Benton MacKaye: Conservationist, Planner, and Creator of the Appalachian Trail

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.
―Choice

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.
―Association of Partners for Public Lands News and Notes

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.
―Planning

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.
―NH Forum

There is no biography of Benton MacKaye and this is likely to become the standard work on this important American for many years. It is a major contribution to the history of the development of the wilderness conservation and recreation movement, as well as a thorough and engaging account of the life and work of one of its most innovative leaders.
―Kermit C. Parsons, Cornell University

Larry Anderson has written an excellent book, meticulously researched and well organized. The scholarship is impeccable. Environmental, intellectual, and planning historians will all find this biography an invaluable addition to the literature.
―Paul Shriver Sutter, University of Georgia, author of Driven Wild: How the Fight Against Automobiles Launched the Modern Wilderness Movement