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sschlimme's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
0.5
Who knew a book about land protection could be so gripping! Beautifully written.
cnorbury's review against another edition
5.0
A true account that reads like a tension-filled novel. This is a David vs. Goliath story about how a diverse but determined group of citizens can band together to reach a noble goal--protecting one of Michigan's most special wild areas from becoming just another large-scale housing development and other "improvements."
Having visited the Western Michigan dunes area, I know first-hand how special that area is. It's a unique place in America, perhaps the world, and deserves to be maintained in as natural a state as possible.
The chronicles of how the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy worked for years to create a coalition of local residents, non-profits, charitable foundations, and a key boost from the state government, is as amazing as it is confusing. So many players, each one vital in some small way. The project might have easily fallen apart if even one or two players decided to withdraw permission or support.
Shumaker retells the story amazingly well since she had to rely on personal accounts, diaries, old records, and various other sources to blend all that data into a fascinating, cohesive tale about the great things a small group can achieve against daunting odds.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in how difficult it is to preserve and maintain wilderness in this country in the 21st Century.
Having visited the Western Michigan dunes area, I know first-hand how special that area is. It's a unique place in America, perhaps the world, and deserves to be maintained in as natural a state as possible.
The chronicles of how the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy worked for years to create a coalition of local residents, non-profits, charitable foundations, and a key boost from the state government, is as amazing as it is confusing. So many players, each one vital in some small way. The project might have easily fallen apart if even one or two players decided to withdraw permission or support.
Shumaker retells the story amazingly well since she had to rely on personal accounts, diaries, old records, and various other sources to blend all that data into a fascinating, cohesive tale about the great things a small group can achieve against daunting odds.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in how difficult it is to preserve and maintain wilderness in this country in the 21st Century.
elizfrances's review against another edition
4.0
I appreciated this book as a survey of the process it takes to put land conservation into place, and because its setting is personal and familiar. It's heavy on fundraising talk, which is interesting to me because it relates to my own work. I was expecting it to be a little heavier on "nature writing" (probably my misinterpretation). I recommend this as a Michigan story and an informational read, less so for being a super engaging book. I'm curious about what the author will write next!
readwithserena's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
lauriebuchanan's review
5.0
The threat was none too subtle and all too real:
“You can hole up all you want, but it’s going to happen. As a utility, we can use eminent domain to condemn your property. We will have this land.”
SAVING ARCADIA is a gripping true story of a small but mighty band of people who saved their land and its inhabitants from corporate greed and destruction.
Five stars, must-read, we would all do well to take a page from the environmental vision in this incredible book.
“You can hole up all you want, but it’s going to happen. As a utility, we can use eminent domain to condemn your property. We will have this land.”
SAVING ARCADIA is a gripping true story of a small but mighty band of people who saved their land and its inhabitants from corporate greed and destruction.
Five stars, must-read, we would all do well to take a page from the environmental vision in this incredible book.
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