My First Summer in the Sierra

September 26, 2011
Shortly after the end of the Civil War, Muir made his first trip to the Sierra Nevadas, working as a shepherd and documenting the experience in his diary. This audio version, released for the 100th anniversary of the classic travelogue’s publication, features a solid but unmemorable reading by Brett Barry. Although his narration is plainspoken, calm, and well paced, Barry—who at times mispronounces words or speaks haltingly—fails to convincingly convey Muir’s familiarity with the natural life he studied during his famous trek across the mountains.

November 15, 2011

The Scottish-born Muir made an incredible journey through the Sierras while herding sheep in 1869. He published this title in 1911 and later founded the Sierra Club. This diary of his experiences--leading the sheep, observing the raw beauty of nature, and presenting reality both good and bad; the gorgeous scenery, exhaustion, and hunger--is as relevant today as it was then. A moving and amusing description of a prairie chicken who feigns injury and death to protect her babies is a highlight of his chronicle. This also serves to illustrate how Muir saw all of nature as a precious friend to man. However, his remarks about Native Americans are painful and harsh but probably reflect his time. Narrator Brett Barry is outstanding; he skillfully captures the language of an earlier America as his poetic delivery matches the beautiful descriptions. A wide audience of conservationists, ecologists, nature lovers, American history fans, and those who merely prefer worthwhile poetic writing will be well rewarded.--Susan G. Baird, formerly with Oak Lawn P.L., IL

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Narrator Barry Press delivers a fresh reading of an early work by famed naturalist John Muir. First published in 1911, this work is Muir's journal of his 1869 excursion through California's Sierra Nevada Mountains. Muir was ostensibly working for a crew of shepherds, but his true purpose was to observe, chronicle, and draw the region's flora and fauna. Press beautifully captures Muir's adventurous spirit and love of nature. Though Muir's poetic prose is of a very different era, Press instills enough humor and playfulness to make the account sound modern. The only drawback of the audio version is missing out on Muir's drawings. Listeners may want to seek them out elsewhere for an entirely immersive experience. A.T.N. � AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine