Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park, 2nd Edition

Death in Yellowstone

Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park, 2nd Edition

1995

Ratings2

Average rating5

15

Death in Yellowstone was an amazing book! I am so excited to share this review with you - and some of my thoughts!

Throughout the history of the National Park, there have been countless accidents, deaths, a few murders, suicides, and so much more. When we view Yellowstone, we have a more romantic view of the park - one of wonder and raw beauty. Yellowstone contains all of that - and more. Now, I am going to begin with a warning - if you have a weak stomach, there are a few places in this book that can cause it to turn.

Now, onto the book!

Death in Yellowstone documents and discusses the many accidents and deaths that have occurred in the park. It also notes some that occurred just right outside the boundaries as well. Weather, fortunes, and so many other areas have affected incidents, and some just stop you cold. The cases that involve children are always the hardest for me. As a mother, those are hard to read. But there are many other cases, many other circumstances that are also discussed.

The author takes you on a journey, throughout the history of the park, showcasing and noting the different types of occurrences. The book breakdown also has the cases grouped together by type as much as possible.

Death in Yellowstone Book Blurb:

The chilling tome that launched an entire genre of books about the often gruesome but always tragic ways people have died in our national parks, this updated edition of the classic includes calamities in Yellowstone from the past sixteen years, including the infamous grizzly bear attacks in the summer of 2011 as well as a fatal hot springs accident in 2000. Written with sensitivity as cautionary tales about what and what not to do in one of our wildest national parks, these accounts range from tragedy to folly as Whittlesey recounts deaths from freak avalanches to the goring of a photographer who got just a little too close to a bison. Armchair travelers and park visitors alike will be fascinated by this important book detailing the dangers awaiting in our first national park.

My Review of Death in Yellowstone:

This is a huge 5 star read for me! I think that it has been my favorite book so far to date. There were so many cases, and some heartbreaking stories contained within this book, but there are also some “here is what to do” sections, if you decide to visit the park. I found this one hard to put down, wanting to read more, pushing the book hangover to the next morning. There are some books that draw you in, and this is one. You almost feel as though you are in the park. You can feel the heat from the springs. The cold from the waters seep into your bones. The despair. The anger. The hurt. All the emotions are felt, and witnessed through the pages and stories recounted.

This is going to remain high on my favorites for a long time. If you decide to read this book and enjoy it, there are many others that are similar in nature. Yes, they did all go into my “want to read” mountain!

January 27, 2022Report this review