cover image A Conspiracy of Optimism: Management of the National Forests Since World War Two

A Conspiracy of Optimism: Management of the National Forests Since World War Two

Paul W. Hirt. University of Nebraska Press, $40 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-8032-2375-2

The once highly regarded U.S. Forest Service has come under fire for its mismanagement of the national forests, particularly for timber-cutting and road-building, and its failure to protect ecosystems. Hirt, who teaches history at Washington State University, probes the economics and politics of the agency during the last 50 years. Despite the official policy of multiple use-lumbering, grazing, recreation, wildlife-the Forest Service has focused almost exclusively on timber production. Hirt finds this is due partly to its professional bias of silviculturists and road engineers and to a lopsided budget assigned by Congress-resource conservation is viewed as expense, timber sales as revenue. The author follows the slow turnaround in public perceptions and policy changes in recent years, noting that the agency cannot be separated from the larger political, social and economic context. This fair study may be too detailed for general readers. Illustrations. (Nov.)