Conservation And The Gospel Of Efficiency: The Progressive Conservation Movement, 1890-1920 [Paperback]

Samuel P. Hays (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 18, 1999

The relevance and importance of Samuel P. Hay's book, Conservation and the Gospel of Efficiency, has only increased over time. Written almost half a century ago, it offers an invaluable history of the conservation movement's origins, and provides an excellent context for understanding contemporary enviromental problems and possible solutions. Against a background of rivers, forests, ranges, and public lands, this book defines two conflicting political processes: the demand for an integrated, controlled development guided by an elite group of scientists and technicians and the demand for a looser system allowing grassroots impulses to have a voice through elected government representatives.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: University of Pittsburgh Press; 1 edition (March 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0822957027
• ISBN-13: 978-0822957027
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #634,642 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4.0 out of 5 stars A classic., February 26, 2011

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This review is from: Conservation And The Gospel Of Efficiency: The Progressive Conservation Movement, 1890-1920 (Paperback)

Simply put: any student of environmental history needs to read this book.

Scratch that: any student of modern American history needs to read this book.

There is a reason that this book is assigned over and over again. It's a foundational work. It's an excellent work that combines politics, power, Progressive Era philosophy, and conservation. The dates extend to 1920, but you'll probably find that it really ends around the time of Taft. There's not a lot of Wilson or his Secretary of the Interior, Frank Lane. The narrative largely focuses on Gifford Pinchot and his success or failure. Of particular interest is his struggle against Richard Ballinger, the Secretary of the Interior under Taft. (Not literally under Taft--the President would have squashed him...history humor for ya).