My First Summer in the Sierra

My First Summer in the Sierra, published in 1911, is John Muir’s lyrical account of his 1869 journey through California’s Sierra Nevada. As a shepherd, Muir kept a detailed journal, capturing the region’s stunning landscapes, flora, and fauna. His ecstatic descriptions reflect both scientific curiosity and spiritual awe, laying the groundwork for America’s conservation movement. The book is both a naturalist’s diary and a transcendental celebration of wilderness. Muir’s writing helped inspire the founding of national parks and the Sierra Club.