Camping Grounds: Public Nature in American Life from the Civil War to the Occupy Movement

An exploration of the hidden history of camping in American life that connects a familiar recreational pastime to camps for functional needs and political purposes.

Camping appears to be a simple proposition, a time-honored way of getting away from it all. Pack up the car and hit the road in search of a shady spot in the great outdoors. For a modest fee, reserve the basic infrastructure—a picnic table, a parking spot, and a place to build a fire. Pitch the tent and unroll the sleeping bags. ...