William O. Douglas imparts something of John Muir's deep attachment to nature primarily by quoting the great conservationist whenever possible. This non-fictionized biography tells of Muir's Scottish boyhood, his settlement on a Wisconsin farm where he first became fascinated with the wonders of the great American wilderness. Muir's talents lay in many directions. He was an inventor, a writer, a naturalist, an explorer. But his greatest talent was intangible. It lay in his ability to relate to natural phenomena everywhere, to find joy and satisfaction adventuring in hills and forests along riverbanks and mountain ranges. Those with similar experience in the outdoors will appreciate Muir's motivations.