Wonderlandscape – Yellowstone National Park and the Evolution of an American Cultural Icon

"The author has crafted a book that will appeal to national park aficionados and fans of Yellowstone National Park, and by breaking down the pivotal moments in bite-size chunks, he's also written a terrific page-turning experience." -- Associated Press "Energetic and insightful." -- Washington Post "Clayton illuminates the history and development of Yellowstone. He enthusiastically tells the foundational stories of the magnificent park, which continues to capture the imagination of millions, and explains Yellowstone's impact on how we manage our natural resources." -- Booklist "A fine book about Yellowstone National Park. Wonderlandscape offers more than a few surprises. A great primer on Yellowstone history and a unique discussion of the park's place in America, in both physical and cultural geography." -- Yellowstone Insider "A sensitive portrait of the iconic national park in terms of the American people's place in it. A thoughtful study of a celebrated natural wonder that has come to truly 'embod[y] American ideals.'" -- Kirkus Reviews "Clayton succeeds in presenting Yellowstone as a core American institution that shares an intimate relationship with Americans as a cultural concept and that acts as a mirror through which Americans have redefined themselves across generations." -- Publishers Weekly "Clayton leads the reader on an enjoyable path to knowledge. 'You didn't have to be excited about geology or wildlife or frontier conditions to love Yellowstone,' Clayton wrote. 'You could come because you wanted to be a better citizen, take a civics lesson, become inspired about your country's ideals. Yellowstone had been discovered and set aside by vacationing middle-class folks just like you, who had a spirit of patriotism just like yours.' Think of that the next time you drive through the East Gate." -- The Cody Enterprise "Offers new and interesting perspectives on more than 150 years of human interpretations of the world's first national park. Clayton uses entertaining anecdotes, thorough research, and vivid storytelling to emphasize the ways imagery and language have been used to shape our impressions of Wonderland." -- Big Sky Journal