First Along the River: A Brief History of the U.S. Environmental Movement

This was required reading for my daughters summer reading program to prepare her for a course in the upcoming semester. I was skeptical but decided to read it to see what a balanced approach to the environmental history of the US is. First it is in no way 'Balanced'. The author has an agenda and he is trying to get his progressive agenda to anyone who reads this. Of course like any environmentalist, he is true to his beliefs and that is his absolute right. My problem with the book and the author (ok, all environmentalists) is they want everything. Now. That is their problem. Why can't they address one issue at a time, Honestly. Why want the waters cleaned, the factories closed, the cars electric and the oil rigs all shut down at the same time?? The author seems to almost wish that humans never came to Earth and he especially bemoans the fact that Europeans came to the Americas and ruined it. He has no appreciation for the other side and does not explain the other sides thoughts, just bashes them and the leaders (Presidents) who do not go along with the environmental agenda. He makes no secret of his admiration for Al Gore and Barack Obama and Teddy Roosevelt. He praises the progressive 'welfare state' created by FDR's 'New Deal' and gives little if any credit to the Congress' who assisted those Presidents in meeting the environmentalists agenda. He also likes to complain about Federal monies being given to any industry or movement with the exception of the environmental movement which he believes should get hundreds of billions of dollars a year despite the economy and the People's wishes. The only people who should read this are those who want to get into the mind of an environmental advocate. To sum, this is not an easy read for the more informed while it is a manual for the environmental cheerleader. It also isn't a book for a high-school aged child that doesn't know any better and may be easily influenced. If there is required reading for this subject matter for a high-school aged child there should be something much more 'balanced'.

The book, as intended, gives a nice overview of the history of ecology, environmentalism, and (to a point) environmental history -- not always one in the same as the rest. The writing is excellent and I'm fine with his arguments, even though I don't always agree with them. However, he often strays into political and social history for no apparent reason. At other times, he neglects large issues associated with presidents that may/may not have affected budget issues regarding environmentalism -- which is often at the core of his argument -- I think. That is another thing, his thesis seems to come and go throughout the book, which is odd. Again, I don't hate this book and I think if you are looking for an overview, it isn't all that bad. In fact, it might be a good book to compliment other books on this subject. In the end, though, I'd prefer Ted Steinberg's "Down to Earth" over this -- although they are tackling different forms of environmental history. Still, I'd prefer Steinberg.

The book is well written. Also, I should note that Kline is a great lecturer. Hands down my favourite professor during my years in college. Buy the book!

It was a interesting point of view, gave the start of a good discussion. If environmental law is an area you are interested in, this is a must read

Purchased for a college history course. Really good book. Easy to read & understand. Highly recommended for anyone interested in environmental history.

Very happy with purchase, just as described and what I was looking for. Arrived right on time

The history of environmental abuse and the birth of environmental movement in our Country. How can we learn from are previous mistakes without keep doing it over and over!!!!

Very useful information. Love it.

As a university professor in the field of environmental toxicology, I did not expect to be provided with such detailed and insightful coverage. Looking only for a few new facts or different vantage from the book, I was delighted to find out how much I did not understand about the history of the environmental movement. The progression is logical, and at the end, one gets an exceptional understanding of the emergence of the movement. My thanks to the author for a job well done. I know how hard it is to produce such an excellent book.