John Muir, often called the "patron saint of the American wilderness" was a naturalist, author, environmental philosopher and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness. Muir’s ideas have been foundational to conservation activism and advocacy in the US. Selections from John Muir is a collection of his writings that invite you to rethink your relationship with nature, gently and with joy.

The collection includes two of Muir’s books: A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf and My First Summer in the Sierra, Muir’s published journals from walking expeditions across the United States in the 1860s. These books are more than just travelogues; they are profound meditations on humanity’s place in the natural world. Together, they invite readers to experience the wonder of the wilderness and to consider their role in protecting it.

A present-day climate change activist meets America's first environmentalist. Writer and climate activist Bill McKibben was in his mid-twenties when he first discovered Muir. After finishing 5 years writing for The New Yorker, he had moved to the mountains. The ideas in Muir’s writings fundamentally changed McKibben’s approach to the natural world, and his Rebind of John Muir’s writings is here to do the same for you.

Read. Watch. Discuss. Repeat. Experience Selections from John Muir with Bill McKibben, exclusively on Rebind.

SNEAK PEEK

Here are some questions McKibben will invite you to ponder while reading Selections from John Muir:

• In his travels thus far, Muir has encountered a variety of natural and human phenomena. Interestingly, his quest for solitude in nature often begins with interactions with others. Do you believe that companionship is necessary to fully learn how to be alone?
• What relationship does Muir see between satisfying basic human needs and the ability to experience joy? What relationship between these things do you see?

Bill McKibben wrote The End of Nature in 1989, now considered the first book for a general audience about climate change. He has subsequently spent most of his life working on global warming. He founded 350.org and Third Act, large-scale activist groups involved in the climate fight, and he has written extensively for The New Yorker, The New York Review of Books and a wide variety of other publications.

McKibben has spent at least a portion of almost every day of his adult life out wandering in the woods and mountains. He discovered John Muir’s writing soon after moving to the mountains, and the ideas in Muir’s writings changed McKibben’s approach to the natural world.

Muir’s ideas, McKibben attests, have played a fundamental role in shaping his writing and activism.”I'm really thrilled to welcome you to the world of John Muir, one of the great prophets America ever produced,” he says. Discover the work of a visionary environmentalist with yet another, more contemporary voice in the fight against global warming, only on Rebind.

Selections of Bill McKibben’s Published Work

• The End of Nature
• Earth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet
• Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?

Bill McKibben’s Accolades

• Guggenheim Fellowship
• Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction Writing
• Puffin/Nation Prize for Creative Citizenship
• John Muir Award (Sierra Club's highest honor)

Bill McKibben In The News

• The Guardian: Our dystopian climate isn’t just about fires and floods. It’s about society fracturing
• The New Yorker: Images of Climate Change That Cannot Be Missed
• The New York Times: Bill McKibben on the Power That Could Save the Planet

Selections from John Muir is a compilation of two of John Muir’s most influential books. Here’s a short introduction of each one:

A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf chronicles Muir’s transformative journey through the American South in 1867. Armed with little more than a journal and a plant press, Muir traveled on foot from Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico, immersing himself in the landscapes, flora, and fauna of post-Civil War America. His keen observations capture both the breathtaking beauty and the ecological devastation he encountered, offering early warnings about the consequences of deforestation and human impact on the environment.

My First Summer in the Sierra recounts his time in California’s Yosemite Valley during the summer of 1869, an experience that solidified his role as a champion of wilderness preservation. His vivid prose captures the grandeur of the Sierra Nevada and reflects his spiritual reverence for nature, portraying the wilderness as a divine sanctuary. Often considered one of his most celebrated works, this book invites readers to share in Muir’s awe and serves as a compelling call to protect the natural world.

John Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist, author, and pioneering environmental philosopher whose work laid the foundation for the modern conservation movement. Born in Scotland, Muir immigrated to the United States as a child. His lifelong passion for nature was sparked by his early experiences exploring the American wilderness, and he became a tireless advocate for preserving its pristine beauty.

Muir’s efforts were instrumental in the establishment of several national parks, most notably Yosemite National Park. His advocacy extended beyond the written word—he co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892, an organization that continues to champion environmental stewardship. His books remain touchstones in environmental literature, blending detailed observations of the natural world with spiritual and philosophical insights.

Muir’s legacy endures in today’s environmental discourse, inspiring activists, policymakers, and nature enthusiasts alike. His vision of wilderness as a source of spiritual renewal and ecological necessity continues to resonate in an era of increasing environmental challenges. By advocating for the protection of wild spaces during the Industrial Revolution, a period marked by rapid expansion and exploitation of natural resources, Muir’s work established a critical framework for balancing development with preservation.