Egan's Criticism Of The 'Big Burn'
Though devastating, Egan argues that the Big Burn was essential for the recognition and prosperity of the forestry service.
In contrast to 1910, ask any American today if they would like our national forests to be destroyed and sold for profit. More than likely, the answer is going to be “No.” Conservation is so deeply engrained into our cultural word view, that the very idea of not having nation forests is unthinkable. Ridiculous. We even recycle toilet paper to save trees. But a hundred years ago,
“these assertions were laughable.” (42) And Egan is able to successfully lay out the story in such a way, that even the 21st century reader understands why it was such a huge struggle for
Roosevelt and Pinchot to create conservation in this country.
In contrast to 1910, ask any American today if they would like our national forests to be destroyed and sold for profit. More than likely, the answer is going to be “No.” Conservation is so deeply engrained into our cultural word view, that the very idea of not having nation forests is unthinkable. Ridiculous. We even recycle toilet paper to save trees. But a hundred years ago,
“these assertions were laughable.” (42) And Egan is able to successfully lay out the story in such a way, that even the 21st century reader understands why it was such a huge struggle for
Roosevelt and Pinchot to create conservation in this country.