# Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship That Saved Yosemite - Hardcover

by **Dean King** (Author)

**\* "We see through this book the immense power of language...to change the minds of lawmakers and tourists alike." --_The New York Times Book Review \*_ "A poignant portrait of an era when mere words could change the world." --_San Francisco Chronicle \*_**

**The dramatic and uplifting story of legendary outdoorsman and conservationist John Muir's journey to save Yosemite is "a rich, enjoyable excursion into a seminal period in environmental history" (_The Wall Street Journal_).**

In June of 1889 in San Francisco, John Muir--iconic environmentalist, writer, and philosopher--meets face-to-face for the first time with his longtime editor Robert Underwood Johnson, an elegant and influential figure at _The Century_ magazine. Before long, the pair, opposites in many ways, decide to venture to Yosemite Valley, the magnificent site where twenty years earlier, Muir experienced a personal and spiritual awakening that would set the course of the rest of his life.

Upon their arrival the men are confronted with a shocking vision, as predatory mining, tourism, and logging industries have plundered and defaced "the grandest of all the special temples of Nature." While Muir is devastated, Johnson, an arbiter of the era's pressing issues in the pages of the nation's most prestigious magazine, decides that he and Muir must fight back. The pact they form marks a watershed moment, leading to the creation of Yosemite National Park, and launching an environmental battle that captivates the nation and ushers in the beginning of the American environmental movement.

"Comprehensively researched and compellingly readable" (_Booklist_, starred review), _Guardians of the Valley_ is a moving story of friendship, the written word, and the transformative power of nature. It is also a timely and powerful "origin story" as the towering environmental challenges we face today become increasingly urgent.

### Author Biography

Dean King is an award-winning author of ten nonfiction books. He crossed the Sahara on camels and in Land Rovers while researching _Skeletons on the Zahara_, trekked the Long March trail in the mountains of Western China for _Unbound_, and was shot at while researching _The Feud_ in Appalachia. His writing has appeared in _Granta_, _Garden & Gun_, _National Geographic Adventure_, _Outside_, _Travel & Leisure_, _New York_ magazine, and _The_ _New York Times_. He is the chief storyteller in two History Channel documentaries and is a producer of its nonfiction series _Hatfields & McCoys: White Lightning_. An internationally known speaker, King has also appeared on NPR's _Talk of the Nation_, ABC _World News Tonight_, _PBS American Experience_, _BBC Radio_, and _TEDx_. He is a partner of Gum Street Productions, which is currently developing a feature documentary for Netflix.

**Number of Pages:** 480

**Dimensions:** 1.5 x 9.2 x 6.3 IN

**Illustrated:** Yes

**Publication Date:** March 21, 2023

## Details

- **Price:** 30.0 USD
- **Vendor:** Books by splitShops
- **Type:** Books
- **Tags:** Books by splitShops, Shopify Collective

## Variants

| Variant | Price | Available |
|---------|-------|-----------|
| Default Title | 30.00 USD | In stock |

## Images

- Guardians of the Valley: John Muir and the Friendship That Saved Yosemite - Hardcover

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> Updated: 2026-07-21