Guardians of Yellowstone: An Intimate Look at the Challenges of Protecting America's Wilderness

This book is absolutely fantastic! Nearing his final years with the National Parks Service, (NPS) Dan Sholly stepped down from the highest ranger position in the NPS, Director of Ranger Activities in the Washington D.C. office, to take his dream job as the Chief Park Ranger at Yellowstone National Park. Sholly was "Chief" for the Yellowstone fires of 1988 and the re-introduction of the wolf to Yellowstone, and shares these and other experiences vividly. You find out about both the exhilaration and frustrations of living, literally, in the middle of nowhere in the winter; the awesome grandeur of our first national park from the saddle of a horse on backcountry patrol; and the challenges of dealing with totally clueless park visitors who are willing risk their lives for a better photograph, or to see if that boiling mud pot is really that hot. (And each year, some die trying.) I have re-read this book a number of times. If you love Yellowstone or if you ever wondered about the men and women in the grey shirts, green jeans and flat hats you meet in the parks, read this book!

Dan Sholly does a great job of conveying his position as Chief Ranger of Yellowstone National Park and the responsibilities of managing park rangers, visitors, and even wildlife. Sholly is a wonderful asset to the park. Having had the opportunity to work with him for a short time while working on an article, I was given the wonderful chance to meet and discuss Yellowstone issues with him directly. Sholly has answered letters from my nephew regarding park issues and is open and honest. His book reflects the persona in good detail. A must have if you love Yellowstone.