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Gloryland Audiobook
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(3.19) - 103 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Having patrolled Yosemite for more than two decades, author and park ranger Shelton Johnson delivers this fictionalized tribute to its healing grandeur. Born in 1863 to a sharecropping family of black and Indian blood, Elijah Yancy becomes a Buffalo Soldier in the U.S. cavalry. Ultimately finding his way to the newly created Yosemite National Park in 1903, he basks in the freedom of its pristine splendor-with little beyond mountain light, campfires, and stars. "An engaging and poetic meditation on what it means to be truly free." -Booklist
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"I noticed this book at the gift shop in Yosemite and decided to borrow it from the library. It's about Elijah Yancey, born in the South just after the official end of slavery. As he grows up, he discovers he can't live in a town where the mere fact that he walks on the sidewalk that the whites expect is only for them creates a threat to his family. He sets out on his own cross country, signs up for the Calvary, and ends up patrolling Yosemite on horseback. The book is written in the format of a memoir, and Johnson's descriptions of people, places, thoughts & feelings are so believable that I kept forgetting I was reading a novel and not a true story. I think this book would be an excellent choice for the Big Read or similar citywide book discussion. It's rich in discussion material on diverse topics such as racism, history, geography, and spirituality."
— Laurie (4 out of 5 stars)
Gloryland Listener Reviews
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" Beautifully written. It takes Elijah Yancy a long time to get to Yosemite, but it's worth the wait. And everything he's gone through beforehand makes what he finds for himself in Yosemite even more precious. "
— Linda, 2/2/2014 -
" Shelton Johnson's story is a wonderful depiction of the life of a buffalo soldier just after Emancipation Day in the late 1800s. His descriptions are superb! He finds his true home at his posting to Yosemite. A truly great story! "
— Cheryl, 1/20/2014 -
" The book was amazing, which is not to say that the criticisms I read are not also accurate. It is more poetry than plot, but since I didn't know what to expect going in, I was not disappointed. The use of simile and metaphor was the amazing part but I, also, found myself wanting more of a story. "
— Cathy, 1/14/2014 -
" A novel about buffalo soldiers in Yosemite, abck in the days when the US Army ran the park. Ok, but it dragged a bit for me. "
— Chris, 1/13/2014 -
" A really interesting book that is a story I didn't know -- about the experience of a black cavalry soldier in the late 19th and early 20th century; and about the beginning of Yosemite Park. The author is a National Park Ranger, and his obvious love of Yosemite shines through this wonderful tale. "
— Karen, 11/1/2013 -
" Story of a Buffalo Soldier who also was one of the first national forest rangers at Yosemite. Author is actual ranger at Yosemite and this is based on his great-grandfather. Very good read. "
— Jill, 10/2/2013 -
" This book was a little heavily poetic for my taste, a bit slow going, but a good story about some little-known history. "
— Barbara, 5/4/2013 -
" This is a book that must be read slowly and savored. Buy it. You'll want to highlight and reread sections over and over. "
— Katra, 4/20/2013 -
" A beautiful, lyrical novel to savor and remember. "
— Staff, 2/28/2013 -
" Interesting topic. Writte by a Buffalo soldier who is assigned to patrol Yosemite National Park. Very poetic, descriptive author but at times the plot lagged. "
— Beth, 2/12/2013 -
" As one of the reviewers says... very poetic. A beautiful telling of the internal and external environment from the perspective of a Buffalo soldier. "
— Charlie, 12/14/2012 -
" After seeing Johnson in Ken Burns's national park documentary, I had high hopes for this novel. Sadly I was disappointed. "
— Stephanie, 9/26/2012 -
" Wonderful first novel by this author. I've always wanted to visit Yosemite; now even more so after reading so many beautiful passages in this book. "
— Terri, 8/3/2012 -
" A memorable meditation on freedom and life--I couldn't stop turning pages down I wanted to find again. Shelton Johnson not only knows Yosemite and his buffalo soldier character intimately, but he writes--and thinks-- beautifully. Bravo! "
— Nancy, 5/18/2012 -
" One of my favorite books I have ever read. Beuatifully written, I just loved it so much. "
— Julie, 5/16/2012 -
" Beautifully written book about a buffalo soldier. "
— S.K., 5/11/2012 -
" much spiritual bonding w/ the glory of nature "
— Robin, 1/28/2012