In three remote areas of the United States-an island off the east coast, the Cascades of the northwest, and the canyon country of the Colorado River- McPhee travels with staunch conservationist David Brower. While Brower argues for the inherent value of and human need for these beautiful places, he is opposed by three equally strong-minded men: Charles Park, a mining engineer; Charles Fraser, a developer; and Floyd Dominy, head of the Bureau of Reclamation. The account of the interactions between these men exhibits McPhee's talent for
simply reporting the
story, but reporting the whole story , and letting the reader decide who is right. This book will force those who
believe simply in conservation at any cost to consider the perplexing problems of economics, politics and practicality involved in environmental policy. Those who believe in progress will be troubled by the ecological consequences of land development. McPhee is in top form in this quick read. The characters shine, the wilderness comes vividly to life, and the questions we as a nation must ask ourselves are made urgent.
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