Making Mountains

Making Mountains examines the cultural and environmental transformation of New York's Catskill region from the early 1800s to the modern era. The book traces how this wilderness area evolved into a complex landscape shaped by tourism, water resources, and shifting urban-rural relationships. The narrative follows key developments including the rise of mountain tourism, the creation of the vast water supply system for New York City, and the establishment of the Catskill Forest Preserve. Through archival records and historical accounts, Stradling documents the competing interests of developers, conservationists, local residents, and city officials who influenced the region's trajectory. This environmental history demonstrates how cultural perceptions and economic forces can physically reshape a natural landscape over generations. The book reveals the Catskills as a critical case study in American environmental policy and regional development, showing how metropolitan needs and romantic ideals about nature combined to create today's managed wilderness.

Readers describe this environmental history book as thorough but dense. On Goodreads, it maintains a 3.9/5 rating from 11 reviews. Readers appreciate: - Detailed research on the Catskills' transformation - Clear explanation of NYC's water supply development - Balance between environmental and social history - Inclusion of primary sources and historical documents Common criticisms: - Academic writing style can be dry - Too much focus on policy details - Limited coverage of indigenous peoples' perspective Amazon reviews (3.5/5 from 4 ratings) note the book works well for academic research but may be challenging for casual readers. One reviewer wrote: "Important information but tough to get through." On Google Books, multiple reviews mention its value for understanding Northeast conservation history, though some found the narrative structure fragmented. Goodreads reviewer Daniel B. noted: "Strong on facts and research, weaker on engaging storytelling."

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🌲 The Catskill Mountains were once viewed as an obstacle and wasteland by early European settlers, but were transformed into a celebrated vacation destination largely through the efforts of artists and writers in the 19th century. 🎨 The Hudson River School of painters, particularly Thomas Cole, played a crucial role in changing public perception of the Catskills by depicting them as sublime and majestic in their artwork. 💧 New York City's need for clean water led to the creation of massive reservoirs in the Catskills, permanently altering the region's landscape and displacing entire communities in the early 20th century. 🏨 By the mid-20th century, the Catskills became known as the "Borscht Belt," home to numerous resorts catering to Jewish vacationers who faced discrimination at other tourist destinations. 📚 Author David Stradling is a professor at the University of Cincinnati who specializes in environmental and urban history, particularly focusing on the northeastern United States.