Ranger Confidential

Living, Working, and Dying in the National Parks

By: Andrea Lankford

Narrated by: Julia Motyka

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

The real stories behind the scenery of America’s national parks.

For 12 years, Andrea Lankford lived in the biggest, most impressive national parks in the world, working a job she loved. She chaperoned baby sea turtles on their journey to sea. She pursued bad guys on her galloping patrol horse. She jumped into rescue helicopters bound for the heart of the Grand Canyon. She won arguments with bears. She slept with a few too many rattlesnakes.

Hell yeah, it was the best job in the world! Fortunately, Andrea survived it.

In this graphic and yet surprisingly funny account of her and others’ extraordinary careers, Lankford unveils a world in which park rangers struggle to maintain their idealism in the face of death, disillusionment, and the loss of a comrade killed while holding that thin green line between protecting the park from the people, the people from the park, and the people from each other. Ranger Confidential is the story behind the scenery of the nation’s crown jewels - Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Great Smokies, Denali. In these iconic landscapes, where nature and humanity constantly collide, scenery can be as cruel as it is redemptive.

©2010 Andrea Lankford (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Better than most reviews

As someone who listened to the last 3 hours of the book while driving to a 3day backpacking trip, I really enjoyed this. The people who think the author is self righteous INO don't understand the outdoors or how hard a law enforcement type job can be. Well worth a listen and the money. Lots of funny times and some very sad ones as well.

This book is a great listen

If you could sum up Ranger Confidential in three words, what would they be?

A candid look inside the the lives and profession of the NPS and its Rangers.

What did you like best about this story?

You can tell the author has true first hand knowledge of the subject. Her details really make the story believable, things only someone who had been there and done that could ever know. I've never been an NPS Ranger but I feel like I've had one as a good friend for a long time and listen to their stories from work.

What about Julia Motyka’s performance did you like?

Yes very much, she really brought the story to life. She was a good pick for this book and Ill be looking for her in the future.

Any additional comments?

If you get out in the National Parks and want to get an idea about the other side of the Rangers, THIS IS THE BOOK. The NPS officially may not have been thrilled with everything in the book or the truthful perspective in which it was written but if you want to get an inside look at being a Ranger or working in the parks THIS IS THE BOOK.

Passionate and from the heart

The author smoothly and carefully talks you through some of the most heroic rescues and disastrous tragedies of herself and her fellow National Park Service rangers and volunteers. Worth the read, but brace yourself if you’re highly empathetic.

Could not put it down or take the earbuds out

Have recommended this book to all my friends amazing story’s and every type of emotion

An excellent listen for you NPS vacation

If you want some insight into the challenges and real-life experiences of those pesky NPS Rangers this is a good listen. it gives you an appreciation for the why and hopefully some understanding and compassion for those who are trying to keep your vacation a pleasant one

great book

wonderful and also heartbreaking. I recommend this to anyone with an interest in our parks.

Love this book!!

This book deepens my new obsession for the National Parks. The author makes me wish I would have been a Ranger.

Awesome book with unique perspective

This book is very well written. Very unique perspective into the national parks that we all know and love. I have a new and deeper respect for the Park Rangers who safeguard these natural wonders.

An Interesting look into a world you never knew.

Listened to this book on our way home from our latest Yellowstone trip. You never really understand what anyone endures in their profession and this was no different. A candid look into the world of those who's job it is to keep us safe on our adventures and some of the stupidity of humanity and those who just shouldn't leave home of venture into nature.

Eye opening

I had no idea what life was actually like and I am really amazed by their dedication.