Guests of the Bethlehem Area Public Library were privileged to hear author Nate Schweber present his book, “This America of Ours: Bernard and Avis DeVoto and the Forgotten Fight to Save the Wild” Oct. 1.

“This is one of several authors the library is proud to host for discussions and presentations,” said Matthew Rothfuss, Bethlehem Area Library’s head of reference. Schweber’s book is available, to borrow, at the library.

Schweber’s multimedia presentation unveils a forgotten period, circa 1946, post World War II, when National Parks were under siege by cattle/sheep ranchers, mining companies and logging firms. Wealthy ranchers desperately wanted this land for their herds to graze and politicians advocating for the ranchers fought any restriction on grazing.

Over grazing lands, a failure to prevent wind erosion, and the destruction of the natural topsoil, all played a part in the catastrophes such as the Dust Bowl that damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies during the 1930s. The 1940s and 50s were no better.

Schweber identifies the true political villains, and the heroic citizens, Bernard and Avis DeVoto, who took action despite being ostracized for expressing their views. Their relentless efforts to protect the nation’s natural treasures resulted in many of today’s conservation laws.

Schweber, a Missoula, Mont., native, now lives and works in Brooklyn. He has contributed to prominent publications such as The New York Times, ProPublica and Preservation Magazine, and his crime reporting has appeared in Explore Parts Unknown.

Schweber said that writing and researching the book was a six-year project. The book has earned critical acclaim, including the 2023 High Plains Book Award for Nonfiction and first place in the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s 2023 book competition.