That Wild Country

An Epic Journey Through the Past, Present, and Future of America's Public Lands

By: Mark Kenyon

Narrated by: Mark Kenyon

Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

From prominent outdoorsman and nature writer Mark Kenyon comes an engrossing reflection on the past and future battles over our most revered landscapes - America’s public lands.

Every American is a public-land owner, inheritor to the largest public-land trust in the world. These vast expanses provide a home to wildlife populations, a vital source of clean air and water, and a haven for recreation.

Since its inception, however, America’s public land system has been embroiled in controversy - caught in the push and pull between the desire to develop the valuable resources the land holds or conserve them. Alarmed by rising tensions over the use of these lands, hunter, angler, and outdoor enthusiast Mark Kenyon set out to explore the spaces involved in this heated debate, and learn firsthand how they came to be and what their future might hold.

Part travelogue and part historical examination, That Wild Country invites listeners on an intimate tour of the wondrous wild and public places that are a uniquely profound and endangered part of the American landscape.

©2019 Mark Kenyon (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Great summary of the battle over Public Lands

Gave me a great background to what I only knew pieces of in the battle for public land.

Must read for any modern day Conservationist

I first heard about Mark Kenyon in my pursuit to find hunters and fisher(wo)men who shared my land ethic. I was quickly drawn to the meat eater and onx hunt folks immediately. Kenyon always had a very approachable and shamelessly honest approach to his content and this book is no different. He eloquently lays out many of the emotional and ethics based conflicts that arise with public lands. He provides unique insights and relevant historical context for these issues. His personal story provides a truly human perspective on this debate. As someone who has read a lot on this topic I felt this book has a lot to offer.

thanks for the education

I am a long time outdoors enthusiast. Who has had no clue of the danger to our public lands. Thoughout my entire life almost all of my hunting has been on private property. So my attention was never drawn towards these struggles. This information has triggered a new enthusiasm in enjoying our public lands. For the first time I am leaving the comfort of my very productive private land Michigan farm and planning a DIY deer hunt on Indiana public land. Thanks for the inspiration. Bryan Dunlap

Great book

If you have any interest in public lands this book is great. I really enjoyed the author's stories and how he tied the history to them.

I was there!

Mark takes you along an old dusty, dirty trail with his companions. This book has inspired me to take the leap and start backpacking out National Parks.

Something I needed to read. #keepitpublic

I admit that I had never taken the time to contemplate how or why the beautiful scenery I enjoy while hiking is around, available, and (mostly) free. 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 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 I especially appreciated 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, advocating for a cause he believes we should all believe in: #keepitpublic.

Kenyon 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 have to acknowledge, though, 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.

good perspective

loce hearing all the support for public land. hinters need to keep the fight

Just Enough

A solid overview of the history of public lands in the U.S. certainly not comprehensive, but he mentions a lot of key figures and events that would warrant a deeper dive. A good primer on the topic. Pacing was good, enjoyed the mix of personal misadventures and historical/societal context.

Mother Nature gets the Bro Treatment

3.5 stars. Interesting and informative and infuriating. Lots of great history and context for our current moment of public lands debates. However the complete erasure of Native American land sovereignty should be embarrassing for the author- whether he realizes or not, that omission makes him look as naive and shortsighted as the politicians he is openly challenging in the book. The whole foundation of public land being privatized started when the US stole land from Indigenous people. He has a lot of learning to do about respect for the land and where the traditions that he enjoys deeply originate from.

Also- Kylie’s ability to do backcountry hikes, climb mountains, and love for the outdoors makes her an accomplished outdoors enthusiast— and the fact every mention of her is accompanied by a put down about how she just wants to get a tan or read is sad and consistently disappointing. Almost every woman in this book is given a similar treatment and hugely hugely diminished- as is Mother Nature, ultimately, as her power is perpetually confined by man’s desire and the limits of his perspective.

Great anecdotal presentation of public lands

I really enjoyed the anecdotal presentation of the past, present, and future of our public lands. The author connected the past struggles to preserve America's public lands to his personal use of the lands in present time, and the potential future of the lands because of the current political and economic landscape. Thank you, Mark Kenyon! I recommend this book.