Wonderlandscape
I'm pleased to announce that my new book, WONDERLANDSCAPE: A CULTURAL HISTORY OF YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, will be published by Pegasus Books in August 2017. The book tells ten stories of adventures in Yellowstone that demonstrate the park's changing meaning to American culture at large.
The book tells stories of artists (Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran), naturalists (Ernest Thompson Seton, Frank and John Craighead), entrepreneurs (dude rancher Larry Larom, hotelier Harry Child), and cartoon bears (Yogi). Each character makes a journey that fulfills an individual quest such as money or fame. But each quest also ends up reflecting and redefining Yellowstone for the values of its era. For example, when Seton in 1897 wanted to observe bears so as to more effectively craft his popular illustrated animal stories, his adventures highlighted the way Yellowstone in that era transformed from a set of geological oddities to a wildlife sanctuary -- at a time when the nation was concerned about disappearing populations of bison and other species.
Each journey thus added a layer of meaning to the park, and these accumulated layers are what make Yellowstone such a culturally rich place. (What's that, you thought Yellowstone was a natural place, not a cultural one? Well, yes, that's part of its fascinating cultural development!)
I've been working on this book for several years and am delighted to have placed it with Pegasus, an outstanding house with a rich list in history, nature, science, and narrative. This will be my first book published in New York, and my first time in hardcover. When the book is published, it will be available in your favorite bookstore, and I'll be sure to announce details on this site as well as social media. But if you want to get a personalized notice (and yes, of course I won't sell your name), shoot me an email at info@johnclaytonbooks.com.
The book tells stories of artists (Ansel Adams, Thomas Moran), naturalists (Ernest Thompson Seton, Frank and John Craighead), entrepreneurs (dude rancher Larry Larom, hotelier Harry Child), and cartoon bears (Yogi). Each character makes a journey that fulfills an individual quest such as money or fame. But each quest also ends up reflecting and redefining Yellowstone for the values of its era. For example, when Seton in 1897 wanted to observe bears so as to more effectively craft his popular illustrated animal stories, his adventures highlighted the way Yellowstone in that era transformed from a set of geological oddities to a wildlife sanctuary -- at a time when the nation was concerned about disappearing populations of bison and other species.
Each journey thus added a layer of meaning to the park, and these accumulated layers are what make Yellowstone such a culturally rich place. (What's that, you thought Yellowstone was a natural place, not a cultural one? Well, yes, that's part of its fascinating cultural development!)
I've been working on this book for several years and am delighted to have placed it with Pegasus, an outstanding house with a rich list in history, nature, science, and narrative. This will be my first book published in New York, and my first time in hardcover. When the book is published, it will be available in your favorite bookstore, and I'll be sure to announce details on this site as well as social media. But if you want to get a personalized notice (and yes, of course I won't sell your name), shoot me an email at info@johnclaytonbooks.com.
Labels: Wonderlandscape
