The Wisdom of John Muir 100+ Selections from the Letters, Journals, and Essays of the Great Naturalist

Weaves the story of the naturalist John Muir's life through an assemblage of his most evocative writings, representative of Muir the boy, Muir the young man, and Muir the wise senior sage. This book provides a view into the experiences, places, and people that inspired and informed Muir's words and beliefs.



The Wisdom of John Muir marries the best aspects of a Muir anthology with the best aspects of a Muir biography. The fact that it is neither, and yet it is both, distinguishes this book from the many extant books on John Muir. Building on her lifelong passion for the work and philosophy of John Muir, author Anne Rowthorn has created this entirely new treatment for showcasing the great naturalist's philosophy and writings. By pairing carefully selected material from various stages of Muir's life, Rowthorn's book provides a view into the experiences, places, and people that inspired and informed Muir's words and beliefs. The reader feels able to join in with Muir's own discoveries and transformations over the arc of his life. Rowthorn is careful not to overstep her role: she stands back and lets Muir's words speak for themselves.