![]() | The Promise of Wilderness: American Environmental Politics since 1964 Subjects: Environmental policy -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Environmental protection -- United States -- History -- 20th century; Wilderness areas -- Law and legislation -- United States -- 20th century; Wilderness areas -- United States -- 20th cen; From Denali's majestic slopes to the Great Swamp of central New Jersey, protected wilderness areas make up nearly twenty percent of the parks, forests, wildlife refuges, and other public lands that cover a full fourth of the nation's territory. But wilderness is not only a place. It is also one of the most powerful and troublesome ideas in American environmental thought, representing everything from sublime beauty and patriotic inspiration to a countercultural ideal and an overextension of government authority. James Morton Turner is assistant professor of environmental studies at Wellesley College. |
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