Placerville, CA (Aug 7, 2024, 2024) – Fascinating Author Talk: An Evening with Robert Aquinas McNally
Date: Saturday, August 10, 7 PM Location: The Bookery, hosted by Moira Magneson
Discovering the Untold Story of John Muir
Join us this Saturday evening at the Bookery for an enlightening discussion with author Robert Aquinas McNally. Dive into the complexities of conservation legend John Muir through McNally’s latest book, “Cast Out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, and the American Wilderness.”
The Event
Date and Time:
Saturday, August 10, 7 PM
Venue:
The Bookery
Special Host:
Moira Magneson
About the Book
“Cast Out of Eden” offers a critical reexamination of John Muir, the celebrated naturalist often revered as the “Father of the National Parks.” McNally’s work exposes the lesser-known and darker aspects of Muir’s legacy, particularly his prejudices and interactions with Indigenous peoples. The book delves into Muir’s derogatory views on Native Americans and his advocacy for their removal from wilderness areas, contrasting these troubling beliefs with his significant environmental accomplishments.
McNally argues that Muir’s romanticized vision of the American wilderness as an untouched Eden overlooked the displacement and suffering of Native populations. While Muir occasionally admired Indigenous craftsmanship and familial bonds, these moments were rare and inconsistent.
The Importance of McNally’s Work
“Cast Out of Eden” is essential reading for those interested in a nuanced understanding of American environmentalism’s history and its complex intersections with Indigenous history. McNally not only reassesses Muir’s legacy but also highlights ongoing efforts by Native Americans to reclaim and restore their ancestral lands and cultural heritage within national parks.
About Robert Aquinas McNally
Robert Aquinas McNally, a freelance writer and editor based in Concord, California, is the author of nine books, including “The Modoc War: A Story of Genocide at the Dawn of America’s Gilded Age” (Nebraska, 2021). McNally’s latest book, “Cast Out of Eden,” continues his exploration of historical narratives often overlooked or simplified.
Meet Moira Magneson
Moira Magneson, who will host the event, is a multifaceted individual calling the Sierra foothills home. With a background in English composition at Sacramento City College, she has also been a river guide, bike messenger, TV writer, and program manager for the El Dorado Arts Council. Her literary contributions include a chapbook, “He Drank Because” (Rattlesnake Press, 2008), and her forthcoming novel, “A River Called Home,” to be released in late fall 2024. Her full-length poetry collection, “In the Eye of the Elephant,” will be published by Sixteen Rivers Press in 2025.
