Up for Grabs - by Thomas Urquhart (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Each year thousands of men and women and families recreate on Maine's Public Reserved Lands. Most of these visitors know only that the large green areas on the map promise them access to some of the state's most magnificent places. Very few have any idea how Maine acquired them. Or that, as a conservation success, their acquisition (600,000 acres) rivals the celebrated purchase and gift to Maine people of Baxter State Park (210,000 acres) by Governor Percival Baxter.

Up for Grabs: Timber Pirates, Lumber Barons, and the Battles over Maine's Public Lands is the story of Maine's Public Reserved Lands and how they speak to the very essence of Maine's identity. With dramatic moments and colorful characters, the book weaves its way from colonial times to statehood in 1820 to the present, providing an engaging and informative history of Maine's wildlands from exploitation to conservation and protection.

Review Quotes

"A major contribution to Maine history."

"An interesting and exciting read!"

"Great piece of scholarship/reportage and enlightening even to some of us who were involved at the time."

"In this fascinating account of Maine's public lands, Thomas Urquhart provides history, intrigue, drama, and triumph in a way that has not been told before."

"Maine's public lands are at the fabric of every Mainer who loves the outdoors. Inside you will find the tantalizing tales of how public lands like the Bigelow Preserve, Duck Lake, and Deboullie Township became true treasures of the state of Maine. It's a tale of competing visions, contentious moments, and in the end, a watershed moment for conservation and the state of Maine, all masterfully told by Thomas Urquhart, whose passion for public lands is only exceeded by his artful description of the tall timber tales contained within."

"Memorable characters, expert analysis, and wry wit. Scholars, history buffs, and environmentalists will likely be delighted and impressed."

"The lost and found saga of Maine Public Lands reads like a mystery novel, historical account, and political drama all wrapped into one. With a deep passion for the topic and extensive research, Thomas Urquhart recounts this tale in a way that is both engaging and informative."

"There is a wealth of fascinating information in this sweeping narrative, and the chapters on acquisition of the public lots will provide invaluable background for policymakers... it's a wonderful read."

"Thomas Urquhart's Up for Grabs tells a story that is of vital importance to Maine studies."

"Thomas Urquhart's meticulous, highly readable, and often gripping account of the adventures of four hundred thousand acres of pristine Maine woods, spiked by history and girdled by greed, will grow tree rings itself, as it matures into a timeless classic."

"Urquhart is a both a first-rate historian and writer."

About the Author