Dispossessing the Wilderness by

National parks like Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Glacier preserve some of the most cherished wilderness landscapes in the United States. However, the creation of these parks was deeply intertwined with the forced removal of Native American tribes, revealing a troubling aspect of the American wilderness ideal. This book examines the complex origins of national parks by contrasting the native histories of these places with the development of Indian policies and preservationist efforts. The study places national park history within the context of the early reservation era, detailing how these parks became significant battlegrounds for contention between Native peoples and non-Indians in the twentieth century. It sheds light on the often-overlooked consequences of the American wilderness ideal and its impact on indigenous communities.

Reviews

Reddit · 2025-10-11

enlightening 4.50

The book is praised for providing a perspective on John Muir's racism and its role in the development of the National Park system. It is considered an excellent read for understanding the complexities of environmental history.

This review from Reddit highlights how the book sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of John Muir's legacy and its impact on the National Park system. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to contextualize Muir's racism within the broader narrative of wilderness preservation. The book is recommended for its engaging and enlightening content, making it accessible to a wider audience. The reviewer finds it particularly valuable for its critical examination of historical figures and their influence on environmental policies.

Quick quotes

Dispossessing the Wilderness by Mark David Spence is an excellent read that puts Muir's racism in perspective of the development of the National Park system.

The book sheds light on the often-overlooked aspects of John Muir's legacy.

It is recommended for its engaging and enlightening content, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Environment & Society Portal · 2025-10-11

insightful 4.20

The book provides a nuanced exploration of the national parks' complex origins and the troubling consequences of the American wilderness ideal. It is a must-read for those interested in environmental history and indigenous rights.

This review highlights the book's comprehensive analysis of the national parks' origins, emphasizing the troubling consequences of the wilderness ideal. The author argues that the creation of national parks was not just about preserving nature but also about dispossessing indigenous peoples. The book is commended for its depth and relevance, offering valuable insights into the intersection of environmentalism and social justice. However, the academic tone might not appeal to all readers.

Quick quotes

This work examines the complex origins of the national parks and the troubling consequences of the American wilderness ideal.

The creation of national parks was not just about preserving nature but also about dispossessing indigenous peoples.

The book offers valuable insights into the intersection of environmentalism and social justice.

H-Net · 2025-10-11

thought-provoking 4.00

The book effectively challenges the myth of wilderness preservation as a pristine, uninhabited space, highlighting the complex history of land dispossession. It offers a critical perspective on the national parks' origins and their impact on indigenous communities.

This review delves into how the book dismantles the romanticized notion of wilderness preservation, revealing the often-overlooked narrative of indigenous displacement. The author provides a thorough examination of the historical context and the evolving attitudes towards wilderness, making a compelling case for a more inclusive understanding of environmental history. The book is praised for its rigorous research and thought-provoking insights, though some might find the dense academic style challenging.

Quick quotes

Spence follows Cronon's lead and shows that far from preserving an uninhabited and untouched wilderness, the creation of national parks involved the dispossession of indigenous peoples.

The book offers a critical perspective on the national parks' origins and their impact on indigenous communities.

Spence's work is a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about the complexities of environmental history.

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