America's premier national park, Yellowstone is a byword for conservation, natural beauty, and enjoyment of the great outdoors—but it was not always this way. Here John Clayton presents a new perspective, noting how the gradual discovery of the region's wonders have transformed Yellowstone from a geological oddity into a wildlife preserve and a distinctly American paradise. From artists to naturalists, politicians to pop-culture icons, each character in the story of Yellowstone ends up reflecting and redefining the park for the values of its era.

"[John Clayton] enthusiastically tells the foundational stories of the magnificent park, which continues to capture the imagination of millions, and explains Yellowstone's impact on how we manage our natural resources."—Booklist