Cast Out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, and the American Wilderness By Robert A. McNally.

The article focuses on Robert A. McNally’s book *Cast Out of Eden: The Untold Story of John Muir, Indigenous Peoples, and the American Wilderness*, which critically examines the racial attitudes of John Muir, a foundational figure in American conservation. McNally argues that Muir’s vision of wilderness was influenced by Anglo Saxon Protestant supremacy and included disparaging views of Indigenous peoples and African Americans, supported by Muir’s writings and associations with figures linked to eugenics and slavery. While McNally’s critique of Muir’s racism aligns with previous scholarship, his emphasis on guilt by association is seen as less convincing, and the article notes Muir’s evolving views and complexities are somewhat overlooked. The book encourages a more nuanced understanding of Muir’s legacy and advocates for recognizing Indigenous peoples’ rightful place in conservation history. [Extracted from the article]