So! Many! Superlatives! That's what the bulk of this book consists of. As rich and rewarding as Muir's prose is, I believe it might best be enjoyed in small doses rather than all in one go.
[Audiobook note: The reader was okay, but suffers greatly in comparison with the Scottish-accented actor that Ken Burns used as Muir's voice in his National Parks documentary. This reader just somehow failed to bring across the deeply spiritual tone that Muir's words call for.] ( )

Unreadable.
Poetical and ponderous sermons on nature; eyerollingly irritating to the modern eye.
I realize it was written in 1869... and was likely intentionally... poetic and quasi-religious in tone. I love the journal descriptions of camp life and daily observations had they not been cut far too short by his purple ponderings. This is not to say, as a man, that he wasn't profoundly important and influential... just that this piece doesn't transport us to the Sierras as much as it hijacks us into sitting through church.

“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us. Our flesh-and bone tabernacle seems transparent as glass to the beauty about us, as if truly an inseparable part of it, thrilling with the air and trees, streams and rocks, in the waves of the sun, - a part of all nature, neither old nor young, sick nor well, but immortal.” p.20

A record of Muir’s activities, discoveries, and philosophic musings with unusual insight into the beauties of nature and life. 12 plates reproduced from photographs by Herbert W. Gleason and 21 textual illustrations from sketches made by the author in 1869. Octavo, original dark green cloth with gilt and light green stamped picture of forest scene with mountains in background. "Muir was 72 years old when he began to prepare the journal of his first summer in the Sierra for publication. With the skillful editing of his mature years, he retains the refreshing spontaneity and enthusiasm of his youthful experiences." (Kimes bibliography) ( )

This is not my usual style of book. It is a diary, with no real story, and with long and detailed descriptions of plants. It takes a while to get into the book, and took me almost nine months to finish it. Yet there is a progression to the diary. Particularly once Muir gets to higher elevations, then still higher, his delight becomes infectious, and the story moves quickly. Although the prose can be terribly purple, Muir back it up and justifies it with a fine eye for detail. I regretted getting to the end of the Sierra summer. ( )

My first summer in the Sierra by John Muir
Always enjoy the outside, walking discovering new things.
Have watched many on the John Muir Trail in CA and watched shows but having it all described is like being there, doing it ourselves.
Like listening to his journals and everything he sketches, plant, animal, etc.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device). ( )