In this handsome volume, the author discusses the region from geologic times until its withdrawal by an act of Congress as our first ‘national park’ in 1872… .This is an exceptionally fine book, a noteworthy blending of scholarly and popular history. Bartlett knows his subject well, both as a student and as an outdoorsman. –Pacific Northwest Quarterly
A timely work; its ‘mission’ is to make the reader wish ‘to have seen Yellowstone before the people came.’ The author must be commended for writing a scholarly book with appeal for a popular audience. –Journal of American History

A joy for the recreational reader and a solid reference for scholarly researchers …The author has been both energetic and fortunate in gathering material from a rich variety of original accounts and later writings, and he has used them skillfully. –Western Historical Quarterly