John Muir

Acclaimed by critics for many years, the writings of explorer John Muir are not unfamiliar. Descriptive, articulate, and detailed accounts of his travels are most often the basis for his works. Through the extravagant use of detailed imagery and blending of other literary techniques, many have said that Muir was a superb author that could make any subject interesting for the reader. Truly demonstrating this is his account of his exploration of Yellowstone Park, in the book Muir Among the Animals that brought about many opinions.

Beginning the book are his observations of Californian wild sheep, Muir documents their actions and describes them in detail. In addition to this, Muir observes and discusses the actions of rodents, porcupines, and birds in the western United States. As he went to study pigeons at one time, he became stranded on a glacier with a dog. Later, he studied domestic cats, dogs, and horses. Eventually, Muir travels to Yosemite in the western United States to continue more studies on grasshoppers, ants, and bears. Devoted, fascinated, and keen, Muir traveled to the most deserted parts of the western United States to observe lizards, rattlesnakes, shrike, and bee-pastures. Muir goes on a hunt for a jackrabbit also, as he assesses anthropocentrism.

Effectively, Lisa Mighetto made a bold statement, as she said,

Collected here for the first time are Muir's superb essays about these creatures he referred to as his "horizontal brothers." Written in lively and often humorous prose, his writings reveal much about attitudes toward animals at the turn of the century and, at times, Muir's prescience about future wildlife issues. Always, the reader's sense of empathy and understanding for the lives of animals are enriched by Muir's keen observations (Mighetto 1).

This book consists of an assortment of essays well written by John Muir. Not only was this piece of colorful writing used to connect with people, but also it was used to influence their attitude toward animals. Assessed in detail, wildlife issues were on the agenda of Muir. Evoking an apathetic response from the reader, Muir recorded many observations in this writing.

This writer agrees that all of the encounters described by Muir were well written. Feelings once believed to be negative regarding nature are likely to be influenced by the experiences of Muir in this book. As Muir provided some inspirational stories about his adventures.

While many harsh critics exist in the world of writing, Lee Stetson provided a detailed perspective on Muir Among the Animals,

The basic themes here revolve around animal rights and the problems of extinction, but are largely served up with Muir's irrepressible humor. And Muir's deep understanding and for the animal kingdom was made more evident,- or more educational - than his frightening adventure with a dog named Stickeen. This quaint little adventuresome animal, with whom Muir gets lost in a storm on an Alaskan Glacier, provides us with one of the greatest dog stories of all time (Stetson 2).

Displaying the many critiques in his writing is the main reason why this critique was written. Because of the techniques that were used in this writing by Muir, the reader was provided with many wonderful visions through imagery.

The editor was correct; the talent of Muir is widespread. Going beyond most animal stories, is how Muir Among the Animals has been viewed. Both his writings and his experiences are very impressive, as an author. Although a different story, Travels in Alaska pulled in similar opinions from the critics.

Feeling motivated, the main character John Muir leaves San Francisco in May of 1879 and arrives in Victelion Oregon three days later. Eventually, he moves on to Alaska, by boarding a mail steamer. There he maps the area by studying and sketching islands, rock and glacier formations, and the rest of the scenery. Conceited, he starts a journal describing additional attractions including, an aurora and his 14-mile trip down the Wrongell Channel. In addition to these experiences, he tries to live a stricter life, as he meets up with local Indian tribes in Huckleberry Fields. A man with much pride, Muir continues to scout glacier formations and the Hemlock forest, while meeting with some Wrongell missionaries.

Easily amused by the priceless gifts of nature, Muir tracks