This is officially one of my new favorite nonfiction books. John McPhee's style is wonderful, using dialog and descriptions to paint characters and relay facts so that his work reads like a good novel. Beyond this, the content itself is excellent- engaging, enlightening and entertaining. He does not take sides as he describes the encounters of David Brower, a modern day John Muir and the "Archdruid" of McPhee's text, with other men who disagree, to one extent or another, with Brower's fervent pro-preservation ideas. Fascinatingly, two out of three of these men are conversationalists, causing the reader to reconsider the too-often credited idea that one is simply either a naturalist or one is not. Conflicts arise as Brower, the then-president of the Sierra Club, argues for complete preservation while others argue for responsible and sustainable use.
The book is divided into three sections, each of which focuses on a wilderness excursion shared by David Brower, John McPhee, and one or more other people. McPhee's vivid descriptions take readers to three of the most beautiful and untamed places in the United States- Glacier National Park, Cumberland Island, and Glen Canyon. The story is not overtly focused on the struggles between David Brower and other men as he fights to save these places, but rather recounts their journeys through these places and lets the conflicts appear organically. In this way the stories seem to flow forward of their own accord, rendering the hand of the author nearly invisible.
All in all, Encounters with the Archdruid is an absolutely fabulous book. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone- though especially those who love nature. You do not need to be a naturalist to enjoy it, however. You just need to love a good story. I definitely recommend buying this one.
