David R. Butler

Published description: “The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), one of the most successful of all New Deal programs, was heavily involved in creating and improving the infrastructure of Glacier National Park. Between 1933 and 1942, a total of thirteen CCC camps were located on both sides of the Continental Divide that bisects the park roughly from north to south. CCC-I.D. (Indian Division) camps also existed along the eastern edge of the park on the Blackfeet Reservation. CCC "boys" were employed in fighting forest fires and clearing areas of burned trees, clearing brush and debris, sawing logs, creating trails, building fire lookout towers, constructing Park Service buildings, assisting with bridge construction, and building phone lines to connect east and west sides of the park. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt visited in August 1934 and gave one of his famous radio "fireside chats" from the park, in which he praised the efforts of the CCC in helping improve the country's national parks. Chapters examine CCC camp life, the nature of the work carried out by the CCC boys, structures built in the park by the CCC, and FDR's visit."

If you are traveling or already love Glacier National Park, you will find it fascinating how many of the early buildings and trails were created. Also recommended if you enjoy the history of the New Deal projects including the Civilian Conservation Corps and the equivalent organization for Native Americans.

There was one quick mention of the Conscientious Objectors Corps in reference to whether a structure had been built by that organization that did some work in the Park during the 40’s or by the CCC. I had not heard of this, and would love to learn more.

Many, many vintage photographs.… (plus d'informations)

This book delves into how animals have affected the earth's surface. The chapters begin with the affects by invertabrates and progress through vertabrates and finally mammals. Beavers get a chapter of their own. Beavers merit a special chapter because thier impact on theland is more than the impact of most of the vertabrate mammals. Dr. Butler and his graduate students have ammassed a great deal of knowledge on the affects beavers have made in the western U. S. and some of that information is condensed here.

This being a primarily scientific book, there is robust documentation in 31 pages of references.… (plus d'informations)