Book Review: That Wild Country

Review Score: 4-stars, Liked it a lot!

Author: Mark Kenyon

Genre: Nonfiction, Historical, Biography/Memoir

Places Featured: National Parks, United States

Mark Kenyon is an avid outdoorsman–he hunts, he hikes, he camps, he rafts, he fishes, he explores, and he likes to rough it. I only do a few of those things and when I do, it’s in a very controlled, easy, and safe way (and usually there is wine involved). So understanding our public lands isn’t a topic I would usually turn to, because it isn’t one I know much about or have much of an interest in. But, I do enjoy taking advantage of our national parks–the warmth and freedom you feel with the sun shining on you as you wander alone in a forest with only the sounds of the birds chirping or the leaves rustling is something you can’t quite explain.

But, I admit that I had never taken the time to contemplate how or why that beautiful scenery is around, available, and (mostly) free for me to enjoy. Thanks to That Wild Country, I now have a much better appreciation for the politics and passion that have gone into creating and preserving our national parks–it’s complicated and people care.

Kenyon does a good job of weaving the (surprisingly for me) fascinating history of our National Parks with his adventures–and misadventures–in some of those parks, including trips with his wife, his father, and various friends. He describes some of his activities and the scenery in detail, but what I especially appreciated was him sharing his feelings during these activities and sight-seeing adventures.

Along with the historical facts and personal travelogue, Kenyon also includes the political backstory of creating and, more importantly, preserving America’s public lands. He acknowledges all sides of the passionate participants in how land is handled–recognizing the different beliefs among conservationists, fishermen, hunters, gun-rights advocates, and wildlife advocates, but advocating for a cause he believes they should all believe in: #keepitpublic.

I have to acknowledge that although I normally appreciate an audiobook read by the author themselves, I think I would have preferred holding this book in my hands. Although Kenyon has a good voice, his storytelling was sometimes stiff and and sounded too much like someone reading to me rather than someone telling me a story.

It may not be a subject I thought I would be interested in, but Kenyon certainly piqued my interest and reminded me of just how lucky we are to have this beautiful land we live on and the many people who work so hard to preserve it.

*I was given this book for free in exchange for an honest review.