Nelson's book offers more new ideas and challenges to our thinking than any other recent work on the public lands. Anyone interested in the growing debate about public lands needs to read it, and read it soon. I can't think of anyone who has challenged public lands policy in such a thoughtful and intelligent way.

William E. Riebsame, University of Colorado

Professor Nelson provides a powerful yet easy-to-read view of how the dark side of the Progressive Movement-centralization, professionalization, bureaucratization-evolves into the pretensions of 'scientific management' and the hubris of 'ecosystem management' to the detriment of one-third of the nation's land. Here's a useful guide for those who would reform the way we use public lands.

Philip M. Burgess, Center for the New West

Addresses some of the most relevant resource policy debates in the late 1990's. . . . As historical perspective and interpretation, this volume deserves a place on the bookshelves of those interested in western public lands and national forest management.

Dr. Bailey Norwood

Anyone who has struggled to make sense of the history of public lands management in the American West will want to read Robert Nelson's Public Lands and Private Rights.

Donald Snow, author of Inside the Environmental Movement: Meeting the Leadership Challenge

Provides an intellectual springboard for anyone looking to rethink, retool, or even dismantle the federal land management system. The proposals outlined in the book could provide ammunition for conservative reformers as they turn to public lands.

The Yale Law Journal

An informative, interesting, and stimulating analysis of the federal lands of the United States. Whether one accepts or rejects his analysis and his conclusions, no one interested in public land management can afford to ignore this book.

Marion Clawson, Resources for the Future