"This is an important book both because this is the first biography of Benton MacKaye and because it explores the philosophy behind the Appalachian Trail."
Carol Niedzialek, Potomac Appalachian
"In the first comprehensive biography of MacKaye, Larry Anderson does an impressive job of bringing an enigmatic figure into sharper focus and shedding light on the long list of important contributions MacKaye made to the American environmental movement... A readable, engrossing biography."
Lucille Stott, Appalachia
"Larry Anderson's splendid biography of Benton MacKaye recounts the life of an American pioneer in regional and recreational planning, wilderness preservation, and environmental thought... A first-rate biography of a unique American thinker. Throughout, Anderson ably places MacKaye in political, cultural, and environmental contexts and reveals the reciprocal influences among MacKaye, Mumford, Stein, and others."
Mark Harvey, Journal of American History
"Anderson's thoroughly researched book is the first complete biography of MacKaye."
"Benton MacKaye was a visionary whose original ideas deserve to be better known among contemporary planners, and this first detailed biography of MacKaye should become the standard account of his life and work."
Randall Arendt, APA Journal
"A superb and much-anticipated biography of Benton MacKaye. Rich in detail (a sign of Anderson's diligent research) and smart in its analysis (an indication of his supple intellect), the book brings the often-quirky MacKaye to life. In weaving together his subject's private worries and public activism, Anderson has given us the definitive and first full biographical treatment of MacKaye, a remarkable achievement."
Char Miller, Journal of Forestry
"This biography provides the first complete portrait of a significant and unique figure in American environmental history. Drawing on extensive research, Larry Anderson traces MacKaye's extensive career, examines his many published works, and describes the importance of MacKaye's relationships with such influential figures as Lewis Mumford, Aldo Leopold, and Walter Lippmann."
"Anderson's close biography fleshes out MacKaye's intellectually fascinating although sometimes physically trying and emotionally harrowing life... Anderson ties together the many strands of MacKaye's long life and his many enduring friendships and associations."
Ed Zahniser, Friends of Allegheny Wilderness
"As much a biography of MacKaye's intellectual journey as it is a life story... It is unimaginable—after reading 400 pages of text and 50 pages of footnotes, scholarly in appearance and journalistic in approach—that an extant piece of writing by or about MacKaye has since escaped Anderson's attentions."
Brian B. King, Appalachian Trailway News
"A detailed and sympathetic biography of visionary planner Benton MacKaye."
"Anderson's lucid, well-researched, and sensitive story provides an illuminating on-the-ground snapshot of the inner workings of the intellectual networks, social relationships, governmental and business institutions, particular projects, and downright good and bad luck that constitute the fabric of historical movements such as conservation and regional planning. "
Steven J. Holmes, Environmental History
"This is a book that thoughtful hikers will enjoy."
