Creating the National Parks - by De Man (Paperback)

About the Book

A short history of the establishment of Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks, from the Indigenous past to the creation of the national parks.

Book Synopsis

Through this book, history teacher Will De Man traces the origin of three iconic national parks through conflict, tragedy, and triumph. From the Indigenous people who first called the landscapes home to the movements that formed to protect the parklands from exploitation, each chapter reveals the history that will give you a better appreciation for these treasured places.

Complete with historic photos, this is the book for the readers who are passionate about both the history of the national parks and protecting them for future generations.

Review Quotes

"Will C. De Man's deeply researched history of Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton National Parks deftly navigates the fraught origin stories of three of the United States' most iconic National Parks. De Man weaves together stories of erasure, controversy, and conservation triumph with prose that dives deep but remains accessible and digestible. With enough detail for even the most informed park fans to learn something new and the right context for those unfamiliar with our country's early conservation movement, De Man delivers another great read for anyone keen to learn more about these complicated, fraught, and uniquely American landscapes."

"Will De Man's bite-sized history covering the origins of Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone National Parks is a must read for National Park lovers. Not only are these stories enlightening and highly accessible, they delicately weave together the various threads of history present at the dawn of some of our most iconic National Parks. From their near-mythological origins to their modern-day challenges, these stories shed light on the shared past of Glacier, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone, while reminding us that these histories are still inescapably linked with our current moment. Both newcomers and seasoned parks travelers alike can add depth and context to their travels with these ever-enjoyable short histories."

"Told with a poet's soul and excellent detail, Creating the National Parks is for anyone who loves nature, history, and conservation. De Man goes to great lengths to unearth fascinating stories from some of our most beloved public lands: Yellowstone, Glacier, and Grand Teton. A must read for anyone who loves the outdoors and America's national parks."