Well Written Character Study of an NPS Ranger

The book is an in-depth character study of a national park service ranger, Randy Morgenson, who went missing while on duty in the California back country of Kings Canyon/Sequoia National Parks in 1996.

Morgenson was a complicated character, what you might call an extreme environmentalist. It appeared he was at his happiest during his summers working as a park ranger and stationed in the wilderness areas. From all accounts and according to Blehm's research, Randy was well-liked by many. His disappearance affected many people, and this book details the search for him.

I found the book interesting and an easy listen overall. However, I felt it was too long and covered too much minutiae. Very little of the twelve plus hours of listening covered the search and rescue action which to me was the most interesting part. Yet, I had to keep listening as I needed to know the outcome of the search. I had to know if Randy was the victim of an untimely accident, if he just decided to disappear and start a new life, or if he committed suicide. These three options were all viable possibilities, and I spent alot of time pondering the outcome during times I was not listening.

In addition, I spent a good deal of time pondering why Blehm chose to invest so much time and research on this particular man. I also wondered whether Randy was as self-absorbed as I imagined he was, and if so, why was he so beloved by so many co-workers. No easy answers on these questions, and I came away with no firm resolution. Considering how much I thought about the book when I was not listening, I am feeling it was a worthwhile read. In addition, the ending took me by surprise and was not what I was expecting.

Add to this an excellent narration by Jonathan Davis and I would recommend this audio book, particularly to nature lovers.

181 people found this helpful

Great story but not tight.

The author did his research and it shows! It was my favorite thing and my least favorite thing at the same time. Including what everyone thought at every point in the time line was woven together beautifully but made for an extremely repetitive narrative. Lots and lots of variations on the same themes repeated from many angles. I don't think the author missed a single angle but I was wishing he had by the end!

93 people found this helpful

Don't Take This Book For Granite!

Such a compelling story drew me in from the start. I am NOT a backpacker, or avid hiker and I have never visited the High Sierras. I was drawn to this book because I love a good mystery and his disappearance and the circumstances surrounding it drew me in.
But the picturesque, stunningly beautiful world of granite mountains and flowery meadows --and Randy Morgenson's love, reverence and dedication to protecting it made for a most worthy and fascinating read. I envied his idyllic upbringing in the Yosemite valley. Such a unique individual, loved and respected by many, yet, like many of us, flawed and complex and at times hard to understand. A very worthwhile read!

87 people found this helpful

A fascinating account

“The Last Season” by Eric Blehm examines the life and death of National Park Ranger Randy Morgenson. During his 28 years as a park ranger, Morgenson was stationed as a back country ranger in the Sequoia and Kings Canyon mountain range. Morgenson mysteriously disappeared in 1996; his body was not found until 2001.

Blehm examines the life of Morgenson and reveals a contradictory figure. He could be considered a dedicated naturalist or an environmental zealot. Apparently, by all accounts, Blehm indicates Morgenson conducted himself with complete professionalism in his encounters with visitors to the park system, and he risked his life to assist loss or missing park visitors. The book provides a good description of what the life of a back country ranger is all about on a daily basis.

Blehm reveals that at the time of Morgenson’s disappearance he was at a crossroads in his personal life. He was in the middle of a divorce, had an affair with a female ranger and had become fatalistic about his life. Blehm explores the various theories as to what happened to the ranger. The official report is accidental death.

The book is well written and thoroughly researched. The book is part biography and part detective story. Blehm provides some great descriptions of the Sierra Nevada back country. Jonathan Davis does an excellent job narrating the story. The book is moderately long at almost thirteen hours.

58 people found this helpful

changes the way you'll view the world

my definition of a good book is one that impacts you in such a way that you are a different person after you finish it... or you "see" things in a different light. This book does that absolutely. It changes the way I will view nature from this point forward in my life

56 people found this helpful

Overkill on the Details

I was extremely disappointed with this book after the glowing reviews. Nothing at all happens--who would care about job reviews and letters from visitors to Randy's park? There is a lack of an active subject, about which we care little and whom is merely referred to. The author was obviously proud of his overly nitpicking research to have dismissed a shot at editing a word of it out. Unfortunately, there's hardly anything interesting here beyond what could've been stated in a brief news article.

46 people found this helpful

Engrossing!

Excellent story and enjoyed the narration. I did not know the outcome of this before I began reading and the story was told so well- the past and search were interwoven with an excellent balance! Thoroughly enjoyed and glad I had 8 hours in the car this weekend to listen

41 people found this helpful

Started Out Skeptical - But What a Great Story!

Where does The Last Season rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 10%

What did you like best about this story?

It is just a great human-interest story, the kind of story you usually only get in stories of wartime deeds by military heroes. But this is in an entirely different setting, and it's a great listen.

40 people found this helpful

Not enough material for a book

This entire book should have been feature article length, it lacked real substance. Would not recommend.

32 people found this helpful

Poignant Story on Importance of National Parks

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. The story starts by telling the narrative of what happened to Ranger Randy Morgenson in the High Sierras, summer of 1996, but over time became the story of our collective relationship with the US national park system. What became clear as the story progressed was the function the park system performs for us all, by providing these holy vistas to connect to a greater "why?". Through Randy Morgenson's humility, his sage words and principled behavior, I came to understand what his life ultimately represented, an overwhelming appreciation for the connection between all things, as experienced in his interactions that took place in the High Sierra and Kings Canyon NPS over the 26 years he worked there. The fact that he did not receive benefits not pension, nor even the guarantee of continued employment, yet came back each year with enthusiasm, to work as America's shepherd and guide to the wonders of that high place, speaks volumes about the character of the man. And to his fellow park rangers, as well. Although I've never been to the twin HS/KC NPS, but I have visited to Yosemite a number of times, as well as Glacier NP, Arches NP and the Delaware River National Recreation Area, and each time I visit, I feel that it does not get any better than this, that these American treasures are truly heaven on earth. Randy Morgenson understood this on a profound level.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Last Season?

Randy giving his sermon on the mountain to the students. Wish I could have been there, to hear those inspirational words spoken during an amazing point in time.

Which scene was your favorite?

The SAR party strategy meeting.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, enjoy spreading it out.

28 people found this helpful