There is no denying the influence of John Muir. I have hiked every major trail out of the valley floor, was left in tears when I saw the view at Glacier Point, and truly do understand how much we owe to Muir for Yosemite's present-day preservation and reverence.

Indeed, he speaks of nature with an openness and understanding that brings the sublime to life with caring and detailed prose. The manner in which he recounts Yosemite's wildlife will touch the heart of any fellow tree-hugger.

BUT an undeniable problem with this account is that he does not speak of people with the same respect, and I suspect this is why many have bemoaned this work as "boring." For me, at least, it left the account feeling somewhat emotionally hollow and lacking of substantial substance.

Meh.