Helpful Score: 1
The real life of national park rangers. It explains the sad sight we saw when we were visiting one of the jewels of the NPS. National Parks aren't Disney and they have some very real and life threatening dangers for rangers and the public.
It's an eye opening book, but some of the stories can get repetitive near the end.
It's an eye opening book, but some of the stories can get repetitive near the end.
Deborah H. (deb1999) reviewed Ranger Confidential: Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks on + 27 more book reviews
Not what I was expecting. The author comes across as a bitter Ranger who got no enjoyment or fulfillment out of her job or honestly out of much else in life. In the last chapter, she throws away all her Ranger uniforms in the dumpster. The stories are all about people and can be mostly categorized as her annoying coworkers and the annoying tourists. She thinks people don't like her, and honestly, if she were a coworker of mine, I wouldn't like her either given her general attitude to life. Animal stories are rare, and appreciation for the beauty of the parks and desire to share that with the public is missing. If you like "nitty gritty" books, you might enjoy this one, but be aware that "nitty gritty" in her eyes is not 50% negative and positive presentation of both sides but more like 98% negative.
Dana W. (SouthWestZippy) -
Andrea Lankford gives an eye opening look into the life of a Ranger. A few of the stories leave you hanging or wanting more information but overall a good collection of stories. You will not be able to look at a Rangers the same way after reading this book. At times the drama does get a little old but with all that they have to put up with and deal with, she deserves to be a little drama Queen now and then. Highly recommend.
