The Big Burn: Teddy Roosevelt and the Fire that Saved America

A fire the size of Connecticut

I would never have thought a book on the beginnings of American conservation and the Forest Service would be my favorite book of the year, but it is. Egan not only has well researched the devastating fires of 1910 in Idaho and Montana, but brilliantly brought to life both those who fought the fire and those who fought for policies that would conserve the forests of America. That these conflicts between businesses who want to exploit natural resources and average citizens who cherish them continue to this day is all the more reason why this story of a long ago fire resonates one hundred years later. Egan deftly weaves the story of the calamity of the fire with the personal stories of those who were outmaned and lacked federal support. Highly recommended.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

From any point on the compass, it has relevance.

Timothy Egan went to great expense with his character development, and it paid huge dividends as the book reaches it's zenith. While not written, I believe, with any political implications, it is as thought provoking now as it we be in the future.

A good read about men of courage in high and low places

A true story that reads like a thriller. You will not want to put it down. If you ever wondered how the Forest Service started; if you are fascinated by people of courage; if the old west and survival in the west intrigue you, read this book.

Riveting

I can only echo the other reviews. The history, the politics and the spirit of the people of the times, powerful and not, are documented in an engaging and informative way. Only in the history can we come to see how much, and in some cases, how little, has changed.

If your interest is in the history of wildfires in the U.S., then it is also worth following up on Egan's mention of the Peshtigo fire of 1871, the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history. I've recommended a book on that below.

Reading The Big Burn will bring the names of our National Forests to life for you, and perhaps a few other characters from our history too.

The Big Burn was an exciting trip through the lives and events associated with the creation of our Forest Sevice and our system of National and State Parks. You will hear names that once you might have only associated with a big brown sign in the middle of the wilderness, but the next time you are there a story will come to mind that will draw a smile to your lips, a tear to your eye, or maybe even a scowl.
It was a wonderful read.

A Fire Fight to Save Our Western Forests

I came upon this book as I roamed the bookstore, and its unusual cover with the burned cut-out was what first captured my eye.It is subtitled, "The Fire that Saved America," and this story ignites a fire of indignation at the wanton destruction of our country's forests. Not only is this an incredible story, but the history of this largest-ever forest fire in America made me feel almost short of breath as I raced along to follow this American tragedy.
Set in the early 1900's, the story brings to life the political and economic events of an era when 'Conservation' was not a household word. The impact of Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, Roosevelt's chief forester, on the future of America's National Park System, is told dramatically. There is much human drama in the tales of the men who made up G.P.'s boys, the first group of Forest Rangers. You also meet John Muir, an American icon.
The three pages of Chapter 10, "Blowup," are sheer poetry from the first word until the last. I had heard my Mother use the term "Lalo Palouser" to describe a strong wind, but I really didn't know what it meant, and I never thought to ask her. To envision firebrands being tossed more than 10 miles while the wildfires raced more than 80 miles per hour with temperatures reaching more than 1,000 degrees is more than my imagination can fathom. This is an amazing description of true terror.
I do not know as much about the northwestern part of our country as I would like, and this gives me a invigorating look at its history. You may have bought the recently published National Parks: America's Best Idea, the book and DVD series about our national parks, narrated by Ken Burns. If so, you will be enthralled with the history of this book as it relates.

An absorbing account of the roles of Theodore Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot in the birth of the U. S. Forest Service.

Timothy Egan brings to life an incredible amount of research into the lives and personalities of the principal characters, Teddy Roosevelt and Gifford Pinchot, as well as their roles in the formation of what was to become the U. S. Forest Service. The "Big Burn" of 1910, consuming more than three million acres in the forests of Idaho and Montana, provides the canvas upon which Egan paints the drama of conflicting interests of conservationists, logging companies, developers and railroads, enhanced with details acquainting the reader with numerous individuals and their roles in fighting this, the nation's largest forest fire.

The big Burn

Great reading!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

One of the Best

If you liked The Worst Hard Time, You will simply relish in this work. The writing is excellent and Egan does a great job of developing the characters involved in the story and describing the importance of the fire. This book, at times, also reads like a mystery. And there will be times where you simply find yourself traveling and camping with TR, Pinchot, and Muir. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this work for anyone. You will not be able to put it down. Great Story. Great Author. Great History.

Great Read

Egan details the history of the beginnings of the US Forest Service and the battle to control one of the largest forest fires in US history. The book tells of the callousness of the rich stockholders/landowners who believed the land was there for their exploitation, and it relates the heroism of the newly minted forest rangers who were forced to dig into their own pockets to keep Teddy Roosevelt's dream of conservation alive. The social history of the Idaho wilderness is fascinating. I highly recommend this very entertaining and enlightening book.

All should read

I enjoyed the book from start to finish. Alot of history.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.