'When I was a child in Scotland, I was fond of everything that was wild, and all my life I've been growing fonder and fonder of wild places and wild creatures.'

John Muir was eleven when he and his family left Scotland in 1849 to build a new life on a homestead in the vast wilderness of Wisconsin. Written in simple yet beautiful prose, we see Muir's delight as he discovers and observes the landscape and wildlife around him, as he recalls his childhood and reveals himself as a master of natural description.

"An inspirational figure for modern environmentalism . . . his enthusiasm and heart-felt love of nature is immensely impressive" - * Guardian *

"Muir was a geologist, an explorer, philosopher, artist, author, and editor, and to each of his avocations he devoted that deep insight and conscientious devotion which made him its master" - * New York Times *

"A superbly told, moving and challenging story. For anybody remotely interested in the environment, Scottish culture, American history, the art of biography or the art of life, this book is essential" - * Scotland on Sunday *

"The richness of Muir's writing roots deeper into the terrain than any other wilderness writer known to me" - * Los Angeles Times on MY FIRST SUMMER IN THE SIERRA *