John Muirs "Stickeen" & the Lessons of Nature

Historian Ronald H. Limbaugh here explains the mystery of why John Muir struggled for so long to bring Stickeen to life. Dr. Limbaugh pursued the evolution of the tale through a previously underexplored resource, the handwritten annotations Muir left in the volumes of his personal library. His thorough study covers the oral and literary history of the adventure, discusses its style, content, and sources, and places it--and Muir's difficulties in perfecting it--in the context of some of the major concerns of the era, particularly the Darwinian debates and the emerging animal rights movement.

Although the story of Stickeen has been published many times (and in many forms) since the 1897 article, this is the first time Muir's original version has been printed. It is set alongside other versions of the story, including a sentimental version for children composed by Muir's niece and the original journal entry from which all versions emerged. Perhaps best of all, it is also set within the context of author Limbaugh's high readable, lucid prose.