The Last Season

De: Eric Blehm

Narrado por: Jonathan Davis

Destined to become a classic of adventure literature, The Last Season examines the extraordinary life of legendary backcountry ranger Randy Morgenson and his mysterious disappearance in California's unforgiving Sierra Nevada - mountains as perilous as they are beautiful. Eric Blehm's masterful work is a gripping detective story interwoven with the riveting biography of a complicated, original, and wholly fascinating man.

©2006 Richard Leversee (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Better than Fiction!

This is a suspenseful mystery with a fascinating cast of characters, but it's also a look at how undervalued the people who protect our national parks are. These are the people who risk their lives every day to look after our greatest natural resources, and, like teachers and so many others who give of themselves every day, simply aren't given the resources, pay or even acknowledgement of how much society values their contribution. Here is the story of a man who went back year after year for three decades to do seasonal work as a park ranger, was never offered a permanent position and rarely had any indication that his field reports were even being read. Yet he was considered one of the most knowledgable and capable rangers in the High Sierra. Throughout his career, radio problems cropped up again and again. Did such a problem ultimately lead to his death? We can't answer that, but I assume that the problem never got fixed because of budget cuts. No doubt the money that might have been used on our National Park Service got used for something more important, like bailing out banks or funding MIC projects. The way his widow is treated by the Department of Justice after his death will come as no surprise after hearing the rest of the story.
Jonathon Davis is good as always, and a great choice of reader for this compelling story.

Long winded story about the life and death of a back woods ranger

This book is written in the style that jumps forward and backwards in time, from one person to another. I did learn something about the people who live and work in our national parks, which I do appreciate, but by the end of the book, I was ready for it to be over so I could get on to some other book. It's an interesting book, but not destined to be a classic.

Hooked

I listened to the audiobook every chance I had over the course of a few days. Absolutely hooked. Great story about a great guy. Worth the listen or read.

a gem

just right: the life, the thoughts, the story, the presentation. a special man with a special life

Slow... Good, but slow

May be in keeping with the topic and the pace intended by the author and protagonist both, but this was slow

A tribute

This book not only covers the disappearance of Park Ranger Randy Morgenson, it also serves as a tribute to a respected and very caring man who lost his life in the place he loved most. A wonderful story.

LOVED, reads like a mystery thriller!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely to friends who camp, hike, enjoy parks and the great American outdoors. There is also so much beauty in Randy's story and passion for the wilderness. (This book covers the life and disappearance of a veteran ranger). The caring and brotherhood of rangers is a true love story and makes you see how thankless their job is but how without then we wouldn't have our slice of heaven on earth.

What other book might you compare The Last Season to and why?

The Brain Defense... this is another nonfiction that reads like a mystery: thrillingly fast paced with twists as you try to understand what happened. It's also a drama: your heart rips apart over and over, especially at the end. Even though you know what happens from the beginning, you can't help but hold out hope.

What about Jonathan Davis’s performance did you like?

Davis had that perfect balance of feeling like a narrator without sounding like a monotone lecturer.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I did! It would be great for a long car ride on the way to Yosemite!

Any additional comments?

This story demonstrates why life without closure is more difficult than grief over loss. The five stages of grief are ever present in this book and you work through them slowly.

I also deeply appreciated the open discussion of depression and how it shapes us in innumerable ways and that life happens without your permission and everyone inevitable struggles with a crisis of character or conscience.

great story

an amazing story of a man and his passion. left me with a greater appreciation of life it's purpose and our responsibility to be stewards of the planet.

Great book for those who love the mountains

This book was inspiring to me as it resonated with my love for nature, hiking and High Sierra mountains. It also made me respect rangers more and pay more attention when I'm on the trails. So sad to learn how rangers are treated while risking their lives. I wish we lived in a better society that valued their work! So sad to learn how much garbage people leave behind... The first chapter was a bit hard to get through for me, it felt a bit too long or too slow, but then it all flowed nicely, I couldn't stop listening.

The Last Season

Thoughtful tribute to a dedicated servant, who showed compassion and humility, yet upheld the high standards he set for himself as he served as a Ranger. in the high Sierra's.