A fascinating look at the origins of professional forestry in the United States, focusing on the groundbreaking Biltmore Forest School, the first institution of its kind in the country. Founded in 1898 by George W. Vanderbilt in the heart of North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, the school served as a training ground for the future leaders of forestry in America. Frank Tainter's detailed account delves into the school's innovative approach to forest management, its pioneering curriculum, and its lasting impact on American environmental policies.