Customer Reviews

Park Ranger True Stories from a Ranger's Career in America's National Parks

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I worked with Ms. Muleady-Mecham in Sequoia NP, many years ago. I was a brand new, seasonal ranger, and had the opportunity to see her in action as a paramedic. I was very impressed with her knowledge, and her calm demeanor under pressure.

My dad picked up this book for me, because I had worked as a ranger before, and thought I'd enjoy it. He had no idea that I actually (sort of) knew the author.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt like I was there on the scene as everything happened. The author definitely gives the reader a feel for the behind-the-scenes action that is going on in the national parks, stuff the average visitor to the park will never be aware of.

I have been a second-career park ranger for the past 17 years, working in federal, county and state park agencies, and even before that, since 1971, a wilderness search and rescue volunteer. I am a 30-year-plus EMT and was a paramedic for a while. I just wish I could have put it all down on paper as well as "Ranger Nancy" (Her phrase) has in this excellent book. This book captures the exhilaration of hanging at the end of a short-haul line, or taking that first step over a cliff on a rappel rope; the aggravation of dealing with crowds and drunks and the hope of doing everything you can to save a life, and having it work just when that hope seems lost. It is both magnificent and gut-wrenching, and Nancy realys it in great, highly readable prose. The author is a ranger, Critical Care RN, Paramedic, rescue specialist and has both Masters and PhDs on her resume, yet I never felt she was talking down to the reader. Despite adversity, her book has none of the cynicism or bitterness towards the NPS that overshadows ex-ranger Nevada Barr's novels. Ranger Nancy's stories are the real deal, and, like many of us, she obviously loves the work. She takes you with her on ambulance and rescue calls, murder and mayhem, and makes you feel like you are there. When she told the story of the murder of Ranger Joe on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and his wife having to clear the parking lot so the helicopter could land to take him to the trauma center, I had tears in my eyes and a big lump in my throat. My only criticism would be the repeated explanation of various technical terms, as if we won't remember them from chapter to chapter. Because of her extensive medical training, there is a lot of detail on the EMS and rescue part of being a ranger, but that makes for good reading for EMTs and medics, too. This rates as one of the two best books I have read about being a park ranger, along side Dan Sholly's "Guardians of Yellowstone" Well done, Ms. Muleady-Mecham!

Not only is Ranger Nancy a paramedic, an RN, a teacher, a firefighter, a cop, a swiftwater rescuer, a marksman, an artist, a friend and a wife, she's quite a storyteller, as well.

Oh, the images she paints for her readers! I could feel the heat of the flames, the chill of the October night on the desert, and I swear I gasped as I looked over the rim to see the body on the ledge, 400 feet below.

Ranger Nancy makes me wish I'd been a park ranger, too!

One more thing, Please, Nancy, tell 'your Kent' that now I have a good picture of the fire engineer at work. Thank you, Kent.

Thanks Ranger Nancy Eileen; when is your next book due out?

Kathleen, RN

I loved this book. The stories are riveting. I'm an avid backpacker; I find myself reflecting on this book while I'm in the backcountry. I usually have a short attention span, but I was captivated by the variety of situations and stories. One thing that I really enjoy is how the author assumes that you're intelligent enough to want to know what's going in the different medical situations. Most books that I pick up these days don't appeal to people that want to educate themselves; if you have any interest in medicine, the outdoors, adventure or interesting people, buy this book. Dr. Nancy Eileen Muleady-Mecham is one of those poeple that makes you wonder "how can one person do all that?" If you've ever visited a national park, you may or may not realize what these people do behind the scenes. They're expected to be protectors of our resources, law enforcement, fire fighters, medical technicians, and experts on the local environment. If you've ever gotten into trouble in the backcountry, you know these people are angels. They love their job and they have the best office in the whole world. There's not a lot of books out there that give you real insight on what goes on in a national park; this is the one to get. After reading this book, I have more respect than ever for what the rangers do; Dr. Muleady-Mecham is at the head of her class. If you know any young people that are considering a future in the National Park Service (or aren't sure what they want to be) - BUY THEM THIS BOOK!!

Enjoyed the book. Purchased it with "Hey, Ranger!" and wound up reading it first. Swift read and explains technical details that I never understood until now. Repetition is part of the job. Very exciting repetition! Being from the "Park Ranger wannabe" generation, I thought it was cool to hear about the actual skill set and activities needed. I couldn't do it! Enjoyable read, probably not for everyone. If you like Tom Clancy details + adventure - go for it!

This is a wonderful depiction of life with the National Park Service, from training to working as a Law Enforcement Officer, paramedic, naturalist, and fire fighter. The stories are exciting, humorous, and amazing accounts of what it is like to be a ranger. Keeps you turning the pages to see what could possibly happen next. Definitly recommended for those interested in the Park Service as a career!

Nancy Eileen Muleady-Mecham is a "protection ranger" for the National Park Service. This job involves a variety of tasks - - a little police officer, a little firefighter, and a little paramedic, among others. She's clearly highly qualified in these areas, and this book tells a number of her experiences.

Unfortunately, the paramedic stories dominate this collection. I say "unfortunately" because paramedics don't really see the human side of events. By the time the paramedic arrives, the story is mostly over, and the question is whether the paramedics can clean up the mess successfully. At that point, some of the people involved have become bodies, and most of the rest are "injuries" - - broken legs, heart attacks, or whatever. In a few stories, such as an MD who fell 45 feet off a cliff but stayed conscious and involved in her care throughout the rescue, we get a person. But those are the exception.

Muleady-Mecham tells the stories in a matter-of-fact way, not unlike what the official reports would look like: "I checked for shock and then stabilized the broken leg," and so forth. It's not riveting, and at times it's surprisingly boring.

I'll give it a generous three stars because I think the book would be very good for some people. If you're thinking of becoming an EMT, for example, this would give you a good sense of what your shifts will be like.

Excellent account of the experiences of a National Park Ranger, and her experiences in various parks. Her accounts of law enforcement, EMT and fire fighting experiences are enlightening. Very well written.

I enjoy books about National Parks and the variety of work the Rangers are called upon to do. While the stories in this book are interesting, there's too much technical detail for a reader who is not a paramedic. Parts of this book read like an official report instead of a compelling rescue story for the lay person. I bought this book at Death Valley this spring when I saw it on the shelf in the bookstore at the visitor's center hoping it would be more like other ranger books I've read like Hey Ranger, National Park Ranger: An American Icon, or Seasonal Disorder: Ranger tales from Glacier National Park. Those books are written more like stories to be told and enjoyed rather than a training manual.

This an interesting book about the experiences of a police/paramedic/fireman ranger in the National Park system. Most of what she covers in the book happened in Grand Canyon National Park.

There is one problem with the experiences she describes - there are no names and no dates. By no names I mean that she only uses first names such as Ranger Bob or Policeman Bill. I have the book "Over the Edge" about deaths in the Grand Canyon (which is very good and I highly recommend) and I tried to cross reference some of the incidents she describes, but it was practically impossible to do because of the lack of last names and dates. This was particularly fustrating because everything else she describes in detail (sometimes mind-numbing detail).