This America of Ours

Bernard and Avis DeVoto and the Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild

By: Nate Schweber

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

The untold story of the extraordinary fight to defend American wilderness from McCarthyism, and the radical couple who led the charge—and inspired a future of conservation

In late-1940s America, few writers commanded attention like Bernard DeVoto. Alongside his brilliant wife and editor, Avis, DeVoto was a firebrand of American liberty, free speech, and perhaps our greatest national treasure: public lands. But when a corrupt band of lawmakers, led by Senator Pat McCarran, sought to quietly cede millions of acres of national parks and other western lands to logging, mining, and private industry, the DeVotos entered the fight of their lives. Bernard and Avis built a broad grassroots coalition to sound the alarm—from Julia and Paul Child to Ansel Adams, Arthur Schlesinger Jr., Alfred Knopf, Adlai Stevenson, and Wallace Stegner—while the very pillars of American democracy, embodied in free and public access to Western lands, hung in the balance. Their dramatic crusade would earn them censorship and blacklisting by Joe McCarthy, J. Edgar Hoover, and Roy Cohn, and it even cost Bernard his life.

In This America of Ours, award-winning journalist Nate Schweber uncovers the forgotten story of a progressive alliance that altered the course of twentieth-century history and saved American wilderness—and our country’s most fundamental ideals—from ruin.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Nate Schweber (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Packed with information

I'd never heard of the DeVotos before listening to this interesting book. I'm so glad they were bold and fearless enough to be conservationist during the middl

Where would we be without Bernard and Avis

Thank you Nate Sanders for opening my eyes to an immensely important couple and the impact they have had on all of our lives.

Reviving the DeVoto story revives the conservation spirit

Nate Schweber's biography of Bernard and Avis DeVoto brings back to life the key role this couple played in protecting America's landscapes and its democratic soul. Schweber builds his narrative by turning a light on Avis's life with Bernard and drives home the point that this was a team effort. Bernard's book jackets may only credit Bernard, but Schweber brings Avis to the front cover. Diving into the lives of DeVoto, the reader roots for B. and smiles when Avis gets her due. Best of all the DeVoto's voice for conservation and democracy is revived and brings to life the many lessons we need so much today. Great read and audio production.

A Must Read for all who love public lands

Excellent journalism. so much information about the history of public lands.
Timely in the midst of challenging political times

Fascinating history of a great conservationist

Bernard and Avis DeVoto have been unsung heroes who helped save some of America’s parks and wild lands. Nate Schweber’s meticulous and beautifully researched book reminds us that the fight was difficult, but oh so worth it! And, as we see how history repeats itself, I found that I was called upon to continue the vigilance required to save our lands and our earth going forward.

I learned alot

I'm from Utah and I'm ashamed to say I did not know about Bernard Devoto our first Pulitzer prize-winning resident of Utah. Wonderful book and the interlaced history of McCarthyism and conservation efforts of the mid-century was fascinating.

The DeVotos, no longer forgotten

Extraordinary! Well and extensively researched, the author offers insights to our troubled times that honors the passion of his subjects, Bernard and Avis DeVoto (and Julia Child).

For all who love wild places

An amazing story so relevant to the repeats of history, in this case the selfless commitment to retaining America’s wildness in the face of exploiters, vandals, and grifters. America needs to relearn the story of Bernard and Avis DeVoto. So well done.

Wow wow wow.

Makes my partner want to be an activist. Reminds me of what is important. Loved learning about my grandparents generation from their hay days in the 40s. Learned so much about the history of makes America so special; National Parks and free speech.

Salty mediocre groomer journalist saves place you’ve never been

A ridiculously hagiographic bio of Bernard Devoto, a man I’d not heard of before for good reason. I spent the first 2/3 of the book wondering when this man would matter, then I spent the last 1/3 wondering if the consequences of a life like his wouldn’t work out exactly as expected.