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I don’t often write book reviews. In fact, besides listing my favorite books in my monthly newsletter and on my books page, I think this might be my very first one.
Let’s just say that I only take the time to write about a book if I really like it. And, trust me, Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks by Andrea Lankford is a book you’d want to read. Especially if, like myself, you have a fondness for nature and wildlife, like being outdoors or are a national parks enthusiast, you’ll love this book.
Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks – A Review
In Ranger Confidential, author and former park ranger Andrea Lankford describes her time serving in the National Park Service, working in some of the world’s most iconic national parks. Think Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Denali.
What sets this book apart, though, is that it focuses on the darker side of the national parks. On the fact that these places can be dangerous, deadly even. This is not a book that raves about “breathtaking views” and “jaw-dropping scenery”. No, this book’s topics are as serious as they get, recounting stories from a handful of (former) park rangers about rescue missions, accidents, trying to make a living on a miserably low wage,…
It’s a behind-the-scenes look at life as a national park ranger that’s pretty rare to get.
However, as grim and gruesome as some of the stories may be, Ranger Confidential is a surprisingly funny read. It’s proof of Andrea’s writing talent that she manages to tell tales about dehydration and death falls in a way that’s fascinating, descriptive yet not graphic, and super-easy to digest.
This book is a fantastic read if you’re preparing a national parks trip, as I am. It makes you realize the real dangers that lurk around the corner in these rugged places. Not that that’s a buzz killer, though. By no means does it take away from the sheer beauty of the national parks. There are numerous mentions of brilliant sunrises, impressive landscapes and memorable wildlife encounters.
Although it’s mainly about the less-discussed, less-positive aspects of national park life, this is also a book about survival, the sheer beauty of the American landscapes, friendship and even love.
There’s a reason Ranger Confidential is included as an essential book to read in Lonely Planet’s Discover USA’s Best National Parks.