Our Common Ground
A History of America's Public Lands
Published on 10. May 2022
Book
Hardback
736 pages
978-0-300-23578-4 (ISBN)
Description
The little-known story of how the U.S. government came to hold nearly one-third of the nation's land and manage it primarily for recreation, education, and conservation
"A much-needed chronicle of how the American people decided-wisely and democratically-that nearly a third of the nation's land surface should remain in our collective ownership and be managed for our common good."-Dayton Duncan, author of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
America's public lands include more than 600 million acres of forests, plains, mountains, wetlands, deserts, and shorelines. In this book, John Leshy, a leading expert in public lands policy, discusses the key political decisions that led to this, beginning at the very founding of the nation. He traces the emergence of a bipartisan political consensus in favor of the national government holding these vast land areas primarily for recreation, education, and conservation of biodiversity and cultural resources.
That consensus remains strong and continues to shape American identity. Such a success story is a bright spot in an era of cynicism about government. This book is essential reading for anyone who cares about public lands, and it is particularly timely as the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
"A much-needed chronicle of how the American people decided-wisely and democratically-that nearly a third of the nation's land surface should remain in our collective ownership and be managed for our common good."-Dayton Duncan, author of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
America's public lands include more than 600 million acres of forests, plains, mountains, wetlands, deserts, and shorelines. In this book, John Leshy, a leading expert in public lands policy, discusses the key political decisions that led to this, beginning at the very founding of the nation. He traces the emergence of a bipartisan political consensus in favor of the national government holding these vast land areas primarily for recreation, education, and conservation of biodiversity and cultural resources.
That consensus remains strong and continues to shape American identity. Such a success story is a bright spot in an era of cynicism about government. This book is essential reading for anyone who cares about public lands, and it is particularly timely as the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.
Reviews / Votes
"I found Our Common Ground to be quite a lively read. . . . The book is replete with interesting stories, told through the passage of time and the evolving notions of what America's public lands are for."-Andy Kerr"Finally, we have a truly great book about the federal public lands. John Leshy has used his unequalled knowledge and engaging style to write a comprehensive, inspiring, and lastingly informative masterpiece."-Charles Wilkinson, author of Crossing the Next Meridian: Land, Water, and the Future of the West
"Our Common Ground is a much-needed chronicle of how the American people decided-wisely and democratically-that nearly a third of the nation's land surface should remain in our collective ownership and be managed for our common good."-Dayton Duncan, author of The National Parks: America's Best Idea
"This history of public lands in America, reflecting prodigious research, illustrates the continuity, tensions, and narratives that persist through time to the present. What a rich history, richly presented. I could not put down this book!"-Lynn Scarlett, former deputy secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior
"Read John Leshy's masterpiece! John shows us that by questioning and reframing our European-centric public lands history we can begin to right the wrongs of the past. And if we get it right, find common purpose and keep our covenant with future Americans."-Mark Udall, former U.S. senator, Colorado
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Illustrations
22 b-w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 239 mm
Width: 165 mm
Thickness: 51 mm
Weight
1202 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-23578-4 (9780300235784)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
John D. Leshy is emeritus professor, University of California Hastings College of Law. He was solicitor for the U.S. Department of the Interior from 1993 to 2001 and is coauthor of Federal Public Land and Resources Law.