"In this handsome volume, the author discusses the region from geologic times until its withdrawal by an act of Congress as our first 'national park' in 1872. . . .This is an exceptionally fine book, a noteworthy blending of scholarly and popular history. Bartlett knows his subject well, both as a student and as an outdoorsman." --Pacific Northwest Quarterly "A timely work; its 'mission' is to make the reader wish 'to have seen Yellowstone...