailed biography of MacKaye should become the standard account of his life and work.
(Randall Arendt
APA Journal 2004)
A superb and much-anticipated biography of Benton MacKaye. Rich in detail (a sign of Anderson's diligent research) and smart in its analysis (an indication of his supple intellect), the book brings the often-quirky MacKaye to life. In weaving together his subject's private worries and public activism, Anderson has given us the definitive and first full biographical treatment of MacKaye, a remarkable achievement.
(Char Miller
Journal of Forestry 2005)
This biography provides the first complete portrait of a significant and unique figure in American environmental history. Drawing on extensive research, Larry Anderson traces MacKaye's extensive career, examines his many published works, and describes the importance of MacKaye's relationships with such influential figures as Lewis Mumford, Aldo Leopold, and Walter Lippmann.
(
Association of Partners for Public Lands News and Notes )
Anderson's close biography fleshes out MacKaye's intellectually fascinating although sometimes physically trying and emotionally harrowing life... Anderson ties together the many strands of MacKaye's long life and his many enduring friendships and associations.
(Ed Zahniser
Friends of Allegheny Wilderness )
As much a biography of MacKaye's intellectual journey as it is a life story... It is unimaginable—after reading 400 pages of text and 50 pages of footnotes, scholarly in appearance and journalistic in approach—that an extant piece of writing by or about MacKaye has since escaped Anderson's attentions.
(Brian B. King
Appalachian Trailway News )
A detailed and sympathetic biography of visionary planner Benton MacKaye.
(
Planning )
Anderson's lucid, well-researched, and sensitive story provides an illuminating on-the-ground snapshot of the inner workings of the intellectual networks, social relationships, governmental and business institutions, particular projects, and downright good and bad luck that constitute the fabric of historical movements such as conservation and regional planning.
(Steven J. Holmes
Environmental History )
This is a book that thoughtful hikers will enjoy.
(
NH Forum )
There is no biography of Benton MacKaye and this is likely to become the standard work on this important American for many years. It is a major contribution to the history of the development of the wilderness conservation and recreation movement, as well as a thorough and engaging account of the life and work of one of its most innovative leaders.
(Kermit C. Parsons, Cornell University )
Larry Anderson has written an excellent book, meticulously researched and well organized. The scholarship is impeccable. Environmental, intellectual, and planning historians will all find this biography an invaluable addition to the literature.
(Paul Shriver Sutter, University of Georgia, author of
Driven Wild: How the Fight Against Automobiles Launched the Modern Wilderness Movement )
Planner and originator of the Appalachian Trail and a cofounder of the Wilderness Society, Benton MacKaye (1879-1975) was a pioneer in linking the concepts of preservation, recreation, and regional planning. This pathbreaking biography provides the first complete portrait of this significant and unique figure in American environmental, intellectual, and cultural history.
"A superb and much-anticipated biography of Benton MacKaye. Rich in detail (a sign of Anderson's diligent research) and smart in its analysis (an indication of his supple intellect), the book brings the often-quirky MacKaye to life... A remarkable achievement."— Journal of Forestry
"A first-rate biography of a unique American thinker."— Journal of American History
"Anderson does an impressive job of bringing an enigmatic figure into sharper focus and shedding light on the long list of important contributions MacKaye made to the American environmental movement... A readable, engrossing biography."— Appalachia
"Anderson's lucid, well-researched, and sensitive story provides an illuminating on-the-ground snapshot of the inner workings of the intellectual networks, social relationships, governmental and business institutions, particular projects, and downright good and bad luck that constitute the fabric of historical movements such as conservation and regional planning."— Environmental History
"This first detailed biography of MacKaye should become the standard account of his life and work."— APA Journal
Larry Anderson is a freelance writer and independent scholar.
