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My First Summer in the Sierra Kindle Edition

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 528 ratings

Considered one of the patron saints of twentieth-century environmental activity, John Muir's appeal to modern readers is that he not only explored the American West but also fought for its preservation. My First Summer in the Sierra is Muir’s account of his adventures and observations while working as a shepherd in the Yosemite Valley, which later became Yosemite National Park as a direct result of Muir’s writings and activism. Muir’s heartfelt and often humorous descriptions of his first summer spent in the Sierra will captivate and inspire long-time fans and novice naturalists alike.

Editorial Reviews

Review

No other writer is so ceaselessly astonished by the natural world as he. (Robert Macfarlane)

The richness of Muir's writing roots deeper into the terrain than any other wilderness writer known to me. (
Los Angeles Times)

As more and more of us grow aghast at what we have done to the world we started with, Muir's reverence and devotion will seem keenly germane, and our regret may be transmuted into a fight for the future. (Edward Hoagland)

From the Back Cover

LARGE PRINT EDITION. My First Summer in the Sierra, is the story of John Muir’s time spent working in the foothills of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range in late 1869. Joining a crew of shepherds, Muir worked tirelessly, not only supporting the efforts of the group, but vocalizing the need for environmental stewardship.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B077SLNCRT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gibbs Smith (March 6, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 6, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 700 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 199 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ B09WHN2NSV
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 528 ratings

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John Muir
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
528 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book well-written and inspiring. They appreciate the artwork, including Muir's own illustrations. Many consider it a great gift for adventurers and Christmas gifts. However, some customers report issues with the sturdiness of the cover getting dirty or stained during transit.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

40 customers mention "Readability"33 positive7 negative

Customers find the book well-written and informative. They appreciate the author's love for and appreciation of nature. The book is described as descriptive and a nice piece of work.

"...This new edition is a very nice piece of work, and it is really a great introduction to John Muir...." Read more

"Great to read Muir's initial impressions of the Sierra. He references specific landmarks which I found fun in that I'll be visiting Yosemite...." Read more

"...Truly a masterpiece in literature. I haven't read the book in some time; I buy it these days to give as a gift." Read more

"...I found those descriptions enlightening, detailed, and exhilarating. Some might find it monotonous, and I would understand that." Read more

7 customers mention "Inspiration"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book inspiring with its great subject matter and slice-of-life comments for the time period. They find the thoughts fascinating and a good introduction to Muir.

"No complaints. Fascinating to read his thoughts as always!" Read more

"...edition is a very nice piece of work, and it is really a great introduction to John Muir...." Read more

"...Muir writes about nature on such an elevated, inspired and inspiring level, it transports the reader if the reader allows herself to sink into the..." Read more

"...This is a comment on the book, not Muir’s life or legacy. Great slice of life comments for the time period." Read more

5 customers mention "Artwork"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the artwork in the book. It provides a nostalgic look at Yosemite wilderness in the 1800s, with illustrations by author John Muir. Readers appreciate his unique perspective on the world.

"...It's like a cool look back at the Yosemite wilderness of the 1800's. If you like John Muir, you'll like this." Read more

"Very interesting book, he creates a wonderful picture of the area." Read more

"I purchased the Gibbs Smith Hardcover because of it's awesome artwork, however like the person that posted the photo review my copy was marked up..." Read more

"Muir had such an amazing way of looking at the world. He could see beauty in every twig on every tree...." Read more

3 customers mention "Gift value"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's gift value. They say it's a great gift for adventurers and Christmas gifts.

"...for the first time - as he was and as the Sierra was in 1869 is a priceless gift." Read more

"Great book for Christmas gifts. This man embodies what we Americans are (or were) all about. Everybody should read it." Read more

"Great gift for the adventurer..." Read more

3 customers mention "Nature value"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's genuine love of nature. They find his wit, charm, and knowledge of the outdoors impressive.

