You Might Have Know There'd Be A Book

Yesterday's post with the poem and bio bit on Dr. Samuel Hall Young led me on a Google search as he seemed such a fascinating fellow.

Among other bits and pieces I learned that in his early days as a young missionary pastor as well as young husband and soon-to-be father, he met John Muir, famous naturalist.  Muir had traveled to Alaska with three older Presbyterian leaders( rather hard nosed and stiff collared) and their wives.  The later were checking up on their young missionary.  On meeting the group, Young was at once drawn to the Scottish naturalist.  They formed an immediate bond and set about making quiety hiking plans.  

In order to free himself for his adventure with the older Muir, Young set up the watch-dog trio in meetings with local First Nation chiefs that he, Young, had been working with in his missionary and church building venture.

The book is Young's remembrances of those days. The account is delightfully readable.  Young was first and foremost a lyrical, spiritually sensitive poet as well as a keen observer of people and the created world around him.  He is a skilled wordsmith.  One is given not only a glimpse into hischaracter and sweet nature, but  also a lovely picture of Muir the man.

Now the book is readily only found in paper back form.  The original hardbacks are out of print and mostly costly.  But the happy news, it is a free download on Kindle.  [Amazon is my friend!]

So, my encouragement is this - if you are an adventure lover and/or if you enjoy reading character studies of noteworthy men, this is the read for you.

Just saying....