A Not Too Greatly Changed Eden: The Story of the Philosophers' Camp in the Adirondacks
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.47 (577 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 1501704451 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 272 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2017-07-01 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
Dubbed the "Philosophers’ Camp," the trip included the Swiss American scientist and Harvard College professor Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, the Republican lawyer and future U.S. At the close of the book, Schlett looks at the preservation of Follensby Pond, now protected by the Nature Conservancy, and the camp site’s potential integration into the Adirondack Forest Preserve.. Such devastation would later inspire conservationists to establish Adirondack Park in 1892. Schlett’s account is a sweeping tale that provides vistas of the dramatically changing landscapes of the United States in the second half of the nineteenth century. As he relates, the scholars later formed an Adirondack Club that set out to establish a permanent encampment at nearby Ampersand Pond. In August 1858, William James Stillman, a painter and founding editor of the acclaimed but short-lived art journal The Crayon, organized a camping expedition for some of America's preeminent intellectuals to Follensby Pond in the Adirondacks. Their plans, however, were dashed amid the outbreak of the Civil War and the advancement of civilization into a wilderness that Stillman described as “a not too greatly changed Eden.” But the Adirondacks were indeed changing.When Stillman returned to the site
GrnBstd said Too much Stillman. I've been intrigued by the Philosopher's Camp since I heard about it and this is probably as thorough account as is possible. The subtitle should be "a biography of James Stillman," since that's the main focus. I personally didn't find Stillman very interesting but I guess it was necessary to fill the book. If you're intensely interested in ADK history (as I am), it's a must read. Otherwise, it's a bit dry.. An absolutely fascinating account on Philosophers Camp, a gathering mikael mpthy An absolutely fascinating account on Philosophers Camp, a gathering of intellectuals in the Adironacks in the 19th century. The author James Schlett has an incredible ability for giving these long deceased luminaries a personification that made their motiviations and attitudes feel fresh and alive. The book is meticulously researched from personal correspondences between the subjects of the book allowing us to witness t. Bravo! Ed Kanze Excellent! Schlett writes with grace and insight on every page. A must-read for everyone with an interest in Adirondack history, natural history, and literature. Here all the threads that led Stillman, Emerson, Agassiz, Lowell, and other to camp on a remote pond in the summer of 1858 are woven into a grand story, beautifully told.
Award-winning reporter James Schletthas shined a journalist’s spotlight on this excursion." - Susan Arbetter, Capital Pressroom (July 2015) "A Not Too Greatly Changed Eden is a definitive account of the Philosophers' Camp that will be of great value to those interested in Adirondack and regional history."Paul Schneider, author of The Adirondacks: A History of America's First Wilderness"In A Not Too Greatly Changed Eden, James Schlett takes a fascinating and iconic event in New York State and American cultural history and enlightens us about what happened with the motley crew of ar
James Schlett is an award-winning journalist whose feature and business writing has been recognized by the New York Newspaper Publishers Association and the New York State Associated Press Association. He lives in Rotterdam, N.Y.