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Up for Grabs - by Thomas Urquhart - 1 of 1

Up for Grabs - by Thomas Urquhart (Paperback)

$24.99

FormatPaperback

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About this item

Highlights

  • Each year thousands of men and women and families recreate on Maine's Public Reserved Lands.
  • About the Author: Former Maine Audubon director Thomas Urquhart is the author of For the Beauty of the Earth (Shoemaker & Hoard, 2004).
  • 376 Pages
  • History, United States

Description



Book Synopsis



Each year thousands of men and women and families recreate on Maine's Public Reserved Lands. Most of these visitors know only that the large green areas on the map promise them access to some of the state's most magnificent places. Very few have any idea how Maine acquired them. Or that, as a conservation success, their acquisition (600,000 acres) rivals the celebrated purchase and gift to Maine people of Baxter State Park (210,000 acres) by Governor Percival Baxter.

Up for Grabs: Timber Pirates, Lumber Barons, and the Battles over Maine's Public Lands is the story of Maine's Public Reserved Lands and how they speak to the very essence of Maine's identity. With dramatic moments and colorful characters, the book weaves its way from colonial times to statehood in 1820 to the present, providing an engaging and informative history of Maine's wildlands from exploitation to conservation and protection.



Review Quotes




"A major contribution to Maine history." --Colin Woodard, bestselling author of The Lobster Coast, American Nations

"An interesting and exciting read!"--Walter Anderson, former State Geologist, Maine

"Great piece of scholarship/reportage and enlightening even to some of us who were involved at the time." --J. Mason Morfit, former Executive Director, Maine Chapter of The Nature Conservancy

"In this fascinating account of Maine's public lands, Thomas Urquhart provides history, intrigue, drama, and triumph in a way that has not been told before."--Pete Didisheim, Senior Director of Advocacy, Natural Resources Council of Maine

"Maine's public lands are at the fabric of every Mainer who loves the outdoors. Inside you will find the tantalizing tales of how public lands like the Bigelow Preserve, Duck Lake, and Deboullie Township became true treasures of the state of Maine. It's a tale of competing visions, contentious moments, and in the end, a watershed moment for conservation and the state of Maine, all masterfully told by Thomas Urquhart, whose passion for public lands is only exceeded by his artful description of the tall timber tales contained within." --Judy Camuso, Commissioner, Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife

"Memorable characters, expert analysis, and wry wit. Scholars, history buffs, and environmentalists will likely be delighted and impressed." --Michael Berry, Maine Sunday Telegram

"The lost and found saga of Maine Public Lands reads like a mystery novel, historical account, and political drama all wrapped into one. With a deep passion for the topic and extensive research, Thomas Urquhart recounts this tale in a way that is both engaging and informative."--Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands

"There is a wealth of fascinating information in this sweeping narrative, and the chapters on acquisition of the public lots will provide invaluable background for policymakers... it's a wonderful read."--Richard Judd, McBride Professor of History, University of Maine

"Thomas Urquhart's Up for Grabs tells a story that is of vital importance to Maine studies."--Richard Barringer, Emeritus professor, Muskie School of Public Service at the University of Southern Maine

"Thomas Urquhart's meticulous, highly readable, and often gripping account of the adventures of four hundred thousand acres of pristine Maine woods, spiked by history and girdled by greed, will grow tree rings itself, as it matures into a timeless classic."--Simon Winchester, best-selling author of The Map That Changed the World

"Urquhart is a both a first-rate historian and writer." --Malcolm Hunter, Jr., Emeritus Professor of Wildlife Ecology, University of Maine



About the Author



Former Maine Audubon director Thomas Urquhart is the author of For the Beauty of the Earth (Shoemaker & Hoard, 2004). He has written extensively on Maine's natural resources for such publications as Down EastMagazine, Audubon, Habitat, and Port City Life. He lives in Portland, ME.
Dimensions (Overall): 9.0 Inches (H) x 6.0 Inches (W) x 1.0 Inches (D)
Weight: .76 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Number of Pages: 376
Genre: History
Sub-Genre: United States
Publisher: Down East Books
Theme: State & Local, New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Format: Paperback
Author: Thomas Urquhart
Language: English
Street Date: November 3, 2026
TCIN: 1010095867
UPC: 9781684752881
Item Number (DPCI): 247-06-7147
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 1 inches length x 6 inches width x 9 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.76 pounds
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