Tending the Wild

Native American Knowledge and the Management of California’s Natural Resources

By: M. Kat Anderson

Narrated by: Leslie Howard

John Muir was an early proponent of a view we still hold today—that much of California was pristine, untouched wilderness before the arrival of Europeans. But as this book demonstrates, what Muir was really seeing when he admired the grand vistas of Yosemite and the gold and purple flowers carpeting the Central Valley were the fertile gardens of the Sierra Miwok and Valley Yokuts Indians, modified and made productive by centuries of harvesting, tilling, sowing, pruning, and burning. Tending the Wild is an unparalleled examination of Native American knowledge and uses of California's natural resources that reshapes our understanding of native cultures and shows how we might begin to use their knowledge in our own conservation efforts.

M. Kat Anderson presents a wealth of information on native land management practices gleaned in part from interviews and correspondence with Native Americans. The complex picture that emerges from this and other historical source material dispels the hunter-gatherer stereotype long perpetuated in anthropological and historical literature. We come to see California's indigenous people as active agents of environmental change and stewardship. Tending the Wild persuasively argues that this traditional ecological knowledge is essential if we are to successfully meet the challenge of living sustainably.

©2005 M. Kat Anderson (P)2023 Tantor

Stand stand the narrator!

It's like she's trying to whisper the book while keeping it exciting. She is soooooo wrong for this book. She would be so much better for maybe a pre teen book. Ugh, I just can't finish this story....

Fantastic

From the narration to the immense depth of knowledge, this book is captivating. Sometimes heavy on the horticulture references for the uninitiated, but still enjoyable to consume. Would recommend to anyone.

Important ecological knowledge

The invaluable information in this book advances the understanding of indigenous genius and its place in western US/California environmental history, predating the impact that the incursions of "civilization" have had on the landscapes of the past.
I work in environmental restoration, and I read the book years ago. It is very relevant. Listening to it was to be a great refresher.
I love the content, it is so important to recognize the genius of indigenous peoples and their ecological knowledge of the land throughout the history of the west...
and I am sad to say I am fully dismayed and struggling tremendously to tolerate the gushing narration.
The syrupy, semi-hushed, often sing-song gushes of her breathy voice seems like the narration is an attempt at "seducing" the listener.
And I wish someone had taught her how to correctly pronounce the names of the tribes in the northern California region. Her mispronunciations are another distraction.
I have eight hours of the book left, and honestly, the style of narration is so distracting that I can not absorb the content.
My husband usually loves to listen along when we drive, but he will not tolerate this reader. He always asks me to switch to anything else...
Yet again, valuable ecological knowledge and history relayed by the book regarding the myth of "wilderness" and the reality that the landscapes of the west were ingeniously tended to by the indigenous people should be known and understood by everyone so we can move back towards a more Balanced way of living with the Earth.
If the narration doesn't bother you, please listen. And even if the narration drives you nuts, the information is very valuable.