Chapter 1: The American Forests
John Muir
In Muir's view, the mountains aren't just a refuge from the strain of modernity—they are a place of return, a homecoming to something essential. At the turn of the 20th century, industrialization was forcing nature into the background, seen mainly as a resource to exploit. Muir resisted this, arguing for the intrinsic value of wild places as sanctuaries for the human spirit. His advocacy helped lead to the creation of national parks, preserving these "fountains of life" for generations.