"The Power of Scenery tells the story of how America's national parks came to be, with Frederick Law Olmsted's insights and energy serving to link three jewels: Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Niagara Falls State Park"--

It's now a given that Americans--and people the world over--would seek to preserve their sacred, special places. One hundred fifty years ago, however, it was definitely not a foregone conclusion that the awe-inspiring granite cliffs, astounding waterfalls, and sublime sequoias of Yosemite would be protected. The idea of preserving special places grew into the national park idea, and it started on its course from a seed, a seed planted in Yosemite...

Yosemite is a world-famous location that has attracted famous photographers such as Eadward Muybridge, Edward Weston, and Ansel Adams, environmental organizations, rock climbers, and tourists. This book puts the park in a new light, with rephotography of some of the most enduring photos taken at Yosemite and three essays by noted critic Rebecca Solnit. The photographs and essays reconsider the iconic status of Yosemite in America's conception of wilderness,...