Nature's army

the long version

"Muir's words and this book both celebrate a crucial but largely forgotten episode in our nation's history - the rescue of our national parks by soldiers with an environmental ethic generations ahead of its time. In Nature's Army, Harvey Meyerson chronicles this tale and shows why its impact and relevance still resonate today.". "Combining environmental, military, political, and cultural history, Meyerson's study is especially timely in light of Yosemite's enormous popularity (four million visitors annually) and recent controversies pitting conservation forces against dam builders and proponents of expanded public access."--BOOK JACKET.