"...Range Of Light" shows through... and it all starts from a genuine love of nature...." Read more

"Muir never seizes to amaze me, his wit and charm are one of a kind and his knowledge is something we should all strive for!" Read more

"Good book by a guy who knew how to express his love and appreciation for the great outdoors." Read more

3 customers mention "Sturdiness"0 positive3 negative

Customers are unhappy with the book's sturdiness. They mention it gets dirty in transit, the cover is light, and the book gets stained and smudged.

"...person that posted the photo review my copy was marked up and smudged on the cover...." Read more

"...The cover is very light, so it got pretty dirty in transit." Read more

"So worn, filthy and stained for a "new book"" Read more

Edited by a blind person?  Buy from a different publisher.
1 out of 5 stars
Edited by a blind person? Buy from a different publisher.
Purchased book for required reading for college class. This review is based on the atrocious editing, not the content. The entire book has “My first summer” and “In the Sierra” interjected throughout the entirety of the book every two paragraphs or so, frequently bisecting the middle of a sentence. The larger photos are sideways in the book when there is clearly room to rotate the photos horizontally. It’s horribly distracting trying to read the text with all these errors. May buy the book from another publisher.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2023
    No complaints. Fascinating to read his thoughts as always!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
    I first read this book in the '60s after I had already visited Yosemite. This new edition is a very nice piece of work, and it is really a great introduction to John Muir. For one who has traveled extensively in Yosemite territory it is a pleasure to see that country through Muir's eyes 100 or more years earlier.
    4 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2018
    Great to read Muir's initial impressions of the Sierra. He references specific landmarks which I found fun in that I'll be visiting Yosemite. It's like a cool look back at the Yosemite wilderness of the 1800's. If you like John Muir, you'll like this.
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2023
    As always Amazon is on time. Haven’t read it all but John Muir loves nature and the simple life I think
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2013
    This is one of the best books I have ever read--and I've read a lot. Muir writes about nature on such an elevated, inspired and inspiring level, it transports the reader if the reader allows herself to sink into the text. Deeply religious without being associated with any religious doctrine. Truly a masterpiece in literature. I haven't read the book in some time; I buy it these days to give as a gift.
    6 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2018
    I have always wanted to read Muir. This style of writing is not for everyone - Muir goes to great lengths to use his senses to describe everything he encounters. I found those descriptions enlightening, detailed, and exhilarating. Some might find it monotonous, and I would understand that.
    7 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2018
    Absolutely wonderful read... John Muir was a man of his times, with his emotions near the surface... his love for "The Range Of Light" shows through... and it all starts from a genuine love of nature....
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2014
    John Muir is a personal hero of mine. What he's done for hikers and climbers is to great to put into words. However, this book is dull and hard to follow. Thanks for everything you did John and you are very poetic, but your stories can be hard to follow.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Book Reader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fine writing
    Reviewed in India on March 7, 2019
    John Muir is a legend when it comes to writing on nature and wilderness. Literature that flows like poetry.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • trixierose
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bueno leet
    Reviewed in Spain on June 19, 2019
    Beuno leer
  • francesco
    3.0 out of 5 stars Non male però le immagine .
    Reviewed in Italy on March 5, 2018
    Per quel prezzo il libro va bene Unico neo le immagini e le riproduzioni sono piccole spesso molto poco nitide e minute
  • M. Ross
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Glimpse into a Bygone Time
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 23, 2018
    If you are interested in John Muir then this is a fascinating account of his first foray into the wilderness. The only disappointing thing is that the book has not been properly proof-read for the Kindle Edition and some words run into each other. Surprising in this day and age of spellcheck.
  • tenmei0013
    5.0 out of 5 stars とても感謝、しております。
    Reviewed in Japan on November 19, 2014
    注文時は、入手時期は、未定でしたのに、こんなに、早く手元にとどいて、さすが、amazonさんだと、感謝しております。
    研究に、どうしても、ミューアの原書と読み比べてみたかったので、たすかります。
    One person found this helpful
    Report

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