King sequoia

"Ever since the giant sequoias of California's Calaveras Grove first captivated the American public, this towering, ancient tree species has provoked the imagination and motivated us to action on a national scale. In a narrative that spans centuries and continents, former National Park Service ranger-naturalist William C. Tweed explores the evolution of the unique relationship between humans and the Big Trees: from their early status as tourist attractions embodying California's superlative, almost unbelievable appeal; to their exploitation and the public outcry that this desecration evoked; to their direct inspiration for the idea of a national park system; to their presence at the heart of the scientific community's attitudinal shifts in land management policy. Featuring a cast of adventurers, artists, researchers, politicians, and environmentalists, King Sequoia reveals how our enduring relationship with these arboreal giants has shaped our physical, intellectual, and political landscapes"--Page [4] of cover.