Review of Camping Grounds

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 28 Jan 2025, 14:26

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Camping Grounds" by Phoebe S.K. Young.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Have you ever enjoyed camping as a form of recreation? Are you interested in the history of camping from the American Civil War to today? Do you believe that all citizens should have the right to camp outdoors, whether it is for recreation, survival, or visible protest? Do you believe that camping in public spaces is not a right of all citizens? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you will enjoy reading Camping Grounds by Phoebe S. K. Young.

Young used two concepts to focus on the history of camping practices in the US. Firstly, public nature was defined as "both outdoor spaces and ideas about those spaces as settings where people work out relationships to nature, nation, and each other,” and secondly, the nation’s social contract was defined as “the set of beliefs and structures that establish what citizens and the government owe to each other.”

This book examined the various forms of public nature and social contracts that have evolved from the nineteenth century to today. As the emphasis on owning farmland and being productive switched to producing industrial and consumer goods in urban settings, Americans changed their ideas about public nature. Recreational camping became a more popular way to connect with the outdoors. Camping became an activity employed by economically stable families for leisure. The military, transient workers, homeless people, and poor families used camping as a means of survival due to a lack of any other options for shelter. Military veterans used camping, in the nineteenth century, to protest government policy in a visible way. Recently, camping has been used by social movements as a visible form of protest against governments. Young examined all of these forms of camping as they have been manifested in American history from the nineteenth century to today. This information was well-researched and well-documented. The author provided hundreds of footnotes from various sources. They included the writings of Truman A. DeWeese, E. P. Meinecke, William T. Sherman, John Mead Gould, John Muir, Barrows and Barrows, John Steinbeck, Paul Petzoldt, and Daniel Yankelovich, to name a few.

I enjoyed reading this well-researched and thought-provoking book. The wealth of information about the history of camping in the United States was enlightening. I now see camping as an important activity for recreation, well-being, and visible protest. The author’s writing style was fluid and interesting. The editing was almost perfect. I noticed only one error. I could not find anything to dislike about this book.

I gave this book 5 out of 5 stars for the reasons mentioned above. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys camping and is interested in the history of camping in the USA.

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Camping Grounds
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Post by **Sarah Zain** » 11 Feb 2025, 18:35

I'm not into camping or what concerns it in US history. But I can see from your review that the author's method of presenting his idea was not limited to one aspect, but rather included several, including the political. My question is, was the book more of a research paper than an interesting narrative?

Your review is perfect as always Gerry.

Gerry Steen · Post by **Gerry Steen** » 11 Feb 2025, 18:54

Sarah Zain wrote: ↑11 Feb 2025, 18:35 I'm not into camping or what concerns it in US history. But I can see from your review that the author's method of presenting his idea was not limited to one aspect, but rather included several, including the political. My question is, was the book more of a research paper than an interesting narrative?

Your review is perfect as always Gerry.

Thank you, Sarah! Yes indeed. This book was more on the research side. However, it was written in an interesting fashion.

Chi Chiu Michael Mak · Post by **Chi Chiu Michael Mak** » 11 Feb 2025, 20:14

The book is about the history and social science of camping, a premise I've never seen before. I am hooked, and I want to know more about camping!

Post by **Julie Marie Basil** » 11 Feb 2025, 22:47

This sounds like a very interesting book. I have gone camping several times before, but haven't ever given much thought to the history of camping. Another wonderful review, Gerry!

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 11 Feb 2025, 23:05

I guess this book has a rather niche audience, lol and I'm not it. I understand camping is a common pasttime in the US, so this books will certainly benefit many.

Post by **Jeff Kanda** » 12 Feb 2025, 02:34

I am camper and I love camping in forests. I always think of a forest as place for fest (Forest = For Rest). What's funny is that I don't know the history of camping. I believe this book will be an eye opener. Thanks for sharing the review, Gerry.

Post by **Priya Murugesan** » 12 Feb 2025, 06:32

I have never gone camping but I would love to go. I think I would enjoy reading about camping and its history. Thanks for your awesome review, Gerry!

Amy Luman · Post by **Amy Luman** » 12 Feb 2025, 11:35

I am not interested in camping in any way. That, however, does not mean that I think that others shouldn’t have the option. They should. Not everyone enjoys the same things and that is how it should be. Thanks!

Quentin Russel · Post by **Quentin Russel** » 12 Feb 2025, 13:40

It's intriguing how something as simple as sleeping outdoors can carry such deep historical and cultural significance. I never considered camping as both a tool of survival and a form of protest, but Young's research seems to weave these narratives seamlessly.

Quentin Russel · Post by **Quentin Russel** » 12 Feb 2025, 13:57

Amy Luman wrote: ↑12 Feb 2025, 11:35 I am not interested in camping in any way. That, however, does not mean that I think that others shouldn’t have the option. They should. Not everyone enjoys the same things and that is how it should be. Thanks!

That's a great perspective! Even if camping isn't your thing, it's interesting to see how it has played a multifaceted role in history from leisure to survival to activism.

Post by **Anu Anand** » 12 Feb 2025, 23:35

I’ve never been camping before, but the idea of spending time outdoors and connecting with nature sounds exciting. It’s fascinating to learn how camping has evolved from survival to recreation and even protest. Thank you for your wonderful review, Gerry.

Lene Lena · Post by **Lene Lena** » 13 Feb 2025, 04:10

Hello Gerry,

Camping sounds interesting and practiced by many. I like how this book highlights the evolution of public nature and social contracts in America, emphasizing how camping transitioned from a leisure activity for affluent families to a survival strategy for marginalized groups. It underscores the multifaceted role of camping in social movements and protests, reflecting broader societal changes over time.

Thank you for this great review!

Deborah Alves · Post by **Deborah Alves** » 13 Feb 2025, 09:30

This review makes Camping Grounds by Phoebe S. K. Young sound even more fascinating! I love how it highlights the book’s originality, showing how camping is more than just recreation—it’s also tied to history, politics, and protest. The detailed analysis of public rights and outdoor spaces is such a unique perspective! Gerry did a great job emphasizing the book’s thorough research and engaging writing. Definitely adding this to my reading list!

Post by **Neha Panikar** » 14 Feb 2025, 02:30

Wonderful review! I didn't know that camping had some origins in the US;just thought they had become popular recently. One of my friends enjoys this, so I'm definitely recommending her this book. It's interesting how this transformed from into something for recreation, well-being, and is also relevant/useful for visible protest.
Thanks for sharing the review. Enjoyed reading it